2005 Volvo S40 2.4 from North America - Comments

Nothing too major:

Brakes have sqeaked really loudly since day one. It took a year for Volvo to find a 'solution' and finally it was repaired free of charge. This is typical of all s40 I've been told. (2005's)

Washer fluid hoses constantly come out of place, and spray fluid all over the engine rather than the windsheld. I repaired this with duct tape, better than Volvo did.

Car burns oil from time to time. Sometimes white smoke comes from the motor. All service has been done at a Volvo dealer, and they said everything is fine.

I notice the oil levels are low once in awhile. They need to be topped off; no big deal.

The car is a slow dog in the city, seriously lacking pick-up. I blame this on my wife demanding we get an automatic transmission. I think a 5-speed manual would definitely help the situation. City driving is a pain, as the car has awful visibility out the rear and the sides. I have to look over my shoulder constantly. I have never driven such a small car with so many large blind spots.

This car is however a Volvo, and as small as it is, I feel like I'm driving an Abrams Tank! You do feel very secure in the cabin. Safety first, I guess.

Interior is very cramped; I have a huge problem with the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal. They are too close to each other! Sometimes I accidentally hit the brake and the gas at the same time. I'm only 5'8 and size 10 mens shoe. The accelerator pedal is tiny! How do Swedish people drive this thing? My knee hits the dash also, even with the seat all the way back. Very uncomfortable.

On the highway however, I am rewarded; the car cruises like it is on rails and handles like a dream. Once it picks up speed, this car is smooth sailing, and very responsive. It would be great for the Autobahn. The car glides at high speeds without any doubt -- this is why I chose a European car.

You're wife must wear the pants in the vehicular dep't! Get your pants back man. Tell the wife to drive the old car until she wants to learn how to drive a manual. That's what I did. I did compromise and agree to buy ANY car as long as it had 3 pedals. She drove the old one for another year+ and then learned how to drive the right way. Ended up with a Passat. The difference between auto and manual in that model ('01-05) is pronounced.

My elderly mom switched from a Lincoln Town Car to a Volvo S-60 in 2006. I find the car rough, uncomfortable, cramped, slow, and generally unsatisfying. If I bought ANY new American made car and it smoked or used any oil in the first 200,000 miles I'd be LIVID. I can't fathom saying you'd buy another oil-burning new car that has no power, smokes and has bad brakes!!

If this were a review about an AMERICAN car, everyone would be calling it "domestic crap". From 1984 until her last Lincoln in 2006, mom never had a single problem with any of her Lincoln's and definitely didn't have any that smoked or used oil. Before mom got her 2006 S-60, I had considered leasing an S-40. After driving her Volvo I decided to stick with solid and well built GM or Ford vehicles. Needless to say, mom isn't very happy with her S-60 either.

I cannot believe what this guy is saying: the solid built GM and Ford? American cars and Lincolns have proven themselves to have terrible reliability and terrible mileage. I have had a few Volvos in my life; the only thing I find wrong with the Volvos type is the suspension is kinda harsh, and the steering is too responsive.

Interesting comment on the pedals being too close together. I had the same trouble in my Volvo 240. I'm not a huge, hulking guy by any means...5'7" 155lbs size 9 shoe and more than once, especially in emergency situations where I hit the brakes quickly, my foot pressed both gas and brake at the same time. One time it almost caused an accident. I've driven different year 240's and they all were the same way. How do car companies overlook such a design issue especially if it can be considered safety related?

OK. I respect the OP comments but there are some things I find hard to believe. I have the T5 version of the this car and it is a monster. For such a smaller platform, this handles and acts like a sports car more than a four door sedan. I have to be very careful about "peeling out" and it goes 100 mph without even so much as a shutter.

I am 6'3" 235 lbs... I am a big guy, and there is plenty of room for me. There is a dark spot on the drivers side of the ceiling, because my head does come over close to it.

This is simply the fineist piece of machinery I have ever owned or driven. I turn heads all the time with it, and I have a hard time trying to keep my wife from stealing it. I highly recommend this car.

FYI: Volvo is Ford, and these new cars are made by Ford.