Saturday I went for a test drive of the C30 2.0 and since another Audi dealer was near by, the A3 again. Gave me a good chance to compare the two. I always thought the C30 was a competitor to the A3 but it's not really close. The Volvo is smaller, the interior is more generic, the shifter sloppier, more wind and tire noise and I thought some of the components in the engine bay looked more like Ford quality than Volvo. It is priced around $20,000 and that is with European delivery so you get a vacation for cheap. Not too keen on Sweden in January but so be it.

The Audi was the base with only skyview and premium sound and it is just so much nicer compared to the Volvo. More room, tighter handling, better materials. Only the seats in the Volvo were nicer then the Audi.

 

I went comparing this on the volvo website to the 2.0t A3. They are definitely similar. But I didn't see base price around $20k. When building both using the build tools on their sites, a lot of the standard stuff on the A3, are options on the C30. After adding all the options to get them dressed similar the prices come out similar too (C30 maybe a hair less than A3).

My friend showed my the C30 when I was compairson shopping and looking at the A3 as my best choice. I turned it down because of the rear looks. Though I think I could get used to the look. None of my friends like it. But it could be a decent looking car in person I bet. Something different is a plus for me (probably why I went with a A3 in the first place)

 

I've avoided talking price with any dealer but sometimes you got to humor them. I was quoted $20,430 for a 1.0 and $23130 for the 2.0 . This is a basic car, manual transmission no options and European delivery. I think the base A3 is 25930 msrp last I looked. I haven't talked money with Audi yet, probably will after Christmas.

The C30 looks better in person than the pictures, but you are right those tall taillights are kind of goofy to my eyes..

 

Those prices are about 15% below the US dealer MSRP - seems like an awfully good deal. Problem is, have you checked out the cargo area? Just about enough room for a cat and a bag of chips.

 

Haha, nice! That is going to be my standard metric from now on. "But can it fit a cat and a bag of chips?!?!"

 

I didn't see much difference in the cargo area, at least with the rear seats up.. The Volvo has a 8" liftover so you can't slide items into the cargo area like you could with the Audi. The rear seats are lacking leg room.so maybe with the seats down there is less length. It did have 4 tie down hooks, where the Audi has only 2. Also where the spare tire is they have little compartments where you can put stuff. I suppose you could do the same with the Audi just that you don't have these little compartments.

Yea the price is nice, still I would rather have the Audi and I'll start talking money with the dealers after Christmas.

 

Considering the A3 is 4-door only (here in the U.S.), and the C30 is 2-door only, I think they'll target somewhat different crowds. That's just my opinion, though.

I think the C30 looks great in person. Haven'thad a chanceto sit in one, though.