I'm thinking of leasing a new 2001 S40 next month in the end of June. How do you like your volvo's. If you have a newer S40 that would be quite helpful. It seems to be a really good choice of cars form the ones out on the market right now. Are there any hidden things I should know about it?

I appreciate the input.

Sungodess

Melanie

I have a S40 with 13.5k miles. The only problem I have is with the cruise control, of all things!. Otherwise, it runs like a top!.

Fred

Melanie,

I have a 2001 S40 which i have heavily modified. I cannot believe how easy it is to work on this car (coming from working on Fords and Chevy's) The S40 is a fun car, I believe stock it is more than adequate in the power dept. and exterior styling is truly unique (regardless of what others might say), interior wise I'm pretty happy with the stock interior (dark grey upholstery) It says sport all over. I'm about to reach the 7500 mile mark and this weekend we're taking it to Dallas for a show.

check out more pics of my ride at www.classiccats.cc/s40project.html

Carlos

Melanie, I've been given an S40 loaner when I've taken my '99 S70 in for service. I liked the power of the S40, but otherwise I was unimpressed. It handles okay, but it lacks the style and comfort that one would expect from a Volvo (or maybe I'm just spoiled by the S70). Too much plastic, ho-hum sound system, oddly-placed cup holder. I was glad to get my S70 back at the end of the day.

On leasing: have you ever negotiated a car lease before? Make sure they don't screw you on the residual value or the cap cost. Also, be aware that your insurance cost will be significantly more for a leased vehicle because of the minimum coverage amounts you'll have to carry.

Whether she finances or leases the car, insurance will be the same as whenever there is a lineholder then the requirements are the same, it does not matter whether you lease or finance.

Yannis

Leasing is just another form of financing. Borrowed money is borrowed money.

Dear SunGoddess,

we have a 2000 S40 and love it. Have had no problems at all. Car is smooth,powerful and quick. effortly takes our family into the mountains without breathing hard. It's an amazing contrast to my 1986 240. (Buszzy, loud and slow, although faithfull and reliable!) My wife enjoys all the looks she gets while driing to work in it. (makeup on and all dressed up.) She lets me drive it once a week whe it needs gas. I really would prefer the S60 for the added size but can't swing the payments.

Good Luck with your choice! (Rremember, real volvo owners name their cars!) (Gladys and Sara)

Rich

I love my S40! I have a 2000 S40 and it is wonderful. My previous car was a 1997 Jetta. I was going to replace the Jetta with a 2000 Jetta. So why did I end up getting an S40? Well for one thing, the S40 and the Jetta was almost the same price...So I figured, why drive a car that every other person on the road is driving; why pay the money for VW when I can get the quality, service, and reliability of a volvo (and for almost the same price!). Not to mention, my insurance premium was cheaper than the 2000 Jetta. (again $$$ talks!) The car is sharp looking, sturdy, and wonderful in the snow. I have to admit that the sound system isn't the best, but I can always replace it later if I want.

To whom that might be contemplating buying a Volvo, be warned. This is my opinion & experience. Let me start off by saying this cars was not bad but not great either, I purchased my 2000 S40 in October of 99. I drove that car for 20k an ended up selling it a month ago.

The Good The Bad & The Ugly

Good!

1. Body Style

2. Great Cloth or Leather interior

3. Very Safe Feel and features

4. Good Standard Accessories

5. Low Insurance

Bad!

1. No real drive train options

2. Very Soft materials used threw out the vehicle

3. Front Wheel Drive with an open differential prone to cause loss in grip on one tire often

4. requires 91+ octane for decent performance and cleanness of the engine with gas prices reaching the $2.00 mark

5. Cheap radio reception

6. Cheap speak covers on the door panels that seem to unseat it's self often

7. A few rattles in center console, passenger seat, and drivers seat creaks

8. Optional packages raise car price to near BMW range

9. Seat Belt assembly for front passengers rattles and also cause cutting into plastic covers on the pillars if not pulled a certain direction

10. Bad brake dust

11. Front light bulbs burn out 15k

Ugly!

1. Very small Road derby cause sand pitting on headlights, rock chips in windshield, crack in fog light due to small rock, many paint chips on vehicle due to very soft materials used! Thin paint, easy to scratch Also noted from some S60 owners.

2. Steering alignment comes toed in from factory, need aligned before tire wear

3. Steering unit becomes very noisy and squeals loudly after 6k on vehicle,

had a few dealers work on it with out any success. Also mentioned by other S40 owners an seem on a loner car that I had. Might I say I've had many due too all the problems I've had with this car!

4. Steering Column had a bad flange which cause a pooping sound while turning. Was replaced with new one. Also occurred on other S40's

5. Rear clunking sound emanating from rear passengers side. Also well know S40 problem. Cause, either exhaust mounts or bad wield near rear shock.

6. Rear brake pads wear out in first 10, 20k

Some other problems I've heard about the X40.

1. Burn fuse caused very poor breaking due to no vacuum for breaks

2. Blown engines

3. Check engine lights

4. Sun roof rattles

5. Front end vibrations

6. Poor A/C due to getting too cold, ECU has a fix but makes it not get as

cold. So that not a real fix.

7. Sometimes it does not want to start up on the first try

8. Dies for no reason while driving

Well that about it for now, I bet I'm forgetting some other problems. But who knows. If I can name that many on such a new car, what about in a year or two when the S40's start reaching the 50k+ mark. Good Luck

Mid range Price car with a very High price maintaince

Stock Performance is standard

Mod Performance is good. Had Exhaust, Chip, Filters, Cats, etc. A modded S40 can keep up with a 2001 Camaro Z28 for the First two weeks. Then wear an tear occur then it even out to around 215hp car. Not bad, still faster than a Turbo Eclipse that stock 205hp with auto. Not sure about a 5-speed Turbo.

That my 23k base MSRP opinion.

Hi,

Have you guys heard anything about the reliability of Volvo's S60? A lexus dealer told me there has been extensive turbo failure and transmission failure. Reliability is a major concern considering I would be spending about 35K. What have you heard good and bad about the S60?

Thanks,

Scott

If you want a Lexus, I would find another dealer.

It is bad form to badmouth the competition like that!

The car has not been out long enough to establish any reputation.

Anyway it is a further refinment of the 850/S70 on a S80 platform.

My S70 was great and now the S60 is better in most respects.

It is a smaller car (inside) than the S70, despite what anyone says.

I call it a 4 door Volvo coupe and I am waiting for the two door version.

Rich

No Message Included (NMI)

And what would a Lexus dealer know about Volvos? Since car sales staff generally know nothing, not even about their own product, I learned long ago to disregard them.

You've come to the right place to get your question answered. I would also suggest checking...

http://www.volvospy.com/

...and...

http://www.swedespeed.com/

...as good message boards for Volvos.

I myself am getting an S60 T5 and I tend to be rather particularly. For the features I value the S60 can't be beat for the price. It's why I have a year-old 2001 Volvo V70 T5 as well, a car which has the same engine and transmission by the way as the S60.

From my own experience I have not heard anything about turbo or transmission failures.

Hmmm.......a Lexus dealer told you what???? A very unbiased opinion if I ever heard one:-). In reality the S60 has been very reliable since it's introduction. Basically all the parts have a proven history being based on the S70 (motor) and S80 (chassis). As a general statement you do not hear of many turbo failures with Volvo. They are very reliable! Same goes for the transmission. Don't be afraid to buy an S60. You will be buying a car with character and not an appliance (as in Lexus).

Regards,

Eddie W. in FL

Tell that Lexus MORON (I cannot believe a salesman of Lexus' caliber would resort to such unfathomable lies) TO TAKE A HIKE! Nothing if this nature is true about the S60 or any other Volvo. In 1998 SOME (and I emphasize SOME) early MY1999 S80s had some transmission problems (an O-ring was defective) but that was that. Turbo failure? Let me laugh! Lexus people do not even know how to spell T-U-R-B-O!

I could never use such lame tactics to sell a car...

Yannis

Hi Scott,

Lexus dealer is blowin smoke up your ***. He might be referring to the S80 but even then his claims are mostly unfounded. 2 years ago he might have been right. The S80 has had some trans problems but are mostly worked out. Very few turbo failures on S80 ever.

Most dealers will tell you they rarely see the 60's after the sale. Trans is not a prob on S60 and neither is turbo.

Just my opinion

Larry

Hi,

Have you guys heard anything about the reliability of Volvo's S60? A lexus dealer told me there has been extensive turbo failure and transmission failure. Reliability is a major concern considering I would be spending about 35K. What have yoyu heard good and bad about the S60?

Thanks,

Scott

The turbos on Volvos are very reliable. About the only

thing more reliable is a claw hammer (Ok, slight exageration

but no more so then saying Volvo has turbo problems).

Volvo uses Asian Warner automatics and they are not perfect

but not any worse then many others (they also use a GM tranny

in some of the S80s).

Best car I ever owned. Not the most fun, but pound for pound, feature for feature, and dollar for dollar the all-around best--and I'm almost 70 and have owned a LOT of cars, from Austin Healy to Saab (most recent). I've got about 3000 miles on my T5 and I'm still smiling.

I'll second whoever said to check the S60 board at volvospy. It's very active and has a lot of useful information--and a lot of owner comments, including complaints, most of which are minor.

Scott S. wrote:

> Have you guys heard anything about the reliability of Volvo's S60? A

> lexus dealer told me there has been extensive turbo failure and

> transmission failure.

Nice to know that Lexus salespeople will feed you this kind of drivel to put you into their 3-Series wannabe IS300. Did you check out the corners they cut on that car? I think the signal/wiper stalks are straight out of the Corolla. Ergonomics? I'm pretty sure they can't spell the word nevermind understand it.

There have been NO turbo failures that I've heard about and tranny failures? Minor softwares revisions yes. Failures? Hardly.

> Reliability is a major concern considering I

> would be spending about 35K. What have yoyu heard good and bad about

> the S60?

2500 miles on mine and I've had virtually ZERO to complain about thus far with the exception of filling that huge fuel tank with premium with current prices skyrocketing as they are. This car is fast, nimble and drop-dead gorgeous from ALL angles.

Quirks - too much bass from the AudioMax system will rattle the doors.

- Sport shifter has "squeaked" on occasion (after hard shifting)

- CDs WILL skip under hard braking on irregular surfaces (sport chassis only)

I work on them everyday and sadly I must report not one turbo or transmission has been replaced to date. The worst (if your looking for doom and gloom) is a problem with the remotes sticking and setting off the panic alarm. When you stop by the Volvo dealer I'm sure they have a good story to tell you about the Lexus, but unless they drive them or work on them I would'nt put much in what they say.

I was thinking of buying a S40 this month. Now I am not so sure. Does anyone know if Volvo has made improvements or changes to the 2001 model that have minimized the problems mentioned?

Here are some more problems.

Center cap in rims fall out

Windnoise cause by mirrors on doors

Rotors, Calipers, and pad problems as early as 9k

Door hinge and door arm where bad

Blown out or bad speakers

Turn signal fails, electrical problems, windshield wiper fail

trunk latch broken

traction control failure

trim problems

Some of these problems I've had occur on my S40 too and the rest was reviews from MSN.