Friends are looking to replace a totaled Prius. Just started the process, but this came up recently, but is
They have the option to buy a 2002 Volvo S40 with 105,000 on the clock for $4500 through a private sale. I haven't seen it to know what options or color.
It has had recent tires, brakes, and battery, and supposed to be in excellent shape.
Any problem areas to watch for? Does the price seem to be reasonable for the year and mileage?
Thanks, Joe
It has a white block Volvo engine, so all the advice about the 5 cylinders fits here, you just need one less spark plug. Unless I am mistaken, they are kinda a European Focus/Mazda5, I think. I know they don't really share anything chassiswise with the 850/S60 chassis, but they are quite a nice car to drive.
Like Streetwiseguy said, the engine is a white block, but the chassis is actually from a Mitsubishi Carisma. Don't know for the transmission. A friend has one (think it's a 2002) that he had from new. He never had any problems with it, but he also doesn't use it a lot. I think it barely has more than 60k. Never drove it, but when I rode in it, it left me cold. Good appliance car I would guess.
fanfoy is right the S40 was a badge engineered Mitsu until half way through '04. The '04.5 + cars are a lot nicer, and more powerful with the 5 cylinder. Our service manager at work drives an '02 S40, he's in love with it, I'm slightly responsible for him getting it, me being the Swedish fanboy, but I told him the same, if you want an S40 get the P1 chassis, not the Mitsu. For a reliable appliance, there's really nothing terribly wrong with the first gens though. Interference engine with a timing belt...
Thanks for the feedback.
Anyone know the interval on the timing belt? I want to give them a heads up if that is going to be due soon.
Thanks, Joe
I want to say 105K and/or 5 years which ever comes first. If it's never been done on that car it's a time bomb, and needs to be done asap, figure the cost of replacement in with purchase. Timing belt, tensioner/pulley, idler pulley, water pump, and water pump bolts should be SOP for the mileage the car is at if there's no evidence of them having been replaced in the last few years.
I'd budget in the price of a full "stage 0" on it too if there's no maintenance records, or at least trusted previous owners. At the mileage it's at it's due for most fluids, i.e. transmission fluid, coolant flush wouldn't be a bad idea, all filters, plugs were supposed to have been at 90K, etc.
If the new buyer is taking it to an indy shop, add another $1K or a Volvo dealer $1.5K+ to the purchase price for potential deferred maintenance costs.
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