Any C30 owners here?

[Gimpster]

The ETM is about to go bad for the 3rd time on my '99 S70 T5 w/manual trans that I purchased new. I really do like my car, but I'm over it (these issues). If it wasnt for my previous Volvos not being as problematic I'd most likely swear off the brand. This isn't the place for a diatribe, but it annoys me my wifes anchient Honda accord, which she refuses to replace, never has anything go wrong with it. The ETM is worth more than her car

OKAY, I'm done ranting.

The local Volvo dealer is talking about $4500 for the S70 toward a new C30, and theres one on the lot with about the features I want for 25800. These guys seem desperate to sell a car too, so i'm thinking theres at least a grand of wiggle room in there.

So, I'm just curious if there are any C30 owners on the site and what your impressions of the vehicle are.

[MadeInJapan]

You'll get more for your T5M by selling it yourself...many are looking for one.

In regards to the C30, since it came out, I've been a huge fan...I drool every time I see one in town go by. However, I've never seen a C30 owner post about one of these here at MVS. You might try www.swedespeed.com or I think that C30 owners have their own forum somewhere on the net. You might try Googling for it.

[Gimpster]

I'm totally with you. Everytime I see a C30 it makes me turn my head. I imagine the same power as my S70 in that smaller chassis and it makes me smile inside. My wife is getting tired of me talking about them and "approved" the purchase if my research went well. I'll dig around swedespeed and see what C30 owners are saying.

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Hmm, and I thought $4500 was a pretty generous offer for the vehicle, from a dealer anyway.

It's in reasonable shape w/130k, and everything works on it. The ETM is just starting to do the usual hot-idle-hunt like the last two times. The only thing I'd say wrong is the usual noisy dash. I just haven't had the time to pull it to fix it.

The car is bone stock, and the only mod I ever did to it was a K&N filter ... which I just sold heh. I've always kept up with it, and always ran synth 5W-30 or 0W-30 (depending on availability) and OEM filters. Timing belt + tensioner/pulleys were done on schedule too. I do my changes at 4000-5000, as thats where the used oil checks have indicated its wearing the best.

How much would be fair to ask for it? And yes, I realize thats a loaded & open ended question.

Since I took these pictures I had the carpet shampoo'd and replaced my original floormats from IPD, so excuse the mess. I'm pretty uptight about keeping it washed, polished and waxed. About once a year I strip it, clay bar, polish and then wax the vehicle. I have the arms & shoulders to prove it! I also steam clean the engine bay twice a year, so it's usually squeeky clean too. I HATE working in a dirty engine bay.

[matthew1]

JEEEZ that's a nice S70... a really really nice S70.

You'd have to pry the keys to that out of my cold, dead hand.

[MadeInJapan]

Contact JRL (member here)...he buys and sells these cars. He'll tell you what it's worth, and depending, may make an offer.
Yes, I agree- damn sexy S70!

[JRL]

That's a very fair trade in price these days, however, you should be able to get 6 grand (or a little more) if you try to sell it privately.
However you will lose the sales tax difference and these days, no one is barely buying anything, so if it's the C30 you want, go for it.
You should test drive one, they have one minor annoying issue that no one speaks about:
They have a mild "drumming" (air suction) noise right at about 45 mph if you drive with only the driver's window open and the other window closed.
This also happens at a higher speed, I forget which though, somewhere around 60, you would have to road test this.

[Gimpster]

I had a truck once with that "drumming" issue, had to crack the passenger window or it would about make you deaf. I took one for a drive the other day, but it was about 5 degrees out so the windows were up.

In theory I'm "downgrading", but it's really rare for me to have passengers in the back. The C30 I'm looking at is pretty base, I only want the climate package, Xenon headlights and cruise control. I'll be staying with manual.

On the other hand, it might be crazy in this economy to even take on a small payment. I might be making a mountain out of a mole hill on the ETM. I'm a bit of a shadetree mechanic and it bugs me to no end that I can't replace the ETM without "Volvo intervention". I'm officially SOL on the extended warranty now, so it'll bite the pocketbook. I thought about just swapping the ETM and trailering it to Volvo for the hour labor w/VADIS ... but ught that seems so ridiculous. I can't believe IPD et al hasn't found a way with their softloader to do that calibration at home. If they did, I'd buy it TODAY (no jokes). Would be neat to be able to adjust the other things like seat heaters etc too.

I forget one "mod" (if you want to call it that) I did earlier this year. I installed a set of Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks/struts, new upper mounts (IPD heavy duty up front) and IPD sway bar end links. I had the usual S70 clunks, not to mention they had 130k on the originals. I figured I'd knock it all out in one swoop.

I appreciate the advice and comments though. I DO like my S70, and I've cared for it the best I knew how. I just wish it had cared for ME a little bit more It's a love hate relationship.

Thanks for listening to me ramble.

[matthew1]

I'm a thrifty guy who borders on stingy at times. I'd flat out not buy a new car in this environment, unless I thought the dollar will tank soon. In that case you'd be preserving the value of your money better in a car than in cash (I know, absurd but true if the dollar tanks).

I'm not an economist. And I don't think I'd buy a new car in any environment. The cost/benefit isn't there for me when used, good Volvos can be had so cheaply.

I guess your choice depends on how comfortable you are with the ETM. A compromise would be a 2003-2004 Volvo.