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New S40/V50 - READ ONLY

1117 messages,  Last post on Jul 19, 2004 at 11:10 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volvo S40, Volvo V50, Sedan

Messages Page 64 of 113

#624 of 1117 Re: Cotmc - Consumer Reports by camina

Mar 30, 2004 (7:59 pm)

Yes, your are correct but that was recently changed. Up until that change CR stated the 3 Series reliability had fallen below average and the car was no longer recommended. The same was true with Audi A4, Mercedes C240, and VW Jetta. There were not many German cars recommended by CR other than the VW Passat.
 
This is what is on paper. In the real world, ask anyone who has owned a German car or a mechanic and they will tell you they are nutorios for electrical problems. My friend leased a convertible Mercedes. It has been at the dealer 14 times for electrical problems. He said never again and would buy a Lexus in a heartbeat.
 
Yes, the Volvo S60 was recommended and I looked at the 2003 last Spring/Summer when Volvo was offering the $5K rebate. I loved the looks both inside and out. However, the turning radius was 40 ft compared to the 3 Series 35 ft. Also, I could not stand the pillow-like headrest. They block your side/back vision.
 
This is something I would have a hard time getting use to. I realize they are designed to protect against wiplash but what good is it if it will cause you to rely on your side mirrors and possibly hit people.
 
The last straw was the dealer wouldn't look outside thier lot for the color and options I was looking for. They wanted me to buy a new 2004 off thier lot.
 
So, this is why I waited a long time for the S40 and am extremely disappointed when I saw the console. It's not about getting with the times. It's about paying 27.1K for a car that you feel looks cheap on the inside.
 
If the console just had a regular base behind it, buying this car would be a no brainer. This was a risk that Volvo didn't have to take and they will pay for it.

#625 of 1117 Re: camina by lev_berkovich

Mar 30, 2004 (9:38 pm)

Hey, Camina,
Take it easy. We've got it. You do not like the new console. Just do not try to ram this into our throats .
Give some room for other opinions, would ya?

#626 of 1117 Re[2]: camina by lev_berkovich

Mar 30, 2004 (9:49 pm)

I personally found that new console in S40 futuristic, unusual, something that need to "grow on you", but not cheap by any stretch of imagination.
And why do you need to make everyone dislike it?
Get a BMW, it's a great car, but it's a bit presumptuous for me. Volvo, i think fits a niche for the people who wants to drive something a bit out of ordinary, but with a style, safety and very decent handling, and not been perceived as "snobby". The BMW creates the definite " I am an ambitious driver" image.

#627 of 1117 re: camina by npaladin2000

Mar 30, 2004 (10:00 pm)

I just have one question: do you like the center console? Hehe, kidding kidding, easy
 
From what I understand, that console was designed hat way intentionally, to provide storage space behind it. Though it probably would have looked better if it were ENCLOSED storage, it's intended to be open back there.

#628 of 1117 by creakid1

Mar 31, 2004 (1:00 am)

"Yes, your are correct but that was recently changed. Up until that change CR stated the 3 Series reliability had fallen below average and the car was no longer recommended. The same was true with Audi A4, Mercedes C240, and VW Jetta. There were not many German cars recommended by CR other than the VW Passat."
 
There's an explanation.
 
The 325i was mixed w/ some S. African made ones, which had some bad reputation, I heard.
 
The Passat 2.8 is the only less-unreliable one because only that old 2.8 V6 Audi engine didn't have the coil recall. Audi cars use their own newer V6 w/ 3.0 displacement. Real VW's(read transversely mounted engine) don't use Audi engines except the 5-valve 1.8 turbo. The 2.8 Jetta/Golf use VW's own 15-degree VR6, not Audi's V6. The only VW engine used in the Audi-design Passat is the limited-production W8, which is another bulky-weight stupid idea next to the Phaeton, both of which will be discontinued soon!
 
The new S40 is a mix of the engine/Belgian factory of the (ok-reliability)S60 & the design/parts sharing of the German-made Focus, which topped the reliability rating in Germany.

#629 of 1117 s40 vs. 325 by qbrozen

Mar 31, 2004 (6:34 am)

We're really going to have to wait for U.S. test numbers of production models, but I'm willing to bet the T5 is going to spank the 325. I think it will be closer to the 330 in performance (yet, again, far cheaper).

#630 of 1117 Nice Shoes by ateixeira

Mar 31, 2004 (8:35 am)

I like the console.
 
Maybe they did it for driver's with nice shoes. Your date could glance over and say, "Nice Bruno Maglis you have there".
 
Total ice breaker.
 
-juice (not being entirely serious)

#631 of 1117 Said it before, I will say it again... by logic1

Mar 31, 2004 (11:02 am)

I did not even realize Volvo was coming out with a new S40 until I saw it at the auto show. The look of the car, and especially the interior, really have me interested.
 
Interested enough that I will attend the Chicago area Volvo drive experience next month.
 
Volvo wants to sell what, 20 - 30k of these per year in the US? I like to think there are at least 20 to 30k people like me who really love the design.

#632 of 1117 by creakid1

Mar 31, 2004 (11:37 am)

"We're really going to have to wait for U.S. test numbers of production models, but I'm willing to bet the T5 is going to spank the 325. I think it will be closer to the 330 in performance (yet, again, far cheaper)."
 
I thought so, too, based on the max 236 torque available since 1500 rpm. But AUTOCAR gave it 7.0 sec 0-60 & 7.2 to the 325i. & then there's the turbo's "every time" boost-built-up time delay.
 
I never felt the max torque by 1500 rpm 'cause by the time it takes to spool up the boost, I already accelerated way past 1500 rpm. I did feel the boost coming up in the power curve at a much higher rpm WAY after I took off from stop.
 
AUTOCAR said, "Although light-pressure turbo installations aren't known for their red line charges, there's a real laziness in the way this five goes about its work. Below 2000rpm there's very little action and the boost arrives with such a polite surge it removes much of the excitement from driving the T5. Very soft throttle response makes meting out the power frustratingly inaccurate, too. A glance at the speedo will tell you the T5 has real pace on the road, especially from 3000-4000rpm, but overtaking and using the engine's full performance often feels like too much hard work."
 
So the 325i can't match the T5 around 3000-4000rpm. Other than that...

#633 of 1117 by venus537

Mar 31, 2004 (1:52 pm)

motorweek on speed channel will have a test on the new s40 on the next episode.

Messages Page 64 of 113

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