Oh dear, what am I thinking? - Volvo 480 Turbo
Discussion
I've been after a 480 Turbo for quite a while, and they are quite rare.
I've spotted one up the road from me, I think I may be inclined to make the owner an offer - I know that seems a little unorthodox but I don't think making someone an offer for a rare(ish) car that isn't for sale is unheard of.
I've done my homework and read a few buying guides on these cars, but I'd like to ask you guys is there anything I should be extra vigilant for when (IF) I do view it? Also, has anyone had any experiences of these cars in the past, ownership etc? Also, do these cars make a reliable daily (even with the boost turned up
)?
I've spotted one up the road from me, I think I may be inclined to make the owner an offer - I know that seems a little unorthodox but I don't think making someone an offer for a rare(ish) car that isn't for sale is unheard of.
I've done my homework and read a few buying guides on these cars, but I'd like to ask you guys is there anything I should be extra vigilant for when (IF) I do view it? Also, has anyone had any experiences of these cars in the past, ownership etc? Also, do these cars make a reliable daily (even with the boost turned up
)?Check for:
Crap electrics (ALL of them had problems)
Crap head gasket (MOST of them needed one at somepoint)
Rust everywhere (ALL of them rust)
Fabulous looking car and when working well a decent enough steer but as I've said before, the 400series was a steaming pile of turd in an otherwise nice range of cars and I for one was very glad to see the back of it when it was replaced by the infinitely better S40.
They were troublesome beasts and somewhat temperamental so I can only guess time has done them no favors - Don't buy it expecting it to be a typical volvo ownership experience, think more along the lines of Alfa Romeo ownership - a roller coaster of being smitten at times and ultimately f
ked of with it at others, parts are becoming harder to find and most are quite expensive to buy - One final moan - with 126bhp don't expect the 480 turbo to be anywhere near as fast as it looks - the best engine they fitted to the 480 was the 2.0 found in the last of the line models.
Crap electrics (ALL of them had problems)
Crap head gasket (MOST of them needed one at somepoint)
Rust everywhere (ALL of them rust)
Fabulous looking car and when working well a decent enough steer but as I've said before, the 400series was a steaming pile of turd in an otherwise nice range of cars and I for one was very glad to see the back of it when it was replaced by the infinitely better S40.
They were troublesome beasts and somewhat temperamental so I can only guess time has done them no favors - Don't buy it expecting it to be a typical volvo ownership experience, think more along the lines of Alfa Romeo ownership - a roller coaster of being smitten at times and ultimately f
ked of with it at others, parts are becoming harder to find and most are quite expensive to buy - One final moan - with 126bhp don't expect the 480 turbo to be anywhere near as fast as it looks - the best engine they fitted to the 480 was the 2.0 found in the last of the line models.
Morgrp is mostly correct.......although I had a wonderful ownership experience.
95% of them have electrical gremlins and you will never ever get them sorted. Electricals and rust is the biggest problems.
BUT.....Oh boy, oh boy what a great car and experience I had with mine. I had it for 4 years, I was in my early twenties at the time, when all my friends had Nova's etc.
The car is pretty swift, think mk2 gti 8v quick, in fact the power/torque and delivery is very similar. There is not as much turbo lag as you would think. The steering is OK, the ride is soft and supple and the toys are great! Heated leather, electric seats, electric sunroof and windows, trip computer, amazing dash and interior. A special mention to the seats and interior, the one with leather looks great but the velour looks a little dated now. It is a true 2+2 coupe and my 480T red (absolutely mint, with no rust or gremlins) used to turn heads.
I ran it from 60-120k and it did not miss a beat. I was even part of the owners club back in 2001-2005.........but I only found one other member/owner who had no problems like me....LOL
I still have very fond memories of that car.....still miss it.
If it is a good'un, grab it with both hands.........otherwise......eyes wide open.
IceBoy
95% of them have electrical gremlins and you will never ever get them sorted. Electricals and rust is the biggest problems.
BUT.....Oh boy, oh boy what a great car and experience I had with mine. I had it for 4 years, I was in my early twenties at the time, when all my friends had Nova's etc.
The car is pretty swift, think mk2 gti 8v quick, in fact the power/torque and delivery is very similar. There is not as much turbo lag as you would think. The steering is OK, the ride is soft and supple and the toys are great! Heated leather, electric seats, electric sunroof and windows, trip computer, amazing dash and interior. A special mention to the seats and interior, the one with leather looks great but the velour looks a little dated now. It is a true 2+2 coupe and my 480T red (absolutely mint, with no rust or gremlins) used to turn heads.
I ran it from 60-120k and it did not miss a beat. I was even part of the owners club back in 2001-2005.........but I only found one other member/owner who had no problems like me....LOL
I still have very fond memories of that car.....still miss it.
If it is a good'un, grab it with both hands.........otherwise......eyes wide open.
IceBoy
They all need a good going over from someone who knows them - once sorted, namely the head gasket properly changed and the electrics sorted they are fine - I always enjoyed driving them but like I said the for me the 110bhp 2.0 was the sweetest in the range - always felt a lot more responsive than the 1700 models
Headgaskets?! I have never seen a head gasket go on these engines!
I really miss my 480 ownership days. Owned 6 over 3 years and they are cracking fun.
Electrical problems are common, but really easy to sort and the 480 owners forum is a font of knowledge.
The later 2.0 litre is a decent lump, but the 1.7 turbo is the pick of the crop. Get a 'Richmod' (not sure he still does them - great guy!) and you will hit 60 in 7 seconds and top out at about 135-140mph.
They are a lot of work and need a decent DIYer but they are fun and I miss not being able to tinker.
Parts prices are probably at a high now, I cleared my stores a few years ago and prices had doubled then!
Handling was outsourced to Lotus and Porsche designed the manifold on the turbo engines BTW...
I really miss my 480 ownership days. Owned 6 over 3 years and they are cracking fun.
Electrical problems are common, but really easy to sort and the 480 owners forum is a font of knowledge.
The later 2.0 litre is a decent lump, but the 1.7 turbo is the pick of the crop. Get a 'Richmod' (not sure he still does them - great guy!) and you will hit 60 in 7 seconds and top out at about 135-140mph.
They are a lot of work and need a decent DIYer but they are fun and I miss not being able to tinker.
Parts prices are probably at a high now, I cleared my stores a few years ago and prices had doubled then!
Handling was outsourced to Lotus and Porsche designed the manifold on the turbo engines BTW...
Don't touch it.......electrical nightmare.....look for wet/flooded tyre well, around all of boot area and under rear seats....mine was flooding and eventually traced to off side window leaking. a nightmare to repair/fix. You have to know your way around a car if you buy one, as you will be fixing it alot.
I loved driving it, but not owning it.
hope the one you have seen is a good un.....if you took it to a dealer they will either hide (cause they don't know how to fix anything on it), or rub their hands together in glee at the money they will make out of you
I loved driving it, but not owning it.
hope the one you have seen is a good un.....if you took it to a dealer they will either hide (cause they don't know how to fix anything on it), or rub their hands together in glee at the money they will make out of you
I'm having very, very mixed thoughts now!
I have a couple I can look at ones at 128k, so I may give it a miss as I can see myself doing upto 12k a year soon - I'm not resorting to a diesel just yet! I'm quite capable of doing work on my own cars - however I'd not be keen on doing massive amounts, unless it was modifications etc. My plan was to give it a light beating with the lowering stick, put some nice wheels on it and Richmod.
I'm still considering getting one by renewal time - insurance on these is half that of my Yaris! Are they really that troublesome?
I have a couple I can look at ones at 128k, so I may give it a miss as I can see myself doing upto 12k a year soon - I'm not resorting to a diesel just yet! I'm quite capable of doing work on my own cars - however I'd not be keen on doing massive amounts, unless it was modifications etc. My plan was to give it a light beating with the lowering stick, put some nice wheels on it and Richmod.
I'm still considering getting one by renewal time - insurance on these is half that of my Yaris! Are they really that troublesome?
To be honest, not much money buys you a "proper" Volvo coupe - namely one that doesn't rust, has looks to die for and a fantastic sounding, reliable 5 cylinder engine - I adore mine - easily the best car I've ever owned - hugely underated and ignored - it'll be a classic one - surely!
C70
No pop up headlights though
C70
No pop up headlights though
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