RE: Volvo C30: Guilty Pleasures
Discussion
I'm not sure these are a "guilty pleasure" at all!
The C30 is a very pretty little coupe. It is far prettier than the fat arsed Scirocco for example. I don't understand why people point out that it only has four seats or that room in the back is a little cramped. It's hardly as if Volvo try to hide the fact there is no middle seat in the back! It is what it is.
To me it makes for a very appealing package, I'm not part of the Audi/VW herd and I can see no real other alternatives. Oh and it's got lovely comfy seats like most Volvos. If the accommodation is sufficient to your needs it is pretty yet a logical choice. The choice of engines means if you want a frugal commuter the 1.6D will do if you want something that can startle the horses go for the T5/D5 and there are good choices in between.
The only question must be why there is no replacement in the pipeline? Come on Volvo get it sorted.
The C30 is a very pretty little coupe. It is far prettier than the fat arsed Scirocco for example. I don't understand why people point out that it only has four seats or that room in the back is a little cramped. It's hardly as if Volvo try to hide the fact there is no middle seat in the back! It is what it is.
To me it makes for a very appealing package, I'm not part of the Audi/VW herd and I can see no real other alternatives. Oh and it's got lovely comfy seats like most Volvos. If the accommodation is sufficient to your needs it is pretty yet a logical choice. The choice of engines means if you want a frugal commuter the 1.6D will do if you want something that can startle the horses go for the T5/D5 and there are good choices in between.
The only question must be why there is no replacement in the pipeline? Come on Volvo get it sorted.
I have always loved the C30, especially pre-facelift. Actually, all Volvo's from mid to late 2000's were some of my favourites on the road until they were all given a facelift.
The C30 was on my shortlist last year along with a Leon when I was looking for a new car. However not being an R-Design and the size of the boot put me off a bit and I ended up getting a V40 R-Design instead thanks to a good bit of man maths.
They all still look fantastic and are a breath of fresh air in comparison to the typical cars people go for.
The C30 was on my shortlist last year along with a Leon when I was looking for a new car. However not being an R-Design and the size of the boot put me off a bit and I ended up getting a V40 R-Design instead thanks to a good bit of man maths.
They all still look fantastic and are a breath of fresh air in comparison to the typical cars people go for.
Quickmoose said:
See my username? 
So I've just sold mine after nearly 3 years of usage.
I was under the impression the Focus ST used the Volvo engine not the other way round?
Anyway, it was very comfortable, very reliable, quick-ish, sounded lovely and was/is left-field enough for me. Hatch glass was odd, but I had no issues getting two bikes in there, when seats folded.
2 rear seats only was different and sufficient.
Stylish and classy clutter fre dash with 'floating' console appealed whilst others just called it bland.
Not overly economical though....
So not something to get excited about, but there as a certian somthing about it's chunky nose down, arse up stance and Swedish design that keepsit memorable. The fact you rarely see them I think helps alot too...makes A3s/Golfs/Focii and Astra just seem common
(if not entirely more fun to drive)
So I've just sold mine after nearly 3 years of usage.
I was under the impression the Focus ST used the Volvo engine not the other way round?
Anyway, it was very comfortable, very reliable, quick-ish, sounded lovely and was/is left-field enough for me. Hatch glass was odd, but I had no issues getting two bikes in there, when seats folded.
2 rear seats only was different and sufficient.
Stylish and classy clutter fre dash with 'floating' console appealed whilst others just called it bland.
Not overly economical though....
So not something to get excited about, but there as a certian somthing about it's chunky nose down, arse up stance and Swedish design that keepsit memorable. The fact you rarely see them I think helps alot too...makes A3s/Golfs/Focii and Astra just seem common
(if not entirely more fun to drive)Spot on - the base unit for the ST is a Volvo engine with a few changes, not the other way around.
Alas, another great engine killed by European emissions regulations - damn them all.
It's worth noting with respect to suspension that there are several different options on the C30/S40/V50 platform - and having the T5 engine does not necessarily imply having the most aggressive suspension option. The full-on sport setup is a bit on the harsh side and has a wonderfully-designed strut brace than you need to remove in order to get any decent access to the battery (!), but turn-in and handling in general are a massive improvement over the vanilla settings.
Timberwolf said:
It's worth noting with respect to suspension that there are several different options on the C30/S40/V50 platform - and having the T5 engine does not necessarily imply having the most aggressive suspension option. The full-on sport setup is a bit on the harsh side and has a wonderfully-designed strut brace than you need to remove in order to get any decent access to the battery (!), but turn-in and handling in general are a massive improvement over the vanilla settings.
It isn't German, the idiots who run this place do not care.Agree. I ran an S60 for 3 yrs, great car. Not quite the handling of an E46 (the alternative) but close enough and better on every other factor, especially the 5 pot warble. Colleagues who went in it were always suprised and impressed.
S60's now represent a real used bargain.
I considered a C30 when we recently changed the Mrs.'s car but the quotes for a 17yr old named driver were far higher than a Mini Cooper so that won. When we're through the teen driver stage then a C30 T5 will be a competitor to a Cooper S as her next car.
S60's now represent a real used bargain.
I considered a C30 when we recently changed the Mrs.'s car but the quotes for a 17yr old named driver were far higher than a Mini Cooper so that won. When we're through the teen driver stage then a C30 T5 will be a competitor to a Cooper S as her next car.
My mother used to own one of these and it is mistakenly very fast and she received so many speeding fines that her permit to drive was taken from her which I believe contributed to her slow and lonely death but I feel she was justified even for divided highways outside of urban areas a limit of 50 or 60 mph is common law which does not give much room to enjoy your car!
I test drove a raft of options when choosing a company car. Everything on offer from Germany, Alfa etc and was very thorough. Problem was, I do 50k per year, which dictated a diesel but I grew up driving a classic Mini and enjoy all yhat brought - low slung seating and a highly involving drive.
In the end I declined a brand new company car (would have been a Golf GTD or A5 tdi) in favour of a car allowance so that I could buy the C30 - it had just been discontinued from new sales. Reason being, of everything I drove, it was the most entertaining as it was involving, had the best diesel by far (D4 is a gem), made a great noise for a diesel, had great seats and seating position and strangest of all, was the nearest thing to a sensible version of my old Mini on the market.
I still have it. It's very quick on both autobahn and B roads with 295 lb/ft and hasn't put a foot wrong with 100k looming on the clock. When work dictates a booring vehicle, don't give in but try one of these instead. Oh and that obsession with safety weirdly improves the driving experience too. Everything is where it should be with no distractions, immense brakes and comfort to ensure you remain alert. Seats fold quickly so you have a mini estate car when needed too. Just can't imagine what I will replace it with without having to settle for a highly competent yet dull behicle.
In the end I declined a brand new company car (would have been a Golf GTD or A5 tdi) in favour of a car allowance so that I could buy the C30 - it had just been discontinued from new sales. Reason being, of everything I drove, it was the most entertaining as it was involving, had the best diesel by far (D4 is a gem), made a great noise for a diesel, had great seats and seating position and strangest of all, was the nearest thing to a sensible version of my old Mini on the market.
I still have it. It's very quick on both autobahn and B roads with 295 lb/ft and hasn't put a foot wrong with 100k looming on the clock. When work dictates a booring vehicle, don't give in but try one of these instead. Oh and that obsession with safety weirdly improves the driving experience too. Everything is where it should be with no distractions, immense brakes and comfort to ensure you remain alert. Seats fold quickly so you have a mini estate car when needed too. Just can't imagine what I will replace it with without having to settle for a highly competent yet dull behicle.
Fartgalen said:
Wot E sed !!
You are 100% right, Ford used the Volvo engine. Had a white T5 SE Sport R-Design. One of the first over on these shores and it really turned heads a lot. I loved it, the steering wasn't the sharpest and turning circle was awful but it was a stunning car and was a great change from the usual suspects.corcoran said:
I'm currently watching T5 R-Designs on another.. classified ad's website. I like that it goes fast in a straight line and currently don't need to squeeze too much into that tiny little bottom.
boot.
i meant boot.
Yeah I think of those cars as the goatse car because of that huge opening.boot.
i meant boot.
If any viewers at home have no idea about what I am talking about just leave it at that. Do not google.....
Dimensionally peculiar. Volvo made deliberate efforts to make it less practical and smaller inside the V50 I had previously, yet it was wider and had a longer nose.
It was also odd that the suspension was set up firmer to imply sportier intent, yet the steering feel was smothered by extra steering assistance. Not convinced the firmer suspension actually made it any quicker cross country.
Overall I liked it but was frustrated by the bits that Volvo changed but didn't need to trying to making it different to the V50. Even the light switch positions were completely reversed, so much for not having to remember a different layout with the new car.
It was also odd that the suspension was set up firmer to imply sportier intent, yet the steering feel was smothered by extra steering assistance. Not convinced the firmer suspension actually made it any quicker cross country.
Overall I liked it but was frustrated by the bits that Volvo changed but didn't need to trying to making it different to the V50. Even the light switch positions were completely reversed, so much for not having to remember a different layout with the new car.
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