I am high bidder on a Volvo V40 in an online auction...the car is a short plane ride away and I have bought cars online before. Details:

2001 V40
leather, auto
just under 18,000 miles
Dealer verified actual miles
looks good to me but I know how things can creep up

Anyway I've driven, loved, but never owned a Volvo before. Around here, we have snow for a short time in the winter, but most of the time it's dry, so I am OK without full-time AWD that some of the other Volvos offer. I also test-drove a 2000 V40 so am familiar with the feel of the drive and liked it.

My questions:

1. Anyone drive a V40 in 6" of snow? Ice? How'd it do?
2. What would you pay for the car I've described above? So far I haven't seen one with so low of miles for what I may very well end up paying ($6,000 to $6,500)
3. Obviously once the auction closes I will need to pay the dealer and won't get a chance to pick it up for a few weeks. So, I won't get to review the full service history that another poster pointed out. But I can ask questions online before the auction closes. Any recommendations?
4. I've owned an Audi and for a short time drove a BMW...a few quirks but other than regular servicing and (on the Audi) lots of suspension/tire maintenance, I was happy. How does a V40 hold up to these other Euro cars?


Sorry for the long post. I am sick at home and got bored and saw this great car online that I was shopping for anyway.

Cheers from Oregon, USA.

Never driven a V40 but they came out well in the "Which" report for reliability, with just a few niggles for lights .

ALL people sell a car for a reason with IMO 70% selling due to something needing to be replaced ( not necessarily a bad thing as long as the price is right) and 30% due to other things ( upgrading, financial,downsizing,age,family additions etc etc)
The questions i would ask online are:

Has the car had 1 owner or several ?
Has the car any known issues
Has it been involved in an accident and been repaired

Will it be cash on pickup ?, so at least you have a chance to see if its exactly as described and your questions have been answered truthfully before you part with your money.
But hey, you know all this because you bought online before :grin:
I think you have already made your mind up and you want someone to confirm it with you but nobody really can for sure,you just gotta rely on what your own instincts tell you in the end :) Good luck and let us know how you get on :thumbsup:

1. Anyone drive a V40 in 6" of snow? Ice?
Only if your dumb enough, or a yank.