USED Volvo C30 Hatchback (07 - )

My car

I've been very pleasantly surprised by this car, I've had it for a month now. I got it after reluctantly trading in an unreliable new BMW after only a few months.

It's not as good to drive as my 3 series but it's still perfectly nice. The handling and ride are fine, the engine's torquey and reasonably economical, and the brakes are good. It's very solid and nicely finished. The seats are brilliant, and in SE Lux trim, you get just about everything you need. Plus you don't see that many around, so it's not much of a "me too" car.

Quibbles? Although it looks good, the switches on the centre stack are a bit confusing when you're driving. The headlights aren't brilliant on dipped beam, although full beam is fine. It could do with a 6th gear on the motorway. And the luggage cover is a joke.

One great thing - buy a new Volvo and you can take it back to the dealer after 3 months for a free check to make sure everything's working properly. Great idea, it's a pity more manufacturers don't offer that.

My car

There doesn't seem to be a perfect car. This is the seventh car I have owned and I have driven many others. I am very happy with it. It looks great and draws looks from most of the people that walk past it outside our front door. Interestingly, women look at this car too, not just men. I really enjoy driving it; the T5 has a very responsive engine, whatever gear it is in, and it holds the road fairly well, with easy suspension over bumps and comfortable ride. The interior design is great; it would have been good to be able to squeeze a third person in the back seat, but all the seats are extremely comfortable. Getting to the back seat is tricky but you get used to it. I tried out the VW Eos Individual and the Audi S3 before settling on this car - it won my heart by a mile and I have stopped looking at car magazines, adverts and other models with envy!

My car

I bought this car after looking at virtually every other make going (honestly). I just kept coming back to this one because it's so quirky.

I had quite a few concerns about its practicalities, but the look won me over. I have had the car for a month now and I am just getting used to it. I am used to driving petrol cars so driving a 1.6 diesel is taking time to get used to.

The biggest bugbear I have is the access to the rear seats. I struggle to pull the seats forward and to get them to fold down enough to get friends in and out easily. The rear seats are nice, though, once in them! T

he other bugbear is the boot, which, although reasonably spacious, has very high access. The boot space cover is very irritating - it takes ages messing about putting it in place and fixing it down. I may try a hard cover later in year.

The truly best bit (other than the glorious "floating" control panel) is the comfort of the seats. They're the best in any class - even better than Mercedes. That is what really sold it to me.

My car

i bought this car in april and must admit it is one of the best small cars around, i had a choice of an audi a3, bmw 1 series and a ford focus st, i went for this model as i am 25 so insurance costs and running cost were very important to me and this car came out on top, it looks like it will hold its value pretty well to which is important to me.

to drive it is superb i would not normally consider a volvo but i think the company has changed and its image is better than many other companies.

there have been no problems with my car and even though it is the basic model it still turns plenty of heads, including the ladies.

once ive had it for a few months i will be able to report on a longer term basis but for now i am very happy!