CTC Review: 2007 Volvo C30 T5

[CD_Editor]

Picture Gallery:  2007 Volvo C30 T5


Day 1:

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Today was one the most hectic days I have had in a while. I was a little distracted when I picked up this week's car -- the Volvo C30; I got in and headed straight to my regular day job without even really taking a close look at the car.  I had a few errands to run after work which kept me distracted as well.More...

[si]

I'm glad Volvo brought this car to our market.  I had a great time driving a V50 T5 AWD 6 speed - I wonder how the driving dynamics might change in this (especially considering the FWD).

Is this a car you would ever take to an autox James?

[MKII]

Wng, I would be very interested to get your feedback now that you have two C1 platform cars in your driveway, in terms of dynamics, structual quality, etc.
I notice the car you are testing has the body-kit. But Volvo Canada site does not include any info on this add on. I am pretty sure this is a dealer install accessory, maybe you can shine some light on this feature and the cost.

[JT816]

I think Volvo really shot themselves in the foot with the pricing of this car as well as the S40. The "basic" car is way too basic for the customers Volvo supposedly are targeting for this car (as well as the S40). If you select a few basic options (actually packages) which I think this car should come with, the price really skyrockets (into the $40,000+). That puts this car in a completely different league, a league which is does not belong in (Audi A3/A4, Benz C-Class, Infiniti G35, BMW 3 series, Acura TL, Lexus IS, etc.)

[G0dspd]

"My test C30 is a T5 model, which starts at $31,995; as such, it’s a competitor to vehicles such as the Golf GTi, Audi A3 or perhaps the Mazdaspeed 3 but with more of a luxurious touch."

Wooooo! 

"My tester is fitted with a few extras, which push the price over $40,000. The Sport Package, a $3,400 option group, adds 17″ wheels; bi-xenon headlights; heated seats; sport chassis; power and memory for driver’s seat; headlamp washers; homelink and auto dimming rearview mirror with compass."

  ... sport chassis?

[captain_ron]

$40,600? Thats crazy.  That makes the BMW Coupe 328ci almost cheaper!! MSRP is 43,600 but you get 4 years free maintance which is probably worth close to $3000.  I've seen vew few S40s on the road, will see fewer C30s.

[Prius]

Love this car. It looks great, has a reasonable price and it's a hatchback!

[tpl]

I think that $40k is a bit much as well although a 328ci with equivalent options is 49K not 43K  ( sport, leather and sound system)

[Snowman]

I’m will pretend for 60 seconds I am 26 and have career that will allow me to drop $45k on a car…..What is my short list?

[2latecrew]

"My test C30 is a T5 model, which starts at $31,995; as such, it’s a competitor to vehicles such as the Golf GTi, Audi A3 or perhaps the Mazdaspeed 3 but with more of a luxurious touch."

Wooooo! 

"My tester is fitted with a few extras, which push the price over $40,000. The Sport Package, a $3,400 option group, adds 17″ wheels; bi-xenon headlights; heated seats; sport chassis; power and memory for driver’s seat; headlamp washers; homelink and auto dimming rearview mirror with compass."

  ... sport chassis?

Volvo is brutal in their use of option packaging. Had they done this the first year of v50 we would not have leased one (in hindsight would have saved us trouble).

If you don't want the base suspesion you need to be prepared to shell out 3-4 K to get the sport suspension and 17 inch rims becuse you have to accept all the other stuff. Especially in this class (vs GTI) its pretty iffy. GTI's all come with sport suspension HID etc.

[Bullet Blue]

Looks hot in that red colour with the factory 18 inchers (easy saf). The Boy kit really adds to the look of the car. I too am eager to hear some impressions, and I'm glad they gave you the 6 speed to test.

[carcrazed]

I've never seen a car over $40k without an automatic climate control.. and such unattractive dash.. I'd go for the GTI or Mazdaspeed3.. if I had the money!

[Loudpedal]

This car has very unusual looks, quirky like BMW's old M coupe from a few years ago. 

I agree with some other posters, the price seems high for what you get.   I'd likely be in a Mazdaspeed3 or a 4 door GTI...  I don't see this being much more than a $32K car.  I'd drive it, but I doubt I'd buy it, especially reading some of the recent Volvo posts about quality issues.     

The car looks great from the rear though.   

[quadzilla]

Is it priced too high or are the VW and Mazda's just that much better competition now?

A road test I'll follow as I think this car is hot and would make our list for small functional runabouts.

[jww]

It's a Volvo - I like it. What more can I say? Pricey or not, I continue to hold a very high opinion of their vehicles. I can hardly wait to see what the C30-based cross-over result is.

[safristi]

Shoulda been $25 to $30K  IF they had any BRAINS................

[wing]

carcrazed, it does have auto climate control actually.  I'll expand on some options tonight.

[MKII]

I've never seen a car over $40k without an automatic climate control.. and such unattractive dash.. I'd go for the GTI or Mazdaspeed3.. if I had the money!

carcrazed here is Volvo Canada's link showing standard fare on the C30
http://www.volvocanada.com/Showroom/2007/C30/Specs.aspx?lng=2

IMO the base pricing and standard fare on both variants is quite good, but if you need all the goodies then pricing structure gets out of hand.

The Americans again have been treated to much lower pricing  (they only have the T5 variant). Looks like the T5 hp will be bumped up for MY2008 from 218hp to 227hp (USA C30 arrives this summer as 2008).

 Volvo has just announced U.S. pricing on its charismatic little C30 hatchback. The base car, dubbed “Version 1.0” carries an MSRP of $22,700(CAD$26,000), while the upgraded “Version 2.0” will trade for $25,700(CAD$29,500) before options.

Both will arrive powered by a turbocharged T5 5-cylinder engine (producing 227 horsepower), with V 1.0 featuring 17-inch wheels, power windows and locks, a 160-watt CD/mp3 player, and so on. V 2.0 adds a bunch of go faster cosmetics (an enlarged roof spoiler, side skirts, plus front-and-rear valances and 18-inch alloys), along with a 10-speaker Dynaudio Dolby Pro Logic II surround system

http://news.windingroad.com/body-stylesmarket-segment/economy/new-york-auto-show-volvo-prices-c30-at-22700/

[The Mighty Duck]

I think the car looks great, especially with the 18" rims!  But like others have said before me, at $40 000 before taxes, it's far too much money.  However, if one really wants bigger wheels and sport suspension, the base T5 offers good value, and that $3400 you'd otherwise spend on the sport package would buy some nice wheels and suspension bits. 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I'm a sucker for the looks and feel of this car. The body-colour skirts are great - not so fond of the contrasting ones. The rear is pure haut, the seats are superb - the T-Tec is perfect (but I'd want the white/black or colour contrast interior), the overall design clean Swedish design, and base pricing is good. It's the options that hurt, the drive didn't thrill me... also the car had some little niggles that bugged me personally.

It brings in a dash of style as a MINI competitor, while mixing in some genuine rear seat room and more useful trunk. But it stops short of being as well rounded or sporty as a GTI in my opinion. Slower than a MS3. So it's a safe stylish choice for most couples (lacking the a 5dr option). I know I'll be eying it everytime I see one.

If I bought, would have to check off the special option box, and create something unique. It's something you can't do with many other manufacturers, so I appreciate Volvo going through the trouble and would take them up on it.