Volvo S40 2004-2006

Make

Volvo

Model

S40

Series Year

2004-06

Std Transmission

5-sp man/5-sp auto

Engine Size

2.4-litre 5-cyl and 2.5-litre turbo 5-cyl

Fuel Consumption

8.7L/100km (2.4L)/ 9.2L/100km (turbo) (combined)

 

A safe and solid selection, especially for younger drivers. The word ''Volvo'' is music to the ears of parents looking for a first set of wheels for junior. The marque's reputation for safety (usually above all else) has made the brand synonymous with surviving the often-inevitable shunts experienced by young drivers. The flip-side in carbon-conscious 2011, of course, is that many Volvos of yore have been big, boxy brutes that not only slurp their way through a tank of unleaded but are also greedy on real estate in the parking station. The solution? Step down a size and look at the first of the proper modern, compact Volvos. We speak of the S40, a model that landed here in the 1990s but really started to find its feet in 2004, when it was upgraded and improved substantially. Like all good Volvos, the compact model's finest hour was as a station wagon, where the car's upright sides and Scandinavian proportions made it an excellent load carrier. Kids don't seem to like station wagons, though, so there was also a sedan version. The sedan seems to be around in the biggest numbers now. (If you're looking at a price list, wondering where the wagons went, Volvo called the model a V50.) The sedan is cheaper, too, so that's a good basis for sticking to four doors and a conventional boot. While the first-generation S40 was based on Mitsubishi underpinnings, the model in question here shares many components with contemporary Mazda3s and the Ford Focus. Such is globalisation but it shouldn't put you off, because there was nothing wrong with either of those donor cars and the Volvo still manages its own distinct flavour. A large part of that is via the engine bay. It contained either a normally aspirated 2.4-litre five-cylinder with 125kW of power or a 2.5-litre five-cylinder with a turbocharger for 162kW and lots of torque. While the turbo sounds like fun (and is), it's not the best option for a younger driver (legally or philosophically), which makes the cheaper non-turbo model the one to choose. A five-speed automatic was a popular choice but a slick five-speed manual was also offered. The fact the manual is the nicest version backs up Volvo's claims at the time that the S40 had broken out of the mould of stodgy dynamics. And it had, too, with accurate steering that finally got rid of the kickback of other front-drive Volvos, plus a decent ride on regular roads. Safety was a priority for the brand, so every S40 got side and front airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability control. But even beyond that were little touches, including seat-belt warning chimes for the rear-seat passengers and child-booster seats built into the rear bench. Standard kit wasn't bad, either, with dual-zone airconditioning, alloy wheels, cruise control and steering wheel-mounted audio controls. Step up to the SE model and you will also score leather seats, electric adjustment for the driver's chair, a trip computer and a better-than-average sound system. The engine is bordering on bulletproof and five-cylinder Volvo engines are renowned for their ability to cop punishment. That said, look for one with a complete service record and evidence of some tender loving care from an owner who gave a damn. The engine's timing belt needs to be changed at the appropriate interval and top-end engine wear can occur if oil changes have been skipped. The engine's fluids should be clean and topped up and check that the overall condition of the car hints that somebody has cared for it. Carpet mats and an ashtray that has only ever held loose change are nice touches that suggest a careful previous owner. With that in mind (and at the risk of hypocrisy, given the car's appeal for learner drivers), try not to buy an S40 that has already had one younger owner. Any car with aftermarket wheels and tyres (which will make it ride like a dray) or a skateboard-brand decal on the back window is probably best avoided. While you are checking the condition of the oil, check to see if the dipstick has a small piece of plastic attached to it that flags the lower mark for the oil level. If it's missing, it is probably floating around the sump, having fallen off the dipstick. It shouldn't cause any problems but it's not a bad way of scaring the seller into knocking a few dollars off. A smell of petrol inside an S40 is sometimes caused by a broken ring that secures the fuel pump in the plastic tank. It is not a huge fix but is important, as petrol fumes inside a car are dangerous. A recall was issued for some S40s built in 2008 to replace the rear wheel studs, which were the wrong specification. A Volvo dealer will know whether your car was affected. Cars with the R-Design package that included a different accelerator pedal were also recalled (probably in the wake of Toyota's issues at the time) to replace the carpet mats that could interfere with the pedal's operation. The turbocharged T5 model built in 2004 and 2005 was also recalled to replace a fuel line that could become damaged by heat from the turbocharger unit.