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Volvo C70 Convertible - 2006 and Newer
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At my house, we need to get the outside of the house painted, maybe replace windows, there are some trees in the back yard that I get nervous about every time we have a big thunderstorm with a lot of high wind - but I still figure, what the heck, I've wanted a convertible for a LONG time and this is one I can feel safe in. And sexy and stylish and all that good stuff.
Trip to Sweden pretty much pays for itself though, no? I figure one of the week long tours for $1,000 or so, plus the 8 - 10% discount for OSD, and I still come out ahead vs. buying the car in the U.S. Is that right or am I missing something?
Interesting both you guys like Flint. For me, the only three colors I would consider are red, the light blue, and the white. Hubby likes red so that's probably the way we'll go. All the others look like sedate sedan colors to me.
Blamb, I think you're right about this car being aimed at the older generation and emphasizing style and comfort. I saw an article in the business section someplace that said Volvo is aiming at affluent empty-nesters with this. I think that's right. When I start figuring how to pay for it, I'm debating whether to cash in a mutual fund that's doing nothing for me, or use my cash savings, or finance part of it. That's a whole different financial place to be than when I was in my 30's.
I was somewhat interested in a white C70, but did not know what they meant by white pearlescent - is it straight white or does it have subtle changes in the color at different angles?
One problem is the 'bath' we are likely to take when selling the '04 C70 to make room for the new one. This frequent car shopping was a bit easier when dealing with twelve thousand dollar Miatas and Tributes in the low $20s.
Comfort-wise, the current C70 is fantastic(except for trunk space) compared to a two-seater...room for the dog and more than one tennis racket. Being wrapped in steel and airbags has its advantages, as well. The Miata would certainly not be a daily driver but the C70 might as well be a 'regular' car from a safety/comfort standpoint. We might even get the top down later in the week--a little different from the weather up your way! Have fun in the snow!
The white pearlescent is a sort of shimmery white. It almost borders on ivory. There was one at the Wash. Auto Show. Very pretty. It's the most expensive color option - though when you're spending this much, what's another $200, right?
I went down to our local Volvo dealership and introduced myself to the guy I'd been in e-mail contact with. He seemed very pleasant, showed me the S40 and pointed out where the convertible will be the same. Also put me in another car to listen to the sound system, which he said was the same as the basic radio in the C70.
The S40 happened to be Passion Red, one of the colors I'm interested in, so that was good to see.
"One problem is the 'bath' we are likely to take when selling the '04 C70 to make room for the new one."
Now this, I don't get. If your current car isn't paid off, and you basically still like it and it runs well, and you'd take a big hit financially, why do it?
"Have fun in the snow!" - Thanks for that! We did have fun - we live on a steep cul-de-sac so all the kids were out with their sleds this a.m., until the snowplow came around and ruined their fun.
Actually, we financed $20K on the C70 about 18 mos ago(3.9% w/Volvo)...had paid cash for the previous few vehicles...so the financing hit is not the prob. The last of the '04s were so heavily discounted that the resale value is quite low BUT that doesn't mean we don't want the new toy! It's a bit like the new kitchen...our original $12K upgrade turned into a complete $30K redo...AND the kitchen didn't get any bigger! It's just a matter of how much money one wishes to spend for 'stuff'. The new C70 is just more 'stuff'...really nice new 'stuff' but 'stuff' nontheless.
Color-wise, I would prefer a non-metallic, non-pearlized finish but none are available. Interesting that there is an 'upcharge' for any of the C70 finishes--like you could get one without for base price! :surprise:
I was just wondering yesterday if people who bought the '04s were really going to get hit on depreciation - guess you just answered that question!
The 04s are still a decent car, though. Maybe if you sell it privately rather than trade it in you'll get a better price on it.
Interesting philosophical question on spending money for new "stuff." I haven't had a car payment for so long, I'd hate to go back to that. But I also figure "if not now, when?" At some point you just have to enjoy some goodies!
For colors, you can get either red or black as a standard, non-metallic, no upcharge, color. I think we'll be getting red.
I am having trouble choosing between the Volvo C70, Saab 9-3 Aero Cabrio, or BMW 330CiC.
All 3 vehicles are about the same price (when options are equalized). I really like the concept of a hardtop convertible that has back seats, but I too am worried about getting the Volvo b/c (1) 1st model year, (2) possible expensive repairs on hardtop, and (3) Volvo's T5 engine can't match the Saab turbo or BMW 6 cylinder.
All 3 cars are well-designed, safe & classy vehicles, but I don't want to be kicking myself in 5 years, hence my dismay over this decision.
I haven't driven the Volvo yet (and can't as I'm buying the car through their military sales program), but I can confirm that the Saab & BWM are excellent cars in almost every respect.
Anyone have any words of wisdom?
I think we'll be going with the Volvo for the following reasons: 1) seems safest, with the hardtop, plus all the airbags and pop-up hoops in the rear headreast, 2) will probably be quietest, 3) I just like the looks of it the best.
It looks to me like the rear seats in the Volvo will be perfectly usable. I haven't been in the car, but saw it at the Auto Show, and they looked very comfortable.
The SAAB, to my thinking, did not look as nice in the interior. Just my preference.
All that said, I think you could make a case for any of the cars you're considering. Of course the Volvo won't be available for a little while longer, so that might change your thinking, if you can wait a bit or if you have to have a new car right now. I bet you'll be happy five years from now no matter which one you choose.
For driving excitement the BMW is in a class by itself, but in the end I felt the current model has been around too long and is somewhat dated. The new BMW will be a hard top convertible and to me that's the route all convertibles will be going.
By the way Biancar you might want to look at the Volkswagon EOS for a budget choice, it's a hard top convertible that will be out shortly for much less $$$'s than the C70.
BTW, Volvo has always had too many wheel options...I wonder if Ford bought the wheel mfg facility also. We get some interesting looks by the dealer shop folks when I pull up in an '04 C70 with '02 V70 wheels(16" felt much better than the optional 17" that came on the C70). The bling 17s stayed on the wagon when we traded for the RX.
Almost forgot...it's supposed to be 66 degrees on Thursday...I love winter in GA!
The Pontiac G6 is also coming out with a hard-top convertible. When I mentioned that to my husband he just said "eww, a Pontiac?" Guess he's not in favor of that idea!
Some of you guys have said you've done European delivery before. Were you able to negotiate at all on the price, or is it just a fixed percentage off MSRP, take it or leave it?
All 3 vehicles are about the same price (when options are equalized).
Huh? What am I missing? I added premium and cold weather packs to the volvo and just the cold weather to the BMW, and it looks to me like the BMW is about $4k more, not including the hardtop. Add the top and you're looking at $6k difference. Are you sure you aren't talking about the 325?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
gbrozen: You're right about the BMW - $40K is about the price for a 325CiC. either way though, what's your opinion?
I certainly wouldn't fault you at all for the Mini. Even after all this time on the market, every one on the road still turns my head. Beautiful little car. And, considering its quite a bit less than the others on your list, it holds the price advantage. Another big advantage is its outstanding resale value.
Personally, I can't get myself to spend that much on something so tiny, BUT, in your case, you aren't comparing it to cars that are THAT much larger, so you might find the size penalty well worth the price advantage.
Since your choices seem to be getting more varied, might I suggest taking a look at the Mustang convertible? Again, I haven't driven it, but the reviews have all been so positive, I'm inclined to think there's got to be something there worth checking out.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
If you're looking for a second car to drive around the city, easy to park and easy on gas, the Mini would work out fine. If you want a highway cruiser, vacation car, beach car, personally I think there are better choices out there.
Anyway, I ordered up a loaded C70 in Metallic Magic Blue which sparkles brilliantly in sunlight (I read somewhere that the convertible roof lines show prominently in light colors & didn't want plain black). The only option I didn't get was leather seating, although I may reconsider that as I still have time to add more options.
Incidentally, I forgot to share a few other minor concerns on the C70: bluetooth compatibility & digital music integration. Since i've done loads of research on this topic I suppose I should share my results. I contacted a volvo dealer who stated to me that they've done bluetooth kits on many S40s & doesn't see why it would be any different for the C70 (I don't usually trust dealers but this seems a likely thing to me). :confuse:
As for digital music integration, it looks like there are a fair number of disgruntled S40 owners who want to use their ipods. A company called Dension(www.densionusa.com) makes excellent ipod integration kits for many vehicles & I called them before making my deposit about the C70. They e-mailed me to say that a kit is in the works for the C70/S40 in the near future (2-3 months). Again I don't usually trust speculation until I see the results, but based on the vast number of unhappy S40 owners I read about the past couple of days - it's likely that a kit will be forthcoming. According to many Mini owners, the ICE Like Plus kit from Dension appears to be way better than the standard ipod integration offered by BMW, Mini, & Volvo (for S60 & higher models).
One last thing, since I am stationed in the UK, I've only seen the C70 europe brochure. All I can say is Volvo USA is screwing us with limited choices. :mad: In europe you have 4 additional upholstry choices, integrated cell phone buttons on the wheel, park assist, among other cool options.
did they indicate an estimated month of delivery?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I haven't quite pulled the trigger myself, but am inching closer and closer to it.
Why aren't you getting the leather seats? I like the whole Premium package, which includes the leather seats, a compass in the mirror, and Home Link (which I LOVE - have that now in the Maxima).
From seeing the S40 at the dealer, I thought the non-leather upholstery was nicer than I had thought it would be, but it only comes in dark gray or black. I want a light interior, so that's "Calcite Cream" leather.
Ideally, would love to get a red car with a khaki interior, but that's not a possible choice. Wish Volvo would come out with something like that.
Anyway - have you seen the "Magic Blue" up-close and personal? One dealer told me to be sure to see it before ordering, as it has a sort of plum cast to it that some people just love and others, well, not so much.
Re the Bluetooth compatibility, the dealer here told me the same thing, that a kit would be available. He had a brochure on it.
Are you getting the Dynaudio and the bi-xenon headlights, then?
Bet you can't wait to get it!
Here's why I didn't get the premium package - leather seats are overrated I think (cold in winter - hot in summer), I don't have a garage yet so homelink isn't really useful (what does this do anyway), and i don't need a compass in the mirror since i bought the nav system.
the flextech upholstery comes in beige or off-black. I chose beige as it offsets the dark magic blue exterior. for the magic blue color, I saw it up close on another volvo and it looks very dark normally, but the light makes it sparkle and shine. I intend to stop by the dealer again to see it in the sunlight now that you mentioned the "plum" effect. i'll let you know!
I also got the $1500 audio upgrade & xenon headlights (what's another $2K at this point). I am totally excited to get it yet somewhat scared that I may be disappointed since I've never seen it in person. The whole thing feels like a very expensive blind date :surprise:
I saw the local UK volvo dealer should have a C70 on display in about a month, so hopefully I'll get to check it out thoroughly & feel more at ease. was it as cool in person as it looks on the videos and brochures?
talk to you :shades:
I didn't know the Flextech came in beige; on the Volvo site I thought it was only Black or Off-black. I'll have to look again. The beige and Magic Blue sound like a very nice combination.
Home link: opens automatic garage door. I have three buttons on my Maxima: the one on the right is our right door, left = left door, middle is for my mom's house in Michigan (now out of date as she's in asstd. living). I LOVE it, because it does away with the clunky garage door openers, and it was useful to have our own plus my mom's house on it. I don't know how many buttons the Volvo has.
Depends on how long you expect to own the car and what housing you expect to have whether it would be worth it to you, I guess.
Can you get heated seats with the Flextech upholstery? I wouldn't be without that.
Interesting that you won't get the car until July or August even ordering it now. I was thinking about maybe getting it here instead of doing OSD to have it earlier, but since OSD can be done in mid-Sept, there's only maybe two months advantage to doing it here. Hmm... more food for thought.
Overall a very nice car that will likely satisfy for sure. The styling and being a "Volvo" will be enough for most buyers. An R version would be a welcome addition IMO.
M
On another matter I keep reading about the the C70 "only" having 218 horsepower. Professional reviews state the car is quick, but not fast- a criticism. I'm trying to imagine when eveyone has use for a "burner". Surely people aren't planning to take their C70's and join the local teenagers to see who's fastest from the stoplight on Friday night(sorry about calling you shirley). I guess I'd rather have 50 less horsepower and 3 or 4 miles extra per gallon of gas. I had a corvette once and got down to 1 point on my driver's license before selling it - I couldn't find anywhere where useing all that speed wasn't frowned on by local authorities. Quick is good enough for me, although I admit to having a feeling of exhiliration when a powerful engine roars, its practicality escapes me.
The lady at the car show may have been a salesperson. I got a call last night from a saleslady at the local Toyota store where I had been in Dec. to look at the Solara Convert. She explained she had a new one and a used one I could look at. I replied I was waiting to see a C70 in person before making any decisions. She said she would call when they got one in!!! I explained a C70 is a Volvo and she probably won't "get one in". She laughed and thanked me for my time.
I think the concern about horsepower is whether it's enough for this fairly heavy car. At 3800 lbs, the Volvo is about 500 lbs heavier than my current Maxima, at close to the same hp. (The Max is 222.) I would expect that perhaps the Volvo might be just a bit slower; probably not enough to make any real-world difference. I want enough power to zoom quickly onto acceleration lanes on the freeway, enough to pass quickly on two-lane roads, and quiet comfort at all speeds.
From looking carefully at comparative cars, I want to drive the Audi A-4 and the SAAB 9-3 before deciding, but so far, I see nothing that would really turn me away from the Volvo, except perhaps the wide turning circle.
Would love to hear if anyone has the answer to whether the turning circle quoted in Edmunds, at 41.7 ft., is wrong. I saw a British review that said it was 11.-something meters, worked out to about 38 ft. Still big, but more competitive with other cars in its class.
And you're so right about going fast enough to get a ticket - even my old Grand Cherokee managed that once in its day...
Do you think the average person is really going to feel the difference between 236 vs. 221 vs. 255 ft/lbs of torque? Well, possibly between 221 (the Audi) vs. 255 (the Max.), but with Volvo being smack in the middle, doubt that most people would even notice a difference in normal driving.
Anyway, my point was I think the Volvo is going to be fine (for both torque and horsepower) to do all those things where you really need a burst of speed, and will be able to drive comfortably at cruising speeds all day long.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Surely not. But not everyone who wants to accelerate fast is concerned about showing off. They do it for the sheer personal thrill and fun of it all. And, for $40k, I kind of expected a car that could give you the equivalent fun kick in the pants of a run-of-the-mill Accord or Camry. Apparently not.
I guess I'd rather have 50 less horsepower and 3 or 4 miles extra per gallon of gas.
And there is nothing wrong with that ... but its your choice. Obviously, some folks would choose differently.
By the way, anybody know EPA estimates on this thing? Volvo website doesn't show those numbers yet.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
M
Again, as posted previously, I was told delivery of custom orders will be in mid-May.
I ordered Flint Grey, with Quartz Leather (between the cream and black) with most options. I declined the nav system.
The salesman said most dealerships will get a certain number of custom orders, and a proportional number of vehicles. Our local dealer, who seems to do a good business, only got 4 slots for custom orders. Does this seem normal?
Is the "quartz" a sort of light grey?
By the way, were you able to negotiate at all on price?
I think that the four they got for custom orders were for the '06 models.
The quartz is a light grey...a bit lighter than the Flint Grey. Some current models have both of these colors, and I was able to look at them side by side. It is a good pairing. You can see these colors on the Volvo US site, when you "build and price" a C70.
I was not able to negotiate on price, but did try (minimally). They did have a 3-day "special" because of the touring C70 they had in their showroom for these 3 days. $500 off any C70 order placed. I was actually the 3rd order placed...they only have 1 slot left.
I could see the quartz on the on-line "build and price," but wasn't sure how true to life my monitor is. On my monitor, the "Magic Blue" looks virtually black. I know it's a dark color, but the monitor didn't pick up any blue at all. No substitute for seeing things in person, anyway.
I just placed my order today only to get a phone call this afternoon that the pearlescent white is not available. The dealer can't tell me if and when the white will be available. The Volvo website states "not available at sales start". I had my heart set on white, but no one can predict how long I would have to wait. I want to be driving it this summer.
I do like the celestial blue in photos and video, but would HAVE to see it in person before I went with a color like that. How did the silver look?
I'm exactly the opposite of you: I *want* color in my cars. I grew up in Michigan and always think of grey or silver cars as "Michigan cars" because it's a color that tends to hide the salt stains from the road in winter. Now that I'm no longer in Michigan, I wouldn't buy a grey car, and don't have much interest in silver.
I like light blue usually; have had a light blue Camry and my current light blue Maxima. I think the blue with the Calcite Cream leather looks gorgeous.
My husband likes red though, and I'm not so sure about the Calcite Cream with that. I'd like to get a tan or khaki leather with red, but it looks like leather choices are only black, the light-grey "quartz," or the cream.
As far as red is concerned, I agree with you that a tan would look great, but it's not available. The contrast of the cream with the red would probably look nice, though. Keep in mind that the dash will still be black. At least that's what the photos show in the celestial blue/cream combo.
Would love to take advantage of the overseas delivery program; nice vacation with the ultimate souvenir and a discount, too
According to swedespeed (I read that a lot too!), the OSD C70's will be availabe in late August or perhaps early September. I haven't decided - I'd love the vacation and the discount, but would like to enjoy the car this summer.
Did you get any discount at all, or was it full MSRP?
Do you know if the interior roof color is the same as the upholstery color? One reason I don't like black upholstery is that horrible cave-like feeling if the whole interior is black.