Trying (and Failing) to Import a Car in Europe | Volvo's Forgotten "Sports" Car

[@VinnesAuto]

Just for reference on the rarity of these cars: 76 375 were made in total. UK was the biggest market for the 480s and there they sold approximately 20 000 480s with around 1352 of those being a Turbo model. That makes around 6.5% of them turbo models, which works out to around 5000 turbo models ever made. In 2023 there were only 9 registered turbos left in the UK, which works out at under 1% remaining, meaning that there could be as few as 50 turbos left on the roads worldwide (not including deregistered vehicles). This is my best calculation based on what there is of available statistics.

[@boxiestmedusa6439]

14:02 what a nice red car!

[@VinnesAuto]

Though you might recognise it xD

[@thomasrohling4514]

Near Berlin there is a 1991 480 Turbo in black with 93,000km for under €6000. Your videos are great. My Cars: 1990er 480 ES (42.000 km), 2011er C30 DrivE, 2017er XC90T5.

[@VinnesAuto]

Yeah, I've seen that one. Only I'm not too big a fan of dark colored cars, and I don't really like the steering wheel of the earlier ones without an airbag. Other than that, it looks really nice.

[@Leathersbass]

I did a similar adventure. Flew from the UK to NL to buy a V50 AWD for cheap. The car was a heap, no working radio and a massive dent in the wing. I did get it back, after a long drive. Its now used in my C30 T5 making it awd 😂

[@VinnesAuto]

Cool!

[@JustGrant25]

man ive never even heard of the the 480 before but it sounds like a really special car! especially with the Porsche tuned engine and the suspension worked on by lotus I absolutely love the pop up headlights too! really disappointing that that wasn't the right one for you but I'm sure you'll find one at some point and when you do it'll be soooo sick!! good luck on the hunt for one! also I love the way you documented the whole trip the whole video was really well done!

[@VinnesAuto]

Thanks :D appreciate the feedback!

[@davidhall7744]

Always wanted one of these since they first came out. Lost out on one about 15 years ago because I hesitated for half a day too long. The problem these days is that the available ones are either wrecks or way out of my budget for the good examples. Good luck with your search 😉👍

[@VinnesAuto]

Yeah, it really is all about timing. Hoping to come across something in the near future 🤞

[@arewilhelmsen3456]

I thought you were looking for a 2013 C30 T5 Polestar limited edition?

[@VinnesAuto]

Not exactly, I have been looking for a facelift T5 in the right colour and spec, but after a month of following every major LHD C30 market in the world, and not even finding one that I would actually want to buy, I realised that it could take some time. I have also been wanting to have another car, and the 480 is the main contender at the moment.

[@AlphaScorpii1986]

@@VinnesAuto I'm also looking at C30 T5 (preferably facelift) but prices are just crazy and not sure if they will ever cool off. For a few k € more, there are S60 T6 awd few years younger.

[@VinnesAuto]

@@AlphaScorpii1986 Yes, I have also been eyeing the s60 T6s. It seems that the C30 has gained a large enough following that the prices aren't falling like the equivalent S40 or even C70 which was a much more expensive car as new. I am beginning to suspect that the prices have plateaued for nice examples.