Article Comments: 2008 Volvo C30 First Drive

141 messages, Last post on Aug 19, 2009 at 8:19 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volvo C30, Hatchback

Article comments for

First Drive: 2008 Volvo C30 - Although the C30 arrives in the U.S. next summer, it has already gone on sale in Europe so we headed for the U.K. and sampled one on the wrong side of the road. (more)

Full Test: 2008 Volvo C30 - A nicely appointed, strong-performing 2+2 with an upscale flare and a light disposition. (more)

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#1 of 141 Article Comments: 2008 Volvo C30 First Drive by KarenS HOST Dec 13, 2006 (8:51 am)
Finally! A "cool" Volvo? Take a look at our C30 first drive and tell us what you think. First Drive: 2008 Volvo C30 Replies to this message: kiisaka (Dec 13, 2006 4:12 pm)
#2 of 141 Re: Article Comments: 2008 Volvo C30 First Drive [KarenS] by kiisaka Dec 13, 2006 (4:12 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Dec 13, 2006 8:51 am) Certainly a "cool" Volvo, but far from the first. The P1800ES that you have also shown definitely classifies as being "cool" but there had been some really cool vehicles coming out of Goteborg. How about the current S60/V70 in their R-form? A sleeper, yes, but it is a wolf nonetheless. How about the opulent 780? Volvos had never been, at least in this country, known to scream, "Look at me, I'm cool" but doing what it does very well is very cool, indeed.
#3 of 141 more info needed by blue330xi Dec 14, 2006 (7:34 pm)
so is it fwd, rwd, awd? Its a turbo, so maybe it competes with wrx and the saabaru 9-2. Sounds nice for $24K. EDIT: This car reminds me of a C230 Kompressor. And we all know how well that car did. But it was fun to drive (have owned one). Replies to this message: muser (Jan 04, 2007 7:40 pm)
#4 of 141 Re: Volvo C30 by muser Jan 04, 2007 (7:40 pm)
Replying to: blue330xi (Dec 14, 2006 7:34 pm) The C30 is based on the S40 chassis -- fwd only. It sounds like an excellent bargain. Alas, it also has "a distinctive five-cylinder hum". The Saab 9-2X being on the chopping block now that GM has dissolved its partnership with Subaru, the C30 really only competes with the VW GTI. Subaru Imprezas are simply not as refined or as well appointed as their European counterparts -- inferior fuel economy, too. The C230 Kompressor was rwd, as you should know. The Mercedes would have been a great car if not for a notchy transmission and substandard reliability -- which is completely unacceptable for the price Mercedes charged.
#5 of 141 question for the host by qbrozen Jan 08, 2007 (7:54 am)
i found this discussion by selecting Volvo, and C30 from the dropdown list on the left of the page, but was unable to find the discussion I was really looking for, which was this one, until I performed a search on all volvo discussions for "c30." Can we fix that so that discussion comes up under the C30 list of topics?
#6 of 141 Underwhelmed by pfine Jan 21, 2007 (3:59 pm)
I just sat in the car at the Detroit auto show and was somewhat underwhelmed, unfortunately. The powerplant is great and I'm sure it hauls, but it was really only so-so when u sit it the thing. It's a very nicely sculpted hatchback and the tail end is attractive. But it is really incredibly small inside, so much so that even for a single person like me I would be wondering if it would be practical. The seats were a strange combination of electric and manual controls -- and worse, to get (cram) yourself into one of the two back seats, there is an electric rocker switch and a manual pull lever to move the seats back and forth. The seatbelt connector cracked and snapped off (popped off?) when I used the electric control to tip the seat forward. Oops. Also no grab handles for the back seat. I dunno, it's a cute design, but very expensive for the size, costing more than the base S40 sedan. I think that people are drawn to the cachet and extreme options list of the Mini, and the practicality of the VW GTI. Volvo is going to have a tough time with this one unless they offer more options/versions, or really drop the price. It reminds me of the Mercedes C230 hatchback. Replies to this message: qbrozen (Jan 23, 2007 6:21 am) pfine (Jan 28, 2007 8:12 am) british_rover (Jan 28, 2007 8:22 am) qbrozen (Jan 29, 2007 9:25 am)
#7 of 141 strategy by trackwrex Jan 22, 2007 (6:04 pm)
a lot rides on pricing, pricing, pricing... i'm sure volvo has a strategy in mind.
#8 of 141 Re: Underwhelmed [pfine] by qbrozen Jan 23, 2007 (6:21 am)
Replying to: pfine (Jan 21, 2007 3:59 pm) Volvo is going to have a tough time with this one unless they offer more options/versions, or really drop the price. Why? What do YOU think the price will be? I've seen 2 reports. One was $23k and the other $25k. At $23k, i think its perfect. More power and luxury than a Civic Si for $2k more? Seems right to me. At $25k, its a bit tougher. Volvomax and I discussed pricing recently in the topic I linked in my last post in this topic. Replies to this message: pfine (Jan 28, 2007 8:12 am) british_rover (Jan 28, 2007 8:22 am) qbrozen (Jan 29, 2007 9:25 am)
#9 of 141 Re: Underwhelmed [qbrozen] by pfine Jan 28, 2007 (8:12 am)
Replying to: qbrozen (Jan 23, 2007 6:21 am) "Luxury"? Oh dear there really was nothing 'luxurious' per se about this little car, and I have sat in the thing. Basic stereo a la C40, manual AC, technocloth seats with wanky manumatic controls, manual transmission, cramped quarters.... At least now stability control is standard. Nooooo in terms of value, they should at least price it at or lower than the C40 sedan. The Mini will be serious, serious competition, and has the peculiar quirky British sense of character that many young hatchback buyers will look for, in addition to comparable features and capabilities as the C30. Same goes for the VW GTI. The C30 is still a good car however, I just think they have overpriced it for the value offered. Replies to this message: british_rover (Jan 28, 2007 8:22 am) qbrozen (Jan 29, 2007 9:25 am)
#10 of 141 Re: Underwhelmed [pfine] by british_rover Jan 28, 2007 (8:22 am)
Replying to: pfine (Jan 28, 2007 8:12 am) As far as I knwo they have not even released official pricing yet so how do you know it will be overpriced????