I was at a dealership yesterday and they had two Volvo's I love and of course there are pros and cons but which is better a 2002 S60 2.4t AWD or a 2005 2.5t S40 I want to do some decent mods and I read also it's like super hard to put a aftermarket radio in a S40 just need some opinons and both have leather but S60 is creme leather and the S40 is black leather? But which one do I get??? And why?

 

I don't know but i want know the answer.

 

maintenance history is key for any used car. Mileage will determine fair market value for each. Best to research any reliability issues on the S60's transmission/AWS (ie which model transmission). The T5 S40 should be more reliable being a newer design. As far as leather seats go, look for any cracking or splitting seams. You can find a good leather care kit to clean up the cream color (black seats get hot in summer).

 

​​​​​well both have around 150k on them and both interior have some cracks and everything I could get the leather repair and my girlfriend keeps saying the creme interior is ugly but I don't mind it I feel it looks good what about you? And I will do a full tune up and everything one I get the vehicle and when I go for a test drive I will see how the transmisson is on both but I'm leaning toward the awd because it does come in handy. Just need some personal opinons on what everyone would pick?

 

I live in CT and have owned both AWD and 2WD. My practice is to use top quality snows on separate wheels for the winter and worry less about the drive set up. My S40 does fine in the snow with a set of Blizzaks in the winter. Note there are differences in AWS set ups - some are designed to only engage when slip is detected, others allow for the driver to lock the center (and possibly rear) differentials to ensure full time power distribution. The S60 uses the 2nd generation Haldex system which sends 95% of the power to the front wheels in regular driving but then sends power to the rear wheels as slip is detected. Third gen systems came to market around 2006-7 so the 2002 has the same design as the next few years.

 

thank you and I was also trying to see if the awd makes it faster as well but I do like both but I'm just seeing the options I really don't like how the S40 uses fiber optics for the radio.

 

Newer model year does not equate to more reliable. They are two very different cars and each has its own common problems. I prefer a P2 (S60) to a P1 (S40) cosmetically and for comfort. Common P2 issues are transmission/valve body (on early models), leaking angle gear, strut mounts, control arm bushings, PCV, instrument panels. P1s see problems with struts, control arms, passenger engine mounts, compressors, upper radiator hoses, expansion tanks, PCV.

So obviously it comes down to whats been done to each of them and personal taste. I've seen P1s and P2s that are total junk that I wouldn't take for free and also that are really clean in great shape.