Advantages: Reliable, comfortable, good used prices, safe, secure, customer service
Disadvantages: image a bit dated now, high fuel costs

...I travel to work everyday by car, which means I need a good reliable car, but thats got a bit of an image to it too. I went for a Volvo S40, Volvo have always had the reputation of strong well built reliable cars and in the past ten years have been up their competing with the likes of luxry marques like BMW and Mercedes. --------- PRICE --------- We bought the car used at £7995, a bargain considering that brand new this particular model (the 1.8i) was over £17,000. Yet at seventeen k new, this is still around three k under the new price of a Mercedes Benz C Class and a BMW 3 series (its main competitors) and at a similiar price to the saab 9-3, the car it is most commonly compared with as saab and volvo are both sweedish firms. I was fair happy to pick up the volvo at what I thought was a low price. It is fair to say... Read review

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Advantages: Style, performance, comfort, good economy for performance, well built
Disadvantages: Not S60 prime model

...Right up front I am going to confess that I am writing this as a slightly frustrated non-Volvo S60 driver. Strange statement that don't you think but there we are out here in the big bad world we do not always get what we want……. …….and we (Mrs Richada and I) really wanted a Volvo S60, but not as it happens, this the most powerful 220bhp 2.4 litre T5 Sport version. 15 years ago I would have not looked at a Volvo fullstop. However if the S60 had then been on the market, this the fastest one would have been my natural choice. Maturity and certain financial commitments now mean that I am inclined to make far more rational choices when it comes to choosing a car, no matter if I pay for it, or is currently the case I have a free choice of company car up to a given budget. Part of my maturity also gives me pangs of conscience... Read review

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Advantages: Most stylish 4X4, hugely roomy, very comfortable, good value for money
Disadvantages: Expensive second hand, needs bigger engine, may not fit your garage

...I am very much aware that my wife is by a long way NOT alone in being a fan of this particular car. A good couple of years after its launch Volvo still have a healthy waiting list for them. That means two things; 1) Volvo actually under-priced this car when they launched it and; 2) that of all the 4X4's on the market the XC90 makes by far the most sound financial sense, its' residual (second hand) value is second to none. Volvo were undoubtedly surprised by the runaway success of their very first entry into the proper 4x4, or as the Americans would call it SUV, Sport Utility Vehicle, market. Sure, they had dabbled with four wheel drive versions of the V70 Estate, but this was a totally new departure for this ultra conservative Swedish firm. However with Fords financing and marketing know how, Volvo have powered from strength... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Wonderful safety features!
Disadvantages: A little more expensive than some other cars!

...A Volvo is for life well in Shane’s case until he rights it off! Well, that not all together fair, okay so he hit the back of a Mercedes Lorry, then a Mondeo car rolled over the bonnet whilst he was on a single track road and then finally someone in a VW Polo hit the back of the car whist he was turning left. These incidents occurred in 300 series Volvo’s since then Shane has had on 440 SE, I have had a special edition 440 redline and currently a 440 turbo. Shane has progressed to a V40 1.8 limited edition (engine 1731cc but is a factory tuned engine) and she is gorgeous, well it is if you like this type of car! Anyway, following his accidents Shane has never been seriously hurt, he gained only minor whiplash injuries. So why do we stick with the Volvo cars? Well it all boils down to safety and comfort at a reasonable price. I... Read review

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Advantages: Big boot, lots of buttons to press!
Disadvantages: Could do with some more power

...I've been the "lucky" owner of the last ever Ford Escort 1.6 model (2000 model). I must say that I was happy with it and it did the job but the time had come to slip into something more comfortable. Volvo is latin for "I roll". (see the great pun with the title now?) I've always admired Volvo's for their safety and although some say Volvo's are for Grandads, that is certanly not the case anymore. I'm the proud owner of a Black Volvo S40 2002 model. I've got the SE edition which adds a lot to the enjoyment of this car. THE KIT Climate control - set the temprature and the system will take care of the rest by turning on/off the aircondition to maintain a cool (or warm) temprature. Cruise Control - the SE edition comes with cruise control. At first I never thought that'd be something I'd use but after doing a few... Read review

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Advantages: Performs well, very reliable, comfortable, practical, roomy
Disadvantages: Not as well built as some Volvos

...Nearly 7 years ago I bought a nice Volvo 440 1.7 automatic from a fireman who was selling it for something bigger to accommodate his ever growing family. I saw the car for sale in the local press and went to have a look at it. I was very pleased with the car, it had a lot of creature comforts you would expect (central locking, electric front windows, electric sunroof, power assisted steering and a height adjustable front seet - which is very important if, like me, you have short legs !). Driving the car was a pleasure - very comfortable, and although the car is quite low to the ground this was not a problem as you could raise the drivers seat. The car handled very well and because these Volvos are quite light, it was very nippy too. I was also pleased with the insurance costs too. I cannot recall the exact figure but I do know... Read review

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Advantages: Swift, Well Made, Indestructable
Disadvantages: depreciation, service costs

...The Volvo V70 estate was brought into the market by Volvo to replace its ageing 850 range. The 1997-2000 V70's boast several exterior improvements over the 850 including reshaped front and side lights, and body coloured bumpers and door handles. We bought our 1999 V70 for about £13,000, though expect to pay up to 5 grand more if you decide to buy through a dealer or specialist. The car is a 2.5L Turbo Diesel, and was our first diesel car. We were surprised at the acceleration of the car, and even though it sounds like a van when your in traffic, it has a nice 'howl' when you put the pedal to the metal. Official Volvo stats record the V70 TD getting to 60 in around 8.5 seconds. The car does a little under 40mpg on the motorway, and a little under 35mph when accelerating heavily in towns or in traffic. There is also a lack... Read review

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Advantages: long useful life, very rust resistant, good aftersales
Disadvantages: big gas guzzling engines

...Volvo opinion The preamble may appear to be devoted to our Mitsubishi campervan but this opinion essentially concerns our ‘B’ reg Volvo 740 GLE Automatic, colour metallic blue so I must ask you, dear Reader, to bear with me, please, for a paragraph or two (or three). We bought it, our first ever Volvo, last June at the same time as we bought a Mitsubishi campervan. I mention this because it was through buying the van that we were offered the Volvo. The man from whom we bought the van drove it down to Ashford from his home in the ancient and attractive Kentish city of Rochester. He had forgotten a few items belonging to the van so returned home to get them. While there, he bumped into a friend of his who, during their chat, mentioned he was selling a Volvo for a friend who needed the cash. He rang me and told me about... Read review

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Advantages: Good office facilities, opportunity to travel
Disadvantages: IT system leave a bit to be desired