Its official: Volvo C30-What do you think?

kyfdx

With the way the S40 is being discounted, it doesn't bode too well for the C30, do you think?

Just curious on your thoughts..

qbrozen

is it being discounted?

carsdirect gives me a price of $100 over invoice.

kyfdx

S40 Prices Paid

I think invoice pricing is a pretty big discount?

qbrozen

eh... maybe for a euro car?

My Honda was about $1k under invoice and my wife's Pac was something like $6k under ... so I guess its all about perspective.

volvomax

Well, Volvo isn't going to import many C30's.
Volvo overproduced the S40, and it hasn't been a huge success with the younger crowd it was aimed at.

The C30 should do much better from a demographic standpoint.
However, americans won't pay real money for hatchback cars, so pricing is critical.
The BMW 318 ti and the Mercedes Compact failed because they were overpriced and underdone.

qbrozen

this darned discussion still doesn't come up when i select Volvo C30 from the drop-down lists.

anyway ... i posted this in the only discussion that DOES come up, but here it is again:

$23,395 starting price!

Vmax ... any word on how or why the power bump to 227 hp? Or is that just autoweek's messup? I think the price is right on target.

jaxs1

Is there going to be a European Delivery program for the C30?
Are they even manufactured in Europe?

qbrozen

i'm going to have to say yes.

volvo manufactures all their cars in sweden, to the best of my knowledge, and has never done it any differently.

i don't see why this wouldn't be available for euro delivery. However, there probably won't be alot of savings in it since it is not a very expensive car to begin with.

jaxs1

Volvo doesn't build all their cars in Sweden. I found out they will be building the C30 in Belgium. However, since that is still Europe, maybe they will still have a European Delivery program.

Other European car makers like BMW and VW build some of their vehicles in South America, South Africa and even the United States.

qbrozen

oh, i know the others build elsewhere. You forgot mexico. ;b

how did you find out the c30 will be built in belgium? that seems quite odd.

edit: here it is. it seems they do alot of work there. Oh well. so much for my misconceptions.

volvomax

Volvo is increasing the power of the T5 engine across the board.
From 218 to 227 hp.

volvomax

Car are manufactured at the Ghent plant in Belgium.
Yes, Euro Delivery will be available.
We just don't know when.
Cars will be available in the US in Sept.

redbuzz

I think the S40 is also built in Belgium. There was a couple picking up one at the Gothenburg factory delivery center when we were there in February.

cmarvel

I'm just back from a trip to New Zealand (I live in the U.S).

The Kiwi's (New Zealanders) were set to receive the first of this year's allocation of 24 C30's as I was leaving on May 3rd. A week before that a Wellington dealer had an ad in that city's newspaper for delivery "Under $40K," which translates into $30K U.S$ at the current exchange rate. But that price had the inevitable * above it.

I read about the 24 unit allocation in the Auckland Sunday edition of that city's newspaper, in the Auto section. The article indicated that only the top-of-the-line model would be supplied, including the T5 engine and Tiptronic transmission. It was obviously prepared from a Volvo of New Zealand press release. The "official" price was close to $46K NZ, which would work out to about #34,5K U.S.$.

It seemed to me that Volvo was playing to the "just gotta have it" market for this year. There's plenty of prosperity in New Zealand right now, so the strategy will probably work.

I don't really know what this means for the U.S. Just thought some of you might be interested.

jaxs1

The US price has already been announced as starting at less than $25K. The standard equipment levels may not be the same though.

qbrozen

its right around $23k, as a matter of fact, and comes standard with the T5 engine. woohoo!

eldaino

The Volvo will be quicker than the GTI, C30 0-60 in 6.2, GTI in 7.2

where did you get those times? the last gti car and driver tested was a four door and it hit in 6.2, lofty yes, but 7.2 sec? There is no way a gti is slower than a 4 door si. I suspect that the c30 and gti will have very similar 0-60 times. But in no way will one be 'smoking'the other.

eldaino

any word on this? i doubt that out of all the cars it will compete against, that it will be the most frugal in this dept.

volvomax

No official word yet.
My guess is mileage similar to the S40 T5 which is 21/30
May be 1 or 2 mpg better in the city because of its lighter weight.

jaxs1

It will be less due to the 2008 EPA ratings standards and maybe "sporty" axle ratios compared to sedan and wagon.

eldaino

i figure it would be around 18/25, theres no way it should get better than my rabbit which is now rated 19/28 and even tho it is a 5cyl, its n/a.

volvomax

i figure it would be around 18/25, theres no way it should get better than my rabbit which is now rated 19/28 and even tho it is a 5cyl, its n/a.

Well, the N/A 5 cyl S40 is rated at 22/31.
Can't say why your Rabbit doesn't do well in the city.

kyfdx

That VW 5-cylinder is a model of inefficiency. There is really no good reason why they can't do better. Their own 2.0 turbo engine in the same vehicles is rated at 22/31..

That is a trait that VW shares with Subaru... Their base models are relative gas hogs, compared with the competition.. Pretty cool cars, otherwise.. they should really straighten that out. I hear gas prices are high. :surprise:

eldaino

i agree with the subaru comparison...the gti does get better mileage. But you have to fill it up with premium, so its a wash.

I still wouldn't call it IN-efficient though; there are smaller 4 cylinders on the market that reside in cars that weigh just as much if not less, and get worse mileage. For the size and weight, i don't do too bad, just worse than the competion.

eldaino

Well, the N/A 5 cyl S40 is rated at 22/31.

those are the new epa's numbers. My rabbit used to be rated at 22/30.

The n/a 5 cylinder in the volvo now is rated at:

20/28, which is only 1 mpg better in the city; and my rabbit does not require me to put in premium to achevie that number.

On fuel economy.gov, there is a distinction between the s40 engines; both are 5 cylinders but one is a 2.4 (which i quoted) and one is a 2.5.

The rating for that engine is:
19/28, exactly what my bunny gets, or at least is rated for, but still requires premium gas.

Is this engine turboed?

qbrozen

yes, the C30 comes with a turbo 2.5. It'll eat the bunny for breakfast.

volvomax

I went to that site.
It looks like they have changed the mileage ratings on the 07's.
I don't know if this is with the EPA's blessing, or if it is a fudge factor that is used.

eldaino

depends if it likes fast food. :P

Besides thats what the gti is for.

qbrozen

oh, absolutely. As we've said here before, the GTI is pretty much the competitor. (most definitely NOT the rabbit)

eldaino

i think they will be fairly competative; probably very close in 0-60 times;...i wonder how heavy the c30 will be?

volvomax

3036 lbs

jchan2

I noticed that cruise control was a "special order" option.

Don't most people expect cruise to be standard on a $23K premium vehicle?

volvomax

Probably, but I can't tell you the last time I used my cruise control.
This car is $5000 less than the corresponding S40 T5,and they didn't just save the money on the sheet metal.
Cruise is one of those options that people want,and hardly use.
Volvo expects most C30's to be city cars,commuter cars,etc.

10scoachrick

I agree with max...as a stand alone option, I would skip cruise in a heartbeat. Can't find anywhere within 100 miles of Atlanta where cruise should be used. I'd much rather have key fob activated seat memory.

Max, any update on US east coast availability?

volvomax

You should see dealer demo cars end of August/Early Sept.

qbrozen

ok... so i'm trying out the builder on the volvo website. what's with these "custom" options? kinda silly to call them custom when they are preset.

but, setting aside the name, is this some sort of special order deal? I guess like Scion?

Kind of ridiculous that adding just about any option results in this additional $300 "custom build" charge. As someone else mentioned, cruise control is an option. So if I wanted cruise, I get smacked with an additional $300 ON TOP OF the charge for the option.

By the way, i like the custom interior options. the black leather with red carpets and red exterior will probably look real sharp.

plekto

Cruise Control is also nearly usless on a manual transmission. Now, I would add it as part of the automatic package myself, but it's not a useful thing for most of the U.S.

qbrozen

Cruise Control is also nearly usless on a manual transmission.

It depends on where you live and drive. I do live in a very congested area, but when I'm on the highway at off-peak hours, I often use the cruise in my manual tranny cars.

I also find it a useful feature when on roads with low speed limits. Using cruise prevents me from "accidentally" getting my speed up too high just in time to pass a cop.

jchan2

at all the options stuck in the "Custom" section. A lot of buyers want to see it on the lot, take it for a spin, and then buy it right there.

Does that mean Volvo is trying to get more people to special order their C30?

volvomax

I think Volvo is trying to do 2 things.
1, cut down the inventory costs for dealers.
They do this by essentially having only 2 standard versions of the car to carry.
The japanese have this down to a science. You carry 1 version for everyone.
2, Take advantage of the target demographics desire for a custom car.
Volvo believes it can attract soem of the Mini/Scion crowd that wants to express themselves thru a custom car.

jchan2

True. But wouldn't waiting for their car to be built and shipped across the ocean be a concern?

How long is the wait anyways? I would guess anywhere from 4-6 weeks, but that's just a wild guess from me.

qbrozen

My guess is more like 8 weeks.

volvomax

Try 12 weeks.

volvomax

If people really want it,they will wait.
BMW has this down to a science.
What Volvo needs to make sure of is that the wait isn't too long.
The C70 had a 6 month wait at one point.

eldaino

wow. i figured that it would at least be standard...even the scion guys griped about their lack of cruise on their sub 15k rides...now imagine having to add it for a 22k+ car!

I'm sure that most c30's wont be manuals...if they are trying to market it as a commuter car, standard cruise makes sense.

volvomax

How exactly?
A commuter car is one that sits in traffic in the AM and PM.
Not exactly cruise control friendly conditions.

eldaino

my def of commute is different. My commuter car drives 30 miles of highway with hardly any traffic. I like cruise.

volvomax

Yup, not the normal rush hour commute

kernick

If I were buying one, I'd custom build it. That'd be true with most any car. Why? Because I've had enough of either getting the wrong color, or buying a car with options (and on a European car that's big bucks) that I don't want.

I would buy red (I like it and I have a problem paying extra for other typical colors), level 1 with the upgraded stereo and the black/red interior. I'd wait for the European delivery and get my 8% off. The manual would be fun and if you coast at times you will get really good mileage over an auto. But I don't live in an area where it's bumper-to-bumper often.

I use cruise like twice a year, so I could do without it.

mcmanus

I'm middle aged male driver. We have a van for big hauling and people moving, so I'm looking for a smaller, more efficient car with some personality.

The body design reminds me of a cross between the Volvo P1800 and Civic from around 1990 with the curent Volvo front end. Wonder if the hatch is framed (hopefully so that it will seal).

I drive 25-30,000 miles per year, so economy is important. Because of the initial cost is high, mileage is nothing special, and servicing is expensive I'll probably never buy one.

Until we get a decent local dealer I won't be buying any Volvos. The only halfway convenient dealer is my current Mazda dealer that I've given up on. They are a GM dealer and us "foreigners" are treated worse than the GM customers (which isn't very good).

I'd pay to add cruise as most of my miles are rural.