Volvo c30

love it. wife drives a 2003 V70 turbo wagon. no problems ever. see if they're available on european delivery. that's how we got our wagon. may get a free trip to sweden out of it, and save a few thousand.

 

Nearly every comparison I read says they like the design, but it's nowhere near as sporty as some of its competitors, like the WRX, the MazdaSpeed 3, and, best of all, the Audi A3. I personally would shop those prior to the C30. The C30 is a very cool thing right now but once the newness of the design wears off, I'm afraid I'd have some buyer's remorse.

 

Have leased several Volvo's for my wife in the past and recently picked up a S60 T5 for myself, blast to drive. It was recently in the shop and since I had made freinds with my local dealer (Santa Monica/California) had one as a loaner for 4 days, they are a blast to drive in town, solid feel, a little torque steer, but truly a fun drive with plent of room for the size car (am 6'1''). If I had known this was coming out before leasing the T5, I would of jumped on picking one up.

 

Forget the Volvo. I drove one, that my cousin almost bought. It was unrefined, but very sporty. I liked the engine, but the interior is a tad-cheap feeling.

If you want a great compact car, get the Audi A3. If you can afford it, the 3.2 model with Quattro, and DSG. It flys! and the gearbox in it is fantastic! You can feel like Schumacher with it!

If it's too expensive, the A3 2.0T with DSG or Manual moves very quickly also. It's very torquey.

 

Mine was just over $23k out the door and I couldn't be happier with how it's performed for me the last 2 years. Sporty, useful, cheap (relatively), and IMO good looking. In either the GTI or the A3 that 2.0T motor is superb.

 

I dig the c30, fun sporty, and safe above all else. if it were awd I'd get one in a heartbeat. I loved my 2004 S60T5, my mom loved it too so she sold hers and bought mine from me.

The German cars are so boring styling wise. Jellybeans with all the design passion of a Twinkie.

 

I drove the C30 when it first came out. It was a fun, sporty car. My only beef was the steering was pretty numb.

 

I quite like them in real life. On pictures it looked pretty dull. But they look awesome in motion. Fun drive but a Mini Cooper is even more fun, and so is the BMW 1-series. As for practicality and everyday use Volvo is a strong competitor.

The interior build quality is what you would expect but nothing much more. Doesn't beat the A3, but no quirks or noises.

 

BMW's in my opinion stink for steering, I think they are about as numb as one can get, that is why I prefer E30's and earlier, or if it is newer, no powersteering pump.

I have to suggest that the T5 will hands down romp a 350/g35 any day of the week, and with cruise control, you get sick MPG

ALSO try this: Evolve Volvo tuning