Now that they're coming on to the used market, I've been wondering whether any one has had good experiences with them.

I've heard the critics say, "It's not a real Volvo, it's based on a Mitsubishi, etc.", but is it really that bad?? It's got a version of the white block, that seems to be capable of rolling up the miles in 5 cylinder form. Is there anything else that should cause a person to worry?

it is a mitsubishi carisma in all but name and styling...but is that SUCH a bad thing, i think not....

ok it isnt a 9 series (it wont have the running costs either - choke -), its a mitsu so the engine will be well sorted and the aircon evap wont rust out, the fual economny will make 9 series owner cry....

i have known people run series 1 40's to high milage and be very happy with them...


personally i dont LIKE them, btu then again i just dont like smaller cars (and they are smaller), but our 'new' car replacing the 940 was a larger mitsubishi as i just couldnt stand the bloody costs of running older rwd volvo's and fwd estates in the 850/v70 range were like hensd teeth to find with low miles/decent history and tidy interiors....

liek i say i dont think they are bad cars but they are smaller cars...(bear in mind in europe we have had smaller volvo's for years 340,360,400, 480 v40, s40 etc)

I bought a 2000 S40 3 years ago with 36k miles. It now has 66k.
I replaced brakes, rotors, air and cabin filters.
The flex pipe went, but that was replaced under the emissions warranty
which is 80k miles. The car is very different from my '95 850 which was wrecked last month. The S40 is smaller, quicker, fun to drive, but you feel the road more. I should have bought wider tires. Maybe I've been lucky, but the car has run well so far.
Jerry

Why buy something like that when you could buy a 98 s/V90 and have a much higher end, longer lasting,more reliable, and more luxurious car. There is no reason to pay more and get less. This was not a good car. My mechanics say's that they are poorly designed, and they will simply not last as long as a good RWD Volvo. Even if they do, they won't be worth mainting once they are old. Also, if you have a 900 and need a window swith, you can simply plug and play. For one of the japanese influenced s40s you have have the switch programed, at dealors rate. To be quite frank, you would be insane to buy a car like this. If it came down to it, and I could not get a good RWD Volvo, I would probably swith to Lexus or BMW. The s40 is not worthy of Volvo's name. It is to close in quality with a taurus. Don't buy it unless to want an average car. Those who say that they are good cars are coming from cars like ford escorts and impalas. They are not coming from a true sturdy long lasting lurxurious Volvo, THAT WAS ACTUALLY DESINGED IN EUROPE. Just look at the reliablity ratings of the S80, which is they top of the line car now. It terrible, so imagine how cheap the intery level s40 is. Also consider the fact that I once drove an s80 and hated it. It drove terribly, there was no leg room, and to be quite frank my 1988 240 which was desingned for the 1987 market, was a better car then this. I WOULD NOT TRADE. Good luck with the s40,as you are going to need it. It will probably fail not long after it is paid off, and it won't age with grace like the 2/7/9 series cars have. Notice how the new s40 is looks like a 12,000 econobox Ford focus? That's because that is what it is based on! Except they are charging you twice as much becasue they are putting a Volvo name on it, trying to make people relate to Volvo cars that were actually cars that you could take on a long trip.
Do, your self a favor and buy a real Volvo.

Also, just of the top of my head: timing belt job=$1200/O2 sensor service, = 250x2 oxygen sensors+ 250 labor. This car has luxry car maintance prices, but it is not much better then a tacky subaru.