I had my eye on a C30 a few years ago, it was a lovely thing with rare wooden interior trim around the radio and heater controls. It felt light and airy and modern and properly Swedish and I liked it very much. I ummed and aahhed over it for days because it wasn’t really big enough but by the time I decided I didn’t care about that and I wanted it, the guy had sold it to someone else. When I see one I’m reminded of that car and I think maybe I should get one. Interesting that it’s based on a Focus but reminds you of an escort.
The logic behind the key placement was for 2 (quite good) reasons. 1 - in a crash your knee is less likely to hit it if it's high up on the dash or in the centre console 2 - more difficult to steal than if it was behind thin plastic on the ignition barrel. I happen to own a Volvo 480 2.0 LE. The 480's design inspiration itself was taken from the 1960s Volvo P1800 ES.
As someone who once snapped an ignition key with their knee in a crash, I applaud Volvo for their thoroughness and commitment to safety. Funny thing is that although I hit the key with enough force to snap the rubbery bit off from the actual key part, it didn’t hurt me at all. It was an Italian key though, maybe that’s why?
Very comprehensive review paul . If I had a gun to my head saying which 3 cars would you pick focus , c30 or sirocco, I think the volvo gets my vote .👍
Nice! I liked the V40 too. I prefer the more conventional looks and the fact it looks like a smaller version of their larger models. Would love a V40 with the growly D5 and the autobox. I have to say.. This is coming from a massive Ford Enthusiast! I don't like the MK2 Focus. Great car but steering felt too light when I drove one and it was just a bit bland.
I have 2012 2.0L R-Design and I love it (this is my second one, previously I had 2012 SE LUX version with Burgundy leather, the same engine. You can get Cosworth cams for 2.0 petrol engine and get 170/175HP from NA engine. Enough for daily, drivers car. Just take care of the engine, heat up, before you run above 3K RPM and get service regularly. Great review!
The auto D5 paired with a stage 1 is quite some car. Easy in traffic, economical, sound great and a mid range punch that just doesn’t get old. The T5 is the thinking man’s Focus ST. Just as juicy though, really really juicy…
I had the V50 it looks the exact same as this i really liked it but it was to closely related to the Ford for me it rusted away faster than all my other car's 😂. Nice Review i enjoyed it 😊
Ok, what’s happened to the near side rear alloy wheel???? 😂. I do like these cars, they’re good for youngsters who want safety and reliability with a hint of nice looks. In terms of practicality though, it’s not great. For me, the rear is like Marmite, you either love it or hate it. I hate it, but the front looks really nice and sporty 👌🏻
They replaced it with the V40....although technically, not replaced since V40 is a 5 door, whereas the 1800, 480 and C30 are all 3 doors. The C30 and V40 were both being made for 6 months at one point. So it's not a "replacement" per say like the Audi S3 and A4 are different cars. (ps i have a T5)
Lots of these running around here. We never got them with the Diesel Engines. F.F.S. Mustard 💥😂! We used to sell lots of those rear glass hatches off of these things. Not so much these days however....
I really liked the style of the Volvo 480. I agree this is not a bad looking car at all. I believe it was sold as a 'premium' hatchback with a premium price compared to the more everyday Focus. There is a 'Tardis' in reverse element to the size with the appearance of being larger on the outside than inside! As for the interior, the Ikea handbrake looks somewhat as though the last three self-assembly parts were missed off. The ignition 'slot' position was I believe determined by a blindfolded game of 'pin the tail on the donkey' I expect the 20 speed fan would appeal to those 80s video game players who are familiar with rapidly and repeatedly pressing the same button! Overall, although not the most practical it doesn't seem a bad car at all. I think the 'lady of the night' image is somewhat suggested by the colour! The red of the rear lights blends in quite well so that the large reversing lights almost could be headlamps. With a deep windscreen and high mounted headlights, I think the back would make a better design for the front than the front! 😀
I bought mine in 2010, it was a bargain. Back then everyone wanted diesels and Volvo were discounting petrol models, you could get a 2.0 R design for around £14k, as cheap as a Focus or Astra but much better equipped. With hindsight the 2.0 petrol model was a steal, lower servicing costs and the only engine without a timing belt. It's just a bit thirsty.
I had my eye on a C30 a few years ago, it was a lovely thing with rare wooden interior trim around the radio and heater controls. It felt light and airy and modern and properly Swedish and I liked it very much. I ummed and aahhed over it for days because it wasn’t really big enough but by the time I decided I didn’t care about that and I wanted it, the guy had sold it to someone else. When I see one I’m reminded of that car and I think maybe I should get one. Interesting that it’s based on a Focus but reminds you of an escort.
I had a V50 I liked it as well it was a nice car but it was a bit to closely related to the Ford because it caught the rust bug. 😂😊
The logic behind the key placement was for 2 (quite good) reasons.
1 - in a crash your knee is less likely to hit it if it's high up on the dash or in the centre console
2 - more difficult to steal than if it was behind thin plastic on the ignition barrel.
I happen to own a Volvo 480 2.0 LE. The 480's design inspiration itself was taken from the 1960s Volvo P1800 ES.
As someone who once snapped an ignition key with their knee in a crash, I applaud Volvo for their thoroughness and commitment to safety. Funny thing is that although I hit the key with enough force to snap the rubbery bit off from the actual key part, it didn’t hurt me at all. It was an Italian key though, maybe that’s why?
I have to agree its a nice looking car, really nice video too.
Love these little things. The 5 pot ones are really nice.
Very comprehensive review paul .
If I had a gun to my head saying which 3 cars would you pick focus , c30 or sirocco, I think the volvo gets my vote .👍
Nice! I liked the V40 too. I prefer the more conventional looks and the fact it looks like a smaller version of their larger models. Would love a V40 with the growly D5 and the autobox. I have to say.. This is coming from a massive Ford Enthusiast! I don't like the MK2 Focus. Great car but steering felt too light when I drove one and it was just a bit bland.
Lovely little focus, excellent review Captain 👍
With much better steel and quality. :)
I have 2012 2.0L R-Design and I love it (this is my second one, previously I had 2012 SE LUX version with Burgundy leather, the same engine.
You can get Cosworth cams for 2.0 petrol engine and get 170/175HP from NA engine. Enough for daily, drivers car. Just take care of the engine, heat up, before you run above 3K RPM and get service regularly.
Great review!
Much better when you put down the parcel shelf and the sneaky back windscreen wiper was turned off. These cars to me always looked great !
Excellent video Paul 👍👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great review
The auto D5 paired with a stage 1 is quite some car.
Easy in traffic, economical, sound great and a mid range punch that just doesn’t get old.
The T5 is the thinking man’s Focus ST. Just as juicy though, really really juicy…
I had the V50 it looks the exact same as this i really liked it but it was to closely related to the Ford for me it rusted away faster than all my other car's 😂. Nice Review i enjoyed it 😊
Ok, what’s happened to the near side rear alloy wheel???? 😂. I do like these cars, they’re good for youngsters who want safety and reliability with a hint of nice looks. In terms of practicality though, it’s not great. For me, the rear is like Marmite, you either love it or hate it. I hate it, but the front looks really nice and sporty 👌🏻
They replaced it with the V40....although technically, not replaced since V40 is a 5 door, whereas the 1800, 480 and C30 are all 3 doors. The C30 and V40 were both being made for 6 months at one point. So it's not a "replacement" per say like the Audi S3 and A4 are different cars. (ps i have a T5)
Lots of these running around here. We never got them with the Diesel Engines. F.F.S. Mustard 💥😂! We used to sell lots of those rear glass hatches off of these things. Not so much these days however....
I've always felt very conflicted with the C30. As a biker, I feel duty-bound to dislike all Volvos, but I actually really do like the way it looks.
Volvo really went backwards with the c40!
I really liked the style of the Volvo 480. I agree this is not a bad looking car at all. I believe it was sold as a 'premium' hatchback with a premium price compared to the more everyday Focus. There is a 'Tardis' in reverse element to the size with the appearance of being larger on the outside than inside!
As for the interior, the Ikea handbrake looks somewhat as though the last three self-assembly parts were missed off. The ignition 'slot' position was I believe determined by a blindfolded game of 'pin the tail on the donkey' I expect the 20 speed fan would appeal to those 80s video game players who are familiar with rapidly and repeatedly pressing the same button!
Overall, although not the most practical it doesn't seem a bad car at all.
I think the 'lady of the night' image is somewhat suggested by the colour! The red of the rear lights blends in quite well so that the large reversing lights almost could be headlamps. With a deep windscreen and high mounted headlights, I think the back would make a better design for the front than the front! 😀
I bought mine in 2010, it was a bargain. Back then everyone wanted diesels and Volvo were discounting petrol models, you could get a 2.0 R design for around £14k, as cheap as a Focus or Astra but much better equipped. With hindsight the 2.0 petrol model was a steal, lower servicing costs and the only engine without a timing belt. It's just a bit thirsty.