- sedan
- 893 below average
- 1,999 great
- Seminole, FL
-
- autoshopper.com
- 893 below average sedan red manual
2000 volvo s40 review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Volvo brings its style of safety to the compact segment. introductionthe wait is over for volvo lovers who have wanted a small car -- and for small-car lovers who've wanted a volvo. Europeans have been able to buy a small volvo for many years. Finally, the company has begun to export its 40-series to the u. The base price of $22,900 23,900 for the v40) includes all the safety items except traction control. Main options include leather seats 1200), power driver's seat 495), premium speakers 400) and sunroof 1200). There are several different packages available that combine options and lower the overall cost. For example, the dsa (dynamic stability assistance) traction control system 500) is available as part of an $850 weather package that also includes heated seats and a pair of headlamp washer/wipers. the model we tested was fully loaded with most options contained in three packages (sports plus, sunroof and weather), which added about $5,000 to the base price. Several dealer-installed accessories, such as a dog guard and cargo mats, are also available. walkaroundin keeping with volvo's other newer models, the s40 has much more curvaceous lines than the boxy volvos of the not-so-distant past. The side windows are fairly large giving the car an appearance of being bigger than it actually is. the rear of the five-door v40 wagon is nicely integrated into the body so it does not look like it has been grafted onto the sedan's trunk as in some station wagon models from other manufacturers. safety, as one would expect with volvo, was a key consideration in designing the s40. It has the obligatory dual airbags and other mandatory safety features. In addition it comes standard with side airbags (sips) and a whiplash protection system (whips). Development by volvo has lead to a second-generation sips that activates in different ways depending on the type of accident. Volvo claims the system is effectively two airbags in one. whips is the same whiplash protection system that is found in bigger volvos. It is activated when the occupant of a front seat is forced back against the backrest and headrest in a frontal collision. The body is cushioned by the backrest, which moves back in a parallel movement. It helps prevent rebounding of the body, milliseconds after the initial impact. A light-pressure turbocharger helps deliver this impressive power output and also endows the engine with great low-end torque that is so important in making an engine feel more powerful. In fact, its performance is on par with many v6-powered compact cars. Maximum torque is available as low as 1800 rpm and continues strongly all the way to 4800 rpm. although there is no manual transmission available, this should not be a problem for those who like spirited performance. The transmission has three settings - sport, economy and winter -- to suit different styles of driving. interiorvolvo has resisted the temptation to try and make the interior imitate a luxury car. Nonetheless it has added small touches to differentiate it from being just another econobox. The s40 (sedan) and v40 (wagon) can be ordered with a small amount of imitation wood trim that accentuates the dashboard, center console and door panels. The top of the dash and the doors are covered in a nice soft plastic material on all models. the gauges are neatly designed with light gray on dark gray lettering. Some people might find the lettering a little small to see. An optional onboard computer provides useful trip information such as average speed and average fuel consumption (that showed 28 mpg while we drove the car). Climate control on all models is automatic and the controls are located conveniently high next to the steering wheel in the center of the dashboard. The radio controls are lower down and harder to reach; and they are hidden if the solo cupholder is in use. The cupholder is an ingenious device that pops out of the dash vertically and turns to a horizontal position. It is spring loaded to automatically adjust for different size beverage containers. front headroom and legroom is good, but tall passengers in the rear seats will find themselves somewhat cramped unless they are in a car with a short driver or front-seat passenger. Access through the doors is fine as they open wider than in some cars. access to the trunk is somewhat restricted because the rear window slopes a long way back and down low. Trunk capacity, however, is quite good at 13 cubic feet -- the same as the honda accord. The rear seat has a 70/30 split and can be folded down to substantially increase the carrying capacity. The v40 wagon has a total cargo volume of 61 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, which is slightly less than the accord or vw passat. Cargo nets and belts are provided in both models for securing stuff. driving impressionfirst impressions on driving the car were very favorable. Although the car is only available with automatic transmission it moved briskly away from a standing start and the transmission shifted smoothly through the gears. It is not in the class of a bmw sports sedan, but it is better than many compact cars. There was little body roll in corners and the car felt stable. The steering, however, proved a little disappointing. It was fine on the twisty roads but we found it had a dead on-center feel on straight roads. Apparently volvo engineers modified the steering and suspension for the u. However, it's not likely to entice people away from a bmw or even a volkswagen passat, both of which are more european in character with their sportier handling and style. The volvo s40 has more of a japanese feel to it, which is perhaps not surprising considering it is the creation of a joint venture between mitsubishi and volvo in holland, where it is made. model lineups40 sedan 22,900), v40 wagon 23,900). assembled inthe netherlands. options as testedsports plus package 1,900) includes rear spoiler, front foglights, sport steering wheel, power driver's seat, sc-816 radio with cd player, premium speakers, trip computer; sunroof package 2,200) includes glass sunroof, leather upholstery, simulated wood dash trim, wood gear lever; weather package 850) includes dynamic stability assistance, heated seats, headlamp washer/wiper; metallic paint 400); destination charge 575). model testeds40. Heated Seats✔ Climate Control✔ CD Player✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Leather Seats
1,999 Seminole, FLSeminole, FL at autoshopper.com