USED Volvo S40 Saloon (04 - )

My car

Really nice car to drive, i've got 2004 1.8 se volvo. To be honest i was impresed. Never liked volvo's before,but when i seen new s40, i loved it. I traded in my 2003 3 series BMW for it, and i dont feel sorry at all.S40 its nice stylish well built car. Very safe, highly equiped. Had only little problems with headlights washer, but frendly volvo dealers sorted it out for me. Runnig cost, not bad. I do most town driving,and it does about 34mpg.

I think it one of best cars on market to buy. I paid only £13000 for 54 plate s40se model and with only 9000 miles on clock.

My car

I drove this 2.0-litre diesel version as a company car, probably doing about 40,000 miles in a year.

I got one of these in January and had lots of problems - all electrical. The footlight light stays on, the windows go up and down randomly when the remote is used, but worst of all is that a warning light saying the engine management system needs a service required is nearly always on.

The dealer claims to have downloaded new software, but it is never cured for more than a week. This seems connected with an engine problem - it surges and feels full of flat spots. It really is not what I'd expected.

My car

My one and only gripe with this car is the abysmal fuel consumption. I have had the car just under one month now, and have used £110 worth of diesel.

As the car is used primarily for urban use, I was expecting it to return around 37mpg (Volvo figures). On one occasion I managed to empty three-quarters of a tank in 170 miles.

I'm so fed up to the back teeth of putting fuel in the car I have asked my Volvo dealer to change the car for the 1.6 diesel instead, but I expect the usual raft of excuses.

I do believe in being fair though, so if the dealer does decide to be nice to me, then I feel I should let everyone know, so watch this space.

My car

I have a very early model S40 - February 2004 on a 53 plate.

As such it has suffered from a fair number of teething troubles, many that are similar to others that have posted (failed CD, footwell lights staying on, electrical gremlins, easily scratched trim).

Volvo has offered good service, if rather unimaginative in their diagnosis - it took six visits to sort everything properly, and I still haven't got the CDs back out of my stereo (they apparently have to send it to Sweden unopened for warranty purposes).

Problems aside, and I kind of expected them on an early model, the car has been very enjoyable to own. It is a good drive, has a high specification, great stereo, and doesn't cost the earth to run. I get about 30mpg from the 2.4 auto, insurance is cheap, and servicing is a bit on the pricey side (more than my previous BMW).

One bonus I did not expect is the folding front passenger seat. With this and the rear seats folded, I can get 8ft long items in the car, which is great for DIY stuff.

With hindsight, I probably ought to have bought the manual, as the auto is a bit indecisive at times, but on balance my first Volvo has been a positive experience.