CTC Review: 2007 Volvo C30 T5

[s]

this car is beautiful, but i think, like everyone else, volvo is being a little ambitious with the pricing. first off, i think everyone is neglecting the fact that when you purchase rims from the dealer, they do not include tires in the price.

i looked at the v50 last summer when i was car shopping, and that car too, seemed overpriced. i ended up buying a mazda5, because for me, it was almost half the price, and on the same basic platform. the mazda is much roomier as well, and apparently, more reliable.

if i was in the market for a small hatch, the GTI would get my dollars because it is the best value.

[safristi]

That centre consol to dash 'thingie" YOU KNOW the Gum Foil wrapper "s" shaped radio holder....looked so COOL to me when it first appeared in the "50?" but know it doesn't look so fetching in the C30..BUY a RED Mazda 3 Speed and get over it,if it was my DOSH............well maybe NOT FUZZ_ Atrracting_RED then.......

[JSCC]

Okay, I priced out a T5 the way I would like it:
Sport Pkg
Sunroof
Leather Seats
Xenons
Just around CAD$40,000.

Same price range as an A3 2.0T with same packages.
Factor in my preference of 4 doors and nicer interiors.
Even if the T5 will be bumped to 230HP, my pick is an A3 2.0T over the C30 T5.

If I wanted to be economical, I would go GTI.

We'll see what BMW has to offer with the 1 series.

[MKII]

Okay, I priced out a T5 the way I would like it:
Sport Pkg
Sunroof
Leather Seats
Xenons
Just around CAD$40,000.

Same price range as an A3 2.0T with same packages.
Factor in my preference of 4 doors and nicer interiors.
Even if the T5 will be bumped to 230HP, my pick is an A3 2.0T over the C30 T5.

If I wanted to be economical, I would go GTI.

We'll see what BMW has to offer with the 1 series.

In other words in your opinion Volvo= mobile

[AVToller]

Even with all of the problems I had with my Golf, I would choose the GTI WAY before the T5!!

[UmroAyyar]

Its a good car for a single, successful professional. 

[Mitlov]

Its a good car for a single, successful professional. 

I don't think anyone disagrees that this car is "good."  Frankly, most cars on the market are "good."  Problem is, compared to the GTI, A3, 1-Series, Mazdaspeed3, et cetera, I can't think of a single area in which this car is better than its competition.  Except maybe styling, but that's totally subjective, and it's hard for a model to succeed on styling alone.

[JSCC]

Its a good car for a single, successful professional. 

I don't think anyone disagrees that this car is "good."  Frankly, most cars on the market are "good."  Problem is, compared to the GTI, A3, 1-Series, Mazdaspeed3, et cetera, I can't think of a single area in which this car is better than its competition.  Except maybe styling, but that's totally subjective, and it's hard for a model to succeed on styling alone.

Safety? Nope.

[s]

i think the car could have succeeded on styling alone, as long as the price was attractive... the current ford mustang comes to mind. i test drove a 2006 GT... felt just like the 80s.

its funny, because with volvo's cars, everyone thinks that the pricing is ridiculous, and the sales figures reflect that. but look at the xc90... THAT is waaay overpriced, but they sell like crazy!

[Mitlov]

Safety? Nope.

I haven't looked up the crash tests, but the Jetta out-performs the S40 in IIHS crash tests, so I assumed that the Rabbit/GTI would out-perform the C30.

[Mitlov]

i think the car could have succeeded on styling alone, as long as the price was attractive... the current ford mustang comes to mind. i test drove a 2006 GT... felt just like the 80s.

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.

[mmret]

This isn't the only Volvo out of line in pricing.  Frankly the whole line-up is out to lunch in pricing.  Recently I purchased a Passat 2.0T over the V70 because it was $12,000 less, with better interior and better engine.

How can Volvo consider themselves luxury when they just came out with their first V8?

Acura thinks they are a luxury brand and have no V8...

And aren't all Porsche's flat 6s?

[Mitlov]

And aren't all Porsche's flat 6s?

Well, there IS the Cayenne, but otherwise, yes.

[mmret]

And aren't all Porsche's flat 6s?

Well, there IS the Cayenne, but otherwise, yes.

The Cayenne really is the adopted child, though. My argument still holds!

[David1959]

Plain and simple................ALL overpriced.

[MKII]

Some markets have many choices on how to spec a C30, how about 16 wheel choices
This link is for Diplomat sales.
http://diplomat.volvocars.com/NR/rdonlyres/32DF1B09-0085-43A1-94F8-16B300CB9105/0/C30_W716_VCIC.pdf

[Loudpedal]

And aren't all Porsche's flat 6s?

Well, there IS the Cayenne, but otherwise, yes.

The Cayenne really is the adopted child, though. My argument still holds!

...how about bastard child?

[2hondas1BMW]

Very cool looking car - however, I'd rather get a WRX for the price, even though the C30 is more luxurious.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Wing, did Volvo supply estimates of the percentage of sales split they expect between 2.4i and T5?

[wing]

nope, dealer said he sold a bunch of them, I suspect those were non T5's though.