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Volvo S40
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Comments
I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in Sedans.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
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Owner's Clubs
I too have disbled the day running lights, however, the dash lights still are on even when the headlights are off. Anyone know how to get rid of this on a 2000 S40?
I am on my 9th trip to the dealer and they have just thrown their hands up and admitted they have no idea what is wrong with the car. 18,800 miles. THE DEALER EVEN SAYS THE S40 is a PROBLEM! It's part Mitsubishi you know?
Just wait, yours is coming.
I am collecting emails of S40 owners that are having difficulties. I have compiled 109 so far. Bring them on. You can email me at volvolights@aol.com
Peace.
Have you looked into your state's lemon laws to see if you might qualify for a buy back from Volvo? I'm sorry to hear about all of your problems with the S40. If I were to spend that kind of money on a car and have nothing but problems, I would be going through the roof!
I'll be in the market for a new car in about 10 more months, so I appreciate your posting all of the problems you've been having. I came so close myself to buying an S40 last year (the 2000 model), but I am so glad that I didn't. I'm hoping that Volvo/Ford will be able to iron out all of these problems with the 2002 and 2003 models that will be out next fall. We'll see.
Anyway, hang in there. I hope things get better for you and your S40.
y
Thanks so much for your time - AI
http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/?model=S40-V40
http://www.vvspy.com/
http://www.swedespeed.com/
You can also search:
http://groups.google.com/
E-mail me if you have specific questions.
I am a newbie. I came across a left-over 2001 S40 at a local dealer, with CD, Leather, Winter Package, Sunroof, Power Seat. The dealer showed me a invoice of $26,6xx and added some fee to make the offer $26,950 (license + registration is extra $175). The case about 260 miles on it and has no plastic cover. The price sounds attractive to me.
1. I don't understand the reason for that $300 they added in. Any hint?
2. I am wondering if the dealer is cheating on me about car -- maybe it is a demo or test-drive car? How could I find out.
3. What are the important questions to ask?
Thanks!
Just use common sense with mileage...even if the car is not a demo but it has a lot of miles it's worth something less than a new one without all the miles. More miles = bigger discount.
The best way to check if you have a good price is to call another dealership and see what they can do. Works best if you're ready to buy though...
I like my S40, but I think the A4 is worth taking a look at also.
I was reading the odometer wrong. It is 11 miles -- the trip computer has 200+ on it.
The invoice comes up at 26,300, + $625 destination charge, it is about $27,000. I am new to this bargain game so I took it at the offering -- the dealer said the lowest they can go is the invoice even tho Edmunds TMV shows TMV below invoice.
Now need to handle the insurace stuff -- this is my 1st car so it is not that easy for me. Can't wait to get it home!
Contact your state's Attorney General and their office can probably provide you with all of the details you'll need.
Sorry to hear about all of your troubles. I came very close to buying an S40 in 2000 and I am so glad I didn't. I'm now looking at an S60, but am a little wary of buying anything from Volvo considering all of the problems with the S40 and the S80. It's too bad because I think they're beautiful cars and I like Volvo's safety philosopy a great deal. Maybe in the next year or two Volvo will be able to straighten these issues out.
Any comments?
I'm still going to consider the S40 when I'm in the market for a new car in a few more years. The seats are so comfortable, the interior is very nicely done, and it handles and accelerates well enough for my needs.
Keep in mind that not everybody has had problems with their S40. Some people are doing fine, but there seems to be a significant number of people who aren't so lucky. Maybe you can throw some salt over your left shoulder before you sign the contract...couldn't hurt
Please let us know what you decide. If you buy the S40, post here and let us know how things are going with it. VW's are not without their problems either. Good luck.
I had great luck with my '95 940. Dull but extremely reliable and huge without that Crown Victoria feeling.
This S40 forum is a little quiet sometimes but those other two offer good advice, too.
Good luck.
I am getting much better gas mileage with my S40. Handling is just as good with plusher ride. My insurance premium went down with S40. B-2-B warranty is longer although I hear that VW will offer longer basic warranty soon.
I leased mine since I wanted to be able to return it in case the car starts to develop serious problems. But I am happy so far.
I took a look at it. It seems like GM may have sorted out their reliability issues on this car. It also offers much more in the way of standard features. It's thousands of dollars less expensive. It appears you're trading a few grand for safety features (traction control is not available, less airbags in the car). It also certainly has that American rental car feeling to it. But this is going to be Dad's commuter car, not the family carrier.
My concern is that the blandness of the car will make me want to sell it earlier than I really should - therefore negating the cost savings. However, it is bigger than the jetta and more reliable than the s40, and much cheaper than both.
Comments? Thanks
You should consider the Chevy Impala as well. Bigger than the Malibu, better crash test scores, V6 180 HP engine, front wheel drive and just as reliable as a Malibu. I wanted to get an S40 last year but am now trying to work an S60 into my budget.
Anyway, I think I'm gonna leave now as it appears that I'm recommending a Chevy product on a Volvo board....whoops.
Good luck making up your mind!
I'm starting to wonder if I should just cough up some extra $$$, buy a stripped, low horsepower S60 instead of getting a decently equiped S40.
Are the S40s really that less reliable than the S60s?
Surely the Volvo badge is worth something?
I debated between a loaded V40 or a stripped V70. I decided that if I were going to buy a Volvo I would go for the stripped 2002 V70. (Pre-2001 V70s also generate an unusual number of complaints). The owner of a firm that sells used Volvos told me that he won't even buy used S40s/V40s because there is so little demand for them. He advised spending a little bit more to buy "a real Volvo."
I am now leaning against any Volvo, but I do think the 40 series , theV70 and S60 are attractive cars with phenomenal safety equipment. Clearly Volvo needs to work on improving reliability.
paychex...lump sum, no tax, etc....hmmm....mebbe that has something 2 do w/my wife
steering me towards deathtraps! If U go for the 'Bu then U cud get a nice life policy with the
$1000's saved or "upgrade" your current policy....just an idea!
Take a few days and read all of the messages on this board about the S40. Then go to www.volvospy.com and www.swedespeed.com and read the S40 forums there as well. Then, go back and read the S60 messages on all three forums and you'll see that the S60 is way more reliable than the S40. It's also much roomier and will be easier to sell when and if the time comes. It seems that the S40 and S80 have had way more problems than the S60. From what I've read, the S60 is much more reliable and it's also Volvo's biggest selling car.
A base S60 has an invoice of only $25,851 with an Edmund's TMV of $27,146. They were selling some 2001's AT INVOICE here in the Washington, DC area in Nov and Dec of last year and you might still be able to find a 2001 somewhere if you shop around.
If I were buying a Chevy, I'd get the Impala. I'd avoid the Malibu due to the two-star side rating. If I buy a Volvo for my next car, it will be an S60.
It's really a shame that Volvo reliability has gone downhill. I had my heart set on an S40 until I started reading about all of the problems people have had with them. I also spoke to several S40 owners in person who voiced many of the same complaints.
My hope is that Volvo will be able to improve the quality and reliability in the coming model years. I would love to own one, but I'm not thrilled about spending close to $30K on a car only to have it sit in the shop for several weeks a year!
If you can live without leather and some of the price-bloating option packages, go for the S60. Mucho compliments on the car and people are surprised how little I paid. Although I'll never be able to sell an S60 stick with cloth! Hold up baby! Great car so far with 6000 autobahn miles. Nary a problem. Good luck all S40 owners/buyers. I really want them to be good cars...even more so if they would have offered the S40 T4 stick.
Jake
P.S. optional headlight washers make a mess of your Volvo in the winter as they work with the windshield washers...the result is nasty winter sludge sprayed all back along the front hood...and of course nice clean headlights.
thanks!
Does Volvo have a fix for this? Is it covered under warranty? Please let me know if you can help. I'd love to get this fixed but would like to hear your experience before taking it to the dealership. Thanks in advance!
Thanks!
I checked with a service manager at a local Volvo dealer that I know and he said there is no break in period.
Congratulations! on your purchase.
Thanks!