There are numerous cars in the mid segment market for one to choose from, Starting from the Waja and working its way up to the C-Class. However the price difference is almost RM150k from the showroom for these two cars. 3 years after leaving the showroom the C-Class will sell for almost RM100k less and the Waja almost RM20k less. Pretty decent depreciation for our national car! In terms of percentage they both depreciate almost the same however the monetory loss on the Merc is the price of 1 new Waja’s with change or a used Volvo with change. Earning factor plays a part and for most Merc owners depreciation is not an issue. However somewhere in between the Volvo S40 can be bought for reasonable price and better still when it is 10 years old today.
For those who value a reputation for safety and reliability need look no further than the Volvo S40 for a compact car that is available as a four-door sedan or station wagon. From the showroom, Volvo has priced the S40 aggressively such that it costs slightly above a Honda Accord and Toyota Camry with similar levels of equipment and the Volvo trademark as a quality car. There is just one engine choice – a 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine producing 160 horsepower. A light-pressure turbocharger helped deliver this impressive power output and also endowed the engine with great low-end torque that is so important in making an engine feel more powerful. In fact, its performance is on par with many bigger engined 6 cylinder cars. Maximum torque is available as low as 1800 rpm and continues strongly all the way to 4800 rpm.
First impressions on driving a 10 year old S40 were good. Although the car is only available with automatic transmission it moved briskly away from a standing start and the transmission shifted smoothly through the
gears. Despite only being powered by a four-cylinder engine, the low-pressure turbocharger helps give the engine a greater amount of low-end torque that makes it feel like a V6. Fortunately, unlike turbochargers of days gone by, you can barely tell this engine is boosted as there is no whine, sudden surge of power or even a boost gauge. There are no squeaks and groans from the interior.
Handling of the S40 is acceptable. It is not in the class of a BMW sports sedan, but it is better than many semi-luxury cars. There was little body roll in corners and the car felt stable. The leather still looked and felt like new and the interior has kept well in the 180,000 kilometers that the previous owner had run. Overall, the car was quiet with only a little worn tire noise coming through to the passenger compartment. Maintenance on a S40
will not break your bank account however it is not a car that any ‘joe’ mechanic can fix. Servicing and parts replacement can be done by ‘joe’ however for complicated repairs it is better to go to an approved service center, here prices can be on the high side but once fixed, it won’t break for some time! Remember, it is a European car. A used 1999 Volvo S40 sells today from RM35,000 and is a perfectly competent compact sedan which should satisfy buyers looking for mid sized continental car at an acceptable price. However, It is not likely to entice people away from a BMW or even a Merc, both of which are more European in character with their sportier handling and style. The Volvo S40 has more of a Japanese feel to it, which is perhaps not surprising considering it is the creation of a joint venture between Mitsubishi and Volvo in Holland, where it is made.
