Test drive Volvo C30 2006 - 2009 hatchback

Need a car for a wife up to $ 25,000

Dmitry Krylov, 31 years old, personal trainer of the fitness center. Rides (temporarily) to the VAZ-2109. He wants a car for his wife. Budget: $ 25,000
I decided to make a surprise for my wife’s birthday. Help to choose something suitable, worthy of both externally and in equipment.
My requirements for the car
Image
A new car of a famous brand. Purely girlish.
Style
Nice to the eye. It’s not bad if it stands out from the crowd, but in moderation.
Shodal qualities
Dynamic, obedient, with a comfortable suspension and good sound insulation.
Economy
Of course, I want to spend as little as possible on gasoline.
Interior
A spacious salon, comfortable even for long trips of the seat. The big trunk is not the most important characteristic. Better more space in the cabin.
Equipment in the standard
Good music, powerful air conditioning, preferably ABS.
Opel Astra
Selected because: a very practical car, and also is still in demand among the female half.
When this car only appeared, he caused a lot of enthusiasm. He and I liked him and my wife. There was something in him that forced him to turn after. The reason, in my opinion, is simple. Astra was not what it was before. A different approach to design made many look towards Opel with completely different eyes. Her design for her time was even avant -garde. The salon seemed no less interesting. Even without special bells and whistles, but everything was very decent. Of course, he is such, but now, but I don’t know, maybe over time and with the advent of other, more advanced rivals, he looks at their level somehow poorly. Probably, it is this conservatism that Astra pushes into the background today when choosing something for that kind of money. However, I am not ready to finally say that I reject this candidacy as a car option for my wife. In Astra there is something that me, a practical person, makes me seriously think about her. Moreover, the design in this regard has not the last meaning. As a rule, machines with a brighter appearance are popular with hijackers. The same machine is not so outfit.
However, if I chose this car for my wife, then definitely would not take a car with a robotic box. Some torn ride with her turns out. I tried it and the same, and all one in automatic mode, the machine pecks strongly with the nose when switching. The same is manual. It is clear that before switching for a more comfortable driving, you need to throw off gas. But this is understandable to me, the wife, I think, will not be delighted. I definitely give a robot to the robot.
But I liked the suspension work. The machine is quite comfortable working on our not the best road profile. He behaves worthy and at high speed. Caring on it along the highway, I realized that you would not get tired on it on the long journey. In the city, he also noted a good review. Of course, the rear could be better.
Otherwise, the car is quite worthy and comfortable, in any case, for its class. Both finishing materials at the level, and the quality of fitting elements of the salon. The seats are very comfortable. A fairly roomy trunk. The back row of seats is also good. My daughter is ten years old, which means that two more years she will have to go there. I think she would like in Astra. Surprised by only a few sophisticated central consoles. You need to deal with her. What, where, why? And how much will the wife like it? It is my person is quite organized and loves that everything is clear in its place.
Style
It was very interesting for his time. However, now it is already perceived differently.
Shodal qualities
And I liked the engine and the suspension. A good car and steer. Only the work of the gearbox leaves much to be desired.
Interior
Thought out, well balanced, ergonomic. But not impressive.
Economy
At the level and is quite happy.
Equipment in the standard
In principle, everything that is needed is in the car.
Mark and model Opel Astra 1.6
Dimensions 4250x1795x1460 mm
Gasoline engine, 1598 cm3, 105 hp
Mechanical transmission, robotic, 5-speed
Max. speed 185 km/h
Acceleration 12.3 s to 100 km/h
Like: practical, well equipped, rather balanced both in design and in functionality.
I do not like it: against the background of competitors, it looks somewhat archaic, too sophisticated the central console.
Honda Civic
Selected because: a new car with a very extraordinary appearance, which does not prevent him from being practical and in connection with this very popular.
Initially, Civic makes a stunning impression. He is like from another life. As if he flew into this planet only for refueling and as soon as he replenishes his tanks with fuel, he will again take off to another galaxy. A sort of cosmic bot. However, the more I look at him, the more clearly I represent a rich student with the wind in my head. Civic car for parting. On it, you can easily drive to a night club or drive around the city all night among it like it, tucking the brains with some power engineer. Civic is not a car in this body. This is a certain image that needs to be consistent not only externally, but also internally. Brains should work in a different format. It seems to me that the one who buys it wants not to be more, but to seem. Do my wife need such a car? I don’t know, most likely, she would reject him. To a certain stage in life, each of us becomes who he really is. The wind is blown out of the head, and life, routine and practicality take the place of recklessness. Apparently, this stage has come in our life, in connection with which, I think, this car is not for it. Most likely, initially Civic would also make a strong impression on her, but over time, euphoria would have replaced the desire to return to the sinful earth and look at this miracle with a sober look.
Moreover, this applies not only to the appearance of the car, but also to its interior. Looking at the same cosmic design, I involuntarily want to put on a helmet, like the judge Dredd, the armor of unprecedented, strong as armor, and flexible, like silk, material, attach to the forearm of blasters and go to conquer by no means the streets of the city, but The open spaces of the universe. Where are you, strangers, others, predators or how are you there? I will fly to you to make you even be surprised even you!
Nevertheless, I liked the car. Despite the unearthly external and inner world, it is worthy of becoming its own on our land. In any case, there are all prerequisites for this. It is comfortable and predictable. Like Opel, aggregated by a mechanical robotic box. However, the work of the Communist Party is in any comparison with Ophevskaya. Switching is very smooth, and therefore the desire to go to manual mode of selection of programs did not arise. Perhaps this robot was from the presented Trinity even the best.
I did not like the rear review in Civic. There are no problems with the front, but I somehow had no desire to turn back. All one thing is not visible. Wide medium and rear racks completely overlap the review.
It also seemed that the car was harsh for our roads. Any Lesser Pothole makes Civic tremble with his whole body. And this, it seems to me, will inevitably lead to the fact that everything and everything will creak in the salon. However, I may be wrong.
Style
Very intriguing, in terms of design, a car. Obviously ahead of its time.
Shodal qualities
An obedient and dynamic car. It steer perfectly, effectively accelerates and slows down. The suspension works well with irregularities.
Interior
Everything is, everything is insanely interesting, but, I'm afraid, eventually get tired, like a cosmic shooter.
Economy
At the level of competitors.
Equipment in the standard
There is everything for safe and comfortable driving.
Mark and Model Honda Civic 1.8
Dimensions 4250x1760x1460 mm
Gasoline engine, 1798 cm3, 140 hp
Mechanical transmission, robotic, 6-speed
Max. Speed \u200b\u200b207 km/h
Acceleration 8.9 s to 100 km/h
Like: a high level of equipment and comfort, good work of a robotic box, handling.
I don't like it: I am too fucked up too much, I'm afraid it’s getting tired quickly.
Toyota auris
Selected because: a 2007 -model car with a pleasant appearance and good inclinations.
With this car, Toyota, in my case, got to the point. Here I look at Auris and see how my wife was sitting behind the wheel. The machine is moderately glamorous and moderately practical. On the one hand, it does not catch like Civic, but not as simple as Astra. It blows from her novelty, and at the same time she does not seek to be at the forefront. Auris is one hundred percent female car. It is female. A girl of about eighteen to twenty years old will also look good in her, but it is the restraint of the style that gives Toyota a unique charm inherent in young married ladies. Nothing superfluous, but spectacular.
The same can be said about the interior. Here, too, there is a certain glamor raid, but he does not finish, allowing him to focus on something more important, on management. Although, of course, some moments have caused bewilderment. What were guided in Toyota when they carried the route computer control button on the instrument panel? Sorry, but it's just inconvenient. To press it and see how much, for example, it remains to drive kilometers on the remaining fuel in the tank, you need to stretch out your hand through the steering wheel. It is clear that in a bend it will be the least of all interested in me, and yet
However, this is the only ergonomic miscal. Otherwise, the ergonomics of the driver's seat is excellent. The parking brake lever is located very well. You jerk him without leaning and not looking. A robotic box selection selector is also in place. In addition, like Civic, there is the possibility of shifting transmissions with steering wheel petals. The box itself is also quite adequate, however, delays in switching and nods are present. And it was also very surprised by the fact that when releasing the brake pedal, the car begins to move. Neither Astra nor Civic allowed this to themselves. Immediately like on a machine. On the one hand, it seems to be convenient, but if you consider that, in fact, mechanical boxes are on the machines, it is quite strange.
I liked Auris in motion. And the suspension is quite comfortable, and handling at an acceptable level. There are no problems with dynamics and maximum speed either. The machine willingly accelerates, effectively slows down. There are no problems at high speed. He keeps the road perfectly. In any case, to go on it at 170 km/h. It was only surprising that it was at this speed that in some incomprehensible way, the lower plastic dirtyard of the motor compartment was almost blown away. Apparently, it was not reliably fixed. Not crime, of course, but what about the vaunted quality of Toyota?
I really liked the car, especially if I abstract from it myself and transfer emotions to my wife. I think she will be glad to such a car.
Stil
Nice to the eye. Enjoyed enough. A real female car.
Shodal qualities
Good car. It is convenient to ride it both around the city and on the highway.
Interior
Pleasant to both the eye and the body. There are elements of style. It is quite spacious and quite ergonomic.
Economy
The same as the opponents. In any case, if there is a difference, it is small.
Equipment in the standard
Worthy, especially when you take into account 7 airbags.
Toyota auris 1.6 brand and model
Dimensions 4220x1760x1515 mm
Gasoline engine, 1598 cm3, 124 hp
Mechanical transmission, robotic, 5-speed
Max. speed 190 km/h
Acceleration 11.2 s to 100 km/h
Like: a balanced appearance, an interesting and practical interior.
Do not like: the work of a robotic mechanical box, the location of the button of the route computer.
Volvo C30
Selected because: a stylish little thing from Volvo. It is popular among extraordinary personalities, in particular, in a wealthy sexual sex.
I really did not think that, choosing a car for my wife, I would find something that would completely suit me. Until that moment, until I encountered Volvo C30 personally, I considered it exclusively a female machine. Maybe because before I have not seen her in black. Now my opinion has changed dramatically. Well, what is it glamorous? She, I would say, boy. And although I do not really like this word, but it displays the essence of this car for one hundred percent. There is and become, and strength, and pressure, and much more, which fully corresponds to the male character. Probably, if now it would not be the task of choosing a car for his wife, without hesitation, would take C30 to himself. Yes, it is not as functional as Astra, Civic or Auris. For example, there is practically no trunk (I can hardly imagine how to put something larger than the bourgeois in it). Yes, it is inconvenient to sit on the second row of seats due to a three-door layout. And sitting there is not very comfortable: there is a place above your head, but it is clearly not enough for your legs. But these little things bother me the least. You do not expect functionality from this machine, you expect a charge of positive emotions from it, and I got them.
I really liked how she was going. I have a normal, honest automatic box at the high. Her work is adequate and quite speedy. But most of all I liked how this car holds the road. And the fact that at speeds in steep turns the back axis slightly blows it off, so it adds a drive even more. In the end, knowing such a feature of C30, on occasion you can be boring. Oddly enough, even a squeezed suspension on this machine is perceived in a completely different way than others. I like to feel the way in this car not only through feedback with the steering wheel. I like that it is this rigidity that allows you to merge with the machine almost together, feeling it with the whole body. I have a good enough, due to professional activity, a vestibular apparatus is developed, and therefore I feel even the slightest deviation from the norm instantly. And this is what allows the car to drive literally on the verge of a foul, especially when the stabilization system is disabled. And although I am not an amateur to anneal, C30 for some reason is pushing all the time. And why not, if it is pleasure and safe.
I think this machine would like my wife. But no, for her I would not take one. Practicality is not enough, but the wife and the child, and the child, and I finally.
Style
A memorable little thing. You can’t confuse with any other car. True, for this you need to look in the profile or from the stern.
Shodal qualities
I could not even imagine that Volvo could lightly light up to meet with this auto -mass.
Interior
Nothing special, but everything is strict, concise and high quality, and this bribes.
Economy
Quite adequate appetite for this engine.
Equipment in the standard
It seems to be everything, in any case, everything you need is present.
Mark and model Volvo C30 2.4
Dimensions 4250x1782x1447 mm
Gasoline engine, 2435 cm3, 170 hp
Automatic transmission, 5-speed
Max. Speed \u200b\u200b215 km/h
Acceleration 8.9 s to 100 km/h
Like: Honest operation of the machine, powerful engine, appearance.
I do not like it: in my understanding of the trunk in the car there is simply no, and the space behind is not enough for sure.
The choice of the reader
After this, two cars were firmly settled in my brain. The first Toyota auris, which I definitely position as a car for my wife. The second Volvo C30. I think that in the near future I will consider it as a kind of goal, which you need to strive for myself. Honda Civic and Opel Astra are also good, but the first is too unearthly and, I am afraid, soon this cosmos get tired. The second, on the contrary, is too practical. However, if it is not possible to take Toyota Auris quickly, I will once again consider the candidate Astra.
Editor's Choice
In consumer qualities, all cars are more or less comparable. Only Volvo C30 is somewhat separate in this four due to a three-door body and an impractical trunk. Our choice is Honda Civic this time. And the point here is not the notorious space design, but in the ability of the machine to adequately respond to the fact that at a particular moment in time the driver requires it.

Text: 5 wheel
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov

A source: Magazine 5 wheel [06/29/2007]