Volvo T5: Good Motor?

[WookieOnRitalin]

Really do not know much about this motor. I've been looking at Volvo T5's (S40, S60, C30) as a possible replacement for the Jeep. How would you compare it against the competition?

There are some decent deals out there for some Volvos (12-17k) and I'm quite ignorant to Volvo as a brand. Any feedback would be great.

[68_427]

C30s are hot cars.  Ill ask a friend if his mom still has her C30.

[2o6]

It's pretty ubiquitous, so I'd like to think it's fairly reliable.

[CJ]

Find a C30 T5 (They're all T5, actually) drive it and buy it. The S60 T5's engine is a bit more derivative from my 850's T5, unlike the C30/S40, and does have more power. I'll make a bigger post when not on my BlackBerry.

[68_427]

When my mom was looking for her Subaru we saw a C30 with awesome light colored wood trim and black leather on a black car.  It looked sooo good.  buy one like CJ said.

[the Teuton]

Turbo engine...probably should have premium gas. How many people put premium in Volvos? They most certainly didn't at Enterprise...

[93JC]

Even the naturally aspirated 2.4 L I5 calls for premium gas.

[WookieOnRitalin]

Turbo engine...probably should have premium gas. How many people put premium in Volvos? They most certainly didn't at Enterprise...

True story. I read a post that Volvo only "recommends" 91 octane or higher. However, putting regular will not void warranty in any event, but will drop MPG and performance supposedly. Solution would be to find 89-90 midgrade.

Ya. The C30 is superb. I found a 2008 on Autotrader for 17k with less than 40k miles. I can probably negotiate that down a bit from there. I found another under 18k as well around the same mileage. To me, this is better than buying a car brand new and I'm not exactly digging the idea of getting a car on lease with mileage limits.

I've seen some absolutely ridiculous deals on Azeras. An Azera SE can be had for 13k around the same mileage as the C30. While, not as awesome, that's one hell of a deal.

I'm also looking at used TSXs and Mazda3i's. I'm not overly impressed with the S and I think I'd rather have the gas advantage if I go that route.

The price range is between 10-17k for something relatively unused, but much higher quality.

[S204STi]

The C30 is a nice looking car. I'd at least give it a chance.

[CJ]

I won't put anything but 91 or 93 octane in my 850 Turbo.  In Oklahoma, 93 isn't available, so I just pop 91 in.  Just remember to change the timing belt AND timing belt tensioner when the mileage is up. 

[Rupert]

Turbo engine...probably should have premium gas. How many people put premium in Volvos? They most certainly didn't at Enterprise...

Of course not; it's a rental.

[68_427]

True story. I read a post that Volvo only "recommends" 91 octane or higher. However, putting regular will not void warranty in any event, but will drop MPG and performance supposedly. Solution would be to find 89-90 midgrade.

Ya. The C30 is superb. I found a 2008 on Autotrader for 17k with less than 40k miles. I can probably negotiate that down a bit from there. I found another under 18k as well around the same mileage. To me, this is better than buying a car brand new and I'm not exactly digging the idea of getting a car on lease with mileage limits.

I've seen some absolutely ridiculous deals on Azeras. An Azera SE can be had for 13k around the same mileage as the C30. While, not as awesome, that's one hell of a deal.

I'm also looking at used TSXs and Mazda3i's. I'm not overly impressed with the S and I think I'd rather have the gas advantage if I go that route.

The price range is between 10-17k for something relatively unused, but much higher quality.

Do you want leather, or would a base model do?

Legacy

[WookieOnRitalin]

Do you want leather, or would a base model do?

Legacy

Neither required nor excluded. It's about finding the better deal.

Not a fan of the Legacy really, but I wouldn't kick it out of bed if it was decent and came with a good deal.

[68_427]

Meh, Texas is pretty much the only place to get a decent deal on a Legacy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2008-SUBARU-LEGACY-2-5i-LTD-AWD-SUNROOF-HTD-LEATHER-17K-/400170326797?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item5d2c029b0d#ht_28305wt_854

Maybe a Mazda 6 3.0 would be a good deal.

Leather, nav, 18K miles for 16K

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/mazda-mazda6-cars357916178?keywords=3.0&sortcol=price&sortdir=down&askpriceub=any&askpricelb=any&deliverymileageub=any&deliverymileagelb=any&location=Hilton,+NY+14468&listingtype=used&model=mazda6&make=mazda&distance=any

[WookieOnRitalin]

Seen some Mazda6s's available. Not bad. They have a GT with less than 65k back in Chicago area.

http://tinyurl.com/28yvevm

No pic though. Since its Carmax though, I cannot imagine there would be any problems with it.

[CJ]

Find a C30.  Seriously.

[Raza]

The C30 is like a not as good, less practical GTI that had a higher base price and is now owned by a Chinese company. 

Don't get me wrong; I like them.  But the GTI's a better car, and I've yet to see a comparison say otherwise. 

[CALL_911]

The C30 is like a not as good, less practical GTI that had a higher base price and is now owned by a Chinese company. 

Don't get me wrong; I like them.  But the GTI's a better car, and I've yet to see a comparison say otherwise. 

This is true. That said, I'd still love to own a C30.

That said, I'd try to find a used 128i before either of them.

[Vinsanity]

True story. I read a post that Volvo only "recommends" 91 octane or higher. However, putting regular will not void warranty in any event, but will drop MPG and performance supposedly. Solution would be to find 89-90 midgrade.

Ya. The C30 is superb. I found a 2008 on Autotrader for 17k with less than 40k miles. I can probably negotiate that down a bit from there. I found another under 18k as well around the same mileage. To me, this is better than buying a car brand new and I'm not exactly digging the idea of getting a car on lease with mileage limits.

I've seen some absolutely ridiculous deals on Azeras. An Azera SE can be had for 13k around the same mileage as the C30. While, not as awesome, that's one hell of a deal.

I'm also looking at used TSXs and Mazda3i's. I'm not overly impressed with the S and I think I'd rather have the gas advantage if I go that route.

The price range is between 10-17k for something relatively unused, but much higher quality.

The Azera is a fine car, but I wouldn't recommend it if sharp, sporty handling is at all a strong preference. It's basically an off-brand Avalon at a more attractive price.

[sportyaccordy]

The Azera is a fine car, but I wouldn't recommend it if sharp, sporty handling is at all a strong preference. It's basically an off-brand Avalon at a more attractive price.

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=azera+coilovers&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

[J86]

Can't speak to the T5, just wanted to say I quite like the new Volvos.  My girlfriend has an '06 S40 with the 2.4, and while it is slow as dirt in that particular configuration, it is great to drive.  Always thought the newer Volvos were massively overpriced until I lived with one...

[2o6]

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=azera+coilovers&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

Then you have an Azera with no feedback and a terrible ride.

[MrH]

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=azera+coilovers&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

  Nothing like overly aggressive spring rates on some ebay coilovers.  That'll handle great!

[MrH]

True story. I read a post that Volvo only "recommends" 91 octane or higher. However, putting regular will not void warranty in any event, but will drop MPG and performance supposedly. Solution would be to find 89-90 midgrade.

Ya. The C30 is superb. I found a 2008 on Autotrader for 17k with less than 40k miles. I can probably negotiate that down a bit from there. I found another under 18k as well around the same mileage. To me, this is better than buying a car brand new and I'm not exactly digging the idea of getting a car on lease with mileage limits.

I've seen some absolutely ridiculous deals on Azeras. An Azera SE can be had for 13k around the same mileage as the C30. While, not as awesome, that's one hell of a deal.

I'm also looking at used TSXs and Mazda3i's. I'm not overly impressed with the S and I think I'd rather have the gas advantage if I go that route.

The price range is between 10-17k for something relatively unused, but much higher quality.

You can't afford the extra $2 every time you fill up?  You probably get worse gas mileage on regular enough to warrant the cost of the premium gas.  1-2 mpg would make the price difference a wash.

[WookieOnRitalin]

You can't afford the extra $2 every time you fill up?  You probably get worse gas mileage on regular enough to warrant the cost of the premium gas.  1-2 mpg would make the price difference a wash.

Good point. I am can probably find a gas station around here that's got better premium prices.

[68_427]

Just drive a few cars in the priced range like the c30,s40,mazda6,legacy etc.


Then you'll know exactly what you want and can focus your search for that car.

[TBR]

You can't afford the extra $2 every time you fill up?  You probably get worse gas mileage on regular enough to warrant the cost of the premium gas.  1-2 mpg would make the price difference a wash.

Don't know if this is true of other cars, but the Prelude recommends premium and gets better mileage with regular.

[CJ]

The turbo 5 DOES NOT like regular.  It pings like a mad dog and WILL throw a CEL.  I know this from experience. 

[the Teuton]

The turbo 5 DOES NOT like regular.  It pings like a mad dog and WILL throw a CEL.  I know this from experience. 

Ping? I've never had one do that. But the CEL lights up, definitely.

[CJ]

My mom put 87 in my car thinking she was doing me a favor and it pinged like mad.  It's also 17 years old, mind you.