9th Mar 2016, 16:56

I would slow down on the corners. The suspension may last a tad longer correct.

4th Aug 2016, 11:30

It is interesting to understand that the original reviewer only posted parts cost, not labor cost. Which adds to the equation.

Manual transmissions 2004-2007, both on regular and R engines, are plagued with a very costly slave cylinder failure: the transmission has to be dropped, and normally it's the slave cylinder seal that gives up (brake fluid gets low in the reservoir), the clutch pedal drops suddenly on the floor (you can still pick it up with the tip of your foot), fluid will spill on the clutch and pressure plate which will need replaced. It happens between 40K and 100K miles depending if the car is driven mostly city or highway. A $2000-$3000 repair including parts. If you buy a manual, check the brake fluid level inside the reservoir, although the guy selling it might be aware that the fluid is getting lower and might have topped it up before the sale. Check the level before testing the car, and after testing it with plenty of gear shifting to see if the level has dropped inside the reservoir.

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?119165-Documenting-Slave-Cylinder-Failures

12th Oct 2020, 15:03

Interesting review and comments. Volvo's from this era are nice cars, but can get VERY expensive when things go wrong. Myself I just scrapped a Volvo S40 last year. What annoyed me was the engine, gearbox and bodywork were solid, even after 12 years and 150,000 miles. But the car was only worth about £1200 UK pounds, and I had an ABS, airbag service light, and some other things wrong, and was quoted over £2000 to repair! Was more economical to get rid so that's what I did. But I had never scrapped a car with a good engine and bodywork before. To be fair I do not think it is just Volvo, a lot of modern cars are going to the scrap heap this way - OK engines and body, but just far too many other repairs and expensive electronic niggles to be worth keeping.