Anyone here got a new S40?

Question

Alright, I've fallen in love... the new S40 seems to be the perfect car for me, and I want one.

How is the base 5 cylinder... I've read all the reviews I can find in magazines/paper but they all test the T5 version, I don't need the inclination to get tons of speeding tickets, so I want the basic engine in it (168hp is more then enough to get one in trouble) I've heard 8.5 secs to

60 with the automatic, which is plenty (I'm used to around 11-12)... But I want the manual tranny... How are Volvo manuals in general. They seem incredibly long lasting (dad's friend got 370+K Kms on his original clutch in his 740 wagon, and the tranny still had 5th gear O/D working fine).... But long lasting doesn't mean they'll have smooth gear engagement, I'm used to VW manuals, which have rather poor synchronization and shift harshly compared to something like a Honda gearbox (wonderful things those are, at least in the Civic I drove).

How's the rear seat space... I want more room in the back than in my Golf.... Not expecting as much room as the families 960, but somewhere in the middle would be great.

Anyone (preferably an audiophile) hear the 12 speaker Dolby 2 system in this car yet?

Looking at:

2.4i engine Audio package (maybe with the 140W sub... Hoping the main speakers do a good enough job with bass handling so I don't have to get it) Climate package
16" Alloy upgrade Trim package (either wood or aluminum... ill have to see both first hand to decide). Sunroof if it's not bad for air buffeting above 80kph Maybe (and it's a big maybe) the navigation system

Steve n Holly · Accepted Answer

I have that engine in my base 850, a bigger heavier car--it's ok, if you rev it it is faster then one would expect, and the 40 is I guess 1000 lbs lighter.

How are Volvo manuals in general. They seem

dont know--drive one...

sit in one and make your own judgement.

I am sure it sounds wonderful, but stop by a high end stereo shop before you pay what volvo wants for the upgrade system and see what they can do for you for the same money. You might want the built in look, or you might like more music for your buck.

Go to a wheel shop and see what they can do or look at

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again much more bang for your buck, and a cool tool at tire rack to see what the wheels would look like on the car.

Aftermarket again, at least look

Rob Guenther · Answer

Thanks for the opinions, but I won't be going aftermarket on anything at all on this car, just listed what I want in it for people to get a feel for what the car will end up as, in the hope that someone has or has been in a similar setup.

850 weighs around 3200lbs and an S40 weighs about 3100 lbs according to carpoint. If you shed 1000lb off of an 850 you'd get something like a Tercel... not an S40 (they're a solid built car... lots of steel in em')

I was hoping for some 2004.5/2005 S40 owners here, I guess there aren't any yet, I know it's mostly 200,700, 800, and 900 plus a few S80 owners in this group, but you never know some lurkers might come out of the woodwork.

Steven Poole · Answer

I made pretty much the same decision - also upgrading from a Golf (Mk IV) with a view to getting a little more internal space and a bigger car feel. Here in the UK the spec/options are arranged differently, I went for:

S40 2.4i SE Manual

This includes ECC, High Perf Audio (4 * 40W, 8 speaker, 6-CD - but not the Dolby), 17" alloys (Stylla), leather. I went for aluminium trim - which looks good with the off-black leather.

This has been my first Volvo and so far (I have only had the car for a week or so) I have been very pleased - I have scored it 9.8 out of 10....

Steve.

Rob Guenther · Answer

How do you find the room in back? When we take the Volvo (960) for family trips, there's never a complaint about space... but when I go with just friends I take the Golf TDI.... and the back passengers have their knees up to either side of my seat, or they are contorting their bodies or something... complaining of course. Have you fit 2-3 adults in the back of the S40 yet?Glad to hear you like the car.

Steven Poole · Answer

It is OK - I experienced similar complaints in the Golf when having 3 adults in the back. I haven't yet had a full load in the S40 but do not expect the same problems. It is not likely to be nearly as roomy as the 960 though I suspect.

Steve.

Rob Guenther · Answer

Great, thanks for your help... very much appreciated.Doubt it will have the same space as a 960, it's a big car... But then again, all I really need is like an extra 2 inches or so.... From what I've been reading tho: they hollowed out the toe room under the seats, put a roll in the bottom of the seat so it's more comfortable for the ankles when they touch it, raised the seat cushion so your legs hang lower, and carved out the seatback so the knees don't make contact. I haven't read a complaint really about the S40's room. We'll see.

Anyone here got a new S40?

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