YESTERDAY, WE BROUGHT your attention to this used-car ad which waxed lyrical about a 16-year-old Volvo.

If the owner was to be believed the 1997 V70 (In Blue) would exalt your lifestyle to unimaginable heights. How else was he so passionate about a vehicle he had only purchased less than a week earlier?

Following mentions of complimentary golf balls, office stationary and Dom Perignon, we were intrigued enough to get in touch.

Despite many of our readers’ presumptions that the guy must be in advertising, auctioneering or sales, we actually spoke to 24-year-old engineering graduate Rob O’Rourke.

Surprised by the media coverage the post on Adverts.ie received (Rob was also contacted by a number of radio stations), he said it was just him and his brother “having a laugh”.

There was also a bit of chancing of the arm.

Bought last Friday, the Volvo cost Rob just €250. So, why is he selling it already?

I’m moving back to Galway from Cork and couldn’t be bothered getting the bus. I wanted to throw all my gear into the car and drive up.

And that’s exactly what he did. But it looks like there’ll be an extra bonus of some profit at the end of his viral campaign as well.

The Ballinasloe man has already secured one bid of €500 from Intercall Call Centre in Douglas, Cork but is leaving the auction open in case anyone wants to trump that offer.

The sale, once it goes through, helps maintain a fairly impressive record for the young engineer who has never sold a car at a loss. Despite not holding a full driving licence, he has owned 14 different cars over the past eight years.

O’Rourke has returned to his native Galway in order to save enough money to emigrate to Canada at the end of this summer. “So, we’re losing one of our bright, young talents,” I ask him.

“Well, unless anyone knows of any opportunities for me?” he replies. Always the sales man.

Yesterday: Best Used-Car Sales Pitch of the Day>