Saab 93 vs Volvo S40

SwedeSport SG

My cousin and I collected his Volvo S40 2.4i last night, and I got to drive it to his home.

It is really a very impressive car. It is just as big as our 93, but with NO rattles or buzz! Built very solid. Door closes with a German thud. The boot also! Suspension is more firm than the 93, so handling is better.

The features that are in the S40 and not in our 93:
- Seat belt reminder for ALL seats (front and rear)
- Retractable wing mirrors and heated
- Side repeaters and puddle lights on wing mirrors
- Driver's memory seat and wing mirrors
- Passenger seat with manual height adjustment
- Glovebox with lock
- Sleek brushed metal console and trimmings
- Firmer seats
- 4 steel strength types
- Panic "horning" on remote

Features in 93, not in S40:
- Auto dimming rearview mirror
- Aux port
- Multi CD changer
- Turbo power

Volvo made a mistake when building the car, and included the High Performance sound system instead of the normal one. VERY GOOD! All 8 separate treble and bass woofers on doors. No need to fade here and there. Acoustics is perfect.

Except for the turbo, I really enjoyed driving the car! If Saab screws up with the all-new 95, looks like my next change might be the all-new S60 lar. Rolling Eyes

doodler SG

Can we ask your cousin for a test drive? Very Happy

I really like the design of the new S40, and the build quality and equipment level sound good as well. I think the price is right too yes?

On the other hand, the wheelbase is slightly shorter so is it a bit less spacious than the 9-3? Will have to take a look at the actual thing. And 170hp for a 2.4 with no possibility of tweaking the turbo...tsk tsk.

doodler SG

Another thing - I'm really bummed that the local 9-3's don't have retractable wing mirrors. TE said that they didn't specify them because they may not be reliable in the local climate, but look how many other cars have them!

t-r-s SG

Ya, retractable wing mirrors is probably the highest one on my wish list (next to a better sound system). Car park lots here are just too small !

btw, my 2004 2.0t doesn't come with the autodimming rear view mirror (among others). bloody cheap skates! :-)

Danisdead101times SG

no use...singapore traffic police use volvo s40 as their patrol cars...
can imagine if u owns a white colour s40....is just like a TP... Mr. Green

GreyMatter SG

I just enquired. Apparently they have a 220BHP T5 for $137K, $2K less because this one has no "car-phone", whatever that means.

Personally I think the 9-3 looks waaaa-a-ay better. Wonder if the V50 will change my mind, especially if it comes with sport suspension and Haldex 4-wheel drive!

doodler SG

After sitting in Swedesport's cousin's S40, I like it even more! But it is definitely about half a class smaller in terms of size.

It has some features which the 9-3ss doesn't have, but then it lacks some which we do have. So I'd call it a tie in terms of features.

The clincher would probably be how it drives but since I haven't driven it, will reserve comment.

SwedeSport SG

Over the weekend, I had a good chance to be better acquainted with the S40.

1. Get this, SM does not provide a breakdown triangle with the S40! Penny pinchers!

2. The balancing weights are attached to the outer edge of the rim, on the outside. So it can be seen! Duh!!

3. Seat belt reminder only for the driver, SM disabled the rest because some dinky customers got irritated when they placed their "fat ass" bag on the seat and it triggered the alarm!

4. There are only 2 tiedown loops in the booth, like the 2004 93.

5. Does not have EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution). The 93 brakes are much, much better. Apparently, this is true for all non-T or non-R Volvos! So if we race with a normal Volvo, and we need to brake in an emergency, the Volvo will be WAY ahead of us!! Mr. Green

6. No pass-thru ski hatch.

I think if I can improve the ride quality, my 93 will come up on top.

gt4 SG

Bro. Dino u r moderating here. Tough job. Wink