I can see your reasoning. The interior is very cool, all Volvo's have great interiors

Based on the New Ford Focus so handling should be decent, as long as its a T5 i can understand your thinking

 

I liked the look of the new S40 in the publicity pics, but on the road it doesn't look as good, appearing somewhat stunted. Also the S40 is a Volvo in name only - it's built on the same platform as the new Ford Focus and Mazda 3 in the Dutch Nedcar plant. The touble is it doesn't go or handle as well as the new Focus so you have to ask yourself what's the point?

 

I need help, pls. I've had my current Cooper for just over 3 months now... the one before I had just 10 months... and now my head is going into another direction. I would like to buy a Volvo S40...

I basically grew up with Volvo's - 122's,144's, 164's, 145's... My dad was addicted to Volvo for years, .He use to do restoration work on them, and I'd help him - basically it's where I got the passion for cars from I think.

My dad's been talking about getting a S40 after owning 8 Renaults now since 2000.

Now my question to you guys are... why shouldn't I buy the Volvo? A of friend of mine drives a S60R, and I love that car - it is seriously fast and drives like a dream! He's awaiting his 2nd one that will arrive any day now.

This IS a beautiful car: Volvo S40

Also I "grew up" with Volvos, there was a sucession of 144, 244, 264 x 2. I had a lot of respect for them, but then I wasn't paying for the petrol!

I am now on my 2nd company Volvo V70 and unless anything changes there will probably be one or two more. I like the V70, it's well built, comfortable, over engineered and I like the way it's classy without being flash.

However, what do I use by choice when I get home at the weekends? The Cooper...

Even if I'm going shopping I'll take the Cooper, it's just so much more fun. I did a 630 mile round trip over 3 days with my wife, daughter and a whole lot of luggage and I still took the MINI out of choice! What does that tell you about which is more fun?

Going back to your choice of Volvo, if you must do it, go for the S60. This is a proper Volvo, built like the proverbial brick "outhouse", good looking with all the quirky bits and Volvo attitude. The S40 is just a Focus that looks like a badly distorted S60 with the construction quality of a Focus. There is nothing wrong with a Focus, but it's not a Volvo and it sure ain't a MINI.

Tigger.

 

I liked the look of the new S40 in the publicity pics, but on the road it doesn't look as good, appearing somewhat stunted. Also the S40 is a Volvo in name only - it's built on the same platform as the new Ford Focus and Mazda 3 in the Dutch Nedcar plant. The touble is it doesn't go or handle as well as the new Focus so you have to ask yourself what's the point?

True, true, true, true, apparently and beats me - in that order!

Tigger.

PS Why do they have the slogan "Volvo for life"? It makes it sound more like some kind of sentence rather than something to look forward to

 

I've seen it on the road over here. I don't want to sound to negative, if you want one you should get one. I've seen the other Volvo's too here, this S40 is to heigh (tall) for it's width, compared to the other Volvo's. If you got a family maybe you should get one. I've got two kids living with me (8 and 12), I will keep the Mini and anybody who complains about the legroom can walk if they want.

 

One reason not to do it is the question of won't you take it up the proverbial tail pipe when you get rid of your 10 month old car? And why did you get rid of a 3 month old MINI, get another one, and now you want a different car? Man, changing rides that often you may just want to rent your next car! You have commitment issues! I hope you're not married! No, no...I kid, I kid! Seriously, just kidding, except for the first two sentences.

 

The S40 is certainly an OK looking car, but I don't see anything that would inspire me to dump my 3-month-old MINI!!! Unless you have a medical or psychological condition that compels you to acquire mundane sedans?

Frankly, I prefer the looks of the S40's cheaper brother, the Mazda3. But neither are in the same league as the MINI.

Indeed, you do need help.

 

Just being a daft...

American I couldn't help but notice that you have more problems/issues than just about anyone I've ever seen post anywhere. Might I suggest some professional help.

It's just a car. Yes the Mini and the Volvo are just cars. You made a decision and now you aren't sure it's the right one?????? Whoa! I hope you solve your dilemma. I really do. But you really do have to get some new priorities and stop being a drama queen.


I owned a PV544 Sport '65 Volvo. Got it for $360 American in '73. Drove it till '83. Gave it to my sister who drove it a few more years and sold it for $3000. Only needed a carb rebuild(maybe $300 back then-dual SU's don't ya know). Really liked that style. Still it's just a car. A material object whose only soul is that which we impart. And at that it's transient. Now I own an '05 Cooper. Great car so far. Really like it a whole bunch. But like my Volvo it's a car(of course I won't say that where the car can hear me

What I don't understand(besides your plea for help that really isn't needed) is how you can talk about getting rid of a car you've owned for such a short period and look to get another. Are you rich and spoiled? Shallow and spoiled? Good grief! If you get the Volvo will you then stop posting here, join a Volvo site and do the same vascillating and pandering for pity?

Sorry. It's just so pitiful and sad to read posts like this that after so many I can't help myself. I'm going now and seek some professional help. :red:

 

I'm going from an S60 with AWD to a Cooper S (just ordered). The S60 was great car, extremely confortable and I loved every minute of it. From the line it wasn't anything impressive, but has tons of power at high speeds (kept up with a Mustang GT once).

I re-evaluated my needs, and figured out I didn't really need a car that big. I rarely have more than 1 passenger in the car and never haul around anything bigger than a suitcase.

I had also thought about the S40, but with the options I wanted it was coming to be almost as much as an S60.

If you truly need the seating/cargo space I would go with the S40/S60. If you want a car that is just plainly awesome to drive, get a Mini and save $7-8k.

 

You cant buy and s40,.. for one obvious reason...your name is pepper cooper. You'd have to change your name to "Drives A Car That Looks Like A Box Of Velveta Cheese"

 

I need help, pls. I've had my current Cooper for just over 3 months now... the one before I had just 10 months... and now my head is going into another direction. I would like to buy a Volvo S40...

I basically grew up with Volvo's - 122's,144's, 164's, 145's... My dad was addicted to Volvo for years, .He use to do restoration work on them, and I'd help him - basically it's where I got the passion for cars from I think.

My dad's been talking about getting a S40 after owning 8 Renaults now since 2000.

Now my question to you guys are... why shouldn't I buy the Volvo? A of friend of mine drives a S60R, and I love that car - it is seriously fast and drives like a dream! He's awaiting his 2nd one that will arrive any day now.

This IS a beautiful car: Volvo S40

Sounds to me like middle-age is setting in

 

If you lust after a Volvo, take a "hit" with your friends, and then get back in the Cooper where you belong!

 

Sounds to me like middle-age is setting in

:red: :red:

I would say it HAS set in

 

I need help, pls. I've had my current Cooper for just over 3 months now... the one before I had just 10 months... and now my head is going into another direction. I would like to buy a Volvo S40...

I basically grew up with Volvo's - 122's,144's, 164's, 145's... My dad was addicted to Volvo for years, .He use to do restoration work on them, and I'd help him - basically it's where I got the passion for cars from I think.

My dad's been talking about getting a S40 after owning 8 Renaults now since 2000.

Now my question to you guys are... why shouldn't I buy the Volvo? A of friend of mine drives a S60R, and I love that car - it is seriously fast and drives like a dream! He's awaiting his 2nd one that will arrive any day now.

This IS a beautiful car: Volvo S40

I know what you mean. I would love to own a V70R (estate of course for added surprise to other people when it blasts away from the lights) in that Minty coloured green they do, with the Tan leather seats (they are comfortable). However I am 21 and the insurance company would have something to say!
An S40 though, I just don't know about the new one, not seen a T5 or R version yet, so I will reserve judgment!!

 

Just to answer a few things:

Yes I am single...
No kids...
Yes I'm turning 30 soon - the middle age thing...
If I decide to go for the Volvo, it won't be till the end of the year...
As far as passengers are concerned - I try to avoid having them at all cost (total time spend with passengers in my current Cooper is about 1.5 hours)...
Yes I am sane and don't need professional help...
I get bored with stuff, really quickly - will buy an expensive gadget now, and then after a few days it will end up in one of my cupboards - obviously with a car it's a different story...
...and fred, never mind...

My friend that's awaiting his new S60R, well his dad owns a V70R that he got a few weeks ago - that is one serious SW and I love it!

 

I don't think there's meant to be any offence here Pepper-Cooper. But any Volvo is just such a safe option and well-loved by joe-average-family-types. If that suits your bill then go for it

 

I hear ya, no offence taken. I've just never had a sedan... like in a booted car. I've always had hatchbacks. In 5 years, I've gone through 4 Clio's, one Polo (9N), one Cooper and now my present Cooper.

Look - I love my Cooper, don't get me wrong... It's without a doubt the most attention seeking (and getting it) car I've owned. I was even introduced to someone today as 'the MINI nut of George' and I get so many compliments on my choice of car I drive. I know that I will not get this with the Volvo - it will just 'melt' away into the mainstream and probably not even get a 2nd glance. There's just something about it that I don't know what it is yet...

But please don't write me off now... I'm still as nutty about my MINI as ever!

 

How About a Saab 9 3?

Hi,

Just bought a Cooper S Convertible in Feb. But for bombing around all year, shopping, carrying the dogs, there is nothing like the Saab 9 3 - 6 speed turbo which we bought a year ago. Roughly the same price, we would not give up either car now . For the previous 14 years, we were a one-car family, a 1990 VW Passat.

If you can afford it, keep the Mini and get the Swedish car as well. But test drive the Saab 9 3 first (not the smaller new 9 2, which is a Subaru in disguise)

 

I'm like you - been through a LOT of cars - 20 in the last five years alone, same reason, boredom. Amongst those I've had two V70's, a 2.5CD and a T5 CD. Both were great, solid cars. Was never a Volvo fan until I bought the first. But I'm already thinking of changing again and I've only had my current MCS since Sep and it's my 3rd

 

I I was even introduced to someone today as 'the MINI nut of George' and I get so many compliments on my choice of car I drive. I know that I will not get this with the Volvo - it will just 'melt' away into the mainstream and probably not even get a 2nd glance. There's just something about it that I don't know what it is yet...

One of the best cars in the world is something that will handle and perform reasonably well, but be invisible to the rest of the world. It's one thing to drive fast in a car that gets noticed, but it's much better to be able to "ghost" along without attracting unwanted attention.

 

I'm like you - been through a LOT of cars - 20 in the last five years alone, same reason, boredom. Amongst those I've had two V70's, a 2.5CD and a T5 CD. Both were great, solid cars. Was never a Volvo fan until I bought the first. But I'm already thinking of changing again and I've only had my current MCS since Sep and it's my 3rd

Thought I saw a headline in the local news recently: "North London car dealers cancel their Carribean holidays after prolific customers moves up north."

 

Thought I saw a headline in the local news recently: "North London car dealers cancel their Carribean holidays after prolific customers moves up north."

ROTFLMAO!! There was another headline up here though -

"Local car dealers start rubbing their hands with invisible soap as rumour of MINI2 car ho's relocation is confirmed."

Pepper-Cooper - let what happens happen. Life's too short

 

Volvos have the most comfortable seats of ANY car.