Overview & Reviews

Output from the 1.9-liter turbocharged mill is bumped up by 10 to 170 horsepower. A CD player makes its way onto the standard features list, and the front fascia gets a slight freshening thanks to a black egg-crate grille and body-colored side molding and bumpers. Inside you'll find a new three-spoke steering wheel and a four-dial instrument cluster. The sport package adds front and rear spoilers, blackout headlamp surrounds and 16-inch wheels, and the premium package now includes a leather-wrapped hand brake handle and gearshift lever.

• Strong complement of safety features, affordable base price, upscale interior.

• No manual transmission offered, lacks sporting intentions, pricing can quickly escalate with optional equipment installed.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 58.00

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  Overlooked and underrated S40 - 2003 Volvo S40
  By RavCar - July 13 - 2:00 am

  This car is excellent, fun to drive, reasonably sized, had lot of features that were not there in Passat and A4 when I bought this car like side curtain air bags and nice interior. Acceleration is amazing. It responds well. Seats are very comfortable. Radio that allows me to set and store 20 stations and switching stations is as easy as controlling volume. Volvo should try to make this car popular, they dont pay much attention to this car as they do to their other models like S60.

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  for volvo...not bad. - 2003 Volvo S40
  By BunBun - March 8 - 2:00 am

  for a 18 yr old guy.. im quite happy abt s40.. i never thot volvo will design diff. looks. Cuz usually they jus design it square and ...u no .. like a coffin.. but for S40..its amazing. Even though its a demo car when i bought it.. the car still runs smoothly and i only have to bring to dealer for check up once so far to change brake that had been worn off, tires rotation and tires alignment.

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  Inexpensive, Fun to Drive, Great w/ Gas - 2003 Volvo S40
  By ArmyWife1971 - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive, nearly like a sport car, but without higher insurance costs. I love the way it gets up and the comfort for the driver. I do not like the wheel adjuster for the passenger seat. For me this is really a two person car because the front passengers are EXTREMELY comfy. The rear ones are just ok. Also, what happened to a trunk light? Im on nearly 30k miles in less than a year, no problems with the car at all. Overall I am pleased. I must say my once loved SUV is now parked while I zip around in a fast but safe car.

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  Dont Do It - 2003 Volvo S40
  By RObert - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Lots of rattles, odds and ends that break. Sure, its all under warranty, but each time another visit to the dealer for service, and who has time for that? My visits went like this, "yeah, youre right its broke, but we have to order the part, so youll have to bring it back," doubling my number of visits! Defects included chech engine light on at least 6 xs, gas cap lock broke, hazard switch broke, sun roof mechanism broke, and, for the first time with any car Ive ever owned, rear bakes went on it after one year, ate into the rotors (not covered under warranty) causing $400 worth of damage.

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  Love my S40 - 2003 Volvo S40
  By motor_city_smitty - April 13 - 2:00 am

  Solidly built. I could tell it is a quality vehicle when you shut the door and sit in the interior. The inside dash is well laid out.

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  three year owner and still happy - 2003 Volvo S40
  By djones - March 25 - 2:00 am

  We searched high and low for an affordable safe car without driveing a status symbol and found the 2000 S40. I wanted a good commuter car that would be dependable and fun to drive for many years. I do most of my own maintenance and have not had any mechanical problems;the dealer has treated me like royality. The car is not a family of four car but works out fine for a family of three! We purchased the car in August of 2000 loaded with all the features except heated seats; and we love it, love it , love it!

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  Close to a lemon - 2003 Volvo S40
  By Consultant - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Car has been in repair an average of once per month since we got it. The gas gauge still doesnt work although Volvo made several attempts to recalibrate. Have blown two headlights and the list goes on. Cant wait to get rid of this piece of junk. My first ever car was a Volvo and this will be my last Volvo.

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  what you will - 2003 Volvo S40
  By boyo - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Despite problems with the central computer unit, this is the best vehicle Ive owned over the last 40 years.

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  Safety First Performance First - 2003 Volvo S40
  By PenguinPete - February 5 - 10:00 am

  This car is real good for the price it cant be beat the 03s are now going for around 21-22K fully equipped with premium and climate packages. Its a well made automobile thats FUN to drive. I just wish it had a little more room in the rear I guess thats what the S60 is for but 4 fit fine for a 2 hr trip. Any more I dont know Im never out of the drivers seat.

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  Great car, expect to pay for it though - 2003 Volvo S40
  By GT3996 - September 30 - 10:00 am

  This car was purchased for my wife in 12/00 with the expectation that we would have a baby before the end of the lease. We truly enjoyed the car, however the addition of our daughter has changed our feelings towards the S40. It is simply not large enough for two adults and one baby. With the baby seat in the rear-facing position behind the passengers seat, my wife has to move the passengers seat almost all of the way forward, which is obviously not comfortable. Also, we had to replace the brake pads at 13,000 miles, and tires at 22,000 miles.