I've decided the year body style I want, yet was originally thinking "R" or T-5 ( Yet I'm not sure the difference? I was told these are the High PSI turbos. )
Then again I'm wondering about the XC?

You can get them all in AWD right?
The XC is slightly taller ( More Ground clearence & thats it no? )
Does anything else make it more Off Road worthy?

I'm not really looking for an off roader, but want to know, just in case.
I already currently have these Off Road toys.






& so as you can see I might appreciate it being able to handle dirt, yet I think I'd prefer a handling great looking street wagon..

Seems the Interiors are all the same & the engines basically are as well?

What about the other available models?

Would a slightly lowered or stock hight V70 get better milage than a XC?

I've never had a Volvo & really dont know anything about them, so your input is appreciated.

 

Man, an XC is NOT an off road vehicle, the AWD system will just help it handle better in snow and/or rain. The suspension parts are not tough enough for many back roads. I can go on and on about this but listen, just don't do it.

Get yourself a nice T5 or R (which in the V is AWD I believe) and go a different direction in doing mods, go the fast sleeper direction.

 

I thought all wagons were called "V" ?
I hear some are front wheel drive & others AWD?

What's the difference between the T-5 & the R?
I don't really plan to tow my boat with it, but like the option, & I've been told the high pressure turbo would be better than the low, if I might tow?

In a perfect world, I'd lo e to get a '97 turbo diesel, but I hear those were never imported to the USA?

Ok, as I said I'm not looking at a Volvo for a rally car, I've already got the off road toys, but had to ask about the XC, being I live in Los Angeles, I'm not worried about driving in rain or snow.

So I do want the one with the sexy features, & so I'm assuming that's the "R"?
Looking on craigslist I'm seeing different models, some with spoilers & fog lights etc & yet wonder did the previous owner install these or ?

What are the differences in trim packages I should know about?
I tend to be a basic sorta guy, but I'm thinking I'd like this one to be plush.
Especially being it will for the most part become the wifes car....?
So I'm telling her anyways.

 

The V is simply a wagon designation. There are all wheel drive cars in the S series and V series that are not the XC model but there aren't any XC's that are front wheel drive only (at least as shipped from the factory).

The high pressure turbo cars, the T5 and the T5R, are basically the same 2.3 litre engine. The R versions are decked out with every gadget on the options list and special suede inlay on the seats. The R versions pick up some horse power but it is pretty much all done thorough tuning. I can buy a tuned ECU for my turbo cars that will exceed the R version horse power.

The XC versions were all low pressure turbos, at least the 99 and 2000 models were. The XC trim package sports the two tone paint scheme, the egg crate grill, and the fog lights. The R came from the factory with the spoilers and the front fogs. The fogs are an option on the standard V series but from the factory they wouldn't have the bottom lip on the front spoiler like the R version does.

Verify that any R you look at is really and R. The VIN number will tell the tale. Many have cobbled together what kinda looks like a R but it really isn't.

...Lee

 

Here is a link to the specs & options:

http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/.../1999_v70.html

http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/1998/1998_specs/1998_v70.html

If you pray hard enough you may find a '98 R.

 

Rspi: Thanks for the links I'll look them up when I get home to my laptop.
Did glance at the '99 link, but could not at the '98, unclickable, & I don't know how to copy & paste. From my phone the address.
So what in your opinion makes the '98, one to pray for?

Lee:
What digit in the vin tells me it's a real "R" ?

 

The 6th & 7th digit will be 58 on a real R.

...Lee

 

Thanks guys.

So what makes a T-5 is that its a 5 speed manual?
Is it other wise exactly the same as an "R"?

 

Today I spotted a what looked like a V70 with the 99 body style & yet the rear tag said 850 on it?
I thought the V70 replaced the 850's?
& I thought the 850's were a few years older?
Yet this one had the smaller '98-'99 head lights?

 

Ok, so today learned the answer to my last question, today I spotted a 960 wagon & looked it to discover these are rear wheel drive.