Phase II S40/V40 Information

[Dirty Diesel]

Hey all,

I'm new to this forum, and although i don't drive as of yet, i will in the next year or so. Because of that, i come to this forum for information about the 2000-2004 Volvo S40 and V40. I do have many questions, so forgive me.

First things first, I am currently 16 (17 in a month or two), and working a couple days at a local Mitsubishi garage while i finish my motor mechanics course at college, then do my apprenticeship at said garage. So, I'll be working there for a while which gives me the opportunity to save some dosh for a car... in theory.

I have read on a few forums online, that people have found that insurance for a new driver with a family car, like a sedan/estate car that doesn't have a lot of insurance claims, can be cheaper instead of the typical Fez, Golf, Polo etc etc.

Anyway, my plan is to save for about a year or so, then buy a car. I do have a motorbike that will likely sell for more than i bought it, which helps. As my brother had a "53" plate S40 1.9D S, i love the S40 and V40 range. Hnce why i want one as a first car. Would this be possible? I plan on doing an advanced driving course after i pass my test, so that it gives me valid experience, and something to declare to the insurance company. Plus with two named drivers with full NCB on my policy, that should help bring my payout down... SHOULD.

I love the 115 1.9D engine, but with everything that's happening to Diesel cars lately, would that be a wise decision? I did consider the 1.8i GDI, but have heard many bad things about that engine. I would consider the 1.6 petrol if need be. All i need really, is some information regarding:

Insurance prices for an S40/V40.

Which engine to choose.

Which car would be cheaper, just because the V40 is an estate, would that make it a bit cheaper because of the less street cred?

Just overall whether it'd be a good idea or not. I would have a few grand saved for insurance alone by the time i come to buy a car, and a bit more for the car and other necessities etc etc.

I just need some solid info, because i just can't seem to find anything anywhere else, so i thought an official Volvo forum would be my best bet.

I am willing to pay that bit more for insurance, because of them being faster, nicer, and more importantly, safer cars. My thinking is that I'll go for either an S40/V40 with something like the 1.6 or 1.9D, run that around for a years, and upgrade to a higher spec model a few years down the line. Good plan or not?

Plus it'd be a safer first car. Statistically speaking, young drivers are at a greater risk of crashing their car due to experience, or lack thereof. Hence why i think a driving course would help. That and a Swedish tank!

Well i think that's about it for now. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading, have a great day

[druid]

I wish you the best of luck, it's admirable that your doing the advanced course on top. Perhapse it will help insurance, I've not heard that an estate will pull the price down.
As good as courses are, there is no substitute for getting in and driving. When you you get in alone (big in here innit) you start to learn properly!

Ps do you Facebook? Of course you do you're

young! Look for Charlie lees, he is you age and owns a volvo. Also ME les Williams.

[Dirty Diesel]

Oddly enough I don't have Facebook xD. I'm one of the few people these days that doesn't have it.

Yeah i can't wait to get behind the wheel. It's just affording it that's the problem for me. I'll see if i can check out yourself and Charlie. Probably time to make a Facebook account...

[Dirty Diesel]

Also, how good/bad is an LA5 postcode for an insurance risk area?

[ITSv40]

In order to get a feel for the potential insurance costs, I think you need to do an online insurance quote putting in the relevant info according to your expected circumstances. Other than phoning a broker and telling him your expected circumstances and he advising you there is no way to get an indicative answer. Insurance quotes are based on a drivers car and experience and is unique to that driver.

Insurance is not based on the value of the car you are driving, but how much damage you can do with it when you hit something.

[canis]

We've got a 1600 estate. It's not exactly slow, but it'll never earn you a huge amount of street cred. If you want speed, the turbo engine is the only sensible choice, although as a first car it will be prohibitively expensive to insure. The 1600 will easily reach 100mph in well under a minute.

The handling is better than any car I've ever owned. It is impressively stable, I think because of the rear anti-roll bar. When empty, it just seems to stick to the road like glue, cornering is great. But then, it's a mitsubishi charisma really. Lower springs are easily available, more easy than the ordinary ones actually, if that's your preference. Tint the windows, add decals, etc. if you feel the need.

What most people do is buy a low specification and then gradually improve it over time. One of the first improvements is the egg-crate grille, and twin headlamps, which will improve it's appearance considerably. Leather seats if you like, various interiors are becomming more and more available. Being 16/17, you'll naturally want to toss out the crappy radio and replace it with something better, and better speakers too. Again, the standard isn't bad, but it's not great either. Roof rails improve their appearance too, all these things can be added gradually. But if you want a sunroof then buy one with it already installed because they're a real pain to retro-fit, by all accounts.

If you're into tarting up the engine bay, all manner of silicon hose kits are available in various colours. The aluminium parts polish up quite well, laquer them to keep them shiny.

Me, I just like the practicality. I can put a fridge in the back and drive it to edinborough without it batting an eyelid. And being so comfy, I can still get out and walk away. They're starting to age quite a bit now, which has pros and cons. They predate certain MOT requirements (good!) but are beginning to exhibit some tricky faults. At this age, any car starts to become a labour of love so you will need to get your hands dirty to some extent with repairs, and the ability to read OBD codes will be essential if you plan to do the work yourself. But spares are plentiful.

There's a lot to like about the V40. Go for it - and enjoy the cheapest, safest and most comfortable motoring currently available.

And welcome to the forum.

[Dirty Diesel]

Hmmmmm that's certainly given me something to think about. I likely won't be tarting my first car up that much to be fair, but there are one or two niceties that I wouldn't mind. To be honest, after being in my brothers old S40, i really like the stock sound system.

Anyway, would you say that a 1600 V40 would be a safe bet then? I've heard many people speak the V40's praise. More so than the S40. Speaking of S40's, like i said, I've been in one before, and the seats are so comfortable! The long footwells suit me perfectly. I know rear legroom isn't the best but that won't really affect me.

S40's and V40's are pretty handsome cars in bone stock form in my opinion, especially with the Sport Lu package, with the black bezel headlights, but i would not be phased of driving a bone stock one.