You Need This: A Volvo unicorn, a C30 Polestar with a stick

David S.
By David S. Wallens
Sep 11, 2024 | Volvo, You Need This, Volvo C30

Photography Courtesy Kevin Lankowicz/Facebook Marketplace

Hey, Volvo fans, we have a bit of a unicorn for you: One of the 250 C30 Polestar Limited Editions imported to the U.S. This was a one-year-old model for 2013.

That means that this Polestar has the 250-horsepower inline-five plus the Rebel Blue paint.

Also, it has a stick.

But something to note: rebuilt title.

The ad explains: “#107 has a Florida REBUILT Title in my name due to a damaged A-Pillar. The damage was repaired at a licensed and insured body shop in St. Pete.”

Recent work includes timing belt and tires, while the car wears H&R springs, a muffler delete and an Elevate intake.

For what the seller is asking for, we've seen ones with clean titles fetch about double that on Cars & Bids. Worth calling on this one?

Find this 2013 Volvo C30 T5 R-Design Hatchback 2D in Largo, Florida, on Facebook Marketplace, with an asking price of $13,500.

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Comments
Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
9/11/24 4:29 p.m.

That's really cool. I can't totally explain it, but I've lusted after the V60 Polestar ever since it came out (ideally, the earlier model that still used the straight-six).

This C30 seems a little more attainable price-wise, and looks to be rarer, too.

Coniglio Rampante
Coniglio Rampante Reader
9/11/24 5:38 p.m.

I'm just here to say "cool, I either forgot or didn't know these came with a five cylinder and a stick!"

The four-banger turbo dct seems nearly ubiquitous in the marketplace, and yes, I'm part of the reason.

Also here to say "rebuilt title due to a damaged A pillar...how'd that happen?"

mxandcx5
mxandcx5 Reader
9/11/24 6:59 p.m.

I actually came across this listing on CL yesterday and although I always liked these stylistically, I never new they had this much modification potential: https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/d/newtown-2010-volvo-30-design-t5-turbo/7783247507.html

Spearfishin
Spearfishin HalfDork
9/11/24 7:25 p.m.
mxandcx5 said:

I actually came across this listing on CL yesterday and although I always liked these stylistically, I never new they had this much modification potential: https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/d/newtown-2010-volvo-30-design-t5-turbo/7783247507.html

The bit about it being a Euro market Mk2 Focus RS with different badges and a smaller turbo... That accurate?

mxandcx5
mxandcx5 Reader
9/11/24 7:39 p.m.

In reply to Spearfishin :

They did share the same Volvo P1/Mazda BK/Ford C1 platform. And it would appear they did use the volvo engineered five cylinder. I had a 2007 Mazda 3 (Gen1) that was built on the same platform and was surprised that some newer Focus parts were compatible, such as a stiffer lower trans mount from the e-focus.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Focus_(second_generation,_Europe)#Focus_RS_Mk_2

spandak
spandak Dork
9/11/24 8:16 p.m.
Colin Wood said:

That's really cool. I can't totally explain it, but I've lusted after the V60 Polestar ever since it came out (ideally, the earlier model that still used the straight-six).

This C30 seems a little more attainable price-wise, and looks to be rarer, too.

I too desire one of these

mydirtyv30
mydirtyv30 New Reader
9/11/24 8:16 p.m.
mxandcx5 said:

I actually came across this listing on CL yesterday and although I always liked these stylistically, I never new they had this much modification potential: https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/d/newtown-2010-volvo-30-design-t5-turbo/7783247507.html

Thanks for sharing my C30 post! In case anyone is wondering my C30 in this ad is putting down around 300hp and 340+Torque it's a blast to drive I'm very sad that I'm selling it but my back no longer agrees with me as I've been putting my 2 year old in the back and just need a 4 door car at this point. Hopefully it will find a good home. I really took care of it.

johndej
johndej UltraDork
9/11/24 8:21 p.m.
spandak said:
Colin Wood said:

That's really cool. I can't totally explain it, but I've lusted after the V60 Polestar ever since it came out (ideally, the earlier model that still used the straight-six).

This C30 seems a little more attainable price-wise, and looks to be rarer, too.

I too desire one of these

My buddy dailies one and convinced him to HPDE it at hyperfest. She's a heavy girl and ate all her front brakes pads that started brand new (hawk HP if I remember right) in the first 6 sessions. Was trying to sell him on a C30 for a track car and sent him this link!

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
9/11/24 8:24 p.m.
Spearfishin said:
mxandcx5 said:

I actually came across this listing on CL yesterday and although I always liked these stylistically, I never new they had this much modification potential: https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/d/newtown-2010-volvo-30-design-t5-turbo/7783247507.html

The bit about it being a Euro market Mk2 Focus RS with different badges and a smaller turbo... That accurate?

The Mk2 RS had the 2.5l low compression/high pressure turbo engine from the S60R/V70R (B5254T4) but with an integrated turbo/exhaust manifold for chassis reasons.  It used a KKK K16 turbo vs. the K24 from the P2 chassis cars.  It's the same engine family as the P1 C30/S40/V50 but much different internally.

Like the 3rd gen RS, it didn't really seem to make as much power as claimed smiley IIRC it was 345hp, vs. 296hp for the Volvos with a larger turbo.

The other thing the Mk2 Focus RS had was a device called the Revo Knuckle that looked kinda similar to what the sport suspension Regal GS and early Infiniti G20s had.  It was a way to define the steering axis in a place not defined by the strut top or ball joint, while still bolting in to an existing strut type chassis. 

Apparently even with the steering axis shenanigans, the cars could not easily handle that much power with front wheel drive unless you were a torque steer enthusaist, which is why the 3rd gen RS was all wheel drive.

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter)
Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
9/11/24 9:03 p.m.

Adrian doesn't post here much anymore, but his 2008 C30 is currently in my barn awaiting a few minor repairs and detailing, then he's going to put it up for sale, so watch this space.

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