S40 1.6 - From an owner to you

Advantages: Super safe, stunning looks.
Disadvantages: MPG isn't the best

...As a current owner of a 1.6 S40, I would like to share with you the joys of this car. The car is super safe, after all Volvo does mean "Rolling Iron", so you can expect all the safety features your dear old Granddad expected from his first Volvo. It all depends on what you are looking to get from your vehicle. If you are looking for complete peace of mind, knowing that should the worst come to the worst, you will be safe, then this is your car. If you are looking for a car that has stunning looks and decent performance, this is your car. Ok, so fuel consumption is not the best with this car, but that is to be expected. It is a 1.6, so it won't have the same MPG as your 1.0 run-around. It is also quite a heavy car, another sign of its immense safety. Take the versions with a few extras and this car soon becomes just as luxurious as...

ConcreteMonkey 30.06.2004 · Read review
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Review of Volvo S40 1.6

VOLVO S40 - A true beauty

Advantages: Reliable, comfortable, good used prices, safe, secure, customer service
Disadvantages: image a bit dated now, high fuel costs

...I travel to work everyday by car, which means I need a good reliable car, but thats got a bit of an image to it too. I went for a Volvo S40, Volvo have always had the reputation of strong well built reliable cars and in the past ten years have been up their competing with the likes of luxry marques like BMW and Mercedes. --------- PRICE --------- We bought the car used at £7995, a bargain considering that brand new this particular model (the 1.8i) was over £17,000. Yet at seventeen k new, this is still around three k under the new price of a Mercedes Benz C Class and a BMW 3 series (its main competitors) and at a similiar price to the saab 9-3, the car it is most commonly compared with as saab and volvo are both sweedish firms. I was fair happy to pick up the volvo at what I thought was a low price. It is fair to say that...

gusgusrule 30.04.2004 · Read review
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Review of Volvo S40 1.8i

Volvo V40 1.6

Advantages: Spacious, Volvo Safety, Road Holding, Reliability
Disadvantages: Underpowered, Comfort, MPG

...I like Volvos. I would hope so now that I have owned 6 of them starting with a lovely, quick Volvo 360 GLT, through the 4 series, S40, etc I bought this V40 1.6 about 12 months ago as I 'needed' a car to get my dog around in after trading my Isuzu Trooper for a Mazda RX8. I didnt want to spend too much on a second car having just splashed out on the Mazda with the 'must have' toys', much to my wifes disaproval. After several fruitless searches of local garages I bumped into an old school friend at the Volvo dealership who introuduced me to this car which they had just taken in. It seemed to fit the bill nicely. It was an estate, ideal for the dog, and was in the price bracket I was looking at. After a test drive, the deal was done So, enough waffling, what are my views of the car. Lets look first at the exterior The car is...

Woodsa12 29.09.2006 · Read review
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Review of Volvo V40 1.6

New Volvo S40 2.0D SE

Advantages: Low Price for Premium Badge, Styling, Build Quality, Handling
Disadvantages: Lack of cubby space, Boot too shallow

...Having owned this car from new , I can give it a firm thumbs up. The new S40 started life from scratch and carried nothing over from the older, duller S40. The styling is typically Volvo, but with a German'esque' look to it and a familiar Volvo shoulder line. It's clear that Volvo have aimed squarely for the 3-Series, and A4 - Infact the S40 is the Auto Express Compact Executive Champion 2004. Though the new S40 is smaller than it's predecessor, the wheel base has grown by 78mm thus giving more space inside, the extra width has given the S40 a more muscular look. Infact a friend described it as a 'S60 that has shrunk in the wash'. Based on a shared platform, the S40 shares it's underpinnings with the New Ford Focus and the Mazda 3, thus it is very good to drive and has superb handling. The steering is direct, crisp and well...

ihl123 09.08.2005 · Read review
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Review of Volvo S40 2005

Volvo S40 1.8 AUTO

Advantages: Space, ride and comfort
Disadvantages: Running costs

...Having bought a nine year old a few months ago I didn't expect much, all I can say is I'm shocked - it looks stunning and hides its age very well, helped by the fact it remained on sale largely unchanged sice 2005. My needs were for a relaxed cruiser to drive from our home to my parents home 200 miles away. The car eats the miles effortlessly, and especially in automatic trim is a very relaxing drive. The main disadvantage - enhaced by the auto gearbox - is the fuel consumption, at 40mpg it is fine on a long motorway cruise, round town, however watch that petrol disappear at about 28mpg! One great advantage of that auto box however is the wonderful sport button by the shifter. The car drives relaxed and quiet, push that sport button and the 1.8 litre engine comes alive, the noise and pick up are superb, just keep an eye on that petrol...

leo85 22.09.2005 · Read review
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Review of Volvo S40 1.8 

Rock & Volvo

Advantages: Big boot, lots of buttons to press!
Disadvantages: Could do with some more power

...I've been the "lucky" owner of the last ever Ford Escort 1.6 model (2000 model). I must say that I was happy with it and it did the job but the time had come to slip into something more comfortable. Volvo is latin for "I roll". (see the great pun with the title now?) I've always admired Volvo's for their safety and although some say Volvo's are for Grandads, that is certanly not the case anymore. I'm the proud owner of a Black Volvo S40 2002 model. I've got the SE edition which adds a lot to the enjoyment of this car. THE KIT Climate control - set the temprature and the system will take care of the rest by turning on/off the aircondition to maintain a cool (or warm) temprature. Cruise Control - the SE edition comes with cruise control. At first I never thought that'd be something I'd use but after doing a few...

gekornro 14.04.2005 · Read review
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Review of Volvo S40 1.8 

Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec

Advantages: A great car from all angles
Disadvantages: Not as many extras included as I would have liked

...I am now the proud owner of a ford focus 1.6 zetec and for the first time in many years I have actually found a car that pretty muc suits all my needs. I have spent many a time in cars that are too big, too small, not suitable, not comfortable etc but this is everything I could ask for. I own the three door version but the doors open widely and when the front seat is moved forward there is plenty of room to get anyone in the back, even my mother in law who is disabled. The back of this car is extremely spacious, comfortably fitting 3 large adults in. The boot size is deceiving in that it looks pretty small but is very spacious indeed. Perfect for all those shopping bags as well as a childs pushchair. The actual drive of this car is superb. Mine runs on unleaded and is very economical. I can get over 200 miles to £35...

bexx0907 27.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.6

Review of Peugeot 306 1.6LX

Advantages: Comfortable seats, quite nippy, nice styling,
Disadvantages: Thirsty Engine, Small at the back, Electronics failure, mechanical problems

...of another car as I was heading for a roundabout, my bonnet curled inwards and my front bumper and lights were smashed in, but the airbags didnt go off so as much as i thought it was a serious accident it was only a minor. Maintenance: The car Maintenance costs and repair costs was quite high even for a 1.6litre petrol once my Fuel Pump had a leak as petrol was seaping out of the car the repair cost was about £100 plus £80 labour, as its a lot of money for me as i am a student, cosmetic damage was about £550 including labour. Fuel Consumption: Petrol Costs are much higher no thanks to the credit crunch that we all struggling from, but its not so bad if you dont thrash the car about and you are a sensible driver you can get about 3 days of petrol on £20 but even still petrol goes quite quickly. If I had the choice i would have opted...

Venom4545631 07.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of Peugeot 306 1.6

Nissan Note Tekna 1.6

Advantages: Good performance, economical, well kitted out.
Disadvantages: none except tyre size

..., the boot has a false floor so all the bits and bobs you carry around can be kept out of sight, the spare is a compact spacesaver type, the wing mirrors can be retracted electronically and wipers are auto rain sensitive, the lights are also auto light sensitive, all windows are electric and can all be controlled by the driver, drivers window is fully auto up/down if needed. Driving the car is very good, it has a sporty feel to it, the engine is responsive and brakes are very good, having only done one long trip in it, as most of my journeys are short hops in towns, the fuel consumtion is running at 42mpg which for a 1.6 engine is good. The on road cost for the car should be £13,500 but mine was a staff car with 500 miles on the clock only a few months old, I paid £10,500 and I would recommend to anyone to look for these sort of deals as I...

gefb 14.09.2008 · Read review
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Review of Nissan Note 1.6 Automatic

Ford Focus 1.6 - Shocking!!

Advantages: Handling and Looks
Disadvantages: Customer Service, Bodywork, Transmission...

...Two years ago I decided to buy a brand new car, and after much research I decided upon the Ford Focus 1.6 (old style now). Everything I had read pointed towards a really good choice. So I went into my local Ford dealer and a week later I had my nice new car. First thoughts were a good looking car, well built, fantastically smooth to drive, held the roads amazingly well. All of the equipment worked wonderfully well and I absolutley loved my new car. Then the problems began.... After two weeks the Airbag Modulator failed, so I went back to the dealer, and they replaced the faulty part within a few days. They wouldn't let me have a courtesy cat so was left hanging around the dealers for a few hours. All work was under warranty so no cost to me. Three weeks after the Modulator fault I was washing the car and noticed tiny rust spots...

dansellers 27.03.2007 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.6