No More Oldsmobiles

I'm thinking of replacing my daily driver with a sporty hatchback. The Mazdaspeed 3 is an obvious choice. Now I'm reading about the C30.

"Putting 218 horsepower to the front wheels, the new C30 is powered by a turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine that produces 236 pound-feet of torque."

That's less than the 3's 263 hp, but I think a Volvo would be stealthier as far as ticket-happy police are concerned. Thoughts?

llzjayarzll

hows is an ms3 ticket happy?

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

ooh - that new volvo looks nice!!
tough decision - i just suggest test driving both and choosing whichever you like better

-hS

lone_wolf025

IMO Volvos suck and I have yet to see any model (especially first years) not be plagued by stupid BS problems that don't go away.

No More Oldsmobiles

I don't think it would be a ticket magnet, just that the Volvo might be a bit more inconspicuous.

No More Oldsmobiles

I've never paid much attention to Volvos and probably wouldn't have -- but I was thinking of the Mazdaspeed 3 and then I saw the C30.

One big diff is that the C30 would be a first-year model while the 3 has been around for a while in the nonspeed versions.

Redpit10

I used to Valet park a couple years back and drove the s60r. I loved it, not quite and M3 or S4, but it was definately no slouch. Had a nice luxury feel, but when you pressed on the gas you realized that this was a far cry from most other Volvos. Seems like the Volvo you're looking at is similar in terms of DNA (Sporty Volvo). l'd most likely choose Volvo over Mazda just it terms of how often you see 3's on the road. There everywhere up here in the NE, but ultimately Id have to take both for a test drive preferably the same day. Also lets not kid ourselves, whatever dealer is willing to give you the best deal should weigh in heavily on your decision. Well, good luck in your search.

therm8

I'm partial to Volvo's, and not so much to wagons (the MS3's a wagon and you won't convince me otherwise). Turbo Volvos have a much better tunability history than the 2.3L of Mazda). I owned a C70 ('98 Coupe), and while it was the old Bosch ecu and easy to tune, even the new ecu's have major support (and that's what you need for factory turbo cars). The same cannot be said for anything Mazda. So if you're picking with tuning in mind it's C30 hands down. Besides, it's a hot looking hatch, and all you need is an ecu tune to top the 3's power levels. The 3 may have the C30 in the handling dept, you'd have to drive them to know for sure. If you do get the C30, splurge for the premium sound. Volvo has the best factory systems in the biz.

An AWD C30R is expected (probably year 2) with Borg-Warner's DSG gearbox available (same one that Audi uses...exclusivity agreement expires(d) this year). It'll be at a premium, so I don't know if you'd want to spend that much. That one's on my short list of 8 replacements.

Tessai

Isn't the C30 built on the Mazda 3 platform?

No More Oldsmobiles

I know it shares a Ford-built platform with Volvo's S40 and the V50 wagon.

CarAndDriver

MS3... Volvo reliability is shakier than Mazdas.

Ike

I don't think either of them are going to be particularly "ticket happy". If it were me I'd skip both and get a GTI or A3.

hyperlitenerd

My mother has a volvo 240 t5. It is a very nice car, no problems with it yet. It handles pretty well. Similar power band to a ms3, shift at 5500. Gets 30+ on the freeway, and with the turbo you can accelerate in 6th gear easily. It has enough power to break the wheels loose through 1st gear, and will spin them going into 2nd, but after that it is solid. The gears are long in it too, which is nice driving around town not having to shift so much.

StewyRX8

Out of those choices, the 3 For Sho due to the unreliability issue with some, not all, volvos...

XDEEDUBBX

the MS3!

bascho

I like the looks of the C30......but the luggage area is a joke. Definitely not wide enough for a set of golf clubs.......hell a 10in subwoofer in a sealed enclosure is barely gonna fit.

I couldn't believe it when I saw it in person. If you ever want to actually haul anything in the back....get a MS3.

No More Oldsmobiles

Very interesting. Thanks for the info!

No More Oldsmobiles

I've heard that Volkswagen has a lot of reliability problems of its own.

And maybe it's just my own experience, but it seems like most Volkswagen drivers are kids who drive very aggressively, even in the slower VWs.

Once again, I don't think either the 3 or the C30 are ticket-happy cars. I'm talking about ticket-happy cops. Since getting the 8, I have gotten one ticket ... in my daily driver!

Cody Red

I test drove a cousins MS3, and when I stepped out of the car I was shaking. I was actually the first one to go full throttle in it. "Just take it somewhere where you can step on it," he told me. "Have you ever gone full throttle?," I asked, "nah, it's cool though, you can do it." It was a blast. Plus, they're only making a limited amount, so you won't see a lot of them. Then again, I, myself, don't see too many Volvo's, but I've driven an MS3, so that's my suggestion to you.

-Cody

Ike

The current GTI is built in Germany, not Mexico like many of the problem cars have been.

CarAndDriver

The German built cars seem to be a bit better, but it's a VW design issue. They were choosing components that didn't hold up in the medium run even.

Renesis_8

I would pick the C30, there are mazda3s everywhere, and the MS3 is just another mazda3. the c30 has better interior, but then reliability is unknown. A3 is a very very good choice too.
________
SmallMommy live

CERAMICSEAL

I've driven a Speed3 and it's not just another Mazda3.

Redpit10

I dont normally disagree with people, but c'mon. You were shaking. 263hp aint much and 280lb ft of torque isnt outstanding either. Granted that is a lot of power for a FWD compact car, but not enough to evoke those kind of emotions. Both these cars are nice, but buying either of them for all out sports car thrills is silly.

HolyCross05

I guess it is coming from the 8