Holy crap I've owned the Volvo for seven years!

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
02/08/2020 at 13:23 • Filed to: blue pill

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! thread reminded me I’ve had that blue Swedish ball of fury for seven years! I think I have a draft kicking around from my six year anniversary that I should dust off, but... wow.

So yeah... In December of 2012 I drove down to Austin, TX, (about 450 miles) and traded in my 2009 Civic Si for a 2013 Volvo C30 Polestar I’d only come to know existed a week earlier.

We’ve had a lot of good times and bad over the years, which deserve their own posts, but here are some pictures.

DISCUSSION (18)

Sovande > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
02/08/2020 at 13:50

Is it all stock? No suspension work?

I think you should get a Do88 intercooler. The tune will adapt and you can see how comically small the stock cooler is. You can do more than one pull before it get heat soaked.

I want another one of these. A lot.

Khalbali > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
02/08/2020 at 13:53

This is one of my favorite cars on oppo.

sony1492 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
02/08/2020 at 13:53

Would you recommend one? It’s my short list of cars to buy next but dont know about its maintenance

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
02/08/2020 at 14:04

That is such a stunning car

sn4cktimes > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
02/08/2020 at 14:53

Almost bought a C30 years ago. Wish I had.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > sony1492
02/08/2020 at 14:58

Overall yes. I haven’t really had any major troubles with it. One weird electrical thing that has since been solved, but that is about it. They do have a couple known weak spots but any good Volvo indie should be able to help you with that. Biggest one is a cooling hose y-pipe is known to go unexpectedly and cook the engine before you notice.

But yes, some little problems but overall I really like it. Maintenance is the usual belts and fluids you’d get on any car and TBH it is a lot of Ford parts so you’re not paying out the nose for most of it.

Volvo dealers are a little hit or miss, so I’m not sure I’d own one without a good independent mechanic.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Sovande
02/08/2020 at 15:01

I’m a little torn on upgrades. One of the perks of the Polestar Limited Edition ck is the Polestar tune. Not sure how I feel about removing it. Similarly, bolting on go-faster stuff seems... I dunno. Wrong? I have a new crossover pipe I bought years ago and just can’t quite bring myself to fit it.

That said, a new inter-cooler does sound appealing. If I could get cold morning pep all day... I could be down haha.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > sn4cktimes
02/08/2020 at 15:02

Still can! They’re getting scary cheap.

sn4cktimes > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
02/08/2020 at 15:23

Wife has applied a cap on my vehicle count. A Dodge Rampage, an AMC Eagle, and a Husky350 enduro are enough “ weird” vehicles for one person. I suppose she’s right. If we lived outside the city though....

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > sn4cktimes
02/08/2020 at 15:33

Haha I sort of understand. We live in the city and have seven total (eight if you count friend who rents the garage apartment) and it gets... tiring. Six is a good number for us but I can’t help myself haha.

Sovande > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
02/08/2020 at 15:37

I understand wanting to leave it stock, but it is such a fun car once it’s modded a bit. Bigger intercooler, better tune, lowering springs, stiffer shocks and a downpipe and you are looking at over 300hp and 350 lbft. You don’t even have to lose the Polestar tune, it would just become the “base” tune stored on the handheld tuner. Evn just a big rear sway bar and an intercooler will make a huge difference.

I did no cosmetic mods on my car other than different Volvo wheels. And it was lowered a bit, but nothing nutty. I had it on coilovers for a bit, but it was sportier than I could stand. God, what a fun car. Lay into and let it run up over 4000 rpms and it sounded glorious. 3" stainless exhaust just singing. Nothing more fun than a lowered, tuned Volvo. Nobody suspects a thing.

DSM_OR_DIE::Drives_A_Miata > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
02/08/2020 at 17:43

Newer Volvos were never on my radar until the husband told me he wanted to dump the Fiesta ST for something a little more luxurious. T he very first car that I pulled up in my search was an 05 S40 T5 6 speed that we bought immediately. It has been glorious but now that I’m actually paying attention to Swedish cars post-1992, I’m kind of sad it wasn’t the C30 that we ended up in. Same engine and chassis , but I love hatchbacks almost as much as I hate sedans.

And after a bout of Nitrous Blue (also same chassis) I have come to appreciate Polestar Blue that much more. I am very jealous!

Ed F. > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
02/08/2020 at 18:43

I’ve had my 08 version 2.0 C30 for 12 years (183k miles). It’s probably been the best car I’ve ever owned but it’s time to move on. So I upgraded to a 2018 V60 Polestar. So the C30 goes up for sale @ $5k. If you can get your hands on a low miles car get it. Or in my case a high mileage one with all service records get they are great cars... Gets a ton of attention (mostly good) and is a blast to drive and mod. Maybe Volvo will bring it back someday.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Ed F.
02/08/2020 at 18:54

Glad you loved it and glad you stayed in the family. Looking at Volvo's recent lineup I'm not sure they're interested in making enthusiast cars anymore.

sn4cktimes > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
02/08/2020 at 23:22

So many cars. I could have so many MORE weird vehicles... Some diesel / propane hybrid monstrosity, some LADA hilarity, some 6 wheeled thingie!

Kinja'd!!!

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > sn4cktimes
02/08/2020 at 23:28

I have a list which, surprisingly , helps with the impulse “THAT LOOKS COOL” buys. The Jag, for example, fit the “something supercharged” list item.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
02/09/2020 at 12:26

You’re making me miss both my 08 C30 and my Rebel Blue 2013 S60

I love seeing this car get so much love

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
02/10/2020 at 07:47

My mom has a Volvo XC90 and even with about the worst care imaginable my local Volvo specialist has just kept it running (well, on its second engine due to neglect ) . I seriously doubt any normal mechanic could keep that turd on the road (FWD in those sucks so bad btw ).