OPPOpinions: Volvo C30

"Alex B" (alexb420)
04/17/2014 at 19:39 • Filed to: Volvo

What does Oppo think of the Volvo C30?

DISCUSSION (31)

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 19:40

I want one BECAUSE VOLVO

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 19:41

It's a great car, not bad looking, awesome engines. Would never buy one though... I'm a ScandiBro... Volvos should be RWD :)

twinturbobmw > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 19:41

Very attractive but very overpriced.

Alex B > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
04/17/2014 at 19:41

I know! I'm wondering how reliability is on these. I'm already thinking about my first car even though I'm 14, I gotta have a plan!

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 19:41

It's the Euro Focus ST that we never got, just a little too pricey when new.

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 19:42

At your age you'll get something old and slow, like I did........

EL_ULY > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 19:44

what do you need to know?

-ex Volvo master tech and current Volvo parts clerk

Alex B > EL_ULY
04/17/2014 at 19:46

Haha, I thought you might come through. How is reliability on these?

Axial > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 19:47

I like the glass in the back, but otherwise it's fairly pedestrian.

Frosted > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 19:47

It's heavy and not particularly MPG friendly. Understeer will be your new bestie.

duurtlang > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 19:48

It's a Focus underneath, right?

Alex B > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
04/17/2014 at 19:50

For a while I'll drive my parents Leaf, it's not like I'm going to have my own car until 18+, but I definitely want to own one of these at some point.

Alex B > duurtlang
04/17/2014 at 19:51

Yeah, from what I hear.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 19:52

Probably one of my all time favorite Volvos. It's a shame they stopped selling them.

EL_ULY > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 19:57

All cars are not built the same. Let's for example say a fresh batch of 2014 Ford Fusions. We gather 100 of them. Out of those 100, 70 of them might have a glitch or two or nothing at all. 20 of them will have some more random issues. 10 of the remaining might develop some pretty bad issue that might involve powertrain within the first 50,000 mile. This I feel is throughout the all cars and brands. Doesn't matter what country or brand. It will always vary from vehicle to vehicle.

As for the Vovlo C30. It is a peepy car. Based mostly on a Mazda 3, the ride is ok on regular roads and drives well until pushed to the limit where it does get a little twitchy i've always felt. Quality wise, the most we see from these cars after the 60,ooo mile mark it the typical maintenance stuff. Motor mounts, Brakes, rotors, just general wear items on the cars and most cars. Simplified, there isn't really a "C30 issue" to report besides the oil trap/PCV system that does go more offten on all pre 3.2 Volvos. Again, it can develope issues depending which one of the batch you choose. But they are a durable car for the most part and as fun to drive as most cars in its class

AMC/Renauledge > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 19:59

My OPPOpinion is that's it's a really cool little car that's about $5k too expensive brand new. They're decent deals used, though.

Alex B > EL_ULY
04/17/2014 at 20:06

Thanks for the information. :) I'm starting early (I'm 14 and will probably drive my parents Leaf for until 18 ish I think) in planing out the list of cars I want to own one day. The C30 is high on the list right now.

area man > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 20:22

My dad has a 2011 R-Design. It's a pretty fun car, although there's a fair amount of torque steer and the gearbox is fairly rubbery. The automatic is probably better (blasphemy, I know). But it's also one of the best-looking hatchbacks out there, so... do with that what you will.

I will say that he's had no big maintenance issues in the two years he's had it, although this minor collision with a deer resulted in a $3000 bill.

thebigbossyboss > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 20:25

My fiancee recently said she didn't want to spend that much on her wedding dress because she wanted one of these.

thebigbossyboss > EL_ULY
04/17/2014 at 20:27

My fiancee really really wants one. What kind of pricing are you seeing on them these days? Can you get a stick? Is it naturally aspirated? I know almost nothing about these...as you can tell.

jkm7680 > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 20:32

Different Looking car. Brings some vibes of the P1800ES back .

EL_ULY > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 21:10

no problem. I use to be an ex Lexus Master tech as well and the front end specialist here at my current dealership that carries Volvo, Lotus, Aston Martin, and Lotus. Any questions let me know

EL_ULY > thebigbossyboss
04/17/2014 at 21:13

A manual trans is very very rare but they do exist. These cars run a 5 cylinder turbo charged engine. Detuned version of the engine in the Ford Focus RS500. Prices are all over the place. The updated ones with the newer headlights like in the picture are the ones to get :]

thebigbossyboss > EL_ULY
04/17/2014 at 21:14

Many thanks!

Alex B > EL_ULY
04/17/2014 at 21:15

Thanks. :) What do you do as a front end specialist? Do you repair front ends? Thanks my guess.

EL_ULY > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 21:37

in short - Alignment monkey

I was the one that tackled the non obvious suspension issues, ride issues, handling, noises, wear, and steering.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Alex B
04/17/2014 at 22:00

Love that car, especially in T5 format. They didn't sell very well due to being rather expensive for what they are, but they are a quality product from what I know.

GoliathRex > area man
04/17/2014 at 22:10

I test drove these twice. The post refresh (2011+) R-Design is less pretty IMO but has a slightly more sporty suspension setup.

I love the look of the interior, but nothing "feels" particularly nice. It is more practical than most coupes- but the hatch opening is tiny. It is relatively quick, but heavy and thirsty. Also, $$$.

All-in-all it is staggeringly pretty hatchback that has many compromises for a hot hatch.

When I test drove these I owned a Mazdaspeed3. The C30 was much more comfortable (quiet, smooth) but not nearly as exciting or spacious.

Vi517, JDX Racing > twinturbobmw
04/17/2014 at 23:29

Overpriced new, but crazy depreciation. :/

Vi517, JDX Racing > Alex B
04/18/2014 at 00:02

Kinja'd!!!

I love mine. My mom got a Polestar after I got mine because she liked it so much :P. There isn't anything bad about it. It just does everything well. Cargo space is adequate. Rear seats are hard to get into, but surprisingly spacious once in. Gets adequate fuel economy: 23 MPG with 85% around town "spirited" driving. Power is perfect. Not too much, not too little. Great engine sound. Very tune-able engine though. Teenagers in Sweden can get around 500 hp from it. Auto gearbox works ok, but downshifts take a second or two to happen. Go for a manual if you have the chance, but even that is not the best. Looks great. Even with the power in the Polestar, there is no understeer (other people say there is, but there isn't) unless you are driving 10/10ths. This isn't a track car, at least not stock. Interior is dated, but not offensively dated. Avoid cars with nav if you can, it is pretty bad. Make sure you test drive each one you look at. The Polestar has almost no steering feel, but mine has tons. Maybe it is new steering lines vs old, but I don't know why. Depreciation is crazy, so you can get a nice one in a few years for about $15,000.

Kinja'd!!!

Reliability has been good so far. I actually hit 50,000 miles today. The only major problem was a defective battery this winter and my car didn't start in the cold once. The battery was still under some sort of warranty, so it was replaced for free. Other minors things include the R-Design badge falling off and a connector on the air filter came off a couple times, but hasn't now within the last year. They're expected to last over 200,000 miles, as a Volvo would. It's great in the snow, except in really deep snow when the front plows through.

Kinja'd!!!

I definitely recommend it. Don't be afraid to get one and find yourself a good deal. ;)

CodyVella > Alex B
04/18/2014 at 13:03

I've always wanted one. I'd go for the T5 model though, for that extra Volvo kick.