|
|
|
|
28/01/2008
By EWAN KENNEDY
|
|
|
These mid-sized vehicles from Sweden are solidly built, reliable and pleasant to drive, particularly in the latest series. Best of all in the minds of many buyers, they make an interesting alternative to the all-too-common German brands in this European field.
 Sales of the Volvo S40 sedan and V40 station wagon started relatively slowly following their release in Australia early in 1997. At that time local buyers saw Volvo as primarily a maker of large cars and seemed reluctant to consider the smaller ones. That changed dramatically with the release of the all-new versions in 2004. These are much improved over their predecessors, with sleek styling and sporty handling that can mix it with the best of the prestige Europeans.
With the launch of the new station wagon in 2004 the name was changed from V40 to V50 in keeping with Volvo's decision to give its sedans even numbers and its wagons odd numbers. Volvo has a very strong presence in the estate wagon market and saw the need to differentiate these variants from the sedans.
In Europe these Volvo models are regarded as family-sized cars. Though obviously less spacious than their bigger brothers, they can easily handle two adults, three pre-teen children and a fair amount of luggage.
Handling in the older models is pleasant enough and the cars have a quiet, refined ride for their time. They are easy to drive and are more than competent at coping with the vagaries of Australian back roads. However, really rough stuff can take the suspension by surprise at times. As mentioned, the latest models have a nice sporty feel.
The high-performance variants have stiffer suspension so are less suited to harsh road conditions. Having said that, they can cope pretty well when handled by a competent driver who understands the Australian outback.
 Safety is as strong a feature of these mid-size Volvos as in the large ones. There are traction control, stability control and ABS brakes. Should you still manage to get it all wrong, Volvo safety features such as multiple airbags, crush-control body structure and ‘intelligent’ headrests increase your chances of survival.
A good number of engine options are on offer. All in the pre-2004 models are four-cylinder units, with capacities 1.8, 1.9 or 2.0 litres. They come with or without turbochargers. Turbo engines come with a choice of light, medium or full boost. So you can choose strong torque at low to medium revs for everyday use, full-on high-performance motoring, or something between the two. T4 is the tag given to the full-on sports variants.
The 2004 mid-sized Volvos come with added capacity, using a 2.4-litre five-cylinder engine in the standard variant and a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo unit in the sporty model, the T5.
Not all engines are available in all models or in all year models.
The engine drives the front wheels through a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission in the pre-2004 cars. The post-04 range retains the five-speed in all but the sporting T5, which has six forward ratios. The automatic in the latest is a tiptronic-style five-speed.
Luxury levels are almost as varied as engine choices so there’s plenty to choose from. Even the lower cost versions are pretty well equipped so don’t be afraid at shopping in the bottom end of the market. You can get a lot of European prestige for a relatively modest outlay if you go for one of the older models. Just make sure of the condition before handing over your hard earned.
Volvo has built up a strong network of dealers operating in most areas in its many years on the Australian market. There's the usual leaning towards cities in their locations, but you will sometimes find a Volvo specialist in quite remote areas. These are often official factory outlets, but there are some quality unofficial ones as well.
These are complex cars and it’s generally best to get all work done by experts unless you are very confident in your ability as a home mechanic.
Many insurance companies have a dislike of turbocharged engines. Volvo Australia operates its own insurance operation in conjunction with major companies, ask at the dealership or contact the importer directly.
 WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Be wary of a noisy turbo, especially if the car looks as though it has been driven hard and fast. Look for a puff of smoke from the exhaust under full acceleration.
Automatic transmissions that are slow to react to movements from Neutral to Reverse or Drive may need adjustment.
Manuals that crunch changes, especially between third and second gears, could be due for an overhaul. Clutch maladjustment can give the same symptoms.
Body damage that hasn’t been repaired correctly can let in rust, but Volvos are generally very corrosion resistant. To check on crash repairs look for a ripply finish in the panels, as well as for paint that doesn't match perfectly and/or has been accidentally sprayed onto non-painted areas such as badges and glass.
Interiors should be in good condition unless the car has belonged to an uncaring owner. If you suspect the back seat has had extensive use, look for signs of damage by bored children.
HOW MUCH?
Budget on spending from $9000 to $14,000 for a 1997 Volvo S40 2.0-litre; $12,000 to $18,000 for a 2002 S40 2.0T; $15,000 to $22,000 for a 2000 V40 T4 SE 2.0-litre; $20,000 to $29,000 for a 2004 S40 LE 2.4-litre; $25,000 to $36,000 for a 2006 S40 2.4-litre; and $31,000 to $43,000 for a 2007 V50 LE 2.4-litre.
CAR BUYING TIP
Do your homework on the availability of service and repairs on a car marque that’s new to you before falling for vehicle. This applies mainly in country areas, but there can be scarcities in the big cities as well. |
|
|
|
|
|
Print Article
Submit Feedback
Email This Article
