Volvo C70 Convertible - 2006 and Newer

tombon

I said second, but it may have been third??? (I missed an earlier opportunity to order the car to my specs because I was not ready to commit) My salesman pulled up a website with his available 2007 C70s (about 7 of them I think)that were still able to be modified. He picked the first on the list and tagged it with his name and mine and we changed it to match the color and options I wanted. He printed off the modifications and gave them to me as a record. It showed an LDOC of 8/24/06 and delivery dates between 11/4/06 and 11/8/06. I do not have a vin number because the car does not exist yet, but it seems pretty solid to me.

jtrego

empty1 and tombon,
our situation is similar. We put a deposit in early July on the second allocation for 07. Just went in yesterday to finalize the order and it was placed into the system by the sales manager with LDOC 28th aug. We should have delivery by endo of October because the dealer has been getting their c70's in about 10 days ahead of schedule. Empty 1, your dealer should be able to be more specific with you. It really bothers me that they can't guarantee you a spot in the allocaton order or it sounds like they don't want to...I have heard stories about VIP's getting an order ahead of another customer who has already put down a deposit. Pretty backhanded but I guess if they don't guarantee you a specific time then that allows the dealer to get your car for you when it suits them.

volvomax

At this point you would be looking at delivery in late Jan or Feb.

So far we have delivered 7 06 C70's no complaints from our customers.

jtrego

So is the allocation amount for the new c70(obviously in higher demand than the old C70)based on the previous C70's pattern of sale of does it have to do with the total volume of sales for the dealer. Also, it seems to me that Volvo would increase the allocations to the US based on the response so far. Why only 6,000 alloted for US sales for 07?

volvomax

The bigger dealers will get the lions share of the cars. Since they have demonstrated the ability to sell cars.
Also, while the new C70 is a year round car, buyers in the north simply don't buy as many convertibles as buyers in the south do. Volvo is trying to show some balance in the allocation process, a big dealer in Philly recieved 2 fewer C70's than we did, and we were one of the top sellers of the old C70.
As for the number of C70's allocated, the most the old C70 sold in any one year was @ 3,000 copies in the US.
The new car will be more numerous, but a) the Uddevala plant can't build alot of cars and b) Volvo doesn't want to flood the market.

cureme

Tombon - Was the aux input easy to get to? Can't wait to have a hard wired IPod solution.

tombon

I was sitting in the passenger seat (with my 18 month old daughter on my lap) and could reach it easily. It is on the bottom, right side of the control stack, in the back. Can't miss it.

grsub

Having owned the '06 C70 now for 1month with 1600 miles on it, there are 2 issues that annoy me. This first issue is enough to make me want to trade it in in a year: NOISES. A/C whirring noise which another member (brownt) and I posted about previously, and also mentioned on the USA today article. There is no fix for this, and it appears to be a hit or miss issue as to which cars off the assembly line are affected. The only way not to hear it is to blast the radio so loud that I can't hear myself on the cell phone. There is also a rattling noise somewhere on the driver's side near the back which I think is from all the mechanisms that raise and lower the roof, as this noise comes and goes depending on whether I have raised or lowered the roof. Second main issue is torque steer. I guess I was too used to my previous 4 wheel drive.

empty1

problems posted in GRSub's C70 post 741

tsk1

Is there any 2006/07 C70 owner that would share there opinions on the need and effectiveness of the Wind blocker/Wind defector? This we be our first convertible. During the few miles that we test drove the new C70 with the top down air flow seemed great. But there must be some conditions that justify this common accessory?

Thanks for any input!

blamb3

Was the air conditioning noise evident when you picked up the car or did it develop after delivery? I'm interested in finding out if I can determine whether this problem exists through a test drive prior to accepting delivery. I'm not interested in buying a car that has a defect that can't be fixed.

volvomax

None of our cars have had the a/c issue.
Hopefully, there will be a fix for the few cars affected.
The C70's had their roof cables upgraded, they are wrapped in foam to prevent them from rattling. It sounds like GRSub needs to have that done to his.

As for the torque steer, I felt the car really didn't have any. I was surprised at how easy it was to drive. Now, our car has the 18"s on it w/ the wider tire, so maybe that has something to do w/ it.

empty1

empty1

Hi Max...couple of remaining questions... my dealer was able to order my C70 today (still don't know when it will be delivered)... Do you know how long after order date it takes until delivery, is there an option for a jack for an ipod (dealer said there was only a fm transmitter option and finally have you heard of problems with roof cables snapping (saw some comments on the Edmund boards) :shades:

grsub

The A/C noise was not apparent for a week after I picked it up. In fact, the day I picked up the car in Calif I drove it 350 miles to Las Vegas.

As for the torque steer, I have the 18" wheels also.

Thanks Max about the cable foam upgrade, I'll look into that.

volvomax

Most of the C70's being ordered now are scheduled to arrive in the US in Nov and Dec.
The 07 C70's have an MP3 jack as standard equipment.

Finally, the roof cables are not snapping, they are rattling.
The very early cars had cables that were unsheathed. The current cars have cables sheathed in foam.

syellina

I am going to pick up my C70 in Sweden on Sep 13. This forum has been great, keeping me informed while waiting. I have two issues that I hope others can comment on.

When I dropped off my check the salesman mentioned that they have an extended warranty that I should consider when I pick up the car from the dealer. Very low pressure; he didn't provide any info or pricing.

My only experience with extended warranties was purchasing one from the dealer for a Toyota purchased many years ago. Since nothing ever broke over the 110k miles I had it I wasn't inclined to buy them for my next cars. I now have a VW and Mazda (both purchased in the first year of a new model) with about 60k miles each and they have both needed significant repairs after the warranty expired. For example, two weeks ago the VW needed a new idle control module for over $900.

Since the C70 is so new I am considering an extended warranty. Has anyone had experience with a dealer sold extended warranty or a third party warranty?

When I was at the dealership the salesman let me take one of their two demonstrators out for my third test drive (it was a beautiful day). I was wearing sneakers for the first time driving the car and I have wide feet. This was the first time I noticed that my shoe sometimes bumped the brake pedal when I used the accelerator. My sneakers are probably a little wider than my normal dress shoes that I wore on previous drives. Has anyone else noticed this problem? Is there any adjustment that can be made in pedal or pedal pad location to overcome this problem?

biancar

Several people on the swedespeed forum commented on this. There is no adjustment possible. Once you're aware of it you'll probably make the adjustment in your own positioning.

rheins

Does anyone have any idea the ballpark amount of time it takes to build a C70 start to finish... Ordered mine in late July and have only been told it will be November or December before it wil be here in the US. At what point in the process can they be more precise about the status?

Thanks

empty1

anyone have a picture of what the antenna for Sirius looks like.

morgenthaler

">I saw mine being built on 6/29/06 and am taking delivery on 9/6/06 in Sweden. On a good day I was told they build 90, the day I was there they were going to build 55. Mine came off the assembly line around 11:00AM. This plant in Uddevalla only produces the C70.

jtrego

I don't have a picture but I have seen one on a C70 at a dealership in MA. It is a small fin, maybe 3 inches high mounted on the back trunk lid near the rear seat. Usually these are mounted on the roof on a sedan but for obvious reason they had to put it on the rear trunk lid. We ordered ours with this as well because aftermarket satellite is 400-500 to install. I thought the Volvo price on this was very reasonable. What wasn't clear to me is why the vehicle I saw also had the regular antenna on it as well as the sattelite antenna.

volvomax

One can never be completely precise.
However, once the car is put on a ship, a reliable delivery date is possible.

volvomax

Well, the Sirius doesn't replace the regular radio, so the car needs both antennas.

morgenthaler

Is there a way to find out the name of the ship that my c70 is on once I turn it back in on 9/8/06? I'd like to be able to track its progess via the internet.

empty1

Is there a website you can go to once you know the VIN of your car so you can see its status

volvomax

No, only the dealers can access the inventory reports.

grsub

Once the car is finished being built and onto shipping, go to http://schedule.2wglobal.com/AppTracking/cargoTrack.do
on the right hand side, go to track by auto cargo. Then when asked for the cargo ID, put in your VIN #. Once the site tells you what "voyage" your car is on, you can track the ship from port to port.

stanwict

Hey Max, when would you expect one of the first '07s in the order system to be here in the states (it was allegedly entered the morning dealers could start ordering '07s)?

Thanks.

volvomax

First dealer specced 07's should arrive in about 30-45 days.

Claires

Hi, folks,

I've started a new topic for discussing audio questions and solutions here: Volvo C70 Audio/MP3/iPod Questions

You may notice that a few posts have been moved over there to get the topic started.

stanwict

My salesman called just as I was about to jump off the boat for my waterski set and said he has my vin. Allegedly my c70 should be here in about four weeks. If it shows up in four weeks that will be just in time for peek leaf peeping season here in New England!

Anyone see where summer went because I’ve seem to have misplaced it???

volvomax

Here in the desert, it's summer all year round

flheat

About a year ago a put a deposit down on the C70 and test drove it in April and did not like it. Instead I just got my VW Eos on 8/31 and love it. The handling, noise level and acceleration is soooooo much better. The dash layout is very similiar to my A4 cabriolet I traded in. It is very audi feeling. The only thing that is it is lacking over the volvo is the size of the back seat--sound system is equal, navigation is beautiful looking. The fit and finish throughout is flawless. I want to see some of the trade magazines do a head to head on the two cars, I am sure it will put the Volvo to shame.

asja

Of course the Eos is cheaper, it looks like a convertible Jetta. I think it looks dorky, no way in comparison to the elegant styling of the C70. But, that's why we have choices. Enjoy your new car.

flheat

Yes, the C70 looks nice, but is not that dissimiliar to an S40 (Ford Focus, Mazda 3) which can be had for mid 20's. The interior is the same as the S40 and is by no means elegant. Yes, we all have our preferences (I like the smooth, round looks of the Eos and think the Jetta is a nice looking car as well, although, I think the Eos more closely resembles my A4 cabriolet that I traded in. My point is outside of personal subjectivity, the Eos which was designed from the ground up as a convertible, will prove to be a better driver's car, and thus, I could not justify the premium--it's a volvo, not a benz, bmw or audi! I think Volvo thought since they were the first hardtop they could take advantage of the market, but competition will reel them back to reality. I am glad we have options.

qbrozen

Don't get me wrong, I'm considering the Eos as my next car, as well ... but let's be realistic and fair here.

IF you qualify the Eos as being built from the ground up as a convertible, then you must qualify the C70 as such. Both were designed the same way ... take an existing platform, modify, and build a retractable hardtop vehicle on top.

but is not that dissimiliar to an S40 (Ford Focus, Mazda 3) which can be had for mid 20's.

So? The Eos is on the Rabbit platform, which can be had for $15k. Platform sharing is nothing new and not necessarily anything to use against a vehicle.

By the way, here is a better thread to continue this discussion, if you wish:
Eos vs C70

jtrego

I don't think you can compare Volvo to Volkswagon very well as I have said in the other forum just like you can't compare the Volvo to the Mercedes. I agree with gbrozen's points about the platform. Volvo took the best aspects of the S40 (the most reliable of the Volvo vehicles) and some of the features of the S80 and combined them into the C70. What's wrong with that? The price is high on the Volvo but look at supply and demand. There are only 600 C70s available to the us market for 2007. I don't know how many EOS for US distribution this year, but VW has always emphasized a higher volume of sales than Volvo and they target a more utilitarian driver. Most Volvo drivers prefer safety style and comfort. But you get what you pay for in my opinion. The Volvo is classier in my opinion. I have had VW Jetta in past and found it very plain, not much fun and very unreliable. Interestinly, all the European cars have dropped in reliability recently (Even Mercedes,BMW) including Volvo and that remains my biggest concern in buying the C70. A convertible is always risky and expensive, more moving parts and more wear and tear and exposure to the elements.

flheat

I have driven both cars. The Eos shares most parts from the Passat/A4; only the front axel from the Rabbit. Had I not driven both cars, I would not have considered the Eos. VW has made great strides in making their cars more upscale and I feel I have not made any consessions going from my Audi. Plain and simple the car drives great. BTW, the Volvo is slated for 8000 cars a year not 600 (thats less than 15 per state and more than that have rolled out of the orlando dealership since June). Drive the options that exist and then drive the Volvo, you could be saving $10,000.

jtrego

Sorry, my mistake, I was told 12,000 total C70's for 2007, 6,000 for US and 6,000 for the rest of the world. I meant 6,000 not 600.

alp8

if VW can fix its (reputation for poor) reliablity, then i am sure the VW EOS will be just fine. To each his own. Am glad we have choices. I'm intrigued by an Audi convertible, but I just can't see spending that kind of money and getting that kind of poor reliability. Maybe if I was spending VW prices, I'd be willing to put up with Audi unreliability.

ps I am not sure where these 8000 C70s/year are, but they aure ain't here in NorCal. The local salesman says that if they could have sold as many as Volvo would have given them - over 50/month.

maybe all sales guys say that

:-)

qbrozen

Like I said before, I'm also thinking of an EOS for my next car ... but, again, let's make sure we have all the facts straight.

The Eos shares most parts from the Passat/A4; only the front axel from the Rabbit.

That's not the point. You felt you needed to point out that the C70 shares its platform with the Mazda3 and Euro Ford Focus ... as if its a bad thing. Meanwhile, the EOS shares its platform with the Rabbit. Are the parts on that platform different? Sure. Just as the parts on the C70 are different from the Mazda3/Ford Focus. So ... they are similar in this respect, so it is NOT a negative aspect that you can use to compare the 2 vehicles.

jtrego

This remains my biggest concern,as it doesn't appear that any of the European convertibles have good releability. There just isn't enough data out there on the C70 yet.

In response to saving 10,000 to get a VW I just don't see the point, but I guess that depends on why you buy a hard top convertible. Obviously both are fun to drive. HOwever,I think in buying this kind of car I don't want what everyone else is driving. Although it is frustrating trying to wait on this car, I am glad to know that not everyone is going to have a C70 in my town and that mine will be specified exactly as I want. I want a manual transmission on the T5 engine. You can't get that in EOS with the more powerful engine. I like how Volvo lets you special order the car to get exactly what you want. Those things, along with the safety of the Vovlo,to me are worth the extra price. Besides all that my wife loves the car.

qbrozen

I want a manual transmission on the T5 engine. You can't get that in EOS with the more powerful engine.

Well... correct. BUT, I do have a feeling, and we'll see if this proves to be true, the VW 2.0T manual and C70 manual will be pretty close in acceleration.

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure you'd be able to order the VW how you want it.

jtrego

That was only one factor in the decision. I just don't like the look on the Eos, almost too smooth and my experience with VW reliablity post 1985 has been horrendous. There is just a lack of quality control it seems and I had to get parts from GErmany because the parts that came from Mexico failed more often.
Also, on the transmission with the VW, why should a manual tranny driver have to settle for the lower hp engine? Because marketing anaylsis says that most gas guzzling, higher hp drivers in the US like automatics. That's also why Volvo won't send a manual C70 to the US unless it has been specified by the buyer.
You may be right that VW lets the customer specify exactly what they want, I honestly don't know...but most higher volume manufacturers don't special order cars for customers, they try to find you one that has already been built and it is hard to really get the color and features you want in the time that you want. This Volvo experience has been my first where no one ever questioned what I wanted, they just told me that it could be built to my request as long as that request was set prior to the LDOC. Perhaps, to me, that makes it one more factor to pay more. Again, there are no bargains in the new car market, you get what you pay for. Some will spend less at time of sale and lose more later on maintenance and reliability issues or lower resale value or customer satifaction grief issues.

alp8

can you tdo this on an EOS?

that's another great reason to buy a Volvo

qbrozen

Oh, I'm certainly not faulting your decision. If I had the money and if I was buying such a vehicle, I'd most likely opt for the Volvo myself.

Since I'd probably be leasing, I'd say there's a good chance the lower payment will win out. We'll see. I've got a LONG way to go in my current lease, so both companies have plenty of time to catch up with demand and offer me great discounts by the time I'm ready.

jtrego

Maybe, just maybe, when you are ready to purchase the competition will equal the playing field a bit so you can get whay you really like. I don't know, but I am willing to bet that the prices will go up for the VW if the demand is high enough and Volvo, if they are unsucessful in pulling the higher end buyers away from the BMW (when they actually have their new hard top retractable), may be forced to lower their price some. My question: is Volvo really going for the same buyer as BMW? Who knows, only time will tell.

On the overseas delivery thing...thats great if you can take the time out of work to do that..but again, you may pay less for the car, but you lose the money somewhere by taking the time off work or from responsibilities at home to travel and you still have to wait for them to ship it back to you here in the US. I do think that is sounds like a neat program for those that can do it.

alp8

On the overseas delivery thing...thats great if you can take the time out of work to do that..but again, you may pay less for the car, but you lose the money somewhere by taking the time off work or from responsibilities at home to travel

it's called A VACATION!!!

:-)

the savings on the C70 are not as good as I'd want - not enough incentive to make me choose a Volvo over the competition. Still, if I was gonna buy one, I'd buy one through that program.

biancar

I heard that Volvo was not giving any overseas discounts on the C70. Maybe one of the sales guys here can confirm?

You can buy one in Sweden, but at the same price as in the U.S., is what I read someplace.