I've been driving an s70 and have 170k on her and she's starting to need this that and the other thing. So I am contemplating moving to a newer car and am looking at the s40 or maybe an s60. I would enormously appreciate thoughts, experiences and general real-road mileage. I used to get about 30 on the s70 hwy but I'm down to 27.
Thanks to anyone who will take the time to weigh in.

 

I love my S40. You can see my recent posts about all the problems I'm addressing with my newly aquired 157,000 '01 model. Since wife and I bought it in '02 it's been a great vehicle. So with a new paint job, leather recondition, fuel pump, and struts. I'm still not giving up when dealer told me I need 3 way catalytic converter. Plus it's 4 cylinders, and 25-28 mpg. Good Luck

 

I loved my old 2005 S40 T5 6 speed. It was a great car and I still miss it. In fact, I'm really thinking about picking up another one once I have some other bills paid off.
Very nimble and has good handling out of the box. Add some minor suspension mods, you'll have a car that feels much more like a 2 door sport car then a 4 door sedan.

I've driven the first gen S40's and the lack of a manual option really holds the car back for the sake of fun factor. But it was still a good car for a reliable commuter.
The 04.5+ N/A S40's both in the auto and 5 speed left me wanting a little more out of the engine, but the handling was still pretty good.

It's been too long since I had it so I couldn't tell you exactly what my mileage was but it was in the upper 20's per gallon.

 

Did I read you right? I'm always a stick shift person. Hmm. Back to the internet search. I just presumed....

 

The first gen S40's 2000 to 2004 was not offered with a manual option here in the USA.

The 2004.5 and up second gen S40's did have a manual option.
The T5's got the M66 6 speed manual and the 2.4i's came with an M56 5 speed manual option.

 

I had the '02 S40 and it was ok. I like my '05 V50 T5 much better in every aspect.
Stan

 

The fact that I could drive in the US for like "forever" to run into another one of these modified ones which still a daily driver and can safely transport my family with two kids in the back makes this car priceless.The new body stile s40's doesnt appeal to me mostly because of their interior.Looks very simple nothing real and the center console pushing my knee just siting in there for 2 min..
Before upgrades I did 34HWY and 28city but now still making 400 miles on a tank on Hwy.

 

Thanks for these replies. I'm going to look around for a good used one, manual. Meanwhile, I'll keep the old frau on the road. 170k here I come! It's a great car, but I have a long commute and recent repairs made me a little nervous because they came in 3s. I might be jumping the gun, though. I appreciate the thoughts here and I'll keep looking out for any other responses.

 

I can personally vouch for the crash worthiness of the '02 S40. The car was totaled when I got rear-ended at highway speed. The left rear wheel was ripped off the car. However the crumple zone crushed up to the high strength steel safety cage and no further. Even the rear glass was untouched. The WHIPs worked flawlessly and I walked away without even a back ache. I bought another Volvo!
Stan

 

i have a 2010 automatic trans and love it. sporty looking and lots of pep. really fun and handles great.