1.7 480

Cleaned up the garage, found parts laying around, but it turned out to be a complete Volvo 480? If you want to sell your car (480 only) you can place an advert here.

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GCooper
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1.7 480

Post by GCooper » Sat Nov 14, 2020 8:33 pm

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... =undefined

how much do you think this is worth?
'94 Volvo 480 GT (project)
'98 BMW Z3 (daily)

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MisterH
480 Is my middle name
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by MisterH » Sat Nov 14, 2020 8:37 pm

Hi There

It is a nice colour and from the pictures looks straight, however it has the gutless engine and will be an S If I am right which is the base model.

This means that £3.5k is too much in my view, 1500-2k seems more realistic, but that is without a proper look


Hope this helps :D
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by jifflemon » Sat Nov 14, 2020 8:42 pm

Hard to say from the limited photo's.

Looks like a 2.0 S to me (hub caps). Half leather is a nice option. Nice colour and front lights don't seem to be damaged. MOT history shows a classic speedo issue (3 years of no miles, then jumped 31K in a year, and lost 23K this year).

Advisories this year on all Shocks, along with one tyre cracking. I'd be using those as haggle points (4 shocks = £350 if you can fit yourself) then 4 new tyres.

I'd want to see a LOT more pictures, along with an service records before thinking about a price.

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edie_fox
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by edie_fox » Sat Nov 14, 2020 9:33 pm

Ad: No rust
MOT: All underbody has slight corrosion. :?

It's recorded as a 1.7 S.

Like Jeff says, that mileage history is questionable unless plenty of proof to back it up.

Yes, it Looks lovely from the limited images (as most do) and a lovely colour too but £3,500....

If you have £3,500 to spend, I'd say you could probably do much better than a questionable S. The clean red one (SHE 182 - looks to be sold now) was only £1k more and you'd easily spend that sorting the jobs you'll find need doing.

Of course, this is all based on limited info/pictures and you'd get a much more realistic feel if/when you view. :)

GCooper
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by GCooper » Sat Nov 14, 2020 10:09 pm

I'm doing it guys :D

2500, I know it's too much but it's just too nice!
Feeling good about my Mike brewering
'94 Volvo 480 GT (project)
'98 BMW Z3 (daily)

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MisterH
480 Is my middle name
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by MisterH » Sat Nov 14, 2020 10:14 pm

GCooper wrote:
Sat Nov 14, 2020 10:09 pm
I'm doing it guys :D

2500, I know it's too much but it's just too nice!
Feeling good about my Mike brewering
Best of luck, you're braver than I am :lol:
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

GCooper
Started learning about 480
Posts: 98
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:54 pm

Re: 1.7 480

Post by GCooper » Sat Nov 14, 2020 11:51 pm

You think it's a mistake?
😬
How bad do you think it'll be?
I'll have 1k left to sort rust and suspension
'94 Volvo 480 GT (project)
'98 BMW Z3 (daily)

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
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Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:03 am

Re: 1.7 480

Post by jifflemon » Sun Nov 15, 2020 7:09 am

Are you going to view it? Or simply buying unseen?
GCooper wrote:
Sat Nov 14, 2020 11:51 pm
How bad do you think it'll be?
I'll have 1k left to sort rust and suspension
Assuming you can do all the work yourself, you’ll spend a grand getting it mechanically perfect. The more “seasoned” amongst us know that all that glitters isn’t necessary gold. I’d be checking
Rear light condition
rear arch condition
Lower rear sill Condition
Rear bumper condition
Drivers seat bolster
All service history
Windscreen surround.
That's the basics - Then there’s the countless “they all do that” which could see you spending lots of money chasing unobtainium bits....

I absolutely love the enthusiasm, but would urge caution!
GCooper wrote:
Sat Nov 14, 2020 10:09 pm
Feeling good about my Mike brewering
Hopefully a reference to bargaining, rather than what they actually do (completely “fake” restorations followed by equally fake sales) :rofl:

GCooper
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by GCooper » Sun Nov 15, 2020 8:54 am

I'll be viewing it on a video call and have asked for detailed photos
'94 Volvo 480 GT (project)
'98 BMW Z3 (daily)

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by jifflemon » Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:19 am

Video call is still never as good as an actual visit....

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dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by dcwalker » Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:38 am

jifflemon wrote:
Sun Nov 15, 2020 7:09 am
Are you going to view it? Or simply buying unseen?
GCooper wrote:
Sat Nov 14, 2020 11:51 pm
How bad do you think it'll be?
I'll have 1k left to sort rust and suspension
Assuming you can do all the work yourself, you’ll spend a grand getting it mechanically perfect. The more “seasoned” amongst us know that all that glitters isn’t necessary gold. I’d be checking
Rear light condition
rear arch condition
Lower rear sill Condition
Rear bumper condition
Drivers seat bolster
All service history
Windscreen surround.
That's the basics - Then there’s the countless “they all do that” which could see you spending lots of money chasing unobtainium bits....

I absolutely love the enthusiasm, but would urge caution!
GCooper wrote:
Sat Nov 14, 2020 10:09 pm
Feeling good about my Mike brewering
Hopefully a reference to bargaining, rather than what they actually do (completely “fake” restorations followed by equally fake sales) :rofl:
I would really strongly echo everything Jeff has said here. Your enthusiasm is wonderful and the car may well be a good one - no-one is saying for certain it isn't- but these are all old cars with many well known and common issues that are rarely absent. This doesn't mean you don't buy them, but you need to bargain and budget accordingly and think big £££.

On a different tack, do you know these cars? It is not, as the seller says, a 480 "sport" - there's no such thing. It's a 480S which means you're spending a lot of money on a car which lacks many things other models had (efforts by Volvo to reduce spiralling costs at the time). This is the base model, so 1.7 engine not the far better 2.0, no moon roof, no info centre (trip computer plus outside temp, coolant temp, oil temp), no front fog lights, no alloy wheels. ..ok, none of these are vital but you would be missing out at a price I'd expect a car with them all to be.

No one here will actively discourage you, but caution caution caution.

And for heaven's sake go and see it - photos and video call give all advantage to the seller.

Good luck whatever you decide,

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

GCooper
Started learning about 480
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by GCooper » Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:47 am

The 1.7 is actually my preferred engine because of insurance costs (I'm still 18, 19 next month)
And don't they all have alloys?
'94 Volvo 480 GT (project)
'98 BMW Z3 (daily)

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dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by dcwalker » Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:52 am

GCooper wrote:
Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:47 am
The 1.7 is actually my preferred engine because of insurance costs (I'm still 18, 19 next month)
And don't they all have alloys?
Good motive re the engine size - I presumably you have established that it would make quite a difference to the insurance costs?

No, they don't all have alloys - the S model has steel wheels and wheel covers. You can see them in the photos. Often people added alloys (plenty of the older ones come up on ebay) but as standard (which from the three photos this appears to be except for the optional extra cassette holder) the S lacks all the things I've told you it lacks.

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by jifflemon » Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:59 am

Also remember that adding alloys (or in fact, any of the good stuff) to an S is, in the eyes of an insurance company, a modification.

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MisterH
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by MisterH » Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:59 am

GCooper wrote:
Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:47 am
The 1.7 is actually my preferred engine because of insurance costs (I'm still 18, 19 next month)
And don't they all have alloys?
As a 17 year old new driver, I can confirm that mine was insured for £1800* on a pay monthly basis. If you're buying on engine size do what I did and search out an early car with the B18E engine, still 1721cc but a much better drive, much more grunt.

Hope this Helps, great to have young people interested in classics :D
Ben

*1.7 B18E 1988
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

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dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1522
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: York

Re: 1.7 480

Post by dcwalker » Sun Nov 15, 2020 11:11 am

I'll second that Ben - we need young people interested in classic cars, especially these classic cars!

GCooper, I've just realised that while we've chipped in with our thoughts and advice, only Ben ventured an answer to your actual original question of "what's it worth".

If it lives up to its description, no major issues and all round in as good condition as those 3 photos suggest, I'd say approx £1,500 - primarily because it's a base specification S model. Not saying that last makes it bad, but I am comparing to prices that currently higher specs (ES, Turbo) and limited editions (GT and Celebration) seem to be going for now.

All the best

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

GCooper
Started learning about 480
Posts: 98
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:54 pm

Re: 1.7 480

Post by GCooper » Sun Nov 15, 2020 11:23 am

really weird, adding alloy wheels lowered my insurance £200?????
'94 Volvo 480 GT (project)
'98 BMW Z3 (daily)

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dcwalker
480 Is my middle name
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by dcwalker » Sun Nov 15, 2020 11:29 am

That is weird - insurance can be very strange!!

Perhaps they think with alloy wheels you'll be more careful?

Anyway, you'll need to fit some alloy wheels first - a couple of sets of 14" alloys on ebay around the £120 mark IIRC - so you'd still save money overall!

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

jifflemon
480 Is my middle name
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by jifflemon » Sun Nov 15, 2020 12:12 pm

Would agree on that as a value too.

However, you should also take a look at this thread for what they can cost to bring up to scratch

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brinkie
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Re: 1.7 480

Post by brinkie » Sun Nov 15, 2020 1:14 pm

Having read the ad and checked the details, I think the seller is a wannabe trader and doesn't know anything about the 480. He only gave very sparse pictures, none from the rear and none under the bonnet.
The MOT history looks "interesting", there are sudden jumps in mileage which suggests an instrument cluster replacement. But could also very well be a car that has changed identity!
What puzzles me is that the car is registered in September 1994 but shows up as 1721cc. A 1.7 S was sold in model year 1992 only, it got a 2.0 engine from 1993 onwards.
This could either be a fault of the registration office or a car that sat at the dealer's lot for two years before being registered.
But... The "jacquard" (half-leather) interior as shown on the pictures wasn't sold on the base models before model year 1994. If it's an 1.7 S, it would have "multicolour" velours unless it was a Two Tone edition, which would have jacquard in a slightly different colour. This one clearly has a purple colour in the carpet which also points at model years 1994/1995. Finally, the 1.7 models didn't have an air bag in the steering wheel.
Everything points at a 2.0 from 1994 except the online MOT history.
You should ask the seller for a picture of the VIN plate because that will tell you the true story of the car.
Robert.

Present cars: 1994 Volvo 480 GT 2.0i, 1999 Volvo S70 2.5 Europa, 2010 Volvo V70 2.0F Momentum

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