A sexy Volvo? Surely not! (Volvo V40 in general)

Member Name: aeronaut

Product:	Volvo V40 in general
Date:	17/12/00 (792 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Comfort, High specification, low running costs, great economy with respectable performance.

Disadvantages: Ride quality in town, a little too safe handling for my liking, the hatred you will receive from motorcyclists!

I've just bought a Volvo V40 1.8 SE and quite frankly I'm amazed. It wasn't my first choice at all and when the tantalizing temptations of Bavaria's finest were taken out of my price range, I started looking at alternatives.

As a long term Saab man, but a lack of enthusiasm towards the products currently produced by them, I moved my attentions to Volvo. Of course there was a conflict of interests, i imagine fights between my Suzuki GS500 and the V40 breaking out in the garage at night, but I am pleased to say that for just £5500 I have got a 3 year old V40 1.8 with leather, aircon, CD player and all the toys imaginable and it purrs along like a kitten, the handling is safe but fun, the ride is a little unsettled through town but beautifully coherent on the blacktop of Britain's motorways. Fuel economy is nothing short of excellent with it returning so far 37 mpg after a fairly spirited run across the Buckinghamshire countryside and the comfort levels for what is, essentially a Mondeo competitor, are nothing short of excellent. From it's 1.8 Renault derived 16v engine it pulls cleanly and whilst it could never be described as a fast car, it keeps it's head above water with a 0-100KMh (62mph) or 10.2s and a top speed of just over 120mph. The gearbox is precise, even after 70000 miles and the engine feels tight, yet nicely flexible.

So if you want to avoid the identikit products of Ford, VW, BMW, Mercedes, Vauxhall (snigger) and the French, go for the Volvo, you'll be glad you did!

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