RE: SOTW: Volvo 480 Turbo

[gforceg]

ITech said:

Not sure. I know the 480 and 440/460 were built in a different factory, to the other Volvo models of the time and that caused some 'quality issues'.

I have to say, the build quality issues you described don't make it sound very Volvo-ish! Also the Renault engine made me think "collaberation".

[thewheelman]

gforceg said:

ITech said:

Not sure. I know the 480 and 440/460 were built in a different factory, to the other Volvo models of the time and that caused some 'quality issues'.

I have to say, the build quality issues you described don't make it sound very Volvo-ish! Also the Renault engine made me think "collaberation".

You've never heard of Volvos with build quality issues!!!!????

[suffolk009]

I love old Volvos. Not particularly this type, but I bet it will go on, and on, and on.

What else will a monkey get you.

[gforceg]

thewheelman said:

You've never heard of Volvos with build quality issues!!!!????

I guess not. I've been fooled by the solid and reliable guff, haven't I?

[Decky_Q]

Always been a fan of these but just never saw one I wanted to buy, cool looking car imo

[RP1]

Top shed! Had 3 of these and absolutely love them! 120bhp standard not 110 as per the write up iirc.

Had a turbo that was modded out 170bhp about 6 years ago - an absolute hoot to drive.

Most of them have the erratic idle issue - it's a pretty simple fix.

Only ever come across one without rust - one I bought a year or two ago for £350 with just 40k on the clock!

Had I not just bought a V40 T4 i would be sorely tempted by this!

ETA: Also (feel free to correct me here...) that the Renault engine was actually tuned by Porsche at some stage in its development and then...wait for it... detuned by Volvo for reliability reasons! (they are good for a safe and reliable 170bhp). Also believe that lotus had some input into the suspension at some stage.

Edited by RP1 on Friday 27th April 09:46

[Japcarnut]

thewheelman said:

Easily one of my least favourite SOTW's, i remember a friend had one in the mid 90's, it was just one of those cars, that if it could go wrong, then it would. He got shot of it for a Honda Prelude, which by chance, i'd say would make a good SOTW.

They have, twice (4th and 5th Generation)

Edited by Japcarnut on Friday 27th April 09:49

[NiceCupOfTea]

I'd have it for an interesting runaround for a few months, but that rust is going to be expensive to sort properly.

[thewheelman]

gforceg said:

thewheelman said:

You've never heard of Volvos with build quality issues!!!!????

I guess not. I've been fooled by the solid and reliable guff, haven't I?

Oh, no doubt they're generally good solid cars. They remind me in a way of VW, their image for reliability is still so strong from the days where the were market leaders. These days, with more modern cars, there seems to be less of a gulf in quality.

[ITech]

thewheelman said:

gforceg said:

ITech said:

Not sure. I know the 480 and 440/460 were built in a different factory, to the other Volvo models of the time and that caused some 'quality issues'.

I have to say, the build quality issues you described don't make it sound very Volvo-ish! Also the Renault engine made me think "collaberation".

You've never heard of Volvos with build quality issues!!!!????

To be fair, Volvo's were very well made cars until the rot started (literally) with the 480/440/460 cars, which as I said were built in a different factory. Since then Volvo's have sadly continued to have plenty of relaiblity issues, especially, as they have got more electrically complicated. However, the old 240/740/940 etc cars from the 1980's and prior to that, Volvo's were about the most reliable cars you could buy, it is such a shame they let the Accountants spoil everything.

[Track Rod]

Always loved the look of these, especially in black. I remember looking at a brand new one in a Volvo showroom in York back in the day, though it was so cool. If I hadn't just bought a car, I'd definately be interested, for £650 (or less) it's definately worth a punt.

I think it was a joint venture with Renault wasn't it? I believe it was Volvo's first FWD car?

[Raoul Duke]

gforceg said:

I guess not. I've been fooled by the solid and reliable guff, haven't I?

Afraid so, these are fairly notorious for having rogue electrical problems.
Having said that, few cars for this kind of shed money are going to be gremlin free.

[thewheelman]

Japcarnut said:

thewheelman said:

Easily one of my least favourite SOTW's, i remember a friend had one in the mid 90's, it was just one of those cars, that if it could go wrong, then it would. He got shot of it for a Honda Prelude, which by chance, i'd say would make a good SOTW.

They have, twice (4th and 5th Generation) http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/xforums/imgs/9.gifhttp://www.pistonheads.co.uk/xforums/smilies.htm#

Cheers, i'll have a read of those Still have a real soft spot for the Preludes.

Edited by thewheelman on Friday 27th April 09:51

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

I owned the non-turbo version of one of these.
I really liked the quirky wedginess, sports seats front and back and of course the pop-up lights.

Bad bits:
The nightmare electrics make a Renault look positively reliable!
I poked what looked like a small rust bubble inside the rear arch, and my whole hand went through - I bodged it with filler and sold it sharpish!

[SimonSaid]

The Advert said:

THE UGLY
-some might say the way it looks. I would say to them - please leave.

Brilliant!

Always thought these were cool, though I remember the headmaster driving one when I was at primary school which was slightly confusing. Has the same sort of '90s futurism' as that Toyota Sera featured on PH this week. Also makes me even sadder that popup lights are effectively regulated out of existence now, I can't help but love them every time...

[Hugo a Gogo]

ITech said:

gforceg said:

Was this car one of those, only partially successful, joint ventures between Volvo and someone else?

Not sure. I know the 480 and 440/460 were built in a different factory, to the other Volvo models of the time and that caused some 'quality issues'.

Made at the former DAF factory in the Netherlands that went on to make the V40 (and the Mitsu Carisma) - now NedCar

[V8 FOU]

Urrgh!
Horrible cars. Doesn't mention the incurable water leaks and soggy carpets that came as standard on these. And the failing alternators, electric windows.. maybe it had Italian electrics? Or was it the damp from aforesaid water leaks?
Good shed as it will always smell like one inside.....

[clonmult]

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

I owned the non-turbo version of one of these.
I really liked the quirky wedginess, sports seats front and back and of course the pop-up lights.

Bad bits:
The nightmare electrics make a Renault look positively reliable!
I poked what looked like a small rust bubble inside the rear arch, and my whole hand went through - I bodged it with filler and sold it sharpish!

I too had a non-turbo. Cracking car.

And don't forget that the ES meant En-Suite. The boot of mine leaked like a good 'un.

Seats were truly excellent. The big surprise was that *all* of the electrics worked on the blighter! Well, they did for a while. The speedo totally stopped working and I was at a point in my life where I just couldn't be bothered to sort out the sensor.

Body was solid, it handled better than an old fwd Volvo had a right to. Even the engine was surprisingly strong.

It was even occasionally practical. Took my partner and her two kids on a holiday, we had to pack a little light, but it handled it all with ease. And the kids absolutely loved the rear bucket seats.

Loved it, and reckon if I had to go back to a previous car I'd be torn between the 480ES and the AE82 Corolla GT.

[Japcarnut]

thewheelman said:

Japcarnut said:

thewheelman said:

Easily one of my least favourite SOTW's, i remember a friend had one in the mid 90's, it was just one of those cars, that if it could go wrong, then it would. He got shot of it for a Honda Prelude, which by chance, i'd say would make a good SOTW.

They have, twice (4th and 5th Generation) http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/xforums/imgs/9.gifhttp://www.pistonheads.co.uk/xforums/smilies.htm#

Cheers, i'll have a read of those

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/doc.asp?c=162&i=20597 here's the one for the 5th Gen, although perhaps out-geeked by the description on my profile! (sorted smilies!)

[Tanguero]

I am so glad that the advertiser liked my recent advert layout and idea (also for a 480) that they have so blatantly plagiarised. I hope they get more for theirs than I did for mine.