1992 Volvo 480 ES Review - Perfect Modern Classic? - Buy it, Try it, Sell it with Geoff Buys Cars

I bought a Volvo 480ES Special Edition... This is my verdict.
Want this car for £10? It could be yours on May 29th. Get involved here:
bit.ly/GeoffPabloHotSaabSpecial
Geoff Buys Cars is an automotive adventure through old cars. I buy cars to review for KZbin, then sell them on. Sometimes I make a profit and document the journey, sometimes I give them away in £10 ‘Geoff Specials’. It started with a canoe and it’s taken every possible diversion, but i’ll get to that Porsche eventually… Right now I’m just enjoying all these old cars, it’s gotten to be a bit like Pokemon. Gotta catch ‘em all!

[@matthewgodwin3050]

Go out there and find me the man who came up with the idea of pop up headlights. Then bring him back here to me......... I'd like to buy him a pint. Because he is a genius.

[@Edie_Fox]

“A lot cooler than leasing a 1 series” Innit!

[@GeoffBuysCars]

i know, right?!

[@hugoaberg1168]

But... The e87 bmw 1 series is rwd tough. (Rwd only)

[@alanvanbelt6840]

I worked at a Volvo dealership when they were launched, caused quite a stir.

[@mrt8027]

I had a 480 es in 88 , red and black trim . Had private plates on it 42EYP I loved it, super safe and working in a hospital a big hit with the nurses

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Always liked the look of the 480, would I own one?? Damn right I would!

[@flexiblebirdchannel]

I owned two, but you have to be able to do your own repairs. Change clutch, turbo, even the locks and of course pop up motors. Today you have to weld.

[@adamharris5355]

When this launched in 1986 I was 8… and already loved Volvos (you can imagine how popular I was at school.. ahem) up until then I had to lust after 360 GLT’s as they were the coolest Volvo then (to me).. so when the 480 was launched my world was rocked! I HAD to have one, one day… I’m now 45 and have still not yet owned one 🤦‍♂️ Minis got in the way and I had them instead.

[@GeoffBuysCars]

Gotta find one, be true to yourself, get one bought! I really like them.

[@sirpeepsalot1]

This car is so phenomenally cool, and I had completely forgotten about it ! I remember when it first came out and I was not impressed, but back then I was driving Capri's and an Opel Manta. Funny how your perspective changes as you age, it looks so stylish now, and those separate rear seats give it such a classy feel. Changed my car last year and bought an Audi TT Mk1 which I'm really happy with, but if I had room for a second car I would be looking really hard at the 480.

[@matthewwiddows6319]

my first volvo was a 480 and identical to the one in that promo video. loved the pop up lights and the driving lights. handled great, good brakes. then saw an 850 saloon cd spec and was smitten. suffice to say, 480 sold and 850 t5 saloon purchased!!! all at 21 years old 20 years ago.

[@willwelch5700]

Awesome video! Owned my 480 for almost 7 years and it's been awesome. Like any car it's plagued with issues but you learn to live with it and enjoy the quirks. I'd have another if I could! 👌🏻👌🏻

[@GeoffBuysCars]

thank you! glad you enjoyed it! they are great little cars

[@JDCarnin]

I never thought you could get a crush on a car until I’ve seen one two days ago randomly parked.

[@TR6PI150]

I owned one identical to this from 1995 to 2001...loved it.

[@amc3]

That`s such a good looking car, can see you swinging about in it for years, missive compartment between the rear seats or all your condom -ments. Its flipping stunning !

[@GeoffBuysCars]

exactly, such a cool and oddball car!

[@graemeappleby2352]

I've just bought a 480 identical to this one it's a lovely car to drive.

[@keithgilbert9240]

Oh boy! Takes me back to when I owned a white 480 turbo in the early 2000's. A shame about the doors starting to sag as it got older, a really underated car!

[@torresalex]

I had a 460 with the same engine, and I honestly thought it was great. It was smooth and surprisingly economical. Great choice, Geoff, I'd choose the same one.

[@GeoffBuysCars]

it's not a bad little car, and THOSE LOOKS!!

[@lt.lasereyez8891]

Having the headlights on and therefor up takes about 8 kmh of the top speed of the car

[@user-gy1pz6mq4n]

480s are great id have one anyday

[@Involvod]

Cracking vid mate!

[@GeoffBuysCars]

thank you!

[@dmw13]

I considered buying one of these in 1997 and instead got a Audi Coupe in tornado red, with a yanspeed exhaust, adjustable suspension and wolfrace wheels.

[@LB-yr6nz]

My last 480 (I've owned several) was a Limited Edition like this one. I loved it and always got positive looks/comments. It sold via a TV show so at least I can still see it every now and then, lol

[@GrahamYoung]

Was that Flipping Bangers by any chance? By the time I watched that I'd had my 480 long enough to anticipate every problem they had and how to fix it 🤣

[@LB-yr6nz]

@@GrahamYoung Haha, yes that was the one. They do have their quirks don't they

[@GrahamYoung]

@@LB-yr6nz They certainly do. Mines been in storage all through lockdown so it's time to get it back on the road. This video has reminded me of the unalloyed joy driving a 480 provides.

[@magdanowogorska6896]

No it’s not the same which was at Filpping bangers - different reg no

[@GrahamYoung]

@@magdanowogorska6896 he's not talking about the one in this video but rather one that he owned.

[@kertmac]

I had one back in 96 the es version... o those were the days.... 4 young 22yr olds driving around town... 😁 pedal box broke and couldn't find one, so fitted a later version with a bit of modification, I'll say.. 🤣 I did get the turbo version after that and killed it in an accident.. ☹️

[@darrinheaven4643]

I'm sad to report that if the wheel arches are rusty the rear bumper bar under the plastic (NLA) will be rotten as well. The tail lights are also NLA. Very hard to keep these on the road without parts support.

[@andyand100]

I had five 440s unbreakable motor clutch nightmare good fun I'm looking for another great vid

[@GeoffBuysCars]

Great little cars aren't they! This is currently in a raffle,£10 a go and being given away on the 29th May, get involved! Link in the vid description.

[@ashleyclassics6007]

Just come a cross this video today. Ive got the exact car sat in may field lol😂

[@paulpaintshop103]

I used to have one 80 thousand from New, it was a great car.

[@mrfloss.6827]

😂😂 telling yourself to do more research.... You sounded like me 🤣 I loved these when they came out. A neighbour of mine bought one brand new.

[@paulgregory1364]

Wow, it's a car I've always wanted

[@richard29415]

I still have a Matchbox Volvo 480ES and a Matchbox Vauxhall Cavalier GSi 2000/Opel Vectra B. Plus there was also the Volvo 760 GLE and the Rover 800 Sterling that Matchbox made (I still have these models as well) and some other cars they made around that era as well. Oh and how much did you pay for this car?

[@Matt_from_Florida]

I owned a car with that same Renault type 'F' engine, a 1987 Renault GTA Convertible. Look that up!

[@47rintin1]

No, it's a Dutch car with a Swedish name. Exactly, you named it: funky design (not boxy, not Swedish). At that time the Dutch really needed to convince the Swedish for this design for the 480. The Dutch had an idea for a less boxy design for the 440, however the Swedish found the design needed to fit in the family design to be recognisable with the other models of Volvo. The whole design, technics and marketing are Dutch. As well, quality of a Swedish Volvo is of a higher standard than of a Dutch Volvo. This video will tell you some more kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoibZ6Z7ept5r8U

[@robindumpleton3742]

Surprised you found one that wasn't rotten 😁

[@sutty3864]

managed to get a D2 c30 for my first car somehow but always wanted a 480 but no one would insure me :(

[@p.informatico1320]

I really like that car.

[@lt.lasereyez8891]

I had this model in Turbo, yeah the Two Tone in 1.7 Turbo i had one it existed even had AC then my sister crashed it.

[@geoffdundee]

ive owned volvos for over 35 yrs...........id a 91 (j) special edition paris blue - auto,2 tone leather interior,electric everything,even the dash buttons were leather covered............best volvo ive ever owned..................i still have an almost brand new (in box) kenwood cd/radio with disc changer and all leads .........which i put in the car 3 months before i sold it (so took cd player back out b4 selling).............anyone wants to make an offer for it give me a shout...........im looking for around £200 as it was rarely used for 3 months and absolutely mint.......straight plug n play for any 480.

[@paulconstantin4760]

How much for a car like this in Vgood condition, today ?

[@dimxeimwnas]

Is the 1.8 turbo a reliable engine? I consider of buying one which i found in a good condition.

[@lt.lasereyez8891]

1.7 turbo, and yes very robust

[@flexiblebirdchannel]

Yes, the 1.7 was reliable, the 2.0 not.

[@JDMHaze]

I just found out this car existed after seeing a donut video, so here I am

[@andrewatkinson5882]

i'll stick with my 2005 s60 d5 thank's i've almost finished him

[@tuckyonald1119]

Is it me or the lights under the pop up kinda looks like a rover amazing car btw

[@sherpafan033]

Yeah Rover SD1

[@Iv40]

Never knew septiceye makes car videos

[@richtee9888]

Puddles in the passenger well ? It’s coming in through the back lights .

[@flexiblebirdchannel]

Or the rear windows.

[@47rintin1]

The 480 was a car Dutch made, Dutch marketing, Dutch design and therefor not boxy. For this Sports Car the Swedish approved the design, but the original design of the 440 and 460 wasn't and had to fit in the Volvo family. So the 480 was a complete Dutch car with a Swedish name on it. Sorry, Geoff, for correcting you on this point. I bought myself a black one in 1987 with the steering wheel on the left side, which had a more beautiful dash.

[@jellybean1976928]

You obviously know a thing or two about these. The 440 was always boring and cheap looking to me, the 480 a completely desirable and unique car. One sold here in Australia a short time ago (don't think they were ever delivered new here), if I'd have had the cash I'd have liked to have bought it.

[@Gabbu_Plays]

it sort of looks like an early civic if you keep the headlights down!

[@richard29415]

Yeah! I see that too!

[@matthewwiddows6319]

disagree with the "right volvo 480". The celebration looked to bling for me. i think the best is a white 480 turbo with that front splitter.

[@kendutton274]

My son, saved "KHUJO" from a farmers field, and is now parked on our driveway.

[@willmill409]

I had no idea this model ever existed. Was this ever sold in United states?

[@richard29415]

I don't think it was as it was built in The Netherlands for the European market.

[@Adam-gi1yl]

👍

[@EL_REPRO]

Lotus invented the rear axle

[@barronTV1]

Would it be good for a first car?

[@GeoffBuysCars]

Absolutely!

[@mylesjames2647]

Does anyone know how much a volvo 480 turbo is worth please

[@GeoffBuysCars]

They so rarely come up for sale it's hard to say, but it's got to be £5k-£10k for a good one

[@cappaculla]

A good one recently sold for nearly 5k recently on Ebay

[@davidlevy3372]

I had two of these. I love them but they weren't great cars, full of electrical gremlins and leaks. Great video though!

[@GeoffBuysCars]

I can understand that for sure, this one has a lot of quirks!

[@0WEN0AH]

Cheap to tax? Mines more expensive than my van!

[@Vriel7]

Cupholders?

[@sherpafan033]

an armrest with cupholders was a rare optional extra that was only offered for a couple years. There are no cupholders as standard in the 480.

[@dakiwi3310]

How is a Volvo 480 about savety?

[@sherpafan033]

It has crumple zones front + rear, steel safety cage, side impact bars, daytime running lights, and it could be optioned with traction control, ABS and airbags

[@flexiblebirdchannel]

Back in the times: good. Compared to todays cars: outdated. And the rust will weaken it.

[@Haters998]

In sweden those cars go cheper the a Volvo V70 or a Volvo 740 😂

[@krazyhartin]

I'm the 69th person to like this video; Nice.

[@GeoffBuysCars]

That means you get a free you-know-what

[@misolowy3929]

Hahahaha

[@kevanmccaffrey8513]

This is a budget car and jeff is a budget car presenter, dont do what jeff does kids, this car could bankrupt a none mechanic, jeff just wants a bit of fame then flogs em fast

[@GeoffBuysCars]

Gave this one away for £9, it broke on the way home, guy made £250 in scrap, he was happy as larry. You don't get fame on youtube buddy, the internet will never catch on.