It’s a Maine Thing - Hezzy’s Sidewalk Talk

Fall 2007

I love cars and trucks. Always have. The design, the technology, the speed (ahum, yes, those tickets!). Needless to say, I’m always looking at anything with a cute backside that has a motor and four wheels. On a recent road trip to Boston my heart began to flutter when I saw a new 2008 Volvo C30 taking the turn onto Storrow Drive. It was so cute, so retro, so practical. Unlike other hatchbacks in its class this car screams sporty, hip and zippy. And, it obviously is not your made-for-politically correct Volvo-driving Mainers. But it does take a cue from the vintage Volvo 1800 ES wagon from the 70’s. Remember that ultra-cool rear window that model had? You know, the one my sister’s boyfriend drove.( The one I lusted after…the car, not the guy.)

I had to take it for a test drive so at my first opportunity so I hightailed it to Goodwin’s Volvo in Topsham once I was back in Maine to check it out. (Incidentally, they have the best dealer service department in the state.) As you may have guessed I’m not that cute babe in her twenties looking for a practical, hip car but I have to say I looked pretty good in the rear view mirror once I sat in the seat. Once inside, the car was missing the standard luxury items that I’ve gotten used to in my Audi A4 3.0 wagon like heated leather seats, GPS, Xenon headlamps, cruise control, sunroof, rain-sensing wipers and trip computer. None of that seemed to matter once I was cruising along Route 1 towards Freeport. The 1.0 version I was driving proved itself to me in performance, agility and visibility. The car hung onto to the turns, found a comfortable balance between edgy and racey and delivered a ride that was both quiet and smooth. The ride is considerably better than its rivals like the boy-racers Volkswagon GTI or the Mazdaspeed3. The brakes were efficient and responsive as one has come to expect from Volvo, but after a bit of healthy use they were squishy, offering lower than average power and sinking near the floor. Certainly better than the brakes in our GMC Sierra, but not what one expects from a Volvo. The engine delivered the power one expects from a five cylinder that was both quiet and eager. The steering was solid and the visibility excellent with an enormous windshield and slim roof supports. The front buckets are generous and comfy, with the back seat rather narrow, but could hold three petite ingénues comfortably in a pinch for a short haul. The glass on the back hatch was as light as air when I lifted the rear window, but I did notice that the severe angle of the window could limit any larger hauling. Forget that weekend trip to Ikea to pick up a Poang Chair. It just won’t fit. Gas mileage is acceptable at 19 mpg city and 27 on the highway, but not respectable for those seeking a more green, responsible gas vehicle like a Honda Civic or other hybrid.

The Volvo C30 1.0 version that I drove had a price tag of $25,295. Expect to pay about $28,295 for the 2.0 version. Another $10,000 will get you all the luxury trimmings.

The true small-car believer will easily add this sporty rig to the line-up. Will America fall for a Swede that is not blonde, tall and lanky, but short, pudgey and metallic blue?  Time, the price of gasoline and the ability to divorce ourselves from the gas guzzlers will tell.