s40... for snowy Vermont?
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
s40... for snowy Vermont?
I have a 200k S70 that is a classic. Manual transmision.
We also have a mini that is awful in snow.
We want to sub out the mini for a very solid, long-life car that can function well in snow, ice and the rest.
Is the S40 a good solution? We want something that won't want to visit the shop, can handle a slippery hill and can take me on my weekly commute on back roads and highways.
Any thoughts? We are looking for a low-mileage used car. It's just the two of us, so no SUVs, tanks, trucks and monsters...
A bigger Volvo? Another model?
Seeking happy, reliable, kind of sporty new friend.
Thanks!
We also have a mini that is awful in snow.
We want to sub out the mini for a very solid, long-life car that can function well in snow, ice and the rest.
Is the S40 a good solution? We want something that won't want to visit the shop, can handle a slippery hill and can take me on my weekly commute on back roads and highways.
Any thoughts? We are looking for a low-mileage used car. It's just the two of us, so no SUVs, tanks, trucks and monsters...
A bigger Volvo? Another model?
Seeking happy, reliable, kind of sporty new friend.
Thanks!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 486
Likes: 5
If it were me, and obviously it's not 
, and it were to be used specifically for winter driving I would look for something with a little more ground clearance. An S40, with appropriate tires, will get around just fine in light snow, but will have some of the same issues your Mini does. Too low and light weight compared to the tire width. Kind of hard to beat that S70 as it is a good size/weight with front wheel drive. My S60 is .2" lower than the S40 on ground clearance, but being longer, wider, and heavier helps. Maybe an AWD S60 or S80 or an XC70 if you don't mind a wagon as it will have AWD also. Since at this point I wouldn't think you need to be in a hurry with winter almost over, you also have plenty of time to keep your eyes open for another S70. Because the body style doesn't appeal to those outside of diehard Volvo fans they are a real bargain in the market IMO, and can be found in AWD also.
, and it were to be used specifically for winter driving I would look for something with a little more ground clearance. An S40, with appropriate tires, will get around just fine in light snow, but will have some of the same issues your Mini does. Too low and light weight compared to the tire width. Kind of hard to beat that S70 as it is a good size/weight with front wheel drive. My S60 is .2" lower than the S40 on ground clearance, but being longer, wider, and heavier helps. Maybe an AWD S60 or S80 or an XC70 if you don't mind a wagon as it will have AWD also. Since at this point I wouldn't think you need to be in a hurry with winter almost over, you also have plenty of time to keep your eyes open for another S70. Because the body style doesn't appeal to those outside of diehard Volvo fans they are a real bargain in the market IMO, and can be found in AWD also.
Last edited by pkrface; Feb 28, 2014 at 10:08 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post