Volvo 480 v Honda Aerodeck - which would you buy?

Road test: Driving these two youngtimer 1980s classic cars, the Volvo 480ES and Honda Accord Aerodeck, which were both launched in the UK in 1986 and featured distinctively low, sleek styling that combined the practical with the swish. Which would you choose?
Huge thanks to Ben Hooper for the collaboration.
This film was edited using Wondershare Filmora X (affiliate link - if you buy the software I get points I can redeem against additional effects or stock images): filmora.wonder...
All music by Vinyl Silk: vinylsilk.band...

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Oops (2:24) - the 2-litre engine in my mk1 Espace is a Douvrin ('suitcase') engine, not an F-type like this Volvo and later Espaces (and various other Volvos and Renaults). I still like it though.

[@benhooper1956]

There is a long running joke on the 480 forum about 480s and Aerodecks getting confused, indeed, it has become a forum badge of honour to be able to tell the difference...

[@robtt997]

Smart move to get the owner of the Volvo to give his views on his car. It’s a good idea and different to most other You Tube reviewers way of doing this. Like your channel a lot.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks very much! It helps that Ben really knows his stuff. I'm keen to explore people's experience and motivation for -putting up with- enjoying old cars as well as the cars themselves so I'm really glad you're enjoying it 🙂

[@willwelch5700]

Great comparison and I really enjoyed getting both cars together. Owning a 480 myself and with it being an automatic, I quite enjoy the lazy drive. But give it beans and it will shift with urgency. I do love the Honda, and I have owned Two accords in my time, but sadly not from this era. However, it's a car I'd love to have as it's always been a real head turner. 👍🏻

[@danieleregoli812]

.." It's 1987, I'm a penny less high school student, and I desperately fall in love with the 480"... I now own a pristine, low-mileage, late build, 480 Turbo in white. Amazing car. Love it!

[@gerardbooth40]

It’s a shame you haven’t got the manual Aerodeck. I remember driving one of those back in the late 80’s and I recall that car having the sweetest gearchange that it’s ever been my pleasure to slice through the gate. Sweet car all round.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Oh don't say that, I had a bad enough case of gearbox envy as it was!

[@jammy_rex3038]

You just cannot beat a Honda manual gearbox, whatever car in their range. They always have done, and do, get them perfect.

[@00kirbyd]

I knew a car salesman who drove a 480 demonstrator at speed over a humpback bridge and landed on top of a Fiat Tipo. Silly man but no people were seriously injured - which says a lot about the safety of both of those 80s cars.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

That's a pretty extreme demonstration :shocked:

[@markonmotoring]

Always did like the Volvo. They seem to be looking cooler with every passing year. I remember they had the 1721cc SOHC engine shared with many Renault models of the era.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Definitely - I always really liked the styling of the 480 although some journalists were quite sniffy.

[@geekandguide]

Two cars I've never thought of comparing and I don't know much about the Volvo. I've had Hondas of similar vintage to your Aerodeck though and yes, a 150 mile drive home with an autobox would be a relaxed journey.

[@jefferysmith3930]

I’d have the Accord. Never got them in the USA but I happened a picture of one years ago and was instantly smitten. We only got the regular hatch back and 4dr. sedan. But, by1989 we did the coupe. As one advertisement claimed “it’s music to your eyes”. And it was, especially in LX-i trim finished in burgundy or black.

[@swedishmetal96]

I have a 5 speed efi aerodeck and it is a blast. It got good power and shifts really nice. And with coilovers and good tires its road holding is great

[@chrissimmonds3844]

Very enjoyable. You deserve way more subs.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks Chris, that’s kind 😊

[@jammy_rex3038]

A really great comparison, I enjoyed hearing the comments from both owners and the rear seat comparison was a nice touch. I remember Dad taking a test drive of a D reg silver EX at Steels Westgate of Hereford when I was a kid and I loved the rear with the velour on the side panels and that oh-so-cool glass tailgate where the glass went into the roof. He was always a Honda man (although he did stray into an excellent Honda engined R8, a super rare 216Si 3 door of which only 70 ish were made and you'd never find them listed or in a brochure, they went to Rover management first). The Honda Aerodeck is the winner for me, with its super crisp styling looking so retro-cool. But, I have fond memories of seeing both cars around as a kid and it's such a shame they are so rare now. The Aerodeck is an especially rare sight now; the only one I've seen in years was a beautiful white EXi at Retro Rides (Shelsey Walsh) around 3 years ago.

[@grahamthornton5669]

Two of the best looking cars of the 80s and still fresh looking today, Thanks so much to you and Ben for making this. I choose the Aerodeck - twice in fact - largely due to having had a Dutch built Volvo 340 and well, never again. But I do love the look of the 480ES, as I love the 1800ES that was the inspiration.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks Graham, glad you enjoyed it!

[@MrAarongilbey]

My Technical Drawing tutor had a Volvo 480 while my Physics tutor at the same 6th Form had the Honda Aerodeck. They both stood out in the carpark over the other cars. There was a rumour the Aerodeck shape was originally penned for Reliant as a Scimitar replacement but it was turned down and Honda took it.. it sure how true that is.

[@andrewhaigh1531]

Exactly the choice I was making all those years ago - even to the colour of both machines! After some deliberation I chose the Volvo - disaster - it had so many problems, finishing with a clutch failure at 9000 miles. That was it, I have bought Toyota then Suzuki ever since, absolutely no problems of any description with either make, despite very high mileages. I do still however, love that interior design of the Volvo!

[@gordon7443]

I have owned bot cars the volvo was great and solid eventually sold due to immobilizer problems, the honda was magic not as solid as the volvo but a flying machine, both cars were auto's I was shocked how fast the honda was they are very rare these days as the suffered with a bit of rust my honda was sadly scrapped after a rubbish garage repaired the autobox

[@fhwolthuis]

Excellent video! I remember they did the same comparison in the car magazines back in the day. Nice car, Ben 👍👍

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks! 👍

[@frankmllerpovlsen8958]

Nice designed volvo. I own a 490 es 92 automatic , and I love driving It. Comfy and sporty. Drive carefully

[@namord1923]

nice video, well done!

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@BanjoLuke1]

I still recall the first 480 I saw in the metal. I had crossed the Alps and was in Turin, looking for a coffee. And there it was... Front and centre behind the huge glass front of a Volvo dealer. There were very few Volvo dealers in Italy in the 80s. Mad price ticket in the millions, back on the day of the Lira. What I saw was not a 480, but a callback to the 1800ES. And... I quite understand why everyone loves it. It is a clever, striking design.

[@Lot76CARS]

Great comparison of an often ignored modern classic, hope the 480 build quality is better than the 440 my mum ran (after a long line of 340s) which was appalling and was replaced after just a year by a much missed E36 BMW 316i....

[@sherpafan033]

Got to be the 480 for me. Although I'm biased as I own one :D

[@agenturawubekistanie]

Very nice video, thanks.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Glad you liked it!

[@gt40mk1]

Another excellent video Martin. You can't beat stroking a nice piece of velour!!!

[@GrandThriftAuto]

You know me, I do love a nice bit of velour to stroke!

[@rhysholdaway]

Torn on this one. Watched as I need a small car with some load capacity, and want to get something a bit more fun than my Ford Fusion. I'm tempted to say the aerodeck marginally beats the Volvo just because the loading hatch looks more practical for transporting larger goods. That said looks like the front seat on the Volvo might fold flatter which would allow me to load longer items.

[@Kiinell]

I really enjoyed this. Would love to see more comparison videos. Definitely a close race, but the Honda wins for me on pure classic 80's styling. It's aged very well.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I’m planning to do more back-to-back tests; there’s some interesting comparisons to be made even within my own fleet, if I can get two of them running at the same time for long enough. Sadly the KZbin algorithm doesn’t seem to like this video very much, but hey.

[@co7013]

Boith nice cars. I prefer the clean look of the Honda. As a teenager, I loved this design and I still do. The Volvo has a bit more character, but the front of the car is bit ungainly.

[@patrickhostler5939]

Great comparison and it’s actually astonishing how visually and mechanically close the two cars actually are. The Volvo (just) wins on design for me, particularly the interior, but the Honda will be, long term, the better vehicle to own, because… well, it’s a Honda

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I think that’s a pretty good summary 👍

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

Have you seen the rusty wheel arch trilogy? or is it a duology?

[@jdmguy44]

Shame cars don't look this interesting any more.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Totally agree. All we have to get excited about now are the lighting graphics on the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The lack of variety and experimentation now is sad.

[@iain8601]

I have a Aerodeck exi with 44k on in my barn. It is Aerodeck number 5 and I should really get it back in the road. Also has an SE5a which was terrible.

[@howardkerr8174]

Unfortunately, drivers in the U.S. were not offered either car, though we did get this generation of Accord as a hatchback, a 4 door saloon, and a 2 door sedan. I drove a 2 door sedan at the dealership in 1989 and was somewhat impressed. Actually, impressed enough that I regret not buying the car. Of these 2 I would be tempted to go with the Volvo because I like oddball cars, but my brain says Honda.

[@mattsmedley.onehandedgamin9029]

I've owned two honda accord Areodecks in my time 1st was a C plate 2lt I. 2nd was an E plate 2lt carb. Both put a smile on my face every time I drove them, PS, both of my Honda's were manual gearbox.

[@torresalex]

Ooooh a 480 ES! The perfect spec! I had a Volvo 460 that had basically the same internals as this 480 you see here, and every review said it was crap and horrible and terrible to drive. I loved it. And I'm smitten by your Aerodeck, what a delicious thing.

[@davidjefferis4467]

My red Aerodeck was an auto, a slow-witted box but OK as you could tap it up and down as a semi-auto. A1 night-racers often tried to have a go in the then-new Hatfield underpass! Love the Aero’s build quality, but had to chop it in for an estate, as my ‘executive’ (publishing) needs required space for bikes and boats. Would have another if they made one - a high period in pretty Honda cars.

[@nikitamckeever5403]

I remember seeing a Volvo 480 ES Turbo ( I think that’s right ) when they first appeared in the late 80s in West Germany . They were very different to the tanks I was used to . I had a Volvo 244 GLI Auto with kick down and I liked that car a lot . The 480s did remind me a tad of the 340s of which I wasn’t a fan . What tempted me away from my Volvo was a Renault Fuego GTX in metallic gold , definitely the favourite car of my youth 🤤

[@TimuRacing]

Both cars are nice! But for me Volvo is best! :)

[@paulc9588]

Wonderful comparison. Both these cars are highly desirable and showcase the best of mid-late 1980s design. If only modern cars were as interesting! My first new car was a 1995 440 so I appreciate what Volvo brought to the small car party. Despite the negativity that often surrounds the 400s, much of it based on quality issues with the early cars, mine was a tough and reliable workhorse that served me well. One small point, my feeling is that the Aerodeck is definitely a category above the 480 in terms of size. The 400 Series were really 'C' segment cars (although at the larger end) whereas the Aerodeck is an Accord and therefore a 'D' segment car, although smaller than many European cars in the same segment. Hope this makes sense! For a family, the Aerodeck (or a Volvo 440/460) would be the better choice.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

That's a fair point, the Aerodeck is about 10cm (4") longer than the Volvo. But I was quite surprised that the Volvo didn't feel much less roomy inside, and still has a decent (though smaller) luggage area. I didn't mention price: the Volvo was actually quite a lot more expensive than the Honda, at £10,850 vs £9,450 in September 1987.

[@paulc9588]

@@GrandThriftAuto Surprised by the price difference. Volvo did offer generous discounts though which you would be unlikely to get with Honda (or Toyota). The typical Volvo discount was 10-15%, with Honda expect to pay very close to the sticker price. My 440 cost £10100 new in early 1995, a lot less than the list price plus £500 of accessories included to sweeten the deal. Also bear in mind the 480 was new to market in 1987, which would be reflected in the price. Cheers.

[@antonmealy168]

Yes Accord was already getting bigger, hence the 1st integra that might have been a better size match but for its sloping hatchback, especially with the 1.6 twin-cam... if only they sold 3dr to Europe... & not with 1.5 Civic motors...

[@DenUitvreter]

Allthough I always liked the aerodeck and was never that much of a fan of the Volvo, I have to say that Volvo design aged extremely well. The Honda has more things that we were used to in the 80's but don't look as good anymore, like the big wheel gabs and the wheels looking small and a bit inward, the bumpers. The Volvo doesn't have those things and is actually quite an extreme design for the segment, and now comes across as timeless almost.

[@paulc9588]

@@DenUitvreter I know what you mean about the 480. It was futuristic at the time but there is a purity about the design that makes it still look modern and eye-catching today. Rather like a 1980s/1990s B&O hi-fi or Sony Trinitron CRT TV. The Aerodeck is almost there but a slightly more fussy and less coherent design somehow. Very few mainstream cars have aged as well as the 480. I think the Volvo 850, Saab 900 1st generation, BMW 3-Series E30 and Rover SD1 from roughly the same era are quite timeless also.

[@craigmclean8260]

Never got either of these in the States, but we did get the predecessor to the 480ES--the really stylish (in 1973 terms) 1800ES. Nice comparison!

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Yes, the US Accord hatchback doesn't have the same magic somehow - although I think all US Accords had the pop-up lights, which is some compensation. Totally agree that the Volvo P1800ES is a very stylish thing. I'm a big fan of the 3-door coupe/estate/shooting brake format, and that car from my childhood is probably partly why.

[@rumpokid2]

Sorry, if you were an architect in the 80's and wanted something 2-doored, fast, elegant and practical these 2 wouldn't have got a look-in - the SAAB 900 knocked both of these into a cocked hat

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I love Saab 900s... but no pop-up headlamps. One day I'll do a Saab 900 film; I may well have to buy one, in fact, if I can make room.

[@benhooper1956]

@@GrandThriftAuto I do think these cars offer something over the 900, from what I hear it was not great on economy, the non-turbo versions weren't particularly inspiring and the turbo had to be very well respected, but I do love 900s very much

[@paulc9588]

Were they in same segment as the very desirable 900? For example, the Volvo 400 Series was aimed at the Golf/Rover 200 end of the market whereas the 900 was a BMW 3-Series/Audi 80 competitor. I would say the Volvo equivalent of the Saab 900 is the 200 Series followed by the 850.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

@@paulc9588 Agreed Paul, the 900 is another foot longer than even the Aerodeck, never mind the Volvo 480. Lower end (non-turbo) versions were similarly priced to the 480ES, but slower, less well equipped and hardly a sporting drive.

[@antjeeismann4684]

I would pick the Honda

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Good choice! I like the Volvo a lot but the Honda narrowly wins for me too, mainly on practicality and cruising ability.

[@Imfat8888]

Passed my driving test back in 97. whilst .looking around for my first car i spotted an 1988 E reg Honda Accord Aerodeck 2l Manual in metalic silver in mint condition inside and out and i just had to have it,,,i still had the car up until 2013 as i could not part with it,(still in as much as show room condition) sadly it was written off by a speeding driver that same year,,,came to watch these videos as i'm wanting to buy another but at this time ive only found automatics and i really want a manual. white colour looks really nice? the silver and white makes this car stand out better than the other colours(just my preference)

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Such a shame your old one got written off … they do seem to be popular as automatics although I agree the manual would be more interesting. I also agree with you on the lighter colours, although that slate blue-grey suits them well too.

[@trigsretromotors]

Hi Martin, I only descovered your channel tonight but it's very good! I've lost track a bit on AS so missed all this. Anyway you've got a new subscriber now :)

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Hello Trigster! Great to have you here 😊 I’m not on AS often any more either so I’m really glad to keep up with old car friends via YT. I’m hoping for an east of England trip soonish so might have to co-ordinate it to coincide with an East Coast Retros meet. Would love to see you and some/all of your glorious fleet!

[@trigsretromotors]

@@GrandThriftAuto That would be brilliant, definitely contact me, even if it's just to meet up. Take it easy!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Must admit, I’m biased heavily toward the Ovlov. Tried to buy one a few years back to use as a second car, but couldn’t find a decent one, so I bought a 440 GSi - a really nice car with quite a grungy 2.0L engine.

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Wow ovlov

[@gabrielcooper1248]

I got my 480 GT in December, obviously better than the Honda ;)

[@MontyGriffsGarage]

The 480 did me the service when I purchased new in the late 80s. The lifetime warranty was the clincher; although I certainly got my use of that support 🤦‍♂️

[@dorkomatic]

I love both of these cars. I'd happily own either, they're both distinctive and yet practical. It's a shame this body style is mostly gone now. Tell me: how is the actual ownership experience of these - parts availability, maintenance, reliability? (Obviously both Volvo and Honda have good reputations but how's that looking after 30 years?)

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Body and trim bits can be scarce, but service parts are mostly not too bad. I know Ben finds it easier to find support for the Volvo than for the Audi 80 B2 Sport he also owns. There’s a supportive owner base for the 480, in particular.

[@Bod8998]

Great video but them shoes:gola missiles:

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks! Yes, I had driving loafer envy.

[@bid84]

I have a reliant Scimitar se5a, so obviously I’m a fan of big bootys!

[@richardfirth6173]

Had several the turbos are very quick tuned up alot off rranult 5 owners used use the lump

[@volvo480]

Ha, I can see the dead computer still in the boot. Did Ben tell you about everything going haywire a couple of weeks ago, when the CEM shorted out? These phase 1 480's have a fault that water can leak into the CEM along the wiring loom on top of it. In 1991 phase 2 came where the electrics were updated so that fault wouldn't happen again, but I've fixed a number of cars where moisture had killed the circuit board. From 1993 there were 2 litre engines available which are similar to the Honda in performance, but those uncatalysed 1.7's are the most playful of the lot!

[@benhooper1956]

Your replacement has been taped up and smothered inn WD40, it should be alright I should hope

[@GrandThriftAuto]

He did mention the CEM had a ‘moment’! Amazingly the Honda is still watertight after 32 years... though I mustn’t make the old car gods angry by saying things like that.

[@volvo480]

@@GrandThriftAuto especially the early 480 had a lot of build quality issues. It took Volvo Car BV until 1993 before they've sorted everything out with the electrics. This is why I didn't look for an early car and got one of the last instead. Not that these are entirely free of faults...

[@volvo480]

@@GrandThriftAuto it's such a pity that the tin worm got most of the Hondas of the 1980s as they were very solidly built. I think there are only a handful of those Aerodecks left.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

@@volvo480 Yes, we’re down to the last 25 on the road in the UK I believe. Mine needs work on the rear wheel arches, as you can see, but is otherwise very solid. A metalwork project for a future video 😊

[@thalenvisser]

Definitely a 480. Just because I have already one

[@47rintin1]

Oh, oh oh hold a second ..... the 480 is a Dutch car: Dutch made, Dutch marketing and Dutch design and for that reason not boxy. The 480 is a Dutch car with a Swedish name. As an owner of a 480 I as well loved the Aerodeck. One good point to make a choice: The 480 is far more efficient in patrol use than the Aerodeck.

[@DenUitvreter]

As a Dutchman, I wouldn't consider it a Dutch icon. Volvo was too much of a strong Swedish brand to consider the car Dutch, also in the wake of DAF ending Dutch car manufactering in general through Volvo. The Dutchness of it was mostly limited to car journalism and the general news would concentrate on the empoyment it would generate. If you have to explain how it is Dutch, it's not Dutch enough to be a Dutch icon. I remember reading back then that a Volvo market survey had showed that over 90% of Volvo drivers wore white underpants, Björn Borg had already retired from tennis but Volvo was the brand of rather boring family men and that translated to the reputation. So they tried to change that reputation by letting the Dutch do something wilder than the Swedish could do. The Dutch motoring press didn't believe it was wild enough because the performance didn't match the aggressive looks. I believe in the end it was the fast 850's and it's touring car racing that changed the image of Volvo, and estates in general.

[@PresidentCamacho2024]

100% Honda!

[@markonmotoring]

I shouldn't worry too much about a lack of performance from that engine in the Volvo. I have a 97 Mégane coupe with the base 1.6e 8v engine. It needs to be worked hard to get the best from it but is still entertaining to drive while not being as harsh as many modern cars. I expect with both the Volvo and Honda we could say the same.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I totally agree. They're quick enough and all the performance is useable and delivered smoothly - which is why I'm not convinced that the more powerful variants are actually better all-round cars. (I haven't tried a 480 Turbo or an Accord EXi so it's a theory rather than a firmly held view, I'm open to others' experience.)

[@volvo480]

I don't know how far you are from MK, there's a 480 Turbo owner living there.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

@@volvo480 oooh, and I do know someone with an injected manual Aerodeck...maybe we could have a second round some time?

[@volvo480]

@@GrandThriftAuto Ben knows how he can be contacted, and he's also the one that's restoring the "rescue cars", the cars that have been abandoned but are too good to scrap, and eventually are put up for sale.

[@benhooper1956]

@@volvo480 GTA already has enough cars and his eyes on my Rover, do we need to tempt him yet further...

[@ModernHeroes]

That Volvo has a sidelight out, death trap 😉

[@benhooper1956]

It is setting my CDO off big time

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I know, I'm amazed we didn't run over a whole herd of nuns and kittens. Remember when that put some people off buying Volvos and Saabs, the supposed risk of chomping through bulbs with their crazy Swedish daytime running lights?

[@volvo480]

I have put LED in, no more blown bulbs for 5 years now. But it makes the car look less classic.

[@benhooper1956]

@@volvo480 I was wondering when you would appear :)

[@paulhunter123]

man couldnt replace the headlamp bulb before the video?

[@benhooper1956]

Haha, it was working when we parked up for the filming. Started again and it stopped. It is quite temperamental to say the least, and of course the other one is faultless 🤣

[@paulhunter123]

they strike me as developments of the reliant scimeter

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Casually looking both the cars seem to be from the same company.

[@marshalllucky]

my aunt is very sick :-(

[@daos3300]

'i like cars that tell you things you don't really get that in modern cars' lol. he's evidently never been inside a 'modern' (?) car.

[@TheSuperdjica]

Volvo 480

[@richardfirth6173]

480 best

[@tz6414]

Bit like choosing between a mcdonalds or a wimpy, neither very appealing!

[@GrandThriftAuto]

But...but...how can you not love pop-up headlamps and 80s wedge styling?

[@christophersinclair6155]

After owning both these cars decades ago and in my opinion the Honda was better in most respects

[@tokmindegy8976]

No way!