Cool looking new S40

anyone else think this vehicle is a step up styling wise?

very sporty, maybe vaguely Beemerish in a Volvo sort of way, perhaps the
wheel placement.

also appears to be more spacious. Definitely smaller than my s70, but my
impression is that it feels bigger than the 60, or about the same. Should
update the 60 along the same lines in my opinion

Too bad manual stick not an option. My guess would be that w the regular 2.3
5cyl, this thing hops

 

Check out the review in the July issue of R&T...

Jack

 

Snip *(enough room, but not enough to
spread out... just enough to sit)*

Just like a V70, then.

 

It's smaller in the back then an S60, at least it feels like that to me.
Reminds me of sitting in the back of a Jetta (enough room, but not enough to
spread out... just enough to sit)

 

Suppose ur right about back seat, and sounds like you own a S60, so u should
know

Have to check out the R&T article

I don't know what it is, but last years S40 just left me cold, and this one
seems to have more room, and more style, and my guess is that even with
normally aspirated 5cyl, it should move nicely. I have the same engine in my
S70, and torque is pretty lame till you hit 3000rpms. Should hit that sweet
spot a whole lot quicker in this lighter vehicle.

 

thanks, cked out the online version, seem to agree w my outlook. That
tighter look is better than the 60 in my book

says manual is a possibility - cool, the literature I saw didn't seem to
mention as option, but maybe that was just an edmunds configure deal.

 

I don't. I think it is an evolutionary step. I think the back end looks
truncated and almost like a hatchback. I like the balance of the s80 and
s60 better. Actually, I like the newest v70.

s60 needs better rear room. To me there's no comparison on the inside.
New s40 feels like entry level Volvo, s60 feels like premium car.

Ben

 

Too bad manual stick not an option. My guess would be that w the regular 2.3

I drove the 2004.5 S40 T5 the other day.
This thing is fast and pulls like a bat out of hell. Corners on rails and
brakes are good. The only thing I didn't like was the steering - little
feedback and not as tight as a BMW. I also drove the BMW 325, 330, and Audi
4, 3.0. The little S40 T5 feels faster than them all and is a bargain in
comparison !!!! Can't wait for the R version ;-)

 

No, we have a 960... But i've sat in every Volvo they currently make, with
the front seat adjusted for my 6' frame, and I squeaze into the back... The
V70 is a massive car for this, far more room then the 960... The S60 isn't
too bad at all, the S40 is a little tight, very Mark-4 (99-2004 style
Golf/Jetta) VW feel to the back seat.

I am a firm believer in that most people have been spoiled by riding in
large, American highway cruising cars with 35 inches of legroom... I'm from
a German family, so only German, and Swedish cars are allowed... Our Volvo
is a massive car compared to our VW's (and everything bigger then the Volvo
is a boat of a car;-) ).

I bought the R&T for that article... They loved the car, if I had $33000+ to
spend, I think I would invest in one (maybe a V50 tho)... Too bad I can
afford, maybe $25000 to spend on a new car.... There is nothing I want in
this price range, other then the VW Jetta.

 

V70's are huge... you can fit 3 adults back there - more room then my 960.

 

yep, have a Cross Country V70 type too, S70 about the same deal, except
without the wagon storage area.

thinking s40 may be all I need in the future though

 

ditto on the price Rob

no hurry now, 70 has plenty of life, sturdy and still clean, but

may be tempted in the future when a 2004 s40 hits used market

V50, is that turbo designation?

 

cripes, bat out of hell, and u want more power, yikes

never going to get the steering feel of a RWD vehicle in a FWD, but if it
corners on rails . . . .

never going to get the snow traction of a FWD drive vehicle in a RWD BMW
either.

I'm thinking that based on your observation, it's possible to get 90% of the
sportiness of a BMW with the all season, no snow tire drivability of the FWD
vehicles I have been spoiled by. Besides, already own a RWD roadster for
those top down spring/summer/fall days.

cheers

 

V50 is just what they are calling the wagon... like S60/V70 I guess?

The V50 will have, apparantly the same engines as the S40 (the NA and
Turbo'ed 5 cylinder)