Volvo V40

[biker boy]

Its time to change SWMBO's motability car, one of the cars on the scheme is the V40 have any members of the Wam driven one, got any views.

 

[browellm]

Personally I like them. The interiors are a quite step up from something like a Ford Focus.

 

[Tons of Fun]

One of my neighbours has one and he suffers from chronic back pain from an earlier injury- he says it is supremely comfortable.

 

[biker boy]

Personally I like them. The interiors are a quite step up from something like a Ford Focus.

Mark, Agreed about the interior, there are 2 possible models that I am looking at, 1) V40 D2 Hatch SE, 2) V40 D2 Cross Hatch SE LUX.

 

[Samantha]

Doug, I borrowed an estate version from work to go collect a record collection. As an ex-biker, I was ready to dislike it. But I had to admit that it impressed. Good solid workhorse, good ergonomics inside so comfy and easy to drive long distances. Felt spacious too.

 

[misterpete]

I had a V40 D5 for a year, brilliant car. Fast, comfortable and economical. The new models are really nice.

 

[biker boy]

Doug, I borrowed an estate version from work to go collect a record collection. As an ex-biker, I was ready to dislike it. But I had to admit that it impressed. Good solid workhorse, good ergonomics inside so comfy and easy to drive long distances. Felt spacious too.

Sam, That is good to know, as you know we have had a Mondeo for the last 3 years we have not yet clocked up 8000 miles, Lisa has found it uncomfortable and has to sit on a pillow on long journeys which is once in a blue moon. The options that are open are the Golf, Honda Civic, Mazda3 at a push Mazda5 and BMW1. I had never thought of a volvo till I read Mark B,s comments and now your own.

 

[Beobloke]

As above, we test drove one last year and were very impressed with it. The only downside was the over-complicated dashboard and the instrument panel that has about 5 different viewing modes. I did enquire of the salesman whether these would be regularly used. His response was "No - they're largely pointless", which made me give him credit for honesty!

Nice drive and very comfortable, though...

 

[Ozexpat]

Drove one last year. Not exciting to drive (then I guess that's not your priority) but comfortable, smooth and a very nice interior.

 

[marcojpurdy]

It is good looking car and best choice for buying.

 

[falcoron]

Superb cars, get away from the old man Volvo personna and you will have one of the best cars around. The next car i will get is a XC70

Drove a 02 one last week and it had 170k on it and drove like a new car, very compfortable very quiet inside and good powerful motor.

Whats not to like? the owner tells me its on the original clutch from new and bar keeping the tyres in tip top shape as its vital on these 4 wheel drive cars if you dont want issues he has never had any mech issues, going to keep it and see how many miles he can crunch on it

 

[Bertiebee]

Doug, the V40 is one of the cars available to me on my company car scheme (I've still not chosen yet as I'm in dispute on the amount of my allowance).

The V40 D2 SE is near the top of my list and I'll be arranging a test drive shortly although I have read mixed reviews about the car, what car rated the V40 D3 quite highly in a group test (coming in just behind the Audi A3 etc.) but their own fleet V40 D2 SE they seem to rate less highly.

The new Golf in SE spec is said to be almost as good as the Audi A3 (class leader) but for me to have one of those I've got to put my hand in my pocket each month and I'm not sure I want to do that.......

Iain

 

[biker boy]

Doug, the V40 is one of the cars available to me on my company car scheme (I've still not chosen yet as I'm in dispute on the amount of my allowance). The V40 D2 SE is near the top of my list and I'll be arranging a test drive shortly although I have read mixed reviews about the car, what car rated the V40 D3 quite highly in a group test (coming in just behind the Audi A3 etc.) but their own fleet V40 D2 SE they seem to rate less highly.

The new Golf in SE spec is said to be almost as good as the Audi A3 (class leader) but for me to have one of those I've got to put my hand in my pocket each month and I'm not sure I want to do that.......

Iain

Iain, We can have a Golf 1.4 SE for and advanced payment of £199, the Volvo V40 Cross Lux for £299, The A3 is £1,300.

I will send you a link to the Motability by email so you can check i out for me, what I am struggling with is the variability of the car reviews.[h=1][/h],

 

[greggerypeccary]

Its time to change SWMBO's motability car, one of the cars on the scheme is the V40 have any members of the Wam driven one, got any views.

Had a D2 SE 1.6 Diesel since March. Decent interior/spec, sufficient grunt for motorway overtaking and enough room for 4. Downsides are:

1. a serious lack of boot space (the enlarged boot option doesn't offer much benefit), although it looks quite large next to the A Class. It's a Ford Focus platform but the designers have opted for a longer bonnet and a shorter boot

2. it's quite low so getting in/out can be a bit of a strain for taller or less supple people. Definitely worth a proper tyre kick and decent test drive before you sign on the line

 

[biker boy]

Had a D2 SE 1.6 Diesel since March. Decent interior/spec, sufficient grunt for motorway overtaking and enough room for 4. Downsides are:1. a serious lack of boot space (the enlarged boot option doesn't offer much benefit), although it looks quite large next to the A Class. It's a Ford Focus platform but the designers have opted for a longer bonnet and a shorter boot

2. it's quite low so getting in/out can be a bit of a strain for taller or less supple people. Definitely worth a proper tyre kick and decent test drive before you sign on the line

Thanks for this, Lisa needs to to use a wheelchair to transfer into the car, and she also uses a prosthetic leg some of the time, so door opening width and transfer hight is very important as well as the comfort of seating. I was also going to look at the V40 cross which appears to have higher seat height.

 

[gsrai]

I don't know if its on your list but we have a skoda yeti and I've never owned a crossover vehicle before but the high sitting position combined with very comfy seats has really surprised me.

you also get loads of room in the car although the tailgate is a touch heavy IMO.

 

[Samantha]

I am looking at a short term lease in San Fran - there is a company where you can pick up cars where people need to exit their lease, so you get the remainder of the lease term as a way to get 12-18mth long lease........

Car I have spotted - Gulp - I may also be considering a Volvo!!!

Never thought as an ex-biker I could do that.

 

[biker boy]

I am looking at a short term lease in San Fran - there is a company where you can pick up cars where people need to exit their lease, so you get the remainder of the lease term as a way to get 12-18mth long lease........Car I have spotted - Gulp - I may also be considering a Volvo!!!

Never thought as an ex-biker I could do that.

Sam,I have had a test drive in the Volvo V40 cross, very very good and very well equipped, the only other car I am thinking of is a Golf 1.4 SE,I have a test drive in that next week.

One thing that puzzles me is the variability of car reviews I suppose its like the HIFi rags. Is there a car review that you have found to be consistent and impartial that you would recommend. Doug

 

[Samantha]

Hi Doug,

TBH my brief stint as a motoring writer reduced considerably the trust I have in any reviews. Attending new car launches and meeting other writers, discovering how many will do a review on a car that has been delivered to them, that they haven't been bothered to drive......

So many admitted if they couldn't be bothered, they would ring the previous writer and regurgitate their opinion (or indeed, next one along the chain). Also some very strong brand predjudice came through from all.

I have a brand I favour, but there was a new launch from them, and I really wanted to like it, but it was very poor. I had to write that it didn't delivery the claims and was dull, ergonomically poor, indeed it felt like an old car, not a supposedly inovative new one.

But many of the others just would not write a true review if their favoured manufacturer made a bad car.

Upshot is, I read for interest - but I take the info and filter it..... only a test drive can be true.