C30 Vs 480

[glasgowjim]

Came across this article when browsing the i-net

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgur ... start%3D60

[Joolz]

Colin Seymour??? never heard of him

and since when did the 480 become an official design classic!?

[blackbelt1990]

Theres loads of c30s near us... I just point and tell my girlfriend "see, mines got that shoulder in the middle... and a glass boot"

She isn't having any of it though.... lol

[pat480]

I like the C30, once the traditional Volvo depreciation kicks in after a few more years, it could be a great option,however I'm not so keen on the face-lifted 2010 model, it has got a new nose and grill that looks a bit plastic-ey IMO

[dubstep]

Ah i bet you are all gutted that the unknown owner Colin Seymor got his car featured

In terms of dynamics, the 480 ES feels its age........ Despite its Lotus-tuned suspension system, the classic doesn’t quite have the ability to match its sporty looks.

Couldn't have put it better myself! The handing (or lack there of!) was my main gripe when a 480 owner. Had it handled well i might still own one of mine.

[Ben Harris]

That 480 (2-litre ES) was for sale recently. I went to look at it with a friend who was after a 480 at the time, and wanted advice on what to look for. The owner wasn't particularly accomodating with us. He wouldn't allow us to test drive it, even though my insurance would have covered it, which was instantly offputting.

He hadn't had the car for particularly long, and in my opinion didn't appear much of an enthusiast. He kept banging on about the fact it had been featured in the magazine as a selling point. He said the car had been resprayed (to an 'OK' standard, but not great in my oppinion) by the previous owner before he'd had it, and although the for sale advert described it as immaculate there were various bits and pieces which I didn't feel were in great condition. The arches had started to go, and there were niggly details such as mould growing on the bumper trim that hadn't been cleaned off, and had clearly been there a while that put me off the car. It also suffered from other common 480 'damages', such as cracked door bins, and dashboard surround. It just didn't imply 'well looked after', or 'enthusiast owner' to me. Also the clutch had very little travel left, so I doubt it would have lasted long before needing to be replaced.

I felt the £1000 price tag he was after was far too much, considering I'd sold my identically aged 2-litre ES, with lower milage in much better condition for £700, a few years previously.

In the end, my friend bought a 1992 Paris Blue 1.7ES in much nicer condition for £600. I still think he got a much better deal, and a nicer car than this would have been.