Volvo C70 Convertible - 2006 and Newer

leeleecal · February 2006

I got the premium and climate packages. I also opted for the Dynaudio, although I'm not convinced it's worth the extra $1550 (according to some music buffs, I will be happy I got it).

I didn't get any discount. Believe me, I tried. My 2 previous Volvos were from the same dealer and they've always worked with me. There didn't seem to be any room for discounts. I was surprised to read about the person in PA. getting $500 off. I really didn't expect to see any "deals" considering it's brand new and predictions indicate demand will be high. The dealer wasn't even able to tell me if there will be any aggressive lease vs. buy programs. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

About the interior roof color- You pose a good question; I'm not sure about that and wasn't looking specifically for it in pics. I can relate to the cave-like feeling; only one car out of my last 5 had dark interior.

leeleecal · February 2006

Thanks for the helpful information. Hopefully, they'll apply that percentage; that's a significant savings. I would love to consider the OSD option. Unfortunately, I work a school calendar and that time frame puts me back at work. I won't be able to take the time off to travel abroad (disappointing

). It was certainly appealing, though. Please continue to keep us posted as you receive more details. Best of luck to you- enjoy the car.

biancar · February 2006

Interesting. You're getting your car just the way I'd get mine. Plus I would get the automatic transmission. Too much hassle and wear and teaer with MT in stop and go city driving.

Are you getting the tempa spare or the can of sealent and the compressor?

Are you a member of the Volvo USA club or whatever it's called? You can get discounts on parts and labor and so on. Plus you can get $500 off a new Volvo (directly from Volvo, and after whatever negotiation you've done with the dealer) after you've been a member for a year. Doesn't help the impatient among us, of course. I'm not a member (yet); wondered if anyone posting here is, and if the discounts really work as advertised.

I figured my car on the Volvo build site. It came out to stateside price of $44,275. To figure OSD price, I assume I back out the $695 delivery, then take off 8%, which gets me down to $40,094, and then add in tax and title. Is that right? I'm assuming I pay tax on whatever the OSD price is, not the U.S. price.

kyfdx · February 2006

But, I would assume that you still have to pay the $695 delivery... After all.. they still have to ship it to the US, and deliver it to your dealer from port..

The ED savings comes from lower import duties.. since you already own the car when it comes into the US.

regards,
kyfdx

biancar · February 2006

No, might seem logical but you definitely do NOT have to pay the $695. That is clearly asked by customers and answered by Volvo dealers on the swedespeed forum. (Ok to mention another forum on Edmunds?)

kyfdx · February 2006

my post was titled: Not positive..

biancar · February 2006

now you know.

If someone has the time and the inclination, it does seem like OSD is a terrific deal. Depending on how much you spend on the vacation part, you're still better off than buying locally. My husband and I were figuring it out last night. It looked like if we spent $3,000 - $4,000 on a vacation in Sweden and seeing his relatives in the U.K., basically we'd end up spending about the same amount of money, but the vacation would essentially be free. Pretty hard to beat that!

Some people do it on just a long weekend, stay in Sweden maybe 3 or 4 days. They REALLY come out ahead, by thousands of dollars.

habu · February 2006

Looking at the OSD pricing on the Volvo site it seems the discount applies to the base price of all the cars. The options are not shown with a discount (i.e the AT is 1,250 same as in the states).

biancar · February 2006

In that case you'd subtract 8% from the base price, and then add in full price of options, is that how you'd do it?

In that case the deal isn't quite as good, but still beats the local price, plus gets you a vacation.

And the state sales tax is figured on the price you actually pay, right? Not what the local price would be?

habu · February 2006

That's the way I figured the cost. I went conservative and used a 7% discount. Since I'm in Seattle my airfare savings alone is $1,600 to $1,800. Then I save the 8.8% sales tax on the $3,385 derived from the OSD reduced price plus no shipping which adds another $300 plus the $3,385 OSD savings at 7%, so without any hassle I'm close to $5,100 better off than buying it here. And we get to see some of Europe for 7 to 10 days. Neighbors keep asking "what's the catch?" and I cannot find one yet.

biancar · February 2006

Far as I can see the only catch is you don't have instant gratification. You have to plan ahead, put your order in two to three months before you want the car, and of course in this particular case, the convertible won't be available until the fall and the fun time for a convertible is summer, so that's a drawback.

Are you definitely in the pipeline now? When do you plan to go? I'll be interested in comparing trips! :shades:

blamb3 · February 2006

I was wondering how the OSD cars were going to be the 2007 model. Well the dealership where I ordered my 2006 C70 called to tell me that the delivery has been pushed back until June and more importantly the 2007's will be arriving here in the States in August. I'm cancelling my order for the 2006 - that's quite a financial hit if you order the 2006.

biancar · February 2006

I don't think there are any changes planned for the 2007 vs. the 2006. Depending on how long you own the car, it might not be such a big hit. If you keep it for five years or more, the mileage will be more important than the year.

habu · February 2006

Got a confirm letter stating we have a production slot for an '07. We'll go as early as possible, hopefully late Aug. We plan on driving down to Copenhagen, Amsterdam and maybe back through Germany. Some info has Bremerhaven as a no cost shipping port, some not. If it isn't free we'll go back to Goteborg and depart from there. Hope to spend 3 or 4 nights in each town, so probably be over there for 9 days.
As far as the gratification goes, we enjoy the planning almost as much as the trip. The late delivery to Seattle means we'll have an '07 with less than 2,000 miles on it by summer 2007. I'm thinking this will be our last new car purchase so the low mileage will give her another year of life.
Hope your decision is right for your situation.

biancar · February 2006

Habu, sounds great! Who knows, we may meet up in Sweden!

Bremerhaven is supposed to be a no cost shipping port.

Who are you dealing with for your purchase?

saabspouse · February 2006

Hi I live in Seattle too, I'm from Michigan originally and my husband is British also! He travels a lot for his job so we were thinking about doing the overseas delivery. We just got a message from the downtown Volvo dealer that all orders are filled and that Ebayer's will be selling them for a 5K premium. Kind of put us off the whole thing. But, my husband rarely "splashes out" for himself, so I'm encouraging him to pursue it. Maybe this Sweden pickup will be the thing for us?

volvomax · February 2006

Here is the deal on C70's.

The 2006 production run will be small.
Most dealers are only getting 6-10 cars. The really big ones are getting 12.
2006's will trickle in from May to August.
Figure on 2007's being available starting in late August.

The Overseas Cars will all be 2007's, but there are very few available.
Delivery will commence in August in Europe.
As of right now,we don't know if the normal OSD discount will apply.

biancar · February 2006

Interesting, that's the first I've heard that the OSD discount might not apply.

That would change my thinking in a hurry.

volvomax · February 2006

There is precedent.
When the XC90 was made available for OSD the discount did not apply.

We were expecting pricing by now. The fact that we don't have it worries me a bit.
I have one order and others who would like to do the trip.

biancar · February 2006

So for those of us who are thinking about it, we'd best hold off for a while?

Personally I wasn't going to order anyway until I had a chance to test-drive one, but if the OSD discount looks questionable, I'd get a lot more serious about shopping the competition.

volvomax · February 2006

You can place an order, the deposit is refundable pending pricing.
In other words, if you don't like the price you can get your money back.

As for competition, there isn't any.
No one is offering a 4 seat hardtop convertible.
Heck, alot of softtop convertibles are as much, or more than ours.
When you drive it, I think you will be impressed.

biancar · February 2006

Well...there is ALWAYS competition. VW Eos and Pontiac are both coming out with hardtop convertibles.

Saab and Audi are both entry-level luxury convertibles.

Solara is a well-made, good value for the money convertible.

There is nothing EXACTLY like the Volvo, very true. And to my thinking, it's number one on my list unless a test-drive proves otherwise.

But that doesn't mean there's no competition.

mulligan101 · February 2006

Volvo should not be so smug about no competition with the 250 hp Eos (3.2) with a DSG transmission coming soon. I will be waiting to drive both.

habu · February 2006

My OSD order (placed with Volvo of Fife in Jan.) required the $2,000 deposit. The confirm letter from Volvo was very explicit about the deposit being refundable. Right now I do not see any negatives with this situation. With proper timing the deposit goes on a credit card that has just cycled so it does not get paid until the end of the grace period for the next cycle (which could be 50 days away).
If the discount is unavailable, or the price increases because the order is for an '07, the deposit comes back and the search continues. We looked at the Solara Convert. and found the boot that covers the lowered top pretty poor. My Miata boot fit and looked better.

cdk2 · February 2006

I totally agree that Volvo will have some competition. Actually, Lexus has had the SC (http://www.lexus.com/models/sc/index.html) for some time and this is a four seat hard top retractable convertible. The rear seat is somewhat small, but it is still a 4 seater.

biancar · February 2006

But the Lexus is a LOT more expensive, isn't it?

autoboy16 · February 2006

67k to be in the ballpark with run flats, and wheel locks as your only option. It virtually has no rear seat w/27 inches of legroom and 33 headroom in the rear. Only thing smaller than that is a tt coupe with 20 leg and 32 head.

Now back on topic, don't forget about the upcoming 325/330ci hardtop convertibles to be out soon. I also herd rumors of a redesigned solara and sc430 to be out in 2008/2009 model years.

biancar · February 2006

There's always something coming out just around the corner, isn't there?

Looks like I could buy a 3 or 4 year old Lexus for what I'm willing to pay. Maybe might be a fine buy as a used car, but I don't think that's the path I'll take.

volvomax · February 2006

No, there are always other options, but not true competitors.
No one is going to assume that a Pontiac is an actual competitor of a Volvo.
The Solara is plain ugly and has HUGE blindspots.
For the price of the Lexus SC you could get 2 C70's.

scott03 · February 2006

I have not driven either, as they are not yet available, but the 2007 Audi A4 3.2 (with its upgraded engine, suspension and safety features) looks to be a superior car to the 2006 Volvo C70 in every way, other than the stereo and the lack of a hard top (and a couple of thousand dollars). Each person will have to decide whether the hard top is a transforming feature for them.

biancar · February 2006

Each person will have to decide whether the hard top is a transforming feature for them.

That is very true. What makes it interesting is that if the customer wants a hard-top, they can shop Pontiac, VW, Volvo, Lexus, Mercedes, in that price order.

But if the hard-top is not crucial, the list expands quite a bit.

What makes you say the Audi is going to be so superior? (I'm not saying it won't be, I'm just not that familiar with it.) Will it be priced competitively to the Volvo?

volvomax · February 2006

I read the Edmunds info.
Doesn't sound very different than the current car.
Should be faster.
The current 3.2 stickers for more than the new C70's does.

kyfdx · February 2006

I just saw this at the car show.. If it comes in at under $35K loaded, like the nice lady said... it will definitely be a competitor to the Volvo....

It is very cool...

scott03 · February 2006

Here is a summary from Edmunds of the new features of the 2007 A4 convertible, which is more than just the engine (although that is probably the most significant upgrade). And yes, similarly equipped, it will likely end up being $2-3K more than the Volvo.

"Audi's refreshed A4 Cabriolet will be well equipped to take on the likes of new competition such as the Volvo C70 when it appears in September of 2006. The 2007 A4 Cabriolet will feature a host of new safety technology including two-stage driver and side airbag protection, along with next-generation electronic stability program, improved side-impact protection, and active rollover protection system with two rollover bars. The front and rear of this dynamic four-seater will be touched up with the respective additions of a new single-frame brand-defining grille and redesigned rear lights."

Also see:
Automobile.com
Carpages.co.uk
Edmunds Inside Line News
Autoexpress.co.uk

Also remember that, compared to the Volvo, it is available in AWD and (for people who care) offers better technology features (better NAV + iPod connectivety and integrated Bluetooth) and other features if you compare the cars feature for feature on the manufacturer's websites.

All that said, the Volvo is a very nice car too, and I am going to reserve judgment until I drive both (although I would be surprised if the Audi were not the more sporty and the Volvo the more sedate of the two). My point was simply that, other than the hard top and the Dynaudio stereo (either or both of which may sway you to the Volvo), the Audi seems to best the Volvo on all other fronts.

smz2 · February 2006

The c-70 will NOT have AWD in 2006 or probably in 2007. EOS nhas a 200hp engine. Solara is a fine automobile but very deficient in the fun to drive category. A fully loaded C70 will be just north of 45K, so less than a
SC 430 (which gets a face lift in '08)and more than an EOS which has yet to actually price out at this date. I think the move is to order an '07 C-70 if you like the way it performs.

biancar · February 2006

"The c-70 will NOT have AWD in 2006 or probably in 2007."

Right, the statement above was saying that the Audi is available in AWD. For me, since I'm not in the snowbelt anymore, I don't see that AWD is an advantage. You pay a price, usually, in mpg efficiency due to the heavier weight. If I were still north of the Mason-Dixon line then AWD might be attractive.

The C70's are supposed to be at the dealers in another couple weeks or so, and I hope to drive one then.

cambro · February 2006

biancar,

I thought I was a research fiend, but I think you got me beat! Good on you!! I've been asking a lot of the same questions about the C70, even though I've already put my order in.

I just found out that my local UK volvo dealer is having a C70 launch premiere on 16 March. I've made a reservation (yes it was required) to spend about 1.5 hours looking and evaluating this car that I've agreed to spend >$40K on.

I don't think any of the models will have the haverdal t-tec seats since they are the SE Lux models (UK top of line models). But at least i'll get to see the top open/close and hopefully sit in the dang thing.

I have to be honest though, while I love the look of the C70 (especially with top up), I'm really nervous about ordering a 1st model year. But if I wait until 07-08 models I'll lose my military discount ($5K off MSRP) as I'm leaving the UK in 3 months. I priced out a fully-loaded BMW 330CiC for about $3-4K more than the C70 & it's tempting (especially since the engine, body, etc. have been around for a few years).

anyway, i'll keep you all posted on what i see come 16 March & maybe provide some video & pics!

:shades:

biancar · February 2006

What happens if for some reason you don't like it, can you cancel your order?

Not that I think you won't like it, I'm sure you will, just curious.

Is yours coming with leather seats or with the haverdal t-tec? I was surprised when I went to the dealer and he showed me an S40 with the tec seats. They looked a lot nicer than I had expected.

It's interesting how they configure the packages, though. I LOVE my homelink, and you can't get the homelink on this car without the premium leather seats. I would have been happy non-leather if there were a way to do homelink without it.

qbrozen · March 2006

have to be honest though, while I love the look of the C70 (especially with top up), I'm really nervous about ordering a 1st model year.

I agree, but, in the case of the C70, it is the same engine, tranny, platform as the S40, so the only potential problem area that I believe you could attribute to a new design is the folding top.

cambro · March 2006

I think I can cancel my order because there are loads of people wanting to get my production slot, but they could probably take my deposit ($1K).

I do think I'll love the car though. I'm getting the t-tec seats because leather is brutal in the summer & winter, not to mention that it's not too durable. I haven't seen the t-tec up close but I'll take your word for it if you think they're nice.

As I said before, I don't have homelink, but I almost caved and bought the premium package because I love the compass feature on the mirror. My compromise was to get the sat-nav system since that's better than just a compass anyway.

Moreover, the sat-nav system readies the C70 for satellite radio, which I'll probably get since stupid volvo didn't develop an ipod or aux jack interface for the C70. While CDs are becoming a thing of the past Volvo didn't step-up to listen to its audience. oh well, the car's still a stunner.

biancar · March 2006

Leather not too durable? What makes you say that? I have leather now, in my almost 6 year old car, and it looks fine. Also I never found it to be a problem with either winter cold or summer heat. In winter I LOVE the bun-warmers, and you can't always get those on fabric seats. In summer sometimes I toss a beach towel over the seat if it's been sitting in the sun, but straight from the garage, no problem.

Anyway, from what I saw, the haverdel seats looked fine. The salesman claimed they stood up very well to climate changes, were easy to clean, and they felt fine and supportive to me (in the S40 - apparently these are close to the same seats as the C70). No reason you won't like them just fine.

volvomax · March 2006

I'd get the leather if I were you.
Easier to resell, plus the T-Tec is a pain to clean.
If you do get the T-Tec, get the graphite.

Leather doesn't really hurt you in the heat. We are in AZ and 99% of the cars we sell are leather.

biancar · March 2006

Don't get me wrong, I'll be ordering leather myself, but why is the T-tec a pain to clean? That's the opposite of what the salesguy here in VA told me.

volvomax · March 2006

We've had issues cleaning the taupe T-Tec on our loaner cars. Some stains just set in and don't come out.
The neoprene like areas are fine, but the cloth inserts can be troublesome.

habu · March 2006

What is the difference between the S40 T-Tec offered as an option to the leather in that car and the Haverdal Flextech offered as an option to leather in the C70?

cambro · March 2006

Yes I'd like to know that too? I hear the S40 T-tec is different from the C70 Haverdal flextech.

Also, I'd like some opinions about wheels. I like the 18" wheels better than the 17" standard wheels, but I'm worried that ride quality will diminish. The 17" wheels use 235/45 tires, while the 18" wheels use 235/40 tires. While that doesn't appear to be much a difference, I've also heard that going from 17" to 18" wheels significantly reduces ride quality.

Any thoughts from the future C70 owners club?

10scoachrick · March 2006

On our '04 C70, we switched the 16" wheels off of our V70 to replace the original 17" set up. We found a dramatic improvement in ride quality on the C and picked up a blingier, grabbier set up for the V. Win-win! Don't believe I would be interested in 18" for the C...not bad on our RX330, but not enough air for the convertible, IMHO.

volvomax · March 2006

the haverdal is supposed to be slightly nicer than the T-Tec. Even so, Volvo cloth interiors have been a pain to clean since they gave up the velour interiors.
Volvo tends to use a coarse cloth in their seats and this really traps dirt very well.

There is VERY little difference between the 17"s and 18"s.
The difference between 16"s and 18"s is much more pronounced.
The C70 will ride firmer than an American or Japanese car.

habu · March 2006

I think the extra cost of the leather can be saved. I've had sheep skins on several cars and will consider them again if the flextech becomes problematic. Skins also eliminate the need for seat heaters. Good ones cost around $450 for a pair 8 years ago.

10scoachrick · March 2006

We must be careful about the fit of any seat covers as they relate to the placement of side air bags. I haven't studied the new C70 air bags but things are getting more complicated as we surround ourselves with inflatable protection. I agree with the utility of sheepskins...our Tribute leather looked brand new after 4 years of 50/50 seat cover usage. Interesting difference between Lexus leather and Volvo's. Our new RX330 has VERY GRABBY leather as compared with the relatively smooth/slick seats in our S40, V70 and C70. The V70 driver seat showed a fair amount of 'crinkling' after 3 1/2 years...looks like the C70 may do the ssme. Actually looks better with a little character...just don't want to cross that line at re-sale time. DW insists on leather...otherwise I would have some experience with the Volvo syn seats. Considering that our rear seats are flat or covered 99% of the time, we are paying quite a bit for two pretty front seats...oh, well.

Volvo C70 Convertible - 2006 and Newer

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles