Hi all.
I've been lurking around the forums for about three months. I've probably read every post about the S40 (some more than once). I had generally decided that an S40 T5 AWD (6 spd w/DTSC) was the car for me. I was seriously thinking about placing an order in Feb through the OSD program with an early summer pick update.
But, then I read people's concerns about the AWD system. I need AWD for practical reasons: I live in a snowy area and the safety of AWD seems ideal. But, I wanted an AWD for the performance. The nearly full time FWD status of the car has me thinking twice about the car. A car with AWD mainly for safety reason sounds so, well. . . practical
I realize the benefits of FWD, but as a kid I grew up driving my parent's BMW 5 and I fondly remember how much fun RWD was. If I didn't live in the North I'd probably be getting a Euro Delivery 330i. Where it not for the $40K price, I'd likely get a 330xi. But then I saw the S40 and I actually think it's better than a 3 series in many ways. I really dig the way it looks and I love the T-tec. I'd actually pay more for the T-tec than the leather. The S40 T5 AWD seemed like such a great compromise. A spirited engine, great looking, cool OSD program, good community and AWD. But then I found out it's 100/0 AWD most of the time. I was hoping for a 35/65 split, or even 50/50. Gas mileage be damned, I wanted performance that could be justified with "well, I'm being safe too."
I've looked at other AWD cars: G35 (no manual in AWD), 330xi (about $8,000 too much), Mazdaspeed 6 (it's a Mazda), A4 3.0 (about $7,000 too much), Saab 9-2x (it's a wagon and a Subaru).
Ultimately, I'll still probably end up ordering the Volvo because I can't seem to find another car that suits my needs. Or, I might even end up getting a used 330xi, though I'd like to spared this fate. So I'm asking this very knowledgble community: if not an S40 T5 AWD, what would you get? My needs: Zippy engine (sub 7 sec 0-60 as a good indicator), AWD, standard transmission, 4 doors, around $30,000 (give or take a couple of grand). My wants: good looking (very subjective I know), cool OSD program (I'd like to my the purchase of my car an adventure and vacation), place to plug in my iPod. It doesn't seem like I'm being too demanding, but Volvo seems to be the only contender.
I've been lurking around the forums for about three months. I've probably read every post about the S40 (some more than once). I had generally decided that an S40 T5 AWD (6 spd w/DTSC) was the car for me. I was seriously thinking about placing an order in Feb through the OSD program with an early summer pick update.
But, then I read people's concerns about the AWD system. I need AWD for practical reasons: I live in a snowy area and the safety of AWD seems ideal. But, I wanted an AWD for the performance. The nearly full time FWD status of the car has me thinking twice about the car. A car with AWD mainly for safety reason sounds so, well. . . practical
I realize the benefits of FWD, but as a kid I grew up driving my parent's BMW 5 and I fondly remember how much fun RWD was. If I didn't live in the North I'd probably be getting a Euro Delivery 330i. Where it not for the $40K price, I'd likely get a 330xi. But then I saw the S40 and I actually think it's better than a 3 series in many ways. I really dig the way it looks and I love the T-tec. I'd actually pay more for the T-tec than the leather. The S40 T5 AWD seemed like such a great compromise. A spirited engine, great looking, cool OSD program, good community and AWD. But then I found out it's 100/0 AWD most of the time. I was hoping for a 35/65 split, or even 50/50. Gas mileage be damned, I wanted performance that could be justified with "well, I'm being safe too."
I've looked at other AWD cars: G35 (no manual in AWD), 330xi (about $8,000 too much), Mazdaspeed 6 (it's a Mazda), A4 3.0 (about $7,000 too much), Saab 9-2x (it's a wagon and a Subaru).
Ultimately, I'll still probably end up ordering the Volvo because I can't seem to find another car that suits my needs. Or, I might even end up getting a used 330xi, though I'd like to spared this fate. So I'm asking this very knowledgble community: if not an S40 T5 AWD, what would you get? My needs: Zippy engine (sub 7 sec 0-60 as a good indicator), AWD, standard transmission, 4 doors, around $30,000 (give or take a couple of grand). My wants: good looking (very subjective I know), cool OSD program (I'd like to my the purchase of my car an adventure and vacation), place to plug in my iPod. It doesn't seem like I'm being too demanding, but Volvo seems to be the only contender.
