CTC Review: 2007 Volvo C30 T5

[Demosthenes X]

The Mustang does not sell on styling alone.  Don't forget:

(1)  RWD (very few competitors in its price range)
(2)  Forty years of history
(3)  Vee.  Effing.  Eight.

I'd have to look up the figures, but aren't the majority of Mustangs sold with the V6 and automatic?  I think a lot of people buy the car for looks, or because in convertible guise, it's an affordable droptop with four seats.  I concede that they do also have lots of sales to people who want the V8 RWD experience, but I think the bread and butter Mustang is the cheapie V6 auto variant...

[Mitlov]

The Mustang does not sell on styling alone.  Don't forget:

(1)  RWD (very few competitors in its price range)
(2)  Forty years of history
(3)  Vee.  Effing.  Eight.

I'd have to look up the figures, but aren't the majority of Mustangs sold with the V6 and automatic?  I think a lot of people buy the car for looks, or because in convertible guise, it's an affordable droptop with four seats.  I concede that they do also have lots of sales to people who want the V8 RWD experience, but I think the bread and butter Mustang is the cheapie V6 auto variant...

Maybe so, but the V6 Mustang is priced against four-cylinder FWD coupes, such as the Solara, Accord coupe, and Eclipse.  It still appeals to people who are willing to trade refinement for rear-wheel-drive, additional cylinders, lots more torque, and Mustang history.  It has a lot more going for it than its looks.  Whether you're talking V6 or V8, coupe or convertible, I just wanted to make the point that the Mustang is not a car that "succeeded on styling alone," as "s" argued.

[G0dspd]

I'd have to look up the figures, but aren't the majority of Mustangs sold with the V6 and automatic?  I think a lot of people buy the car for looks, or because in convertible guise, it's an affordable droptop with four seats.  I concede that they do also have lots of sales to people who want the V8 RWD experience, but I think the bread and butter Mustang is the cheapie V6 auto variant...

I read the an article somewhere that talked about the same thing.  IIRC the V6 automatic is around 50% of the Mustang sales ... sounds a bit high but believable.  Anyway, the called it the perfect secretary car (nothing wrong with being a secretary of course).

Back to the C30!

[mmret]

I'd have to look up the figures, but aren't the majority of Mustangs sold with the V6 and automatic?  I think a lot of people buy the car for looks, or because in convertible guise, it's an affordable droptop with four seats.  I concede that they do also have lots of sales to people who want the V8 RWD experience, but I think the bread and butter Mustang is the cheapie V6 auto variant...

I read the an article somewhere that talked about the same thing.  IIRC the V6 automatic is around 50% of the Mustang sales ... sounds a bit high but believable.  Anyway, the called it the perfect secretary car (nothing wrong with being a secretary of course).

Back to the C30!

Perhaps car rental fleets account for a lot of those V6 Auto Mustangs?

[Mark Khoury]

When I first saw the C30, I thought it spectacular looking, and seeing that it will slot underneath the S40, was glad to believe there will be a lower-priced Volvo. I've often shopped Volvos, only to always end up with another car because they always fail on pricing.

So with the C30 I kept saying "I hope they don't screw up the pricing...I hope they don't screw up the pricing..."

... and they did screw it up, spectacularly!

When every single pre-launch photo showed the C30 with those same 18" wheels, they shoudl have at least been standard with the sports pkg, if not simply standard on the T5. I checked out the standard interior (the one for 31,995), and it is *very* low-rent. I'd want an up-rated interior, which means this pkg and that option and before you know it you're over $40K.

Three years ago I shopped the S40, and the same thing happened: by the time I had a car I'd be interested in owning, it was well into the mid-40K's. Hopped over to Acura and got a TSX that dominates the S40 in every category, and for $35K (at the time).

That same TSX's lease is up this summer, and I had put the C30 T5 on my short list, but it looks like history will repeat itself.

Get the pricing right, Volvo.

[drums]

So what was the final price of the car you tested? I'm thinking with all the upgrades and those 18" wheels you're getting into BMW 3 series territory never mind 1 series - and there's no way I'd buy the Volvo over a new 3....

[wing]

It's in the review $46k

[safristi]

 

[MKII]

Volvo will introduce a R-design "styling" package, inspired by Volvo's R vehicles.
Includes special design 17" wheels, bodykit, unique R designed upholestery, steering wheel with aluminum inlays, and other unique items. Available autumn 2007.

Wing, did you get many comments from your friends or curious by-standers?
How did you find the functionality of the car as far as audio, climate controls?

[wing]

Everything is well placed and easy to use, maybe people stared at the car and I had a few comments as well, everyone loved the styling.

[safristi]

WING how many does VOLVO Canada think they will sell............. 500!!!?

[wing]

No idea, sorry.

[safristi]

Call them...they will listen/answer U on OUR be_HALF.........

[MKII]

Volvo plans to sell 75,000 C30 worldwide, with 65,000 earmarked for Europe. So far this year Volvo has sold 11,266 C30s, not all markets are opened yet.
My guess is Volvo Canada sells 1,000 - 1,500 yearly.

[wing]

Dealer said they sold their allotment of 5 .... that's all I could get out of him.

[slalom]

I test drove a 2.4i w/auto/sport pkg a couple weeks ago...

Nice car, i did like it, but it did nothing to wow me... i think i need to take a T5 out for some real wowing (like the S40 T5 did to me a couple years ago in a test drive). The pricing has scared me off for now... i know i know, its a premium small car, gotta pay to play blah blah blah... but still... it was not enough (if any) of an improvement over my 04 Mazda3 to make me want to shell out the extra several thousand dollars over a loaded 07 mz3.

It felt slower than my 3, the auto tranny was clunky, the engine was rough (with a nice 5cyl growl mind you), the throttle pedal was too stiff, the brakes were a little soft... now all this could be chalked up to it having less than 100kms on it and there were 3 people (incl me) in the car... I would like the chance to wring it out on my own in other driving situations (ie highway, country roads etc)
I love the interior, have had a stiffy for that interior since the S40/V50 came out. I worry about it not meeting my versatility expectations tho... only 2 doors, rather tiny hatch opening and overall area, the abilities of a gymnast needed to be able to fold or raise the rear seatbacks, and no cargo cover (i'm not paying $100+ for an accessory cargo cover, c'mon Volvo!).

So, if I do ever get a C30, i'll save up my pennies and go for a T5 in a few years (then i can get the bi-xenon lights i really want as well). Sorry Volvo, I really want to be a customer of yours, but we aren't quite on the same page yet.

[Foley32]

Wow, the volvo C30 is expensive, but since the canadian dollar is so high, you could buy it in the usa for a lot cheaper and i think its less expensive to buy a fully loaded C30  then a fully loaded mini cooper s

[johngenx]

Yeah, the base model with AT is about $6K less in the US.  Worth the effort.

[Jimmy]

There's a few misconceptions in this thread and a few errors is the review. 

First off, the sport appearance package ISN'T $6K... alone it is $2400, with the Sport Accessory package, it's about $5000. 

As for the pricing, I agree in some ways with the other posters, the car, for Canada is overpriced.  An identically equipped T5 will cost you 6-7000 more in Canada, though Volvo has better after-sale service here than in the US - this is part of the price.  The main reason though, is because Volvo HASN'T repriced this car based on the strong Canadian dollar... and as a consumer, this makes me angry.

However, the car could only have cost 46k if it was priced fully loaded.  By this I mean, leather, sunroof, BLIS, keyless drive, metallic paint, and with NAV (a 2,500 option!).  If you were to add automatic, the car would sweak in at 49k!  IMO - the only people who can afford these options are really married to the idea of the c30 or are leasing the car for their business, and the extra gear is included in your tax writeoff

A more realistically priced C30 would be just to add the sport package and the sport appearance package.  This gives you xenon headlights, power driver seat, and heated front seats, plus leather/aluminum wheel and shifter.  It's actually a very good deal - as is the bodykit and 18" wheels, which would run you 3-4k aftermarket.  Leather is needless, Volvo's T-Tec seats are the nicest cloth seats on the market, and grip the body better than the leather seats. Volvo deserves kudos on designing one of the best stock seats to be found in this class.  Yes the Dynaudio option is good, but the audio on the T5 is already upgraded compared to the 2.4i and really only adds 2 more speakers and a 6 disc player, with a component wattage upgrade.  Add the sport packages for 5 grand and you have beautifully equipped car.

A few things I found odd in the review. A) long doors: it's a coupe... you do want to use those backseats, right? B) the sizing comparison between the mazda 3 is illogical because the hatch will always have a shorter rear overhang than a sedan, otherwise, it's no longer a hatch, it's a wagon

[wing]

I was comparing to the Mazda3 Sport which is a hatch....