The sale of the car hasn't gone as well as planned. It's still in my drive as we speak, and yes, the blurb next to the avatar is true-i have only washed her once in a month...shock! Surprising how a lack of enthusiasm can affect your 'relationship' so much. Guess thats why some people never get married
Anyway-i suppose this only really counts to people who've sold a 480, but come back again. When did you miss it?
It sunk in again on my way home tonight. Just left Shaneeka's, got about halfway home and a little boy really really liked the either the glass hatch, the badging, or the rear bumper. Or perhaps his eyesight was bad and he was just trying to read the URL plastered across the top of the hatch... He came hairing up behind me. I was enjoying a nice leisurely drive home, the stereo about 50% listening to the classic, that is 'Jericho', by the Prodigy
. I just couldn't help it. I had teased him at a few junctions, pulling away fast until i hit 30mph where i stayed dead on it until the next one. Everytime he had to hammer on-are these boys stupid? I stuck my foot down on a small bit of dual carriageway and burned him. I saw his headlights point upwards as he 'tried' to imitate the acceleration. Unluckily for him the road turned single again and he had to wait behind me. He still couldn't see the URL either... Next bit of dual carriageway was great. I floored it upto 70ish, and then sat there in 3rd. I could see him catching, and just as his mate opened the window and made a round handed gesture (i think he was referring to some form of manual relief) i put my foot down and waved out the window as he nearly caught me up. Needless to say the old Turbo + Richmod just pulled and pulled, unitil i turned off at the roundabout, whereabouts i had given him enough time to read the badge once more...yes mate, it said 'Volvo', embarrased?, as he flew over the roundabout in an '55 (2005 to the Euro members) reg Seat of somesort. Think it was an Ibiza. I mean, come on... But the whole time, the car never faultered. I wasn't thrashing her, there was no boost issues-nothing (touchwood!)-it was effortless. Which is a testament, that after 14 years, the car still goes. It's not an 'airy fairy' everyday lump thats found in 500 cars, it's got a bit of stature-the car still felt solid, tight and reliable-i never questioned it or had any doubt in my mind when i was participating in the carrot dangling . Totally great car. (i should add, that i'm quite a fart normally, but i couldn't turn this opportunity down...had it have been a Skyline like the one that did overtake me the other day, i would have just let it go. Or at least had a bash anyway...)My point is-i think i'm coming to terms how much i'm going to miss it. The pop-ups, the info centre, the totally unique shape associated to a Volvo-the half leather, the Momo, the quality exhaust scraping ride height (drove today with the driver door open slightly...bloody hell it's low lol)-the Turbo + Mod-the fact that aside from the clear indicators and the suspension, the exterior of the car is standard and it still looks awsome.
I can't pin-point what i'll miss the most. The stereo is cool, but audio can be replaced, the 480 can't. I will be sad to see it go-no matter how practical the situation is, i can honestly say this is the car i've had the most fun in in the 8 years of driving i've had.
It's still in the middle of a sale negotiation with another forum member (and no, it's not Roo...infact, he's not even scottish
), so may not be too long before it goes anyway.So, 480 addicts, what made you return/what will you miss when the day comes/came? I think i'll miss it all. Oh, actually, i won't miss paying £1.03 p/l of petrol for a while though
(But lets not start a petrol debate... 
)Fire away!
