If you're doing a comparison, what's most important to you in a car?

 

I PERSONALLY don't like retractable hard tops. I think the Gen 1s with the real soft top are MUCH better looking.

Just IMHO.

 

^haha I think completely opposite: hard tops are incredibly good-looking. I can't stand the look of most soft-top convertibles with the roof up; especially the last gen M3's. We really do need to know what's most important and your reasoning. I'd say go for the C70 though.

 

To your list I also evaluated the Mini. I was reluctant with the VW, as I was coming out of a VW with a 4 year trail of tears record for electrical component issues, like switches and the window regulator.

In no particular order

The C70 is a true year round car, with best cabin space and comfort. This can be confirmed by specs, but it has a back seat that fits real people, i even got my U of W Badger lineman nephew in the back. (harder getting him out.) Two couples for dinner, my kids and all of their stuff, all of it no problem. That just wasn't the case with the others. With the premium sound package, it's just a very nice ride.

It is very nice looking (I know, subjective) but the professional reviewers will say that, too. Up there with the Infiniti (not on your list) and now the Audi, which also gets good marks for looks. Much more handsome than the lexus, the BMW, the Eos.

Price. Go to Sweden to fetch it and get a C70 for Eos prices. And way less dough than a BMW. The comparable BMW the salesman was steering me to was $65K. I don't care if I can afford it, I was not raised to spend that kind of cash on a car. I was on my way to buy an Audi when my wife dropped me off at a Volvo store. Within an hour i had paid my deposit for overseas delivery, and we were on our way to Sweden.

On the other hand... it is not really a performance car. Looks like it should be, but just isn't. Very capable and satisfying highway cruiser, but at 228 HP and Geartronic, well. Put it this way, if you are an aggressive driver or aspire to be one, you maybe need the BMW. The BMW is rear wheel drive with a performance tuned engine. just a different car.

And finally... I just came to like the positioning of the Volvo brand, at least in my town. Really nice, but sensible. Classy. Well off guy with really good taste.

 

Do like the C70 very much but feel that it lacks the bells and whistles that the other cars have. No turbo boost gauge. Dash is plain. We have a XC60 and that too lacks features on dash. No that the Audi is much higher priced and that VW is known for the electrical issues. Wish the c70 had more umph on the interior. I know the safety factor and like the hardtop convert. Like the safe and secure warranty offered but that too might change. Hope that the dealer will "loan" me a c70 for playtime so I can decide. I hate when they do a 5 minute run and they sit in the car and talk your ear off. Did the OSD for the xc60 and it was an adventure. Not too happy with the Paris dropoff fees ($1200)

 

Which of its competitors offers a standard boost gauge? Or even a more exciting looking interior? The interiors in the Audi and BMW are relatively plain Jane and banal. The EOS really isn't a competitor in this class of car. Personally, I'd go for the 3 series since it offers a manual and better performance. Also, if you're thinking of resale at any point, they tend to retain their value better than Volvos. I love the S5 but its lack of a manual really kills me.

-Eric

 

00 Sven +1 Love my car, but I have a stick and a tune. Just kicked some idiot in a CTS a$$ when he tried to cut me off at 2 lanes into 1. Loved the dumb look on his face as I drove off roof down. Eos also has bad roof leaks, well documented. BWM HT/conv just doesn't look right, IMO. Sven, had the same thing with my 80 yr old dad in the back seat, in easy, out not so much even with the roof down.

 

Someday -- not today as this thread about buying one and not making them go faster -- I need to hear about the tune. I have the manual gearbox too, and it's plenty quick for me. Just ain't a BWM335 or Lexus IS350 C, both I think have 300+ HP engines. So, let's talk tune later, love the thought of busting a CTS driver, made me smile.

 

I just came back from a short vacation from Ohio to New Jersey and back in my C70 and both my wife and I agree that it is the best touring car we have owned. I have the ECM software modification that boosts the HP to 255 and that makes all the difference. We drove US30 though the PA hills and it was simply wonderful. Power on demand for both passing and climbing. Just smooth and effortless. The seats were extremely comfortable, could have been slightly better with the softer leather that is in my older C70. The Dynaudio system was great. Handling was reasonably good, not in the BMW 3 series class but still very good. Too much understeer for my liking! In the hills of PA it cornered surprisingly flat and had sufficient grip with some all-season Kumos. I would of liked another 12 volt outlet. I had to switch between charging the ipod and my phone. My older C70 and my S40 both have two! I don't know why there is only one in this car. No creaks or rattles in the roof and it was great to have the top down cruising the coast of NJ! Overall for the whole trip averaged 30.4 mpg and that includes some extreme stop and go traffic leaving the baseball game in Pittsburgh, PA. Volvo's information display in the main dash, as with my S40, is terrible. In certain lighting conditions it is unreadable. You would have figured that from 2005 to 2007 someone would have determined that this green display just doesn't work! I have owned BMW's, Audi's and Acuras among others and this C70 is overall a very good vehicle once the ECM gets modified and I recommend it highly with the manual transmission. To bad it is not available with a new vehicle. It is why I purchased a used CPO car and have not regretted it.

I forgot to add, stopped at a friends in Pittsburgh, and when we went out we used the C70 over his EOS because of the far superior room for four people!

 

CDR, did you ever get the wind blocker? Must have option for extending your top down season w/out windows up... Yea, the leather is the one thing I'm disappointed with, someone said it looks like a football and my only wear is the drivers seat left side that has flaked off??? Volvo said this is wear and not under warrenty...

 

STUVO, yes I did. But like a dummy, the first time I put the top down on my trip was in Gettysburg, it was under my luggage in the trunk. I got a little smarter after that and preset it in position, but folded it down. My seat is doing the same. Now that it is finally getting warm and not raining in Ohio, I have some leather conditioner that I am going to use on the seats. I have used the same stuff on my old C70 seats with good results. It is called Tanner's Preserve but I am almost out and can't remember were I got the stuff from!

 

I have used the same stuff on my old C70 seats with good results. It is called Tanner's Preserve but I am almost out and can't remember were I got the stuff from!

I will have to give this stuff a go.

http://www.amazon.com/Tanners-Preserve-Leather-Combo-65864/dp/B000BKUDC4/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp

 

Back when we got ours, in 2007, the short list of cars we considered was the A4 Cabriolet, and the VW Eos. The BMW 3-series ret. HT wasn't quite out yet, but I didn't think the extra money it was going to cost was worth it. The Eos was reasonably peppy and drove nicely, and cheaper by a fair amount, but it just didn't have that much appeal - and in retrospect there have been problems with them, including roof leaks (at least in the early years). The A4 Cab was quite nice - we were looking at the 2.0T version, which was similarly-priced. I kind of liked the idea of the retractable HT, though, so the cloth top of th A4 was a slight negative. I am guessing that with the A5 Cab, prices have escalated a fair amount, making it non-trivially more money than a C70.

My list today would add the Infiniti (what is it, the G37 convertible?), and perhaps the Lexus IS convertible. Both of these are also a bit more money, I think, but seem pretty nice on paper.

The interior of the C70 is a bit plain, but I like the somewhat spartan Scandinavian look.... I think it is still true that the C70 has the most usable back seat of all of the above cars - still tight by sedan standards, but more workable than the others. Even if the others are quicker, I view the C70's power as adequate (even with the Geartronic), the handling quite good (within the confines of a FWD set-up), the exterior design is very graceful, classy, and sleek, and the interior design as reasonably nice in a low-key way. I kind of like the vibe of the car, as a somewhat "sensible" convertible. Our C70 is my wife's primary car, and there may be a slight amount of "chick car" aura to it (not as much as with an Eos, though...) But I am very happy when I am driving it (perhaps helped out by the fact that ours is black....)

 

I use the car only in the warm weather months since my purchase in May 08, and yes, the leather flaked off on the left side of my driver's seat last summer! I think it rubs off from the seat belt?

 

I purchased my 2011 C70 last August and have loved it. I typically drive a company vehicle, but break out the C70 during the warmer months here in Chicago. That's not to say I don't drive all winter, I love driving the car and enjoy the heated seats.

When looking for my convertible I was considering the Audi A5, VW EOS, Lexus and Volvo. The Audi was my favorite going in since I was thinking of buying a convertible back in 2003; however, my wife leaned me towards a hard top for better weather control. What I found out was the Audi, while totally awesome, was not for me. The VW was too small, same for the Lexus. What sold the Volvo was the clean Scandinavian interior (simplicity), the 5 year maintenance plan and the hard top.

I've been on a few long road trips in the C70 and having the hard top on the highway has very been nice to combat road noise.

My only suggestions for improvement for the C70 would be a better radio display and provide all wheel drive as an option.

Bottom line, look for what fits your desires and buy what you like . . . it's your money.

Best of luck.

 

This Up Scale Model - should have a 6 speed Auto Offered in It Period !

Don't think the 6 Speed Stick is Available any longer , and If that's the Case: By-By !


They need to add an R Version !

It should have a Back up Camera - Package !

 

Well since someone else brought this thread back, I'll post my thoughts. I have been driving a 2008 C70 since October 2010. I am used to more sporty cars than this. This car looks much more aggressive than it is. It is a little on the heavy side and the handling is definitely softer than the other models you listed. The T5 provides decent power, as much at the 2.0T in the VW or some Audi models. The BMW will out perform this car in any driving test, but will also cost more. It really depends on what you are looking for. I actually enjoy driving mine. It has a very nice ride and looks better than any other 4 seat hardtop convertible I have seen. If I was to choose a convertible to travel across the country in, it would probably be this car based on all it has to offer including all weather driving. Overall it is a great car, just don't expect it to make you tear up a winding mountain road. Instead enjoy the relaxing ride and the view.

 

Yes it needs the six speed, yes - it needs an updated interior just like the S80/XC70 got the new s60/XC60 interior w/ Sensus. However, this car is 100% gorgeous, especially with the new taillight re-design. I saw one from the back last week and from 40 meters away, I though I was approaching a $150,000 super-car.

Maybe Volvo is holding off on the six speed and interior updates because an all-new C70 is coming in the next year or two?

 

Happy As Can Be

To the original poster, I've had my new C70 for a month now and couldn't be happier. I agree with those that ask what's important to you. For me, the retractable hardtop is #1. Down here in Texas, ragtops just plain look bad after a couple of years. I don't care if it's a cheap or expensive car, the roofs quickly get faded, cracked and worn with the weather down here. The fact that the top on the C70 goes down or up in 30 seconds with the push or pull of a button is just awesome. I drive to work in the morning with the top down, and put the top up while it's parked and for the drive home in the 105 degree heat.

This my 4th Volvo- we've owned them since 1981- a GL, an 850 Wagon, an S-80 (wife's car, which she loves) and now the C70- my car. I absolutely love it. The C70 is the perfect combination of (in no particular order) luxury, speed, reliability, technological advancement and style. I knew within 5 minutes of my test drive at the dealership that I wanted this car.

I'm new to this forum...glad to have found it.

Regards,

JK

 

Are you guys still comparing notes, or is this just a vanity chat? I could add stuff, if we are still evaluating.

 

I've had my car 5 years now and still love it every day. Put the roof down every day I can. Had the 2nd pre ordered at the local dealer and have no regrets. I love this car!!!

 

Interesting...our '08 was Celestial Blue--beautiful car. Swapped it a few months ago for a white '11. Virtually the same car but I don't like the new tranny as well as the '08.

From your sig: 1974 Jensen-Healey - Bone stock Lotus engine
BUT, to my main reason for responding...I passed a brown Jensen-Healey 50 times or more...on a dealer lot...Columbia, SC. They also had the only Triumph Stag I ever laid eyes on. Couldn't pull the trigger on either but ended up with a '72 TR-6. Nearly went broke trying to keep it running! The Jensen had the separate oil radiator, IIRC. I was fascinated by that thing! Wonder what ever happened to it?

 

After selling a very problematic '97 BMW 328i (last straw was the rag top wouldn't go down), we have been delighted with an '08 C70. Wonderful car with all the advantages of a coupe AND a convertible. 'Couldn't be happier (unless Volvo made an R version.)

 

funny, there's a guy in my neighborhood who thinks they do make a C70R...he's badged his all up with R emblems.

 

I had this car as loaner for while XC70 at service. So everything fine, like any Volvo, but the steering is so light, it's horrible. In otherhand S60 T5 has tight steering (also as loaner), so I want to ask Volvo, what is it went wrong with this steering? My XC 70 has even more tighter steering.
So maybe BMW 3-series used is better choice.

 

I'm not sure i understand what you mean. The steering on my C70 is just fine, very responsive and communicative of road conditions. I recently had a C30 loaner which drove almost the same.

 

Salesman told me btw, it has a option on some C70 to adjust a wheel steering feel. Maybe it was set to light. Well anyway, the price is high for this cars.

 

got my new C70 today and driven about 250miles in it. its a very solid car and the steering is not light as i remembered. it is actually quite tight and firm..... maybe I was given an adjusted model before. the interior is really nice. some people on here say its needs to be more upmarket, but i've been in the new S60/V60 interior and i dont like it as much as the C70's. the watch-style instrument cluster is a dream to look at, the car just reminds me of the MK1 C70 coupe when the roof is up. people's heads turn when its driving past.

I am really happy with this car and so glad i went for it instead of the BMW 6-series (not the new one of course). you might say thats crazy talk, but go sit in a 650i or 630i and drive it. yes they are fast but nothing else is good about it. very hard ride and the interior is too big and overwhelming. the minimalism of the C70 is just beautiful.

mine has the 18" Midr wheels so the ride is a bit firm and it seems to want to follow the cambers in the road. road noise is also a bit louder than I thought. nothing bad but just things I observed.

 

congrats! and I second your opinion...

did you get an inscription model? we want pics!
(check out the gallery link in the sticky at the top of the C70 message board)