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Volvo S40
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Comments
Its not as good as the Miata or NSX gearboxes, but its not bad.
The throws are short, a little rubbery maybe.
Clutch takeup is good, much better than my S60R.
My test drive of the FWD T5 6-sp in the Volvo's invitation event did not show any obvious torque steer. In other words, it shouldn't bother you.
But even w/o turbo lag, the turbo's boost-build-up time still delays. So, during acceleration, by the time the boost really comes on, it's already around 3000 rpm, which is when I usually up shift to the next gear. If you want the claimed max-torque to be available @ 1500 rpm, then you have to lug the engine at that rpm & wait, such as when climbing a hill.
"With all four wheels engaged, our test car hits 60 in 7.9 seconds, only a second slower than the manual S40 T5 we tested earlier."
7.9 seconds? That's about as quick as the '05 Focus ST 2.3 5-sp manual.
"The all-wheel-drive system also aids traction in dry cornering, yet overall induces less push than expected."
Less push? You can enjoy less push simply by getting the light-weight FWD Focus ST w/ std SVT sway bars & shocks. Sorry, I sound so...'cause I don't need AWD in S California.
"We're less happy with the somewhat slow and vague electro-hydraulic steering. It needs work."
Might as well go back to the old school of Focus I ST w/ pure hydraulic & no subframe for max direct-feeling steering!
"But overall the V50 is a great handling sport wagon that can also test driver skills, so we recommend the optional stability control."
Is that why the Focus I ST & SVT w/o a vague steering are not available w/ stability control in America? You're gonna have to disable it in order to have fun drifting the controllable tail anyway.
"The ride is European solid, but never harsh, and interior noise levels are low.
EPA mileage estimates for the T5 AWD with automatic are 19 city/26 highway."
W/ the regular fuel, the Focus ST manual can save enough gas $ to have a custom shop sound insulating the noise down to a decent level. & w/ the longer springs than the SVT, the ST can ride just fine, especially after I replace the 205/50 w/ 205/55 tires.
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2416.shtml
Eventually i decided that it made more sense to just save for a 3-series.
Next: s40 t5 awd/a4 2.0TQ/2006 3-series
waiting to try the last 2
dave
First, it was the E46 3-series that lost the old E36's high level of steering feel & the very involving handling, even w/ the uncomfortable sport suspension. & I'm not too comfortable getting an used E36 due to the repair cost & the lack of DSC stability control on a RWD car discourages me to explore the handling limit in the wet, so therefore no fun!
So I thought I might as well get the '05 updated $43k C320 Sport sedan, which I CAN afford, by the way. It turned out that the feeling, especially thru the steering, is even more insulated than the already so-so E46 Beemer. So I wasn't having much fun w/ this highly-capable but rather-boring-to-operate vehicle, but I considered buying it anyway 'cause the color -- white w/ blue glass over the grey interior -- is what I like, & modern cars rarely come w/ rear visibility this wide. Then I decided that I still want a stick & should order one instead. & then I hated the salesman 'cause he persuaded me to buy that automatic car & lied to me that the charcoal filter was already included as std feature. It wasn't for '05, & won't be available as an option for months, according to the brochure.
Right after that test drive, I immediately tried out again the FWD S40 T5 w/o the uncomfortable sport suspension & found its weak-kneed front suspension performing poorly if I don't slow down over deep bumps such as speed bumps.
That left me no choice but to get either the base RX-8 auto or the '05 Focus ST:
creakid1, "Volvo S40" #998, 27 Nov 2004 2:31 pm
The E46's clutch is tediously heavy & long travel, while the Focus's clutch is beautifully light! & as far as how good dynamically the Focus is comparing to...
(p46-51, 11 June 2003 AUTOCAR)
Group Test: Alfa 147 2.0 vs Audi A3 2.0 FSI vs BMW 318ti SE(w/ std sport suspension) vs Mercedes C180K S Coupe
"Individually none is bad, but the general (in)competence level has shocked me because even the best car here doesn't come close to the basic dynamic standards set by the four-and-a-half-year-old Focus Focus. And for the money being asked that's criminal.
But is that valid criticism? You bet it is."
"How you rate the BMW Compact depends entirely on how highly crisp styling rates on your prestige-check list. To me (accepting, as we now must, that a Ford is dynamically superior to them all) it's right at the top of the list;..."
The '05 Focus ST sedan, w/ 2.3 Mazda-developed 4-cyl & std SVT swaybars & shocks, is no ordinary American-spec Focus, & even the non-ST '05 Focus is so well honed & tuned now:
durability05, "Ford Focus vs. Mazda3" #154, 14 Dec 2004 11:05 pm
“ I bought a brand new 05 ZX4 automatic and
this car is like comfortable sport clothes. Driving the big SUV's is like wearing a suit. My old commuter car the Honda Accord it replaced felt like ill fitting clothes. The 05 ZX4 is much improved over a 2000 Focus I owned 4 years ago, which was about average.”
Anyone who can afford a bimmer or Benz or Volvo usually buys in the class.
This is the first time in my almost 15 yrs experience in the car business where someone shopped in the luxury market and bought an econobox.
I'm sure the Focus is a nice enough car, but better than a bimmer or benz?
& there's almost no reason getting this new S40/V50 @ this price over the other Volvo's if it wasn't for the Focus II suspension & steering rack. Why not just get an S60 or last year's S40/V40?
Anyone who can afford a bimmer or Benz or Volvo usually buys in the class.
This is the first time in my almost 15 yrs experience in the car business where someone shopped in the luxury market and bought an econobox.
I'm sure the Focus is a nice enough car, but better than a bimmer or benz?"
It's such a "delicious toy", I swear! I know I know, no charcoal filter & no silent fwy cruising, but that's about it! It feels great speeding when cops don't even notice me w/ the blue-oval badge! The only thing I still envy from others is how the old Peugeot's & the C-class w/o sport suspension travel over speed bumps. But the Focus-suspension S40/V50 can't do that, either, & only the driving position leaves me "drooling". That's why I still constantly recommend people to consider the new S40/V50, especially the wagon people, who have to sacrifice the wide rear visibility anyway.
By the way, my next "delicious toy" that still rides comfortably is the next LSD-equipped Miata w/ folding metal top & an RX-8-like suspension.
Cross shopping is S40 vs TSX.Its Rolex vs Breitling.
What your doing is comparing Walmart and Nordstroms.
You can always make the argument that cheaper is better, since its cheaper.
Again, I defy anyone to say w/ a straight face that the Focus is better than or equal to a benz, bimmer, Volvo, Audi, Saab, Acura, or even a Subaru. Its just cheaper.
Anyone?
Again...
creakid1, "Volvo S40" #1033, 28 Dec 2004 3:23 am
(p46-51, 11 June 2003 AUTOCAR)
Group Test: Alfa 147 2.0 vs Audi A3 2.0 FSI vs BMW 318ti SE(w/ std sport suspension) vs Mercedes C180K S Coupe
"Individually none is bad, but the general (in)competence level has shocked me because even the best car here doesn't come close to the basic dynamic standards set by the four-and-a-half-year-old Focus Focus. And for the money being asked that's criminal.
But is that valid criticism? You bet it is."
"How you rate the BMW Compact depends entirely on how highly crisp styling rates on your prestige-check list. To me (accepting, as we now must, that a Ford is dynamically superior to them all) it's right at the top of the list;..."
So, dynamically, the Focus does trump them all, unless, of course, you don't care about the dynamics, especially in crowded traffic jams.
But none of these vehicles are available in the US and we don't know if any of them, including the Euro market Focus referenced, are even set up the same as the NA versions.
Enjoy your focus.
At this point we need some input/feelings with regards to residual value and long-term reliability for these two cars. Considering the S40 is redesigned, my question may be hard to address. However, if I am not mistaken the 5 cylinder engine has been used by Volvo for some time - although I do not know if the S40's engine compares to past Volvo models.
We are also concerned that a 2005 A4 might be somewhat obsolete with the introduction of the 2006 A4, considering the improved engine.
Any suggestion/input would be greatly appreciated.
dave
The extra power contributes greatly to my impression. The A4 performed well in first and second, about that same as the T5, but suffered greatly thereafter. The additional torque available in the S40 is noticeable, even during city driving.
The S40 felt more like a Rally car than a luxury car. The handling of the A4 was impressive but a little "softer" than the S40. The A4 struggled a little with a high speed turn (probably at a higher speed than recommended) while the S40 had very little body roll or difficulty. The predictable downside is a somewhat "stiffer" ride in the S40.
I'm probably not buying for a while yet, so i'm sure all the cars i'm lookin at will be tweaked some.
The s40, even with the sport package, isn't as sporty as i like, but i still might bite because of its other aspects. It, at least, knocks the 9-3 off the list for me, as it has some advanatages over the 9-3 and i don't really see where the 9-3 compensates.
dave
Very respectful, compare to Honda Accord.
I too found the S40 too expensive for what it is. I was looking for one last fall but ended up leasing a very nice S60 2.5T fully loaded for a little under $500. per month before taxes. This is a 2004 and Volvo was doing a fire sale in September.
Guy
It's almost impossible to find a semi-upscale, reasonably-sized, and reasonably well-equipped AWD vehicle for under $40K in Canada. I even looked at the new Outback. That goes up to about $45K for the top-of-the-line. And really, other than the famous Subaru AWD system, you're not getting a heck of a lot of car for that kind of money. They don't even give you memory feature for the driver's seat. I mean c'mon, Subaru, $45K is not pocket change!
My car now is RWD but i have snows and i'm better off than AWD cars with all-seasons.
dave
Let's not forget that AWD or stability and traction control just helping to MANAGE the existing traction.
Snow tires ADD the traction.
I think both snow tires and AWD add traction, just in different ways.
That *might* be true *only* for acceleration.
And that only matters is you care about accelerating quickly away from stoplights, and not about stopping or turning to avoid an accident.
dave
Now with 4 winter tires on the XC it's a different story.
Nokian makes a 4 seasons thats is reported to be very good on snow, maybe that's what you're looking for?
You mean better in turning & stopping, or better in accelerating?
And yes, when I switch out of the OEM tires, I will definitely look for all-seasons with strong snow performance. I'll check out the Nokian. Thanks for the tip. Never heard much of that brand before though. Do they also make cell phones?
My main reason for being interested in AWD is i just don't like how FWD feels, and AWD can feel more like RWD.
dave
I strongly believe that with the exception of the street racing FWD is much more practical and safe for the "normal" sedan.
Mazda and S40 have different suspension, engine, transmission, active and passive safety devices, seats, interior, exterior body panels, lights, etc. (if that is not enough).
S40 also have some additional reinforcement even in the part of the body which is common for all three (Mazda 3, Volvo S40 and new Ford Focus) vehicles.
Mazda is sportier, while S40 is much safer and much more refined.
Safety is definitely an issue for us, particularly since these cars are toward the smaller end of the spectrum.
If you like to be pampered for under $20k, then take a newspaper-special S40 stick w/ no option & enjoy the comfort of the slow-movement ride & the chair-high driving position (especially the door-armrest height) w/ good thigh support.
That being said, I did enjoy the added punch that is provided by the T5 turbo. I'm more than a little bit concerned by the turbo lag when driving in heavy traffic. Will I get used to it & be able to adjust???? Any replies from T5 guys will be appreciated. Bill from NJ