GTP Cool Wall: Volvo C30 R-Design

[Bones Brigade]

This is a tough one. It's a good option for those looking for something other than a GTI. And much more unique to boot. It may not handle as well, but it's got more power, a wonderful sound, and a quality interior.

Typically, this car would probably not appeal to the girls that associate it with Twilight any more than a GTI or other hot hatch would. The crown for hatches with feminine appeal still lies with Mini.

Overall, it's cool, though it has some flaws.

 

[TheBook]

My ex wants one.

Buuuuuuut it is a five-cylinder that handles pretty well. I guess that brings it from the depths of hell back up to Uncool.

 

[SuperShouden]

Driving it in GT5 makes me think that it would make a great Touring Car. Which would be cool and thus makes the R-Design cool.

 

[BigYoSpeck]

You would only know that if you seen the movie.....repeatedly. Seriously Uncool(Don't try to blame your gf either!)

Why repeatedly? The car sticks out so much as an awful, improbable piece of product placement you can't help but notice it.

I did try to think of a way of defending watching it with a girl but I'll give you that, letting a girl make a decision is not exactly The Fonz. Darn it!

 

[Stigsblkcousin]

Why repeatedly? The car sticks out so much as an awful, improbable piece of product placement you can't help but notice it.

I did try to think of a way of defending watching it with a girl but I'll give you that, letting a girl make a decision is not exactly The Fonz. Darn it!

I totally missed it, then again I was too busy moaning about how incredibly corny the movie was.

"He SPARKLES?!?!? GTFO! Where they do that at?!?!"

 

[Perfect Balance]

Absolutely cannot stand the rear end of this car. For that reason only, uncool.

 

[niky]

an uglier, less able Focus ST.

This is the sole reason I vote it uncool.

I drove the Seasonals, still not impressed. The Focus ST is just so much better in every way.

Don't get me wrong, I love Volvos. I think the S60 T6 and the old S60R (the latter despite its dynamic shortcomings) were the bee's knees, An 850R is close to godhood.

But the C30 is about as cool as a Saab 9-3X. Paying more for an upmarket trim package and a lot less of everything else.

 

[Time_Attack]

I'd buy it just so I wouldn't have to say I drive a focus or a golf. That alone should make it worth twice as much.

 

[Ardius]

Heh, I didn't even know it was in Twilight. I think that says more about the posters than the car...in other words, it doesn't make me think the car is uncool..it makes me wonder why the hell have guys seen that/those film(s)? (except of course if its through Rifftrax, etc).

I nominated this because its a different choice. If you don't want a Focus because they're just too generic (because it kind of defines the hot-hatch currently), here is this. Personally I have no problem with a Focus, but I like to have something different, something that stands out. A Volvo does that quite nicely.

I love the design and if we're going by the TopGear definition of cool...surely a film such as Twilight would be an instant win?
In fact...this is possibly a car that manages to appeal to both car-nerds and girls (or at least girls-who-love-Twilight...of which there are many). However, I don't think its Sub-zero material, but it is a cool car.

 

[BigYoSpeck]

Heh, I didn't even know it was in Twilight. I think that says more about the posters than the car...in other words, it doesn't make me think the car is uncool..it makes me wonder why the hell have guys seen that/those film(s)? (except of course if its through Rifftrax, etc).

My personal excuse was I struck a deal where by for every hour I watched of this Twighlight 'girl porn' I got to film 1 minute of....

Anyway as soon as I get that new one out of the way that's 6 whole minutes I've got banked.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

I'd buy it just so I wouldn't have to say I drive a focus or a golf. That alone should make it worth twice as much.

Here, saying that you drive a Volvo is much much worse than saying you drive a Focus or a Golf. That doesn't justify its price premium over a Focus ST.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Anyway as soon as I get that new one out of the way that's 6 whole minutes I've got banked.

So plenty of time for you then?

To me, it's a grown-up Focus ST... Perhaps less capable in stock form but that can be rectified. GT5 must be lying though... Because it's trying to tell me that the C30 is one of the best FWDs ever made of all time... Despite being several hundred kilograms heavier than the RM DC5 Integra and dead even in power, it keeps up just fine. Can't be right. Can it? (See C30 touring car build thingy going on at Jalopnik)

 

[BigYoSpeck]

I'd buy it just so I wouldn't have to say I drive a focus or a golf. That alone should make it worth twice as much.

Here, saying that you drive a Volvo is much much worse than saying you drive a Focus or a Golf. That doesn't justify its price premium over a Focus ST.

I'm curious is the Golf not seen as a premium car outside of Europe? I know in the UK it has significantly more prestige than a Volvo, especially the MkIV's onwards.

 

[Time_Attack]

Define premium.

 

[Stotty]

Looks OK, but the Volvo brand is driven by famlies with 2.2 kids and a dog or octogenarians.... releasing the C30 as a way to attract younger consumers has not IMO changed the image of Volvo yet... it's going to take them a loooooong time!

Un-cool

 

[Luminis]

Dunno... The C30R-Design seems like the kind of car an uncool company would create to look cool, when they really aren't.

Plus, it's driven by sparkling gaypires. All in all... Seriously uncool, in my opinion.

 

[Hugo Boss]

Around here these days Volvo's are driven mostly by people who see the car as a status symbol, but cannot afford one of the German three. To me that makes modern Volvo's uncool per definition.

Looking solely at the car itself, I think both the in- as the exterior look hideous. The only thing that saves this car from ending up in the uncool section is that it's fitted with an inline 5. To me an inline 5 is an instant character feature...

So voted 'meh'.

 

[Small_Fryz]

Agree ^^

 

[Lucas]

Define premium.

*insert GT5 premium car jokes here*


Regardless of the Twilight thingie going on here, I still think this car is pretty awesome. Given that not many men watch Twilight, I couldn't care less about what those who have watched it think of me.

 

[Joey D]

You know for the sole reason this car got men to admit they watched Twilight makes it ever cooler. It's a car that makes fun of people, and that is awesome.

 

[Vince_Fiero]

Meh.

Do not like it, do not dislike it. A bit podgy but the engine and daring design make up for that.

 

[Adamgp]

It's a Volvo
It's a hatchback
It's a Volvo hatchback

Uncool.

 

[BigYoSpeck]

Define premium.

premium (Adjective):

Superior in quality; higher in price or value.

 

[Time_Attack]

Superior in quality to a focus or golf yes. The ford is a rental car and the golf is something you buy when you're a Dbag but can't afford an Audi.

 

[Jim Prower]

Superior in quality to a focus or golf yes. The ford is a rental car and the golf is something you buy when you're a Dbag but can't afford an Audi.

I thought that title belonged to SEAT.

 

[Time_Attack]

When was the last time you saw a SEAT here? never.

 

[Jim Prower]

Fair enough...but keep in mind I'm still...erm...damaged. X3

((notes that you're not THAT far away, just down I-74...))

 

[Time_Attack]

Exactly what "here" referred to...

 

[LSX]

Cool. Good looking car, inline 5's sound nice, girls love it. Also, you hardly see them around, as far as I know there are two in my town, and one is tastefully modded, the other stock. I don't like many hatches, aside from this, a VR6 or R32 Golf would be about it for me.

 

[Danny]

Y'know, for all the comments saying 'uncool', 'cool' is currently winning by a landslide.