Friday 27th April 2012

SOTW: Volvo 480 Turbo

Ratty? Yes. But it is the 'car of the future'...

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You may recall us blithering on last week about how a decent advert can turn your head. Well, Shed has fallen for it again. This time the key to our metaphorical hearts has been humour, and the star of the show - and thus today's SOTW - an admittedly moderately baggy but ever-so-cheap Volvo 480 Turbo.

"Car of the future -today!!!!" proclaims the advert headline, tongue firmly in cheek, before going on to state that "whilst it was originally registered in 1996, it is clear to see that the rest of the car manufacturing world is yet to catch up."

The seller cites, among the car's good points, "pop-up headlights - officially the coolest feature ever to be installed on any car," and the fact that it's "Just completed its 155,000-mile running-in period, so engine is ready to go". On the downside, says our seller, "only three other people can enjoy the experience of it as well as you at any one time."

But among the jokey stuff is some genuinely useful info - this car has had a recent suspension and brake refresh, tax and test, and a relatively new head gasket and water pump. All of which is good stuff and, along with the price, mitigates against the fact that there are a few issues - the worrying-sounding random engine revving and rust spots being just two of them.

The point is, though, that the ad gets across some good reasons why you might want to buy this car - its turbocharged 110hp gives it reasonable poke, the styling lends it a curious air of sci-fi chic, and it's generally an appealingly left-field alternative to your average shed-spec hot hatch or luxobarge.

We won't pretend that this slightly wobbly Volvo isn't a bit of a punt, but at £650 quid with tax and ticket, you'd not be staking all that much on it...

Advert is reproduced below

CAR OF THE FUTURE -TODAY!!!!! (1996)
156,000 miles £650

An oppurtunity has arisen to buy this fantastical car of the future. Whilst it was originally registered in 1996, it is clear to see that the rest of the car manufacturing world is yet to catch up. I am selling it to make way for a Renaultsport Clio of some description. 

THE GOOD:
-Pop-up headlights- officially the coolest feature ever to be installed on any car.
-8 months tax 3 months mot.
-completely standard.
-Good mechanical working order- being used daily with no problems.
-Just completed it's 155000 mile running in period so engine is ready to go.
-It has a turbo- almost as cool as pop-up headlights.
-70% of the time, the 'infocentre' works 100% of the time ( i suspect a loose connection but have not investigated this).
-Half leather interior.
-Recent full rebuild of suspension, new rear dampers, discs and pads. 
-head gasket and watter pump done by volvo 2 years ago.
-Its from the furture.

THE BAD
-intermittent problem with engine revving spontaneously at idle- not always and not affecting running of car.
-sunroof is stubborn and wont open
-2 small rust spots on nearside wheelarches (see pics)
-radio antenna doesnt retract.
-only 3 other people can enjoy the experience of it as well as you at any one time.
-incomplete service history but have receipts for recent things including suspension and water pump etc.

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

Feel free to email with questions. I am open to sensiible offers on the price.

[anonymous-user]

I was very close to buying one of these. The engine is a renault 1.7 turbo engine which is very unstressed. A simple ecu mod (can be bought off 480 owners club) raises the BHP to 170 and you end up with the a very fast car.

They look very interesting and I would definatly look at getting one, but would prefer a lower milage one.

[anonymous-user]

Im quite tempted!

[anonymous-user]

Add now says £500

[anonymous-user]

Ah, many happy memories!

"my" 480 turbo had a little boost, courtesy of a 400bhp 16v'er (clio williams) turbo'd and wedged (pun intended) across between the rear wheels.........








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