Full Test: 2008 Volvo C30

I agree with Ateixeira about the looks except for the godawful taillights. Why does Volvo insist on putting taillights up the rear pillar? Also, the front bumper looks....incomplete.
 
Too pricey, but I've come to expect that from Volvo. I'd consider a used one in a few years, though.

I "LOVE" the tailights!

i love this car. it was a hard decision to buy my LGT rather than wait for this thing. BUT, the more i mod my car (especially now that i have the Cobb AP2), the happier i am with it. Then again, i could've had my buddies @ Evolve mod the C30. Unfortunately, it's not std. w/AWD. BOOO!!! that said, the front bumper looks "incomplete" due to the color of the "front lip kit". Trust me. It's all there. :) I would've done a monotone theme instead of the two-tone. It looks SWEET!

Love it, love it, love it. It was easily my favorite car making the rounds at the shows this year and last. What's really cool is the mile long options list which will hopefully make it to the market. There was like 12 different styles of wheel, customizable exterior color combos, interior options, etc.
 
This is why I don't understand all the talk of a Ford sale of the brand. They have a huge hit on their hands if they build this car right, right out of the gate. With the S40 and V50 on the market for a couple of years now, they should be able to bring the C30 out with minimal glitches (I hope). And it just looks fantastic.

I really love the looks, but what I don't love is the price. Sure, it has a few more ponies than the GTI, and yes, it's a tiny bit quicker, but $27k and no sunroof? Come on. Your other option is to go with Version 1.0, but then you have to give up the sport suspension. So then you're still paying more than you would with a similar GTI, but in the end you're left with...well...a Volvo. It sure is pretty though...

sabastian - not true; Dynamic Chassis is available for only $275 on the Version 1.0.
 
So, that takes care of the suspension issue, unless there's other components on the V2.0 that aren't available on the V1.0

At 3200 lbs it's monstrously bigger than a Cooper S. This is more GTI level and the GTI will slap it around.
 
As for the Cooper backseat thing, I just had two adults in the backseat last week and they expressed shock that they were comfortable. shrug - not that it mattered to me. At 500+ lbs lighter than this Fordvo, the Cooper is closer to a fun run-about than this tank.

alpha01: Hmm, I didn't see that. I did, however, spec up two similar cars: a GTI with package 1 (sunroof and satradio) and a C30. The thing that killed the C30 was the fact that very little is standard. Things like cruise control and a 6-disc CD changer are optional. As a result, the GTI came out to $23,590, and the C30 came out to $26,975. It is worth mentioning though, that the C30 has 27hp and 29lb-ft of torque on the VW...plus it's much better looking. I guess it's down to what you want...