Hello Everyone!
Just joined your terrific site. I joined to research which Volvo I should buy, I love the 95-97 850T and R models. Is there a reason to buy an "R" model vs. the "T" ? I know there is about 18 h.p. or so more w/ the "R" and some suspension upgrades, but I really don't like the wheels on the "R" or the interior. Is there just more cache' to the "R" or is the "T" model almost as good ?
I want to buy a "brick" soon so... I look forward to your comments and suggestions.
Thanks!

 

Well, if you're not looking for the extra hp, and do not like the interior, or want the upgraded suspension or stereo, and don't care about the rare numbers, get a T5. They come in more colors and have a lot of other color options to choose from.

 

If you find a clean, well taken care of R and can afford it Buy it! The issue is really by now there aren't many true R's out there. You will find Clones out there and some are great alternatives. I personally have a 97 GLT with a tune. Down here in Fla., you don't come across many clean 850s much less an R model. If I had found a clean R, I would have jumped on it.

 

I would just buy whatever you can find thats been taken care of. Thats the important thing. I have a turbo that is practically the same car as the r, minus the obvious, and if i want to(which i do lol) ill upgrade my car and not worry about what the emblem on my bumper says. Not to mention that 9 times out of 10 a person who buys any 'race' model is doing so because they like to drive fast, so the car is going to have some really hard miles on it, unless it was meticulously maintained. So bottom line, would I buy an R over a turbo in good condition? Sure. But I wouldnt hold my breath to find one. Ciao.

 

I have found an "R" w/125K in excellent condition (6K) and a "T" about the same (4K), however I really think the "T" is a better looking (wheels, color,etc.) car and, yes, probably has not been driven as hard. What upgrades would you do to a "T"? Thanks for the input so far guys!

 

Your " new toy " is what I really want ! Thanks for the advice .
Jim

 

Sounds like you are going with the T. Any Turbo model is a good foundation to start with. Do a stage 0 and then get a Tuned ECU. There are tons upgrades you can do with significant results on those. It's the NA models you really can't do much of anything.