Opinions - Volvo C30

T

the graduate

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Two choices for the wife:

Volvo C30 T5 - 2010 demo (pre-facelift)....R270k...15k on the clock

Volvo C30 2.0 - brand spanking new 2010 facelift with sunroof, PDC, telephone, dynaudio sound system, xenons and factory fitted body kit....R270k...

I'm for the older T5....
 
I'd stick to the new 2.0. Or even look for a demo 2.0. The thing is, the T5 guzzles fuel at a rate that will make your eyes water. If your wife isn't a petrol head with a penchant for speed, the T5 will be wasted on her anyway.
 
Wow ... that's a tough one!

I actually may be inclined to go for the 2.0 ... plus I think the price is a little steep on the T5.
 
yeh, we had the T5 for a weekend and it guzzles fuel....but both of us simply LOVED the punch of the 2.5 litre turbo....

also, she's about 4km from her office....

so far, the fuel consumption is the only thing counting against the T5.....both of us like the pre-facelift model though...

oh yes, the T5 has bi-xenons, pdc and telephone...we really can't decide....
 
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I'd go for the T5 only if your wife wants the extra power, or else it's a waste if you like to be frugal. Fuel usage is normal for a car with this kind of engine and you'll find the same in, for example, a VW GTI or Audi equivalent. Considering the way fuel prices are going I'd consider looking at S40 2.0 diesel which is a little bit more money.

A 2010 T5 pre-face lift new is R308,000, the price you've mentioned is high but if it's being sold in a Volvo dealership I'm not surprised they want that. Volvo also running a R20,000 off selected cars, ask if applicable to these vehicles?

Remember the car will come with balance of a 5 year maintenance plan.

And in response to Geely owning the brand name Volvo. It's of no consequence at the moment, the manufacture and engineering of these cars is to remain in Europe, so for current cars on the market there's no concern.
However, I'd keep a watchful eye on build quality for future vehicles coming out five years from now.
 
T5! My folks have a 2.0 and it's like any 2.0 (just not enough go!)...

As soon as you drive that new 2.0 off the floor it will be worth a lot less immedietley.

But I think the best choice in this "category" would be the Golf 6 GTI. I know it's a bit more money if you buy new, but it's got great fuel economy if you don't drive fast. If you do drive fast, it will be on par with Volvo's 2.5 Turbo. Also, I personally think the C30 is dog ugly :)
 
the_don46 said:
Also, I personally think the C30 is dog ugly :)
Click to expand...
These cars are so ugly I think I'm going to poke my eyes out with a folk :P

andyc30t5.jpg

f38egd4bgte10kthmf7o.jpg
 
T5 all the way my man. I know it is heavy on fuel but if money is not a problem then why not? I have an S 40 T5 and I love the fact that these cars are underrated and I F^%^ up all these 2.0 TFsi's incl the GTi on the road. As long as your wife loves a bit of power and you'll be driving it as well then go for it. But that face lift is also nice. I am Volvo fan and those C 30's are beautiful and different. Yes Gti 6 is a beauty but please guys, not every one should drive a GTi. Leave them for young boys.
 
Kbeat said:
T5 all the way my man. I know it is heavy on fuel but if money is not a problem then why not? I have an S 40 T5 and I love the fact that these cars are underrated and I F^%^ up all these 2.0 TFsi's incl the GTi on the road. As long as your wife loves a bit of power and you'll be driving it as well then go for it. But that face lift is also nice. I am Volvo fan and those C 30's are beautiful and different. Yes Gti 6 is a beauty but please guys, not every one should drive a GTi. Leave them for young boys.
Click to expand...

Go search www.cartoday.com

I think you get old road tests and comparisons there for CAR Magazine. They have pitched the Focus ST up against G5 GTI - ST is a bit quicker robot to robot. ST is quicker than the C30 T5 as Volvo wanted the car to be more refined. Based on this I don't think the difference in racing comes from the car, but more the driver (maybe you have a heavier foot?) :)
 
anyone who recommends a golf 6 GTi... not someone to trust :P

i dont understand, they are slow for there class, expensive compared to whats available, and when you drive them, they aren't exciting.

an ST isn't that much faster, but it is a lot more exciting for some reason . So i would only ever recommend the gti to someone older, or to someone who just wants a plain ride.

my 2c
 
1) The C30 as the ugliest behind in the motoring world...possibly ever.
2) Volvo's lose value faster than you can say ugly butt.
 
Dude!! Sciroco!!
Dont waste time on this lame Volvo.
 
The mind is made up...It will be the C30. We've had two VW Polo's (1.6 Comfortline & 1.6 Comfortline).....good car, good build quality, but it could be better. For example. We bought both cars new. The second one had chips in the paint, skew panel fitments inside and a skew door. We took delivery and drove it straight back to the dealer who drove it straight to the panel beater...So, We've got nothing against VW, but we compared the build quality of the C30 to the Golf VI and there is little between them. Anyways, the GTi we'll leave to the average Joe....there are enough buyers for that car.....plus its a very boring car tbh.

Loose value....when has a car ever been an asset? You'll have to buy a Ferrari or Lambo for that to be applicable. O yes, and a Toyota Corolla or Hilux....all cars lose value. That little book the dealers have is the biggest con you get in the second-hand motor industry. You'll have a dealer offering peanuts for a well looked after Renault and sell it at an amazing profit. I've seen this with my own eyes....when selling, the dealer tells you about the expensive parts, poor backup service....when you buy the car, they tell you that the brand has made a big turn around, etc, etc. So, VW, Toyota is for the average guy/girl out there....She wants a car for her and the C30 is the most stunning car in her eyes than any other. I also did not like it in the beginning, but having spent a weekend with it and finding all the comforts and gadgets on the car was awesome....it won me over quite convincingly.

As I've mentioned, the dealer gave us a C30 T5 for a weekend and its an amazing car. When we drove the 2.0 last week, the wife drove it for a while and immediately said that the car lacks power. Its not slow, but having experienced the T5 it was hard to accept the powerloss.

Its simply between all the options you can add to the 2.0 for the same price as a demo T5 pre-facelift....

and yes, the C30 is a very refined car....the T5 has got more of a low-down torque-grunt character. The car surges ahead as opposed to rocket away....I don't know how to describe it, but it gets from 80 to 180km/h very, very quickly....
 
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JK8 said:
Dude!! Sciroco!!
Dont waste time on this lame Volvo.
Click to expand...

Well, we had a look at the VW Scirroco 2.0T DSG and its a nice car, but we though that the rear of the Scirroco was too much like the Volvo's design....you know, those 'child-bearing' hips on the rear of the C30...

and we think the Scirroco is overpriced by some R50k....
 
If you think build quality in a VW is good, you'll be very impressed with the Volvo, it's much more solid.
I highly recommend a T5 R-Design, in my opinion better looking than the standard C30 and you get a 5 year maintainance plan included, something you don't get on a VW without couging up extra.
Volvo trusts the quality of their product. I can't belive ppl are recommending VW, it's not even in the same league, Volvo's brand is way above.
 
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