Volvo S40

[r0tor]

I was reading in Autoweek's 2009 Buyers guide that this is probably the last year for the S40 and it is a car that has been "undeservedly overlooked" bu shoppers.  Which got me thinking... why does it get overlooked so easily?

Thoughts?  Opinions?

[r0tor]

I did some research and for the 2009 model it looks like they are going out with a bang with a stylish R-Design bodykit and interior package for the T5 AWD.  I think it looks pretty damn nice honestly.  I noticed the 6-speed is no longer an option - not sure if its really a bad thing as I remember the volvo 6 speed as being fairly clunky.  Anyway it looks like a nice package on paper with decent power and fuel economy and some good looks.  I've never driven the newer generation.  Being on the Mazda 3 chassis I'd assume its fairly capable in the twisties and the older cars were fairly decent IMO handling wise. 


The price has always been a killer for me though.  I remember looking over the car back when I bought my RX-8.  With the T5 AWD starting out at close to $35k, its more expensive then an A4 2.0T Quattro and the 3 series iX for reasons I really don't understand.  It does come fairly nicely equipped with only the standard options, but could I really pass up an A4 at this price?

[2o6]

From what I can gather, it seems to be that performance is not up to snuff compared to other cars of the same pricetag.

[Raza]

Too expensive, not powerful enough.  A T5 AWD model can touch 40K, and who is going to buy that over a 328i or xi?  I like the car, but VWs are better deals (I'm pretty sure I can outrun a T5 FWD, and my car is substantially cheaper and just as well built, if not better), and Volvo the kind of name that allows you to sell an inferior car at a premium price.  Also when I personally shopped for one, I couldn't find a stick anywhere.

[r0tor]

I would think a T5 FWD would be fairly competitive with 227hp and 3300 pounds against a 2.0T Jetta.  The lack of a manual transmission would probably be the difference maker in a straight line.

Without a nav system, you can really only built a T5 AWD up to about $36k.  But I think thats probably a good $8k more expensive then I think it should go for.

[the Teuton]

I'll take the C30 version, thanks.

[Madman]

The S40 and the S60 will both be replaced by the new S60 I posted pictures of a while back.  This will be a more direct competitor for the 3 Series and A4.  Volvo will then release a five-door premium hatchback to go head-to-head against the 1 Series and the A3.  It is uncertain what this car will be called.  It may very well retain the S40 designation or could be called V30.

At the other end of the spectrum, Volvo is still mulling over the possibility of an S100 luxury car.  The first proposal for an S100 was killed by Ford because it would have been an in-house competitor of the Jaguar XJ.  Now that Ford no longer owns Jaguar, Volvo is primed to take over the mantle as Ford's international premium brand.  No word yet as to what form an S100 would take, but the most obvious course would be a legnthened S80 with the Yamaha-supplied V8 engine and All-Wheel-Drive.

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[the Teuton]

Return of the ginormous brick?

[Raza]

I would think a T5 FWD would be fairly competitive with 227hp and 3300 pounds against a 2.0T Jetta.  The lack of a manual transmission would probably be the difference maker in a straight line.

Without a nav system, you can really only built a T5 AWD up to about $36k.  But I think thats probably a good $8k more expensive then I think it should go for.

You say that, but the Focus ST is no quicker (actually, slower) than a GTI.  It's not just max numbers. 

[Raza]

I'll take the C30 version, thanks.

The C30 is another overpriced car.  Why would you buy one over a GTI (more practical and cheaper) or an MS3 (faster and cheaper)?  If you like the looks, then I guess that's a reason. 

But people aren't buying hatchbacks that aren't as practical as they should be and cost too much.  I've only seen like three C30s, and I see dozens of GTIs everyday.

[Laconian]

The C30 hatch is ridiculous, it's too high and too narrow to really be useful.

[Raza]

The C30 hatch is ridiculous, it's too high and too narrow to really be useful.

Arg, how come no one puts pictures of them open on the internet?

[280Z Turbo]

[Raza]

Well, turns out I suck at Googling. 

What were your search strings?

[the Teuton]

I really like the styling of the C30, but if I had $24k to spend on a hatch, I'd probably end up with something else.

[280Z Turbo]

Well, turns out I suck at Googling. 

What were your search strings?

"C30 cargo"

[Raza]

I really like the styling of the C30, but if I had $24k to spend on a hatch, I'd probably end up with something else.

If that's what you had to spend on a hatch, you wouldn't get a C30 period!  Destination puts it at 24,625. 

[Raza]

"C30 cargo"

Well I'll be...

I was doing "C30 rear", "C30 hatch", "C30 rear open", "C30 hatch open", and the same with GTI. 

Cargo never came to mind...

[93JC]

I was reading in Autoweek's 2009 Buyers guide that this is probably the last year for the S40 and it is a car that has been "undeservedly overlooked" by shoppers.  Which got me thinking... why does it get overlooked so easily?

Way too expensive. Simple as that. More precisely, the Volvo name cannot command the price premium alone, and the car itself is not powerful or refined enough to make up for the gap in what it costs and what it should cost.

I mean, $31,695 for a base-model 2.4i? $37,695 for a front-drive T5? Get fucked, Volvo. I could get a BMW 323i for $34,900, or a 328i for $39,900. Hell, I could get a Honda Accord EX V6 for $31,690.

[omicron]

The C30 is another overpriced car.  Why would you buy one over a GTI (more practical and cheaper) or an MS3 (faster and cheaper)?  If you like the looks, then I guess that's a reason. 

But people aren't buying hatchbacks that aren't as practical as they should be and cost too much.  I've only seen like three C30s, and I see dozens of GTIs everyday.

I'd quite easily buy an impractical hatchback (read:C30) over a GTI; it's by no means a definitive verdict in the C30's favour, but I'd seriously consider one.

Way too expensive. Simple as that. More precisely, the Volvo name cannot command the price premium alone, and the car itself is not powerful or refined enough to make up for the gap in what it costs and what it should cost.

I mean, $31,695 for a base-model 2.4i? $37,695 for a front-drive T5? Get fucked, Volvo. I could get a BMW 323i for $34,900, or a 328i for $39,900. Hell, I could get a Honda Accord EX V6 for $31,690.

Here, a base 2.4S costs $38,950, which is only $1k more than a 118i. The $54,950 one would need to spend on a top T5 AWD would only buy a 320i Executive - the base IS250 for almost the same money is a stronger competitor in a value context.

[Raza]

I'd quite easily buy an impractical hatchback (read:C30) over a GTI; it's by no means a definitive verdict in the C30's favour, but I'd seriously consider one.

Here, a base 2.4S costs $38,950, which is only $1k more than a 118i. The $54,950 one would need to spend on a top T5 AWD would only buy a 320i Executive - the base IS250 for almost the same money is a stronger competitor in a value context.

You do live in a backwards country though.

[omicron]

You do live in a backwards country though.

Not so much a country as poorly-educated clusters of yeast spread and flies.

[93JC]

And kangaroos, didgeridoos, akubras, koalas, Clem the wallaby, baby-eating dingoes, prawns on barbies, poisonous snakes.... I'm not forgetting anything am I?

[Madman]

And kangaroos, didgeridoos, akubras, koalas, Clem the wallaby, baby-eating dingoes, prawns on barbies, poisonous snakes.... I'm not forgetting anything am I?

I'm quite a fan of Akubras myself.  I own three, each a different colour.  I'll have to find a photo of me wearing one.

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[r0tor]

hmm there are a few CPO T5 AWD's around for like $18k... not a bad deal at that price at least

[280Z Turbo]

And kangaroos, didgeridoos, akubras, koalas, Clem the wallaby, baby-eating dingoes, prawns on barbies, poisonous snakes.... I'm not forgetting anything am I?

Drop bears.

[93JC]

Ooooo, I forgot about them...

[MX793]

The C30 is another overpriced car.  Why would you buy one over a GTI (more practical and cheaper) or an MS3 (faster and cheaper)?  If you like the looks, then I guess that's a reason. 

But people aren't buying hatchbacks that aren't as practical as they should be and cost too much.  I've only seen like three C30s, and I see dozens of GTIs everyday.

My biggest gripe is Volvo's options pricing scheme.  Cruise control isn't standard equipment (on a "premium" car that starts north of $25K, that's simply unacceptable) and every color but one costs extra.  On top of that, they hit you with a "customization fee" as soon as you select any extra-cost option.  Rediculous.

[CJ]

None of the MINI's come with cruise standard.

[the Teuton]

None of the MINI's come with cruise standard.

But none of the MINIs start at over $24,000, either, with the exception of the JCW.