9 Months With A Volvo C30 R-Design

"Jonee" (Jonee)
08/07/2016 at 16:43 • Filed to: Volvo C30, R-Design

Last November I bought myself a 2009 Volvo C30 R-Design and now that I’ve lived with it for the average gestation period for a human, I figured I’d do a little report on how I find living with one of these. It had 32,000 miles when I bought it, and it’s now up to 36,500. The C30 is kind of an odd duck. It comes from the Ford ownership days, so it sits on a parts bin chassis. But, it’s from the Mazda3, so it’s a darn good one. It’s got styling reminiscent of the P1800, but it doesn’t look retro. I actually think it’s the handsomest small car made this millennium. Dat ass is just magnificent, and you might say the front just looks like a regular old Volvo, but proportionally it all adds up perfectly. It’s clean, it has a cool natural rake. It’s just a damn fine looking machine. It’s definitely sporty without being a sports car which kind of matches the performance. It’s powered by the 230 horsepower T5, Volvo’s venerable turbo 5 cylinder. On paper it’s not a hot hatch motor. It’s got an extra cylinder and it says “Volvo” on it. But, it’s got some oomph. It’s more powerful than a GTI and, even though the Volvo is 300 lbs. heavier, it still gets to 60 quicker. It’s also a great sounding engine and has just enough turbo lag to be fun. Steering and throttle response is definitely not as crisp as in a true sports car, but that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with it. It’s just a Volvo, not a Lotus. The R-Design adds a stiffer “sports” suspension, and a different steering ratio along with some cosmetic stuff like aluminum pedals and blue gauges and front and rear spoilers. The slight handling improvements do make a difference. I really love taking the thing canyon carving. It’s a total blast and every time I’m impressed with how flat the car stays around the bends. I can totally keep up with the fancier German cars so long as The Stig isn’t driving them.

Mine has the 6-speed manual which I’ve read bad things about. But, again, for not a sports car, it’s fine. The gear ratios are appropriate and do the job. The shifter is loosey-goosey compared to a 911, with not the shortest throws, but it shifts smoothly and I’ve never lost a gear. Again, it does its job just fine and is better than anything in an economy car. It’s also a hell of a lot better than an automatic. Downshift into 2nd or 3rd and you’re going to go. The clutch has a good weight to it for my liking. I hate a soft clutch, and this one has plenty of feel with a definite catch point. Inside, the seats don’t have much apparent side bolstering, but Volvo always uses this lovely soft leather, and ample stuffing and I find myself sinking into it like it’s gently hugging me. I’ve never found myself getting thrown about when we’re taking turns hard. I live in L.A., so spend plenty of time in traffic, and I never get uncomfortable in this car.

The wheels are the optional 17”-ers. 18” was standard, but the slightly smaller and lighter wheels seems to suit the car better. A little more air also mitigates the stiff ride a bit. One day I may add coil overs and a tune if I feel ambitious, but, like I said, the car is fun as is.

It’s not the roomiest, most practical hatchback. That rear glass doesn’t make for the biggest opening, but with the back seats down, you can fit a good amount of shit in there. I’ve stuffed almost an entire Renault Le Car interior plus a bumper in it.

There are definitely metrics by which you can say one car is better than another. And, performance wise, there are sporty hatchbacks that are better than the C30. But, I like to think of every car as a unique experience. Cars can be slow, clunky, and handle poorly and still be loads of fun. The C30 is none of those things, but it has its faults. Overall, though, I really love being in it. And outside it, looking in its direction. These cars were definitely too expensive for what they are when they were new. But, they’re quite reasonable on the used market, so if you want something a little different, go find one.

DISCUSSION (73)

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 16:52

Fun fact: the T5 is actually a real hot hatch motor, as it was also used by the previous gen Focus ST.

Jonee > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/07/2016 at 16:55

Good point. This was basically the ST we didn’t get.

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 17:01

Yeah, sort-of. I remember reading a comparison test back in the days, and the Volvo was framed as the grand tourer alternative to the ST, but that probably says more about the ST’s frenetic character.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 17:03

I always found the rear hatch shape/size to be particularly irksome. So much wasted potential of space.

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 17:04

I tried to get my wife to buy one when these were new. I had set up a test drive for the weekend, but when I got home on friday a new Fit was in the driveway. I still went for the test drive. It was a more live-able everyday car than the GTI, Mazdaspeed 3, and the Mini. A week earlier I had found a CPO B5 S4 Avant with factory warranty, but she didn’t like how bright Audi’s blue was. She is obviously the smarter one in our marriage.

Tom McParland > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 17:07

I always thought these cars were really cool, and briefly considered one when I was replacing my ‘10 Mazda 3. However,I need to put kids in the back occasionally and/or store large items like my wife’s wheelchair so the practical aspect fell through on the Volvo. But they look great and are very fun to drive.

MultiplaOrgasms > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/07/2016 at 17:13

And RS.

Chasaboo > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 17:13

Transmission has a ropey throw. The engine is fun if you get the Polestar upgrade. Maintenance is expensive.

Jonee > Chasaboo
08/07/2016 at 17:22

Maintenance hasn’t been any more expensive than any other car I’ve owned and based on research, it should stay that way in the future. It’s a ropey throw compared to other cars, but it’s fine once you’ve gotten used to it. It’s a hell of a lot better than the manual Juke I drove the other day.

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 17:27

Dude, you should really ease up on using all that torque, it made your rear license plate disappear! And you should get those 18"s ;-)

The sound of that 5-pot is what it’s all about. It’s a great DD. Although your Le Car screams V50!

Jonee > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/07/2016 at 17:28

They had to leave room for those awesome taillights. It was definitely style over function, but I don’t need to haul many recliners, so it does its job ok.

DutchieDC2R > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 17:32

Awesome car, great read, although I did find the transmission comparison to a 911 a bit too far fetched. Compare it to a hot hatch (like you did with the GTI), not with a ‘sports car’.

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 17:37

MAINTENANCE IS TERRIBLE! I’ve driven 130+K with mine and I already had to replace the A/C pump. Well, that’s it actually. T5's Manuèls are anything but bad. I’ve had way more issues/costs with my VW. Ford. Saab. BMW. Mini. You get my point.

And that 20hp the Polestar upgrade get’s you is like a necessity. Everyone knows that.

Jonee > DutchieDC2R
08/07/2016 at 17:42

Thanks. I was trying to be a little tongue in cheek with the 911 thing.

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/07/2016 at 17:45

He was saying maintenance costs were expensive, but as far as I can tell, it costs as much to have work done and parts bought than anything else. I think I would like that Polestar tune one day. I’d need that blue paint to go with it, though.

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/07/2016 at 17:48

When I’m using full torque, I need to be anonymous. You won’t give up on those 18's. The 17's are better, darn it. And they look cooler.

Nothing compares to the mighty roar of the Le Car.

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 17:56

The regular maintenance is nothing more than the usual. There’s cars needing service at 30k (kms) over here but all cars from the generation of the C30 do about 20 I think. I really don’t need that Polestar. I can have it for the V60 as well to get it over 300hp but why would I. It’s a DD. And that 5-pot won’t sound any better. Maybe I’m just getting old...

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 18:00

No one is anonymous in a C30. Okay, maybe in a C30 with 17".

Getting 18" for the V60 had more impact on the handling than getting them for the V50. It’s a good thing that Le Car is as tiny as it is otherwise getting parts for your car in that C30 would be horrible.

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/07/2016 at 18:09

I don’t think I’ve ever had a car with 300 horses, so that might be fun. But, I’ve also never found 230 to be not enough since I don't go to the track. Triple digit horsepower is impressive enough compared to my other cars.

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/07/2016 at 18:13

I could probably fit every non-body part of both my other cars in the C30. There is definitely something to be said for liking tiny cars.

Jonee > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
08/07/2016 at 18:25

Yeah, absolutely. I wouldn’t call this car a GT, but if you drove it back to back with an ST, you might.

ciscokidinsf > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 18:47

Love the looks. How are the MPG’s in this hatch? Is it Premium gas only? Will it baby? (A GTI will, this one, not sure)

Steve in Manhattan > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 18:56

If we ever have to buy a car, this is it. Automatic though, SigOther can’t drive stick.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 19:06

You had to post this when I posted the for sale ad on mine!

Such a funky look car. I loved it.

Also, you’ve got a really odd duck with the 17s.

Jonee > ciscokidinsf
08/07/2016 at 19:10

Good questions. MPG isn’t great. 20/27. And that’s if you take it easy. Yes, premium gas is what I always use. I’m not sure if that’s absolutely required, actually, but assume it is. I’ve never tried to baby with it. It’s a two-door which is never optimal for the littles, but it’s a Volvo, so there are good, easy to use car seat mounts. There is an acceptable amount of room in the back seats for a small hatch, so I’d think it babies ok.

Jonee > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
08/07/2016 at 19:13

I had this ready to go, so I figured it’d make a good sales pitch. Another Opponaut would make a fine owner for her.

They’re great wheels, I’m really glad it has them. I’d be curious to drive one on 18's.

Jonee > Steve in Manhattan
08/07/2016 at 19:15

I can’t drive automatic. People other than me don’t seem to like its stick, so you’re probably good with the auto.

Steve in Manhattan > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 19:23

Here’s the stick shift I get to drive once in a while, when I go down to MD. http://oppositelock.kinja.com/the-oppo-revie…

Jonee > Steve in Manhattan
08/07/2016 at 19:33

That’s cool, actually. I can say with confidence the C30's stick is at the very least on par with a 12 year old Civic Hybrid.

FunkyHatch > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 19:53

Good review! I have a 2008 R Design 6MT which I thought was a bit sloppy with the stock suspension. Even after a bigger rear sway bar (Corksport made for a Mazda 3) it was still not as flat as I thought it should be in corners. The rear always felt like it was hard to predict. I solved that with coilovers and it completely transformed it’s behavior. It’s extremely stable through corners now, to the point that I am surprised by how much speed I can carry. Which brings me to the seats... They are terrible. Comfortable? Yes. Made for anything resembling a sports car? No. They have roughly zero bolstering and it’s really my one major quibble with the car.

I got a Shark Tune which completely woke up the car. It’s night and day and it’s completely worth the money. It feels like it never wants to stop pulling. And the level of service from Shark is extraordinary. I can’t say enough.

I also switched from 18" wheels to 17's. They really do feel like a better match and the ability to run a fatter sidewall is nice. The stock 18's weighed in at almost 50lbs with tires. My 17's weigh about 40 by comparison. I also stepped up from the stock 205 width to 225 which is a great. The big, meaty tires really help.

Hope you have many more trouble free miles, I have about 113,000 on mine!

Kinja'd!!!

FunkyHatch > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 19:53

Hope you have many more trouble free miles, I have about 113,000 on mine!

Kinja'd!!!

FunkyHatch > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 20:03

Hope you have many more trouble free miles, I have about 113,000 on mine!

Kinja'd!!!

FunkyHatch > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 20:05

I don't think 18's do anything for the handling of the car. I much prefer the 17's I now have. Plus tires are way less expensive, which is a plus in my book.

FunkyHatch > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 20:05

I don't think 18's do anything for the handling of the car. I much prefer the 17's I now have. Plus tires are way less expensive, which is a plus in my book.

FunkyHatch > ciscokidinsf
08/07/2016 at 20:06

My 5 year old rides in the back of mine with a booster seat. No complaints from him so far.

FunkyHatch > Chasaboo
08/07/2016 at 20:10

Maintenance at the dealership may be expensive, but if you DIY it's nothing. It shares parts with the Mazda 3 and Focus and everything is dead simple to work on. You can fit an impact wrench in the wheel wells.

FunkyHatch > Chasaboo
08/07/2016 at 20:10

Jonee > FunkyHatch
08/07/2016 at 20:13

Thanks. That’s great info. I’ll have to look into the Shark tune and those suspension upgrades at some point. I know what you mean about the stock suspension, but it was better than I was expecting, and I was basically coming from a truck to this car, so in comparison it’s flat as a pancake. Yeah, they’re definite not sports car seats, but I probably don’t drive my car quite as hard as you do, and I appreciate them when I’m stuck on the freeway. Have you looked into aftermarket seats?

Your car looks awesome, and it sounds like it’s a blast. Keep on driving the wheels off of it. I always thought ‘09 was the first year for the R-Design.

FunkyHatch > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 20:21

Look into the rear sway bar. There are couple different options (the cheapest being those made for the Mazda 3 - the Racing Beat version is only $150) and all make a dramatic difference. Shark is an excellent company. The guy returns emails on Sundays, early morning, late at night, will call back quickly, is happy to help and the tune really makes a big difference. It is where the car should have even from the factory. And mileage only suffers if, like me, you can’t keep your foot out of it.

I had a 1998 V70 T5M before this car and I swore I would never sell it. After 2 weeks with the C30 it was on a flatbed headed down to its new owner in Atlanta.

FunkyHatch > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 20:23

Forgot to add that the seats are what they are. I could out in aftermarket, but they stock are comfortable and I do about 300 miles a week, so they will stay. I just wish they had more lateral support!

FunkyHatch > Jonee
08/07/2016 at 20:23

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/08/2016 at 03:13

The V60 has 279 already, that difference ain’t that big. It’s too heavy to really have fun with it anyway. And it has torque over 600Nm ;-)

And I’ve been thinking about that maintenance-remark you made: Replacing an A/C pump is to me. As it’s just something that “wears”, not replacing it would lead to loss of functionality of the car. It’s not like I crashed it/ruined it/overheated it, a pump just does an n-amount of rotations.

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/08/2016 at 03:16

There certainly is. Love ‘m all. But getting a car in which you could park your Fuldamobil would solve so many issues for you ;-)

Bourbon&JellyBeans > Jonee
08/08/2016 at 08:22

I was looking into one of these as my first car when I was 18. Never happened, but I think I would have been happy with it based on this review.

Jonee > Bourbon&JellyBeans
08/08/2016 at 13:21

A C30 would be an excellent first car. Stylish, safe, and fun.

Vi517, JDX Racing > Jonee
08/08/2016 at 17:37

Kinja'd!!!

Nice write up! I have a 2009 R-Design as well and love it. Sure it’s not a great sports car, or not as practical as other cars, etc., but that’s fine. As a GT/DD/fun car, it performs perfectly. I have had mine for 4.5 years and have debated about modding it, but right now I’m happy with the stock car. Any mods just detract from it’s everyday usability. Haven’t had any major issues with 70k miles now on it. I hope you enjoy your’s in the future!

(My mom also has a Polestar C30)

Kinja'd!!!

Jonee > Vi517, JDX Racing
08/08/2016 at 18:29

Thanks! Your car looks awesome as does that Polestar. Your mom is my hero.

Spridget > Jonee
08/08/2016 at 20:20

It’s not the roomiest, most practical hatchback.

Well, that’s what the Le Car’s for :p

I think this is the perfect Jalop car. Sure, there are cars that beat it in most metrics, but you like it and it’s good enough for you. Oppo/Jalopnik isn’t about owning that perfect McLaren F1 and parking it in your garage full of supercars and driving off in a Bentley, it’s about cars like this, IMO. Also, Matchbox made an excellent version of this a couple of years ago.

Jonee > Spridget
08/08/2016 at 20:29

You’re kidding, but recently I helped a friend move a small freezer that wouldn’t fit through the C30's hatch, but was swallowed by the Renault no problem.

Well said. I’ll have to look for one of those Matchboxes.

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/09/2016 at 00:13

Yeah, I would think the weight cancels out the extra hp. The C30 isn’t exactly a lightweight, either. Did you do the math for that nurple conversion?

Have you had to replace that pump? It is a must to have working a/c. Mine feels a tad weak, but it has been hot, so ice on my face could feel weak. It’s possible it needs a recharge since it’s 7 years old.

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/09/2016 at 00:47

Or, it could make me feel even more lazy since I’d have no reason to get it running if I could just drive it around. I wonder if I could go in the commuter lane with a Fuldamobil in the car.

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/09/2016 at 03:37

I love purple nurples. Can you even imagine how many 600Nm can generate?

Yep. It only blew cold air out on the driver’s side. Could have been the A/C compressor as well, I know next to nothing about A/C’s. Well maybe one thing: they tend to cost money after 6 years. For maintenance. Or repairs ;-)

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/09/2016 at 03:39

Ah, I forgot about your laziness, good point. You still have those commuter lanes??? Those only worked for 2 years over here. But the Fuldamobil is quite the character so that really shouldn’t give any issues.

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/10/2016 at 02:01

I don’t want to think about it. I remember when purple nurples were all the rage in summer camp. Not fun.

Yeah, when will they figure out how to build a durable A/C system? They can make them drive themselves, but they can't make a proper coolant seal.

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/10/2016 at 02:04

Oh, yeah. We need those lanes in L.A. Half the time they're just as bumper to bumper as the other lanes, but sometimes they come in handy. People get caught with mannequins in their passenger seat. No one could give a ticket to a Fuldamobil. It's everyone's friend.

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/10/2016 at 03:57

No idea. Maybe Handy knows a solution for this. Then again, he’d probably just create another climate machine to control the weather.

Or they don’t want to in the first place. Parts. Service. Money.

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/10/2016 at 04:01

Yeah, people tend to get creative when it comes to... Money.

Kinja'd!!!

Can’t you just get those tinted windows? Those are illegal here for windscreen and the windows before the b-pillar but over there anything goes, right? ;-)

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/10/2016 at 21:17

Recharging a/c’s is big business. Especially out here. A climate control machine is definitely one way to look at the problem. Maybe each car could generate its own weather. I wonder how that would combat global warming. In that case, the more cars, the better.

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/10/2016 at 21:47

Haha. That’s awesome. There’s a limit to how dark the tint can be. It can’t be opaque, but people ignore the law all the time. Sometimes you will get pulled over for it. Some places also have that same b-pillar rule, but I’m actually not sure what the heck California’s regulations are because you see all sorts of shit.

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/11/2016 at 04:37

Here it’s not but we have an entirely different climate. And spending. We’re Calvinists, remember?

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/11/2016 at 23:53

Are Calvinists supposed to suffer? Even Jews order air conditioning.

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/12/2016 at 04:10

At least not display your wealth. Getting out of the car fresh is something that does this if everyone else is sweaty. And then... The ‘90's came!

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/13/2016 at 02:45

Thank god for the 90's then. What happened in that decade to make the Calvinists have such an epiphany?

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/13/2016 at 07:04

It was the turning point when all manufacturers for the European market started mounting A/C anyway...

And we got less cheaper. “Fully loaded” wasn’t that unique anymore. I remember ordering cars with not much left on the order list to chose. The Polo could have gotten leather which I clearly didn’t want (TARTAN!), a 4-doors (in which you have weird visibility when driving due to that b-pillar) and metallic (I ONLY WANTED A WHITE ONE!).

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/14/2016 at 18:47

Right. That is when things changed to packages as opposed to ordering every particular option. It can be really annoying. The old way was much better. Over here, manual transmissions always come with the worst options. Like you couldn’t get leather seats with a stick when I bought my Fiesta a few years ago, which was insane. Pretty much everything has a/c now. I don’t think they offer cars quite that stripped any more.

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/15/2016 at 02:51

Not sure if the current Clio RS still has the feature of ordering the CUP RS . That one was really stripped so no A/C. I’m sure they didn’t sell many anymore and I’m almost sure the current gen doesn’t have this option.

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/16/2016 at 00:41

It’s a little sad. Kids today won’t realize how pampered they are. When did rubber floors go away? I don’t think they even make trucks without carpets any more. A few years ago Nissan offered a pretty stripped Versa with no a/c or radio, but it was just to get people in the door so they could advertise a new car below $10K. They don’t have it any more.

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/16/2016 at 04:19

Dacia still does it. To every automotive journalist’s surprise.

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/17/2016 at 00:37

Really? No carpets? Good for them. All they really have is their cheapness, so they have to be dedicated to it.

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/17/2016 at 04:41

Oh, I meant building cars without any luxury, not sure about those carpets, I never sat in a recent Dacia I think.

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/18/2016 at 02:28

It doesn’t look like you can configure a Sandero without a carpet. But, the cheapo version does come without body colored bumper skins, so that’s pretty ghetto.

Kinja'd!!!

Jobjoris > Jonee
08/18/2016 at 04:27

I remember the days you could order “radiovoorbereiding” in cars. No actual radio but you’d get an antenna and wiring to the dash. I think Mercedes kept it up to way into the ‘90's!

Jonee > Jobjoris
08/22/2016 at 01:12

That’s pretty cool. I’m not sure if that was ever an option here. I’ve definitely had a few AMC’s with the radio delete plate which is always funny. That probably carried on up until the 90's, maybe even a little later.