I've never been one to write car reviews, always sort of thought they are all the same enough that while you might have problems, they aren't too bad.

Then I bought a 2000 Volvo S40 "Certified Pre-Owned."

The problems started early on......the wonderful headlight problem. Volvo knows there was a problem was this, the resistor wasn't built into the car properly, and they issued a "Service Bulletin" on it. Amazingly, "Service Bulletins" aren't covered under the Certified Pre-Owned warranty. So after burning through 3 sets of Pep Boys headlights in 1 month, I called up Volvo to make an appt. to get my S40's problem fixed. I thought since I even had the Service Bulletin, it would be easy.

Boy was I wrong. I was told that since I didn't use genuine Volvo headlights, I'd have to pay to have them install them, at my cost, and see if the problem happens again. Obviously I wasn't down for this....so I enquired what cost I'd have to pay to get it fixed. $150 !!! I was also told, and I kid you not, that since "Volvo's are safe cars, ahh, yeah, they go through headlights really fast." To put in a simple resistor harness that costs $10. No joke here. So I picked up the harness and installed it myself. Problem 1 solved...on my own, no thanks to the worthless CPO warranty.

Next problem. Car is purchased with 30,000 Miles. At 38,000 miles, brakes are soft and making a clunking noise. Quotes to replace brakes are absurd. Car was supposed to come with new brakes as part of CPO package.

Next problem. Just weeks ago, car develops a engine "shudder" that started as a rough idle and develops into a stall that occurs intermittently.

Next problem. Odd thumping noises when brakes are applied. This doesn't happen every time, but when it does, it's very obvious.

End of story is that I put out my Volvo to pasture last week (Trade In). Even though I lost money on it, as a result of it's horrendous residual value, I'm happier than can be. Replaced it with a Scion xB, and am amazed at the build quality. Isn't there something wrong with the fact that a $30,000 car has the same build quality as a $15,000 car?

As far as some of the basics, such as fuel economy, ride, etc........

Fuel Economy was less than published. I typically would get under 20 MPG. This seems to be standard with cars, usually getting less than the EPA estimates, so I didn't give it much thought.

Ride quality started out decent and quickly detoriated. Tons of rattles from interior products (esp. that damn cupholder which is overly complicated). Also the shocks/struts seemed to be worn out when I got rid of the car, as it rode very loud on bumps.

The steering is tight and responsive, one good thing to the car.


Hope Volvo got it better in the 2005's.... Stay away from the pre-2005 AT ALL COSTS THOUGH. READ THE EDMUNDS REVIEWS!!!!
Amount Paid (US$): 13000
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2000
Model and Options: S40 Turbo