The main problems tend to be electrical things. The electronic key locks can play up, the stereo is unique and can play up (amps and CD changer can jam) but they're generally not too bad.

The 1.8 petrol is the same engine as the Focus/Mondeo and is OK The 1.6 is acceptable but feels and sounds a bit strained and involves more gear changing. The 1.8 is just more relaxing to drive. There is also the 2.4 5-cylinder Volvo unit which is very relaxed but can like a drink.

Overall, they're not bad cars, but more expensive then they go wrong than the old S40.

Depends what you call gutless it will break the speed limit without any problem and will carry four people and their luggage as fast as most people want go.

Most modern small petrols are gutless. They have a relatively narrow power band and carry a huge amount of weight compared to cars of previous eras. Driving at 70 mph or keeping up with normal traffic is not a problem in any modern car, its engine flexibilty that is the problem. Ask a 1600cc Volvo S40 to make a quick overtaking move and you will be disapointed, very disapointed. Drop a few gears and you may get a little extra forward motion but by then it will be too late.

1. But the average person needs to overtake occasionally on UK A and B roads. They are not quick enough for me in that respect.

A 1.6 is more than fast enough you really want to look at your driving style.

2. The difference between a 1.6 and a 1.8 0-60 is 1sec if you are already travelling at say 40mph the difference in time to 60 is a fraction of that.

Point1. I think I know a little about driving on public roads having had a full licence for almost 40 years. We all need to overtake from time to time and safe overtaking means getting past a quicly as possible and back onto the left side of the road. In a smallish engined heavy car, like most 1.6 hatches today, this cannot be accomplished unless you are absolutely revving the nuts off the engine and using several gears, this is not a pleasant way to drive. In a larger engined car it is safely acomplished with none or little gear changing. In my 1.4 140 PS Seat Leon TSI I can go from 30 to well over 100 mph (if it were legal) in 4th very quickly, brilliant gear for overtaking.

Point 2. People still jkeep insiting that the 0 - 60 time is a true measure of a cars performance, it is not. Most diesel cars have 0 - 60 times that are quite a bit slower than thier petrol equivalents but in the real world the drivability and overtaking ability of the diesel is far better.

At the end of the day what right do you have to say I should look at my driving style, you don't even know me. And long may that continue.