Getting my first Volvo soon. I've found a 2005 S40 T5 with a 6-speed manual transmission and 36K miles for $17,000, and I'm starting to have irrational thoughts about just flipping the switch on it.

Aside from my irrational exuberance, what should I be looking out for on this?

Thanks,


Seattle Ad Guy

 

That looks like a pretty good deal on a well sought after car. The 2005 seemed to have a number of annoying issues, none major, that were corrected with software updates. By this time all that should have been taken care of. The Volvo service seems to be doing complementary software updates with major service lately.
Stan

 

Thanks. I appreciate the quick, detailed response.


Seattle Ad Guy

 

It's a great car, I've had mine for a year now and I have no complaints. My suggestion is to check and see what service records it has. You're mostly just looking for regular oil change intervals as 36k is pretty new and there really isn't any major maintenance due up to that point.

I would also just check the carfax history. I almost bought a "too good to be true" C30 from a non-Volvo dealership before I bought my S40. I checked the carfax and it had been in a major front end collision, and the repairs were done by some small-town body shop. I didn't trust it.

 

I got my 2005 S40 T5 manual about 3 weeks ago. It has 96K on it and drives fantastic. I love it. Things to know about this car. AC fails consistantly between 85k and 100k. Clutch failure is not common, but depending on how it has been driven, may also need to be changed around 100k. Timing belt will also have to be changed between 100k 125K. If the timing belt snaps, your engine is done. AC cost around $1k, cultch around $1200.00, timing belt is around $600. Just want to let you know so there are no surprises. I'm about to have my AC redone. I'm hoping my clutch will last another year or I'll be out of money..

 

With 101K miles, my AC has been trouble free (knock on wood). I hadn't heard of any issues other than the damper servos getting out of sync, causing odd things like one side blowing hot and the other side cold. This is fixed with a software update.
Stan

 

The AC failure is usually due to the clutch getting hot and not staying engaged. It will work for 15-20 min (depending on outside temp) then quit blowing cold, turn off compressor for 5 min, turn back on and it will blow cold again for another 15-20 min. Most mechanics won't replace the clutch, only the whole compressor. I say common failure, may be only 1 in 5 kind of thing. I hope yours blows you cold for years to come. What about your clutch, how's it holding up, and when do they suggest replacing the timing blet on the S40?

 

I wish I had the 6-speed manual. Mine is a geartronic but it seem to be working fine.
Stan