Any one have a Volvo S40?

[BernieP]

Looking for a winter commuter car. Saw 2 S40s with around 90000 miles for a good price. Anybody have one? Looking for a reliable front wheel drive winter car. I have heard that some Volvos are expensive to maintain but not much about the 2001 S40.

Thanks,
Bernie

[phoenix_iii]

Wouldn't it make more sense to put winter wheels and tires on one of your existing vehicles? Where are you located? Ever NOT use a FWD vehicle in winter?

[BernieP]

My other car is an 86 911. I drove my 1980 SC for the last 9 winters in Pittsburgh and it did fine with snow tires but the salt got to it bad. The 86 is from down south and is too clean to subject it to salted roads. My wife has had a number of front drivers and with snow tires they are great in snow.

Bernie

[RWebb]

Volvo has an AWD 40 series car too. I'd get that for winter over FWD.

new models so maybe not much re reliability - nice & small tho; likely sturdy

ESC done right, will change your life on snow

[BernieP]

Your right AWD would be the way to go and I found some Volvo Cross Country wagons at real low prices. After some research I found out why they were so cheap. Tons of transmission problems and sketchy electricals. The sedans seem to be better but that's why I hoped to get some feed back from an owner.

Thanks,
Bernie

[widgeon13]

FWD with the new snow tech tires will perform very well in all winter conditions. I had an S70 w/ Blizzaks and it could climb a tree. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

[Mothy]

I had a '98 V40 (S40 wagon) with the T4 engine (200hp HP Turbo) - quite a handfull on a wet day even with traction control, so it would be even more so with ice and snow. Power used to come on in a rush.

Lower power (NA or Low pressure turbo) variants might be better suited.

As for reliability, comfort, maintenance etc the car was great - solidly built, good safety features etc.

[Tanick]

I had a 98 S40 T4 for a while. Most comfortable rear seats in any car. Can't imagine it would be fun in the snow. Great fun in the dry though.

[Robert Adams]

My wife's car is a Volvo XC70 (Cross Country) and although it's great in any bad or snowy weather the cost of ownership is quite high. They also have some quirky and expensive repairs that don't go away. Good MPG though, mostly around 26 to 28 on Plus.
If I were buying a 4 wheel drive TODAY, I would go for a Subaru, like a wrx or outback, even the GT is pretty nice. Most GTs seem to come with a sunroof, leather interior and it is available in a 5 speed. The SAAB version of the WRX is a real nice package and mechanically the same as the subie. Most came with a sunroof, leather and a stick was also available. Might be a bargin on one of those for the obvious reasons.
Good luck!

[RWebb]

Outback = boring as hell; WRX with turbo = crash when the turbo kicks in on snow

dunno if the BMW AWD system is any good but I often dream of havin a 3 series wagon while in the Outback...

Volvo is likely more luxo oriented

another thought would the those Lexus wagon/SUV like things RX330, 350 etc.