Volvo S40
I am looking for sedans in the 25K range.
Does anyone have any info or opinions on the
upcoming Volvo S40, or other sporty sedans such as
the Audi A4?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Does anyone have any info or opinions on the
upcoming Volvo S40, or other sporty sedans such as
the Audi A4?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
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2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The Ford/Volvo merger also bothers me. I can just see Explorers rolling off the assembly line with Volvo badges on them (shudder)!
I don't know how competitively it will be priced. Volvo says "under $25,000" which most likely means "$24,995", and on top of that options will probably include sunroof, leather, alloy wheels, cold weather package, etc.
go here
www.nextvolvo.com
www.thenextvolvo.com
I believe that the last I read was that they would start arriving in showrooms in August. Given that it's not a new model I wouldn't expect this date to slip much (I saw quite a few of them at the factory in Sweden about a month ago).
-rdo
russell.ollie@ibm.net
What do you think about the S40 having seen one up close?
What is Volvo doing for the home market that impressed you must?
One more question did you happen to see the S90 Royale while in Sweden?
balooo2,
I think the 40 series will be very competitive once it arrives this year. Unfortunately, I suspect there will be a new Audi A4 and with the new BMW 3 series (323 specifically), the S40 will be in for a battle in the next couple of years. For me personally, I found the S40 too small for my needs (young family). I thought the design was progressive but didn't really wow me. Oddly, and I'm not a wagon man, the V40 struck me as a much more appealing design. Even though it is a small car it has lots of room in the back because it is a wagon.
Regarding Volvo's home market, I can say that we get the pick of the litter here in the US. Volvo definitely has less cache in Sweden than in the US. While I was in Sweden I saw 300 and 400 series Volvos (no longer made) that looked like replicas of older Mitsubishis! The biggest advantage that I experienced was the customer oriented service I received. The people at the delivery center bent over backwards to accommodate me. Contrast this with VCNA who you will have a hard time getting to respond to a letter or call. If you have a problem it seems VCNA's job is to ignore your cries for help. I got the feeling that the people in Sweden actually care about their brand.
Regarding the S90 Royale, I believe the limo that picked me up at the airport was a stretched Royale. Mine was a few years old but a very nice car. I didn't see any of the regular ones that I've seen in pictures.
-rdo
russell.ollie@ibm.net
Thanks for the for the update.
Funny you liken the 300 and 400's to a Mitsubishi
because the word is the S40 shares the mitsubishi
Charisma's Chasis And the possibility of them being built here in the USA at a under utilized Mitsubishi plant in Normal Ill.I don't know if thats good or bad but the reality of 3 players world wide in the car production biz is looming nearer all the time.
The Volvo mailout says $23,000 base, but doesn't mention what is optional. I assume leather is an option. What about CD?
160 hp In-line 4 cyl, light pressure turbo
0-60 in 8.5 seconds
131 mph top speed
Braking distance 60-0 mph, 121.4 ft.
As far as prices go...
MSRP $22,900
Destination $575
Touring Package $1,500 (power driver's seat, AM/FM Stereo with single CD player, premium speaker system, classic leather steering wheel, trip computer)
Sunroof Package $2,200(Glass sunroof, leather-faced seating surfaces, simulated wood trim, wood gear lever)
Sports Package $550 (Rear Spoiler, Front Fog Lights, sport steering wheel)
Cold Weather Package $850 (Dynamic stability assistance, heated front seats, headlight wiper/washer system)
My only complaint about the car so far are the alloy wheels. They standard ones aren't very sporty looking and the 2 optional alloy wheels choices aren't much better. Oh well.
What I liked:
1. The exterior look.
2. The engine is powerful.
3. Quiet ride and solid feel.
4. Center rear headrest and shoulder belt.
What I disliked:
1. It felt small inside (it is a compact class).
2. The fit and finish was mixed. A few panels were not flush and leather work was not first rate.
What I saw regarding the fit and finish gives me doubts of the vehicles quality. I am also concerned about Fords purchase of Volvo, because anyone who has dealt with Ford service and Ford products knows quality is not job one...
and other Volvo markets. If the fit and finish is not up to par by now thats very disappointing.
I have a 99 S70 and I'm very happy with the car.
I've had only one problem and that was the antenna
on my car and that was corrected promptly.
I don't know why Volvo waited so long to bring the S40 to the US market but I assume it most certainly has to do with the marketing of the entire line.
This S70 2000 model year is the last of the boxy Volvo's and the lower end is their bread and butter,they probably don't won't to shock the market with this S80 body style(I've met loyal Bricksters who are not crazy about it,Ilove it!)so to phase it in slowly is not a bad idea.
Don't be surprised to see an all new look on the S40 by 2002,along with a Volvo SUV.
I also wonder if this is more of a Mitsubishi than a Volvo???
tjt66: What model and year Honda do you own?
Are you planning on buying an S40?
I've saw quite a few S40s and V40s when I was in Sweden a couple of months ago. I've since seen a few at Boston Volvo Village as well (they can't be sold until 9/1 from what I'm told).
I know Volvo made a concerted effort to fix the initial build quality problems with the 40 prior to US delivery but it's too early to know if they were successful. If they attack any problems with the same vigor they went after the initial S80 problems they will be very successful.
As I just recently bought the S80 T6, and just sold the S70 T5, I don't have need of an additional car yet. If I ever manage to escape from Boston I will need a second car but if my S80 T6 hasn't been destroyed yet I'll probably get the Mrs. the Mercedes ML (now that the quality issues seem to be solved) she likes so I can stop worrying about finding french fries, cheerios, and other items my wife and toddler seem to leave in the car! (Actually, she read a review of the Ford Excrushion this weekend and now she wants one - not while I'm still breathing! I can see us living in the poor house after she flattens a family in a Honda Civic!)
-rdo
russell.ollie@ibm.net
Regarding Ford, I owned a Ford Windstar (what a big mistake). I read all these things about American quality catching up with foreign quality (bs!). Ford has no pride in their products. They are out to make money, period. Their customer service and quality is a joke. Read some of the Ford threads if you are interested in horror stories.
Check out the LX450 or RX300. They are both very nice.
Not Necessarily Married--Volvo Goes for a Younger Crowd, by Brent Romans?
Bonnie Rick
Town Hall Community Manager, Edmunds.com
ssonnet,
it's a little of both! I put 48k miles on the 850 turbo, 31k miles on the S70 T5, and already have about 7k miles on the S80 T6 in just over 2 months! I've got to try to stop finding excuses to drive this car!
I must admit that I've liked each car but each subsequent car, especially the S80, has been an improvement over the previous car. I'm hoping to settle down a bit and keep the T6 for 10 years or so. I'll probably get something else to go with it in a couple of years if we move out of the city (the Mrs. wants a SUV - I hate those things!)
-rdo
russell.ollie@ibm.net
lancerfixer,
even though Volvo (and many other European manufacturers are in the same boat) has a manual for the car in Europe you need to understand that it would take million$ for Volvo to get a manual to pass EPA certification standards. The simple fact of the matter is that there will not be enough volume to justify the price of offering a stick to the U.S. market (it would probably end up costing Volvo well over $1k per car to put a stick in when most people expect to pay LESS for a stick).
-rdo
russell.ollie@ibm.net
Honda, Saab, BMW, Audi, VW, Toyota, LINCOLN (who'd have thought?), etc. all offer manuals.
Obviously, the cost of certification is not prohibitive, especially when considering Saab, who sells less cars than Volvo, sells them, and does not charge extra. Those who REALLY want a manual will pay the extra money for one.
thanks.
There are pluses and minuses about both, but I found the Volvo dealers to be much more up front and they seemed more honest and gave me a confident sense that buying from them won't be a hassle. With Audi, it's lucky anyone even talks with you, I hear from the A4.org board about all the horrendous dealers and treatment alot of them have gotten. The only two things about the Volvo I don't like is the fact that is doesn't come with a tilt and telescope steering wheel and one up windows, which the Audi has. The fit and finish on the Audi are a little bit better, but the S40 really impressed me. Nothing else has up to now, except for the Audi.
Good luck with your decision!
I test drove the Passat and there is really no comparison here in my mind. I'm a current Camry owner without any complaints. However, I'm expecting this car to last me 15 years. After 8
years and 140M miles my Camry is fading fast. The Honda's and Camry's were too predictable for me this time around. I expect to exceed 200M miles w/this car and eventually give it to one of my children to tool around town in about 10 years from now.
Somewhere I read(could've been Volvo propoganda) that the s40 has already achieved quality ratings comperable to the 850 which ultimately became the S70(I think). The S70/850 is currently a consumer reports best bet for a used car. That works for me. The fit and finish on th emodel I test drove was perfect.My sales person was very nice. I thought he was great in every area. We had very honest discussions. He was fine except that he failed to mention the 1% or $300 minimum holdback that Volvo provides on these cars. I plan on calling him tomorrow and asking him to split the difference. I also was concerned about the Mitsubishi connection. No matter what happens, I believe that Mitsubishi definately gets the better deal in this relationship. However, the Galant was Edmunds #1 pick for basic Sedans. My biggest concern initially was that the S40 has a Mitsubishi
engine. Everything I've read about it to date suggests that its a great engine for the car. I'll let you know what happens.
By the way, back on the lot, the sales guy was showing me how the back seat folds down. When he was folding it down, its head-rest fell off! Don't know if it was a bad part or a fit-and-finish problem.
I really liked the car. I just wish it had a stick; it would be a LOT of fun to drive.
Carl
for the states is expensive. about half a
million bucks. lazy americans don't like
5spds in our premium cars (for the most part).
Isn't worth it to them, but I with you. Gimme
to the 5spd. :-( It sucks that the behemoth
family sled S70 is available and not the new
svelt 40.
Cheers, B.
tomsoltis,
if you live in the US then you don't have to worry about a Mitsubishi engine in the S40. That particular engine is only available in Europe. The US versions of the 40 series cars get the 4-cylinder version of the same family on inline modular engines Porsche designed for Volvo's 70 and 80 series cars. These engines have shown themselves to be quite good from my experience and the Mitsubishi built turbos are extremely reliable.
-rdo
russell.ollie@ibm.net
Have others noticed that the demo cars the dealers have don't seem to 100% match the brochures when comparing interior details? One thing I noticed was the dealer's car had center console "cup holders" that were relatively square and didn't look like they'd do a very good job of cup holding. The brochure shows them as round. If the demo cars are some kind of US pre-production model, I wonder what else will be different when the actual cars start arriving in a month or so.
We're comparing the S40 to the Camry and perhaps the Accord. With the exception of the incredibly poorly done faux wood on the S40, we liked the S40 interior much better than the Camry. Rear leg room in the S40 looks almost non-existant though.
Does anyone know what the roof box (part of one of the free incentive packages) looks like, how much it can hold, or how difficult it is to remove/replace it and whatever it attaches to on the roof?
speedo, when the S-70 has a 140 mph speedo?
Considering the top speed (governed?)is maybe
120 or so, why not have the speedo top end read
120 and no higher? This would allow easier reading of your speed, without seeing the numbers
being scrunched in a largely unusable (illegal)
range.
Years back, in the 1970s and earlier...cars
speedos read no higher than 100 to 120...only
sports cars (Corvette, 240z) had speedos that
read 160 mph. Seeing the same trend now on the
Maxima, Passat, Audi, Mercedes.
Maybe we should bring back the regulation from
NHTSA to have these speedos read no higher than
85 mph like we saw in the 1979-84 period? Maybe
modify it to 100 mph?
Any thoughts on this?
emissions as well as the infamous, catch-all,
"50 state" emission....thinly disguised as NLEV,
or California emissions in reality.
All I have seen is 50 state...is there a federal
emission version avbl for those states that do
not mandate NLEV or California emissions?
Any dealer know about this?
The S40 is the small Volvo, if you want a bigger car, get the S70.
Seats were very comfortable. No contest vs. a Camry or Accord. Rest of the interior felt/looked high quality.
back seat wasn't huge, but I fit behind the driver's seat (I'm 6'0"). If you want a car for 4 adults, the S80 is like a limo.
Was actully disappointed in the trunk. Didn't seem very big, and the opening seemed somewhat awkward. Of course, the V40 would cure that problem.
Seemed to be loaded with features. Plenty of buttons that I would need the manual to figure out.
Overall, very competitive with an A4, or for anyone who doesn't like real large (outside dimension) cars.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.