Used Car of The Day: 2011 Volvo C30 R-Design

I had one of these. I identified as the perfect vehicle for my wife... and not just because it was featured in that silly vampire movie (which she loves too). It was built to compete with the Mini Cooper and Volvo offered tons of options and like 20 different paint colors which is crazy (especially these days). We found a used 2008 Version 2 model in off white pearl / cream (aka Cosmic White) with a Java Brown factory skirt kit, matching two-tone power heated seats, 6 speed manual located only 2 miles from our house. This was an amazing find since at the time there were a grand total of 3 of these in all of Florida with a manual transmission for sale. Never thought I'd own a Volvo but at age 40 we bought one and even more shocking its a sporty, toss-able, hot hatch thing, nothing like the boring "brick" Volvos of old.

C30s sold in such low numbers that almost nobody knows what it is: people will literally point and stare. It was based on the European Focus with some Mazda 3 bits added - basically the front half of an S40 grafted to a hatchback, its was designed to be a throwback to Volvo's old P300 runabout. Very unique looking and down right sexy I think, like a modern version of my much loved Civic S1500 hatchback but with sleeker "shooting brake" style, just a great looking car. Engine was an interesting 5 cylinder turbo with 227HP / 236TQ, making it as quick as my previous '96 Eclipse GS-T (of F&F fame). Downside was it only got 22 mpg average which was disappointing given its small size, I blame the weight as this car always felt very heavy for its size. Had a very Apple-ish or Ikea-like interior: super simple, ultra modern, a clean/minimalist design which my wife loved. The "waterfall" dash with integrated radio and A/C controls was awesome. Had the best A/C system I have ever experienced with about 15 different fan speed settings. Killer factory radio with settings for surround, center channel, separate front and rear EQs. The center stack is just a thing of beauty even if the surrounding aluminum collected dings too easily.

The seats were super comfortable but the seat belt position was a bit too low. This is the only car we've owned that has decent head rests. I just can't say enough about great the seats were, if Volvo does one thing right its seats. The car had some sophisticated features for its time like rain sensing wipers and auto leveling headlights. Suspension was the prefect combination of firm enough for good handling but forgiving for highway cruising. This car was fun to drive with just the right level of smooth turbo power. In fact in there is one word to describe this car its smooth, everything from the body, to the radio, to the way it drives was just silky smooth... it had a very sophisticated European design and feel to it. The fold down rear seats plus hatchback made for easy loading of any items - great for your typical Costco run.

The C30 might be the most overlooked car ever made, likely because Volvo is not know for "sporty", plus these were very expensive and nobody bought them. They are incredibly rare, you will encounter more Ferraris on the road the C30s.

It was not without its faults however, the clutch had almost no feel, it more like a on/off switch. The key FOB was huge and the car's shape meant rear visibility was compromised. Long term the car broke so many random and crazy expensive parts that nobody kept in stock. It just became too costly to maintain around the 75K mileage mark. For example it ate pricey Xenon headlight bulbs for breakfast, at least 2 a year burned out. It required a $2,000 clutch repair, a $800 steering column fix, several seals, front axles, engine mounts and other bits just gave up way too soon. The front head light washer cover flew off 3 times! Each time it was a 3 week wait to receive the parts from Sweden, then it had to be painted to match and due the pearl white was extra expensive (or so they claimed). At one point the rear hatch lift handle snapped off in my hands. A cracked headlight lens cost north of $900 to replace. A rear suspension bushing fell out, I don't even know how that can happen. We were constantly paying for stuff way worse then our (internet famous, avoid at all costs) B5 1.8T VW Passat with it broken window regulators. After being screwed over and over at the dealership with costs and wait times we took it to an independent Euro specialist who admitted he had never seen a C30 and apologizing when he simply couldn't fix some of its issues due to lack of information and parts.

My wife cried when she realized this car was such a money pit and we were forced to trade it in after such a blood bath of wasted money and time. She got a used 2014 Infiniti Q60 as a replacement which has been flawless. Only issue after 7 years is a transmission speed sensor that went out and I am now in the process of replacing myself.

This is cool, but give me the 90's version of this car. It had pop up headlights!