OT: Volvo s40?

[B.Rock]

No shit. 

That's why I only buy American cars like Toyotas or BMWs 

Do they factor in cost of repairs though? You can fix a GM car in your driveway like 18 times for the cost of one dealer fix on a Lexus.

[MendoDave]

I recently started Doing the service & maintenance  on one of these E320 wagons. Only the one I work on is black and doesn't park in front of the building shown here. 




At first I thought there would be a need for a special computer thingy to clear the service messages. After some investigation though, it was discovered that working through some menus & buttons on the dash & steering wheel, would clear said messages. The car is easy to work on and well thought out. All a guy needs, besides the tools I know you already have, is a diagnostic code reader, which is somewhat a must have if you own a car anyway.

That being said, you might be able to clear service messages on the Volvo in a similar manner, without the need for a special piece of equipment. 

[Jammen]

Oil change for my wife's '07 S80 runs $80-$90.  You can't do it yourself, because the only way to clear the maintenance message is with a shop computer.   

Still, it's been a great car.

Out of curiousity, have you tried this?

(The text message "Time for regular maintenance" is displayed for 120 seconds each time the ignition is switched on.)
 
-Turn the key to Ignition position I
-Press and hold in the reset button for the trip odometer and turn the key to Ignition position II within 2 seconds
-Hold the reset button until the warning triangle flashes.
-Release the reset button for the trip odometer within 4 seconds. -The instrument panel gives an audible signal when resetting has succeeded.

Seems it works for several models from 1999 and on, including the 2006 XC90 and 2008 S40. Might be worth a try.   

[ptam]

I spoke with a counterpart who works for Volvo on his thoughts on the 2nd gen S40 and if there were any landminds to worry about.  He said overall they have been pretty good cars, no real major issues.  Especially compared to the XC90's that have the transmission issues.  He said that the T5's are plenty fun too.

[Speeddog]

Not much to add, but here goes...

Hondas seem to last forever, both FHE and from friends who've owned them.
Parts prices are a little steep, but that's old FHE, and I'm not really sure any of the other Japanese cars are any better.

Audis are fun cars, but a friend and his wife have owned several, the last two they had were an A4 and a TT.
At about 80k, the A4 maintenance ramped up to roughly equal the car payment.... wheel bearings, control arms and such.
And it had a voracious appetite for tires.
The TT was getting near to that mileage, and they bailed on both of 'em.

The new Camrys are so F'n ugly I flinch every time I see one.

A friend had a Maxima sedan, it was a really nice driving car.

[Michael Moore]

Ah, I forgot about the Maxima. A friend had one and I liked it a lot. It looks like nothing, but goes like stink.

[enzo]

Mazda 3's are another quality option, unless there's an issue with looking like a Sunset district guido or something.  Two friends owned them and liked them.

[Spidey]

I went to a Nissan dealership last weekend.  It was like a morgue.   We looked at that Versa thing.  It was even more boring than a typical econobox.  I don't know how they pulled that one off.  

I like the Mazda3 a lot, both for driving and for looks.  It's not a Ferrari, but it has more appeal than the usual econobox.  I took a new one for a test drove last weekend.  It drives like a Mazda (i.e. zoomzoom).  On the downside, their safety ratings aren't very good, and they carry a bit of a price premium.  I was suprised to find that the hatchback didn't have as much space as I assumed.  The sedan was a better use of space for typical stuff you'd throw in the back.  The hatchback was only better if you need to carry a big ole box.  And it didn't drive that much more fun than a Civic that I was moved to buy one.  The steering is pretty precise, but not much more than the Honda.  Honda just makes great cars.   

That said, we're getting a used Volvo looked at by a mechanic today.  Service history is clean and complete other than the usual small factory recalls.  It's an '05, but is under factory warranty til 2011.  If it checks out, we'll go with that.  I'll post pics if we buy the thing.

[Michael Moore]

Yeah, we knew Spidey when he was badass and single...



Just pullin' yer chain bro. Welcome to the club!

[b.]

Completely random, but I've felt the Honda love in this thread.  My Accord's turning 21 next year and is about to click over to 300K miles.  I'm considering pouring a beer on it on New Years in celebration of its achievements.   

[Speeddog]

Yeah, we knew Spidey when he was badass and single...



Just pullin' yer chain bro. Welcome to the club!

OMG, MY EYES, that's hideous. 
(No offense intended to any bluish-green with lame hubcaps vintage Volvo drivers  )

[Fast Elvis]

I read that to the Blonde.  She's think you're pretty funny.  I think you're a dick.   

That's all I ever wanted to be. Thanks!

[DarkStaR]

I've been in 2 hondas while they were in the process of being totaled.

1) Mine = delsol. Did a 450* spin, and headed it into a wall at about 50-60mph. F'er cut me off, and I tried to avoid an accident. Cop said I should of just hit him/her, so there's some else to take some of the blame.

2) Not Mine = acura cl (still a honda). 50-60mph off-set head on collision.  Jack ass made an illegal left in front of us.  Didn't help that both drivers were drunk, and mine was speeding

Came out of both accidents with barely a scratch. YRMV

[Fast Elvis]

Maybe you should get a nice and safe Hummer. Michael Moore swears by them. He also swears at them, but that's another thread.

[Spidey]

There it is.  One step closer to Noe Valley douchebaggery.