Faults:

It needed a new alternator.

It drinks oil for some reason.

Needed a new bumper, front left headlamp and wheel, after I drove it into a bush!

Now the windscreen has cracked from bottom nearly to top!

Computer says oil needs checking, again!

Bulb needs changing on brake light.

Trim rattles, which is very annoying.

General Comments:

My dad got this car in 1997 and put me on the insurance in 2000, so in effect this was my first car, and what a car to drive for your first car!

This car is very fast and can beat any boy racers in their Nova SRi's and XR3i's at the lights.

My dad claims to have had it up to 130mph and said it could have gone further, but he didn't want to try it.

It looks like a sensible car which is why it is probably so under-estimated, but underneath that bonnet is a beast!

It is quite insurance friendly also, even if I did have my own insurance and wasn't on my dads.

Everyone came to college in their Metros and Micras and it just made me laugh when these people tried to race home with me!

Fuel consumption isn't bad either, only if driven in a sensible manner, which I never really did!

It's at its best on the motorway and cruises very well. It is also very comfortable.

The trim is rattly and is hanging on the passenger door by a thread, but if the stereo is turned up you can't hear them.

It is a fantastic car and I still go out in it when I'm missing the thrill!, as my Corsa TD doesn't offer the same performance.

Faults:

Starter motor.

Ignition switch.

General Comments:

I bought this car 2 months ago at a bargain price of £390. The inside is in mint condition and the outside has also been well looked after. What I do find common with the Volvos of this age is the rust on the edge of the doors. Is this a design fault?

The best thing about this car is that you feel safe and secure. The car handles very well on normal roads or motorways, and there is loads of room in the back for your passengers.

The car drives like new, even though it is 11 years old!

I don't actually have a bad word to say about the Volvo 440 GLE and would recommend it to anyone.

Faults:

Starting motor cable became loose.

Both the front and rear windscreen washers are broken. Rear never worked, front broke after 4 months.

Seat heaters do not work.

Rear lamp cluster keeps falling out.

Strange clicking noise from the wheel.

All my coolant keeps disappearing!

General Comments:

This car has a really luxurious interior, which is very easy to keep clean. The paint-work is fantastic and all the little extras you get with a GLT really make this a good car.

Fuel economy sucks, especially if you drive with a lead boot as I tend to, or waiting in traffic.

This car was made for the motorway, it loves long journeys. Once it is up to speed it will just cruise regardless of hills!

Handling is fantastic although when wet it under-steers a little on roundabouts.

A really beautiful car.

One tip - Don't drive through the car wash with the radio on! My poor electric aerial, sob!

Faults:

I sold the car to my brother after 2 days as he needed a first car with cheap insurance, but all he has had go wrong in a year and 10,000 miles was a leaking rear brake cylinder.

Oh, and apparently the sunroof leaks in rain. And the tailgate gas struts have lost their charge.

General Comments:

Heavy, heavy steering - this car needs power assistance.

The 1.7 carb engine provides so-so performance. The gearchange is pleasantly clunky. Fuel economy could be better - on unleaded, as this is one of the first cars on the UK market with a standard catalytic converter.

Comfy seats. Quite good spec - central locking, (optional) electric roof and heated seats.