1995 Volvo 440 Si 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Reliable, no frills, just a feeling of being well built

Faults:

Slight rust to the rear of the car - not bad considering the car is 5 years old!!

Minor squeak noted during driving - from the wheel.

General Comments:

I have changed my car every two years since driving. For all this car is relatively old, (I changed from a 1998 to this one), the comfort and driving capabilities are outstanding.

I feel safe, it's like a tank.

The stereo is a bit out-dated, but the electric heated seats are brill!

Not a one for those who like to show off, but for reliability, comfort and a feeling of it being built to last - first in it's class.

Not a Grandads car as you may think!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th July, 2000

1995 Volvo 440 Si 1.6 16V petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

1. Handbrake cables prone to split after approx 50-60k miles - design weakness.

2. Steering rack prone to lose fluid after approx 60-80k miles - requires entire rack replacement £££.

3. Stone through radiator ££ unlucky.

4. Dealer stripped thread on hub during a service.

5. Eats tyres - not so much if you drive slowly and don't go round corners.

6. Electric aerial stuck down.

7. So many bulbs on the car - at least one will be out any any time.

8. Minor rattles from interior fittings.

General Comments:

A great car to own - functional, reliable, great seats, deceptively fast, very stable handling and excellent comfort. I think it looks good too in met green.

A real improvement over the 340 but lacking in a few areas:

1. Nowhere to put your left foot when not changing gear.

2. Expensive to service with Volvo dealers.

3. Power steering slightly too light - it's too easy to throw the car into a front wheel slide.

4. Slightly jerky on the accelerator because of the high torque generated by the engine.

5. ABS probably a good idea.

6. Other cars I've driven of this sort of price have better wheel balancing. The 440 always has a wobble at some speed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st February, 1999

11th Jan 2001, 16:07

My dad has a 440 Si 2.0 petrol. At first we didn't like it, when I saw it my opinion didn't change much, then I drove it... It's a great car to drive, the dash is great and it feels so safe.

The heated seats are a damn good novelty. The rear seats are so comfy too and spacious.

The engine is forever reliable and economical - a 213 mile trip to Manchester and back used about 4-5 gallons of petrol.

Let's see the performance:

BMW 520 SE

106 bhp/tonne

0-6 10.2 seconds

41 mpg at cruise

Volvo 440 2.0 Si

105 bhp/tonne

48 mpg

I'm sorry but the badge doesn't mean anything to me!!!

My dad always wanted a Mercedes, but he's chosen his next car as the S40 2.0t.

25th Jul 2002, 11:46

Update on original entry for the 440 1.6 Si...

Now done 125k miles and has run well since 100k.

However, repair bills get high around this mileage so watch out if considering buying a high-miler.

13th Dec 2002, 08:27

I have had my '95 440 for about three years and its just done 107,000 miles. My last car was a '92 440 and this new model is a great improvement. I feel more comfortable on long journeys and it has proved much more reliable. Overall, it simply feels more tight and better built and as a result, I'm currently looking to by a second one. The 1.8 liter engine is much more refined than the old 1.7 Renault unit, and performance wise, it is more than capable of keeping up with Golf GT I's and XR3i's. Advice wise, try to go for one with lots of extras. Mine is only an Si, but I bought with air con, fog lights, alloy wheels and 4x electric windows. I would definitely recommend one.

9th Jun 2003, 09:17

1989 440 Turbo, Its extremely fast and Swedish. What more do you want in a car?!!!