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Volvo S40
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But, unfortunately, these brake pads seem to melt away pretty quick (approx. 15k mile lifespan). The problem I don't like, is the excessive brake dust that covers the wheels. I've never seen anything like it. Can't keep the wheels clean!
One thought I had, was possibly using "brake dust shields". They seem to be better than they were in the old days, where the rotors got too hot.
http://www.auto-extra.com/dustshield.htm
Is this a good idea, or bad. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
I'm still Ok with this car.
Camry is an akward, boring and underpowered car in 4cyl version. (try driving it up the mountain if you don't beleive me), but it is a reliable family hauler.
S40 is fast, nimble and has very nicely appointed interior, and did I mention fast? But family sedan it is not - too tight or as my wife put it -snug.
So, depending on what you are looking in a sedan it might or might not be a good deal. My wife had S40 for three month so far and can't think of driving Camry again.
We have a 2000 model. It had some teething pains (brakes, suspension squeak, ac, engine managagement chip) but is now pretty much sorted out.
Long term reliability is a question mark for me.
I like how the car drives though it is a bit small for me. I just wish it had a stick and am considering an Acura TSX, Accord Sedan or Subaru WRX.
So is now a good time to sell? Or will it get worse when new 04s arrive?
Perhaps a loose sunroof seal?
The current sales incentives are not new to the S40/V40 lineup. Last year, at model end, Volvo was offering similar incentives to move out the old inventory.
Unfortunately, you have a car that is nicer than the market will recognize, and is a bit overpriced at sticker to be competitive. If you are ready to sell, sell...but expect the resale to be lower than if you had bought a Passat or Camry.
Volvo has not been able to capture the wide open market, so only Volvo people are buying Volvos. The S40/V40 was not enough of a great car to change that.
Personally, I would not buy a 2000 S40, and I like the cars. So, use my anecdote as a small indicator of just what it will take to dump your car for a new one...a mighty enticing price.
Figure if I can get a base S40 brand new for just under $20k, that a 2000 isn't going to be very interesting at any price north of $13k...regardless of options. No warranty, no new-car smells, etc.
As the new S40 hits the market, this will only make the matter worse. If you are ready to buy a different car, put the 40 on the market and get on with your life.
For me, a potential S40/V40 buyer at year end...I am looking to make the car a long-term investment, so I only factor in resale mildly. But if I was looking for a 3-5 year car, the S40 wouldn't be the ticket. If you intend to put 100k miles on it and 8-10 years..the resale is a moot issue.
One advantage to holding the car may be the sorting out of new product interest. If the new S40 drums up more interest in the market, you may be able to sell the old S40 faster and for more money based on name appeal alone. I strongly believe that a new model release directly affects the old model, a strong new product helps carry the old model, a weak new product can errode an already bad position.
Good luck.
My main motivation is getting a car with a stick shift again. I sold a Prelude with a stick which I miss. Cars I am considering include Subaru WRX, a BMW 3 series, maybe the new Acura TSX when it comes out, or even an Accord 4 door, 4 cylinder with 5 speed. I know these range in price from $22k - $35k.
There are also some issues with the car that just do not seem to get repaired, like suspension squeak.
I am somewhat afraid that if I am holding the car after the warranty runs out, it could be expensive to repair OR I would just live with minor annoyances. But then again, even 1 or 2 $500 repairs a year is less than a car payment.
Our S40 model is fairly basic - Cloth seats with the only options being weather package and in turnk CD changer. I have about $22.5k in it and the car is paid for.
The wife would not mind keeping it till it truly becomes a problem. I'd like to bail now and get something else.
On the buy side, I might recommend looking at the Mazda6 with the stick, Infiniti G35 (stick on the way?), Volvo S60 (hot Turbo edition may be the cure for what ails you) or an Audi A4.
The Subie WRX is a great car (wagon or sedan?) but not very civilized. The BMW is all-around great, but expensive. The Honda/Acura duo are very good...but always seem to be as dull as an accounting seminar in most comparos.
Your tastes will have to dictate your purchase, obviously. I honestly don't think you can go wrong in that price range, as long as you stay true to your needs and wants.
For the money, the BMW is a great car with better than average reliability, great resale, and dynamic driving characteristics. If the price isn't a killer, that is the car to have. I just can't make the leap from low 20s to low 30s in my finances, or I would be signing my name for a 325 tomorrow. (After some lengthy test drives of the competition, of course.)
Back to the S40 - would you recommend for or against buying the current S40?
Edmund's own 330i has been nearly flawless. 3-series BMWs do offer very good reliability AND performance...a tough package to beat. Statistically as reliable as an Accord or Camry? Maybe not, but the 99.5% of BMW 3-series buyers will never see that difference.
Now with the part where most drivers won't care, you might be right. I have a VW Jetta myself, which is not the most trouble-free car (according to the CR surveys), but I love the car and wouldn't drive anything else. The German 'feel' is unmatched by the Japanese or American counterparts. Since you own a BMW, you can more than likely identify that 'feel' for yourself.
Can someone tell me what a "Great" lease payment would be on this car.
Thanks,
The price you pay for the car doesn't matter if the residual is low.
Or you have a high money factor.
The only time the light comes on is if you shut the system down.
the light will flash when the system is operating.
DSA doesn't engage the brakes, it retards the throttle
All the cars you mention are ones I am looking at as well (3 series BMW, Audi A4, Volvo S60, Infinity G35, Lexus IS 300, Acura TSX). For midwest winters, I prefer FWD or AWD (though some of the above cars are RWD).
My second preference is for something Japanese. This is our first Volvo and the experience is average to negative when it comes to car quality. I like the experience at the Volvo dealer but I am not sure the car is as well put together as it could be.
I am taking the car in to the dealer soon for the following problems - steering wheel squeak, dead speaker, suspension squeak, plastic cap piece that fell off seat rails. Maybe most cars have these sorts of problems after 40000 miles, but I do not remember my Honda Prelude having them.
With the problems fixed, the S40 is a nice car that still turns heads and gets compliments. It does ride well and can be sporty if pushed. Remember that mine is a 2000 with some teething pains.
When I see deals for the 2003 models for $19k, I'd say they are worth it. They have less problems I am sure and what else can you get for $19k? An Accord LX? Even with the problems, the S40 (even year 2000) is nicer than that!
Also, the cruise control failed to engage after I stpped on the brake to disengage it. I tried many times and it just refused to work. After the jump-start (after the battery got drained), the CC got back working. Are these things somehow related?
I don't know much about car. It is quite inconvenient for me to bring it to the dealer. So any help would be appreicated.
Thanks!
my brother is selling his 2001 s60. he has a 10 disc cd changer which the buyer has no interest in. can i install this on my 2002 s40 ? is the s40 pre-wired for a trunk mounted cd player ?
any help would be appreciated.
However, the S40 was designed to accept the 6 disc changer.
I don't know that the 10 disc changer will work in that car.
cons:
yes, the cupholder placement and size
BRAKE DUST! (anyone know how to minimize this?
pros:
power, big sunroof,sharp silver color, leather, handling, design, etc.
One question...the battery is still encased in some type of protective (styrofoam?) for lack of better word. Should I remove this? I took it off and I wasn't sure if it was for transport or what?
After 2700 miles, it's great! I would defnitely buy it again.
Pros: Great driving car for fast errands around the town. Very nice leather interior and good looking too.
Cons:Maybe a little small for big-sized passangers. Rear-view visibility is obstructed.
I have just purchased a used 2000 Volvo S40 in white. It has 34,000 miles on it and looks near perfect. We paid a bit too much for the car (16,997), but if it holds up and runs well for years to come (as we expect from a Volvo) we're ok with paying what we paid. We also have the pre-owned, certified factory warranty (through 2007), which was truly the selling point that got us to drive it home.
My concern is that many folks are posting comments (with alarming consistency) with respect to what has gone wrong with their 2000 S40's. I'm hearing a lot about poor craftsmanship, cheap parts, bad electronics, poor brakes, faulty wiring, ect...and this is a Volvo?
I have only put on an additional 1000 miles thus far and have only a few "complaints" to this point:
1. - The car pulls to the left - - alignment
2. - The car feels a little light (?) - - not as heavy and "safe" as I'd expect
3. - The car doesn't always start the first time you turn the key - - strange
4. - Brake dust on the front wheels is excessive and at times, the brakes in general seem to need to "warm up" to work well
5. – Radio antenna not working properly
Please tell me how things are going / have gone with you and your 2000 Volvo S40 and/or what you might know about rectifying some of these problems?
Has your warranty covered all of this?
Overall are you happy with the car?
And finally - - bottom line - - - Is this a quality car with a few bugs or a poor car from a company with a good reputation??
Thanks so much! Hope to hear from you!
Kevin
Ektor4@hotmail.com
http://www.petitiononline.com/vs4ds100/petition.html
so far, there are 87 signatures. Add yours and maybe Volvo will build the car. Also join in on the Volvo S100 conversation under Future Vehicles.
Just today I've just been informed by my dealer that I need all new brakes and the car has 23,000 miles on it and he let me know that I had gotten more wear out of my brakes than most people. Cool another $350 I didn't want in my bank account anyway.
Luckily my lease is up soon and I will be all too happy to give this car back to the dealer.
I know this post my be a bit of a rant but because this website has been invaluable in my search for the other car in the house (a 2003 Honda Accord which has been amazing, well behaved and purchased at invoice. ) I figure if I can convince one person not to buy or at least think twice before picking up an S40 I've given something back.
seen similar messages elsewhere in this discussion but haven't come across any solutions. I have weird transmission happenings. It's quite unpredictable although it seems to be somehow related to sudden stops or stop-and-go traffic.
While slowing to a stop, the car appears to slam directly from 3rd to 1st. There is a mighty clunk and the whole car shutters. Seems to happen very shortly after a short stop....although, as I said, it's really quite unpredictable. The dealer has no clue....as has been said before....they always claim there are "no codes" and the transmission is at factory specs. I suspect the problem is somwehere in the "adaptive" brain of the transmission. But, obviously, there are NO situations under which the computer should tell the transmission to shift THAT HARD...or skip a gear completely or whatever.
I'm concerned there is permanent damage being done here, meanwhile the dealer can't figure it out.
Otherwise, the car has been terrific.
Any help/ideas out there?