Hey I'm looking to buy a 850, after looking up more info on it I found out that the s70 succeeded it, and that they are pretty much identical in looks.

So now I'm torn, I liked the 850, but the s70 looks to be a safer car (with the side airbags) and it looks as though it has higher horsepower than then 850.

Anyway the question is if the airbags in the s70 or any other factors I'm missing are major decision points in buying either car, or if i'm missing some important pros to the 850 that would put it above the s70.

Thanks.

 

The only good S70 is the 1998 model. Engine wise, they are the same as the 850 (HP and Torque is the same). I have an 850 now but I would rather have a S70/V70 because the aftermarket parts are easier to get. Again, I would only get a 98 S70 or V70.

 

Thank you for your response, I should have been more clear in the OP.

I'm relieved to read that you think the 1998 s70 is the best choice because the year I was looking for was 1998 for the s70 and 1996 for the 850. Are the after market parts significantly easier to get?

 

If you are looking for an 850, get a 1997, best pick of the run. If you get an S70, then 98 is the safest bet even though it's essentially a restyled 850... Both are super reliable and not that expensive to keep up!

 

Alright, but the side airbags on the s70, they look odd because they come up the side of the seat, and then shoots out next to your head, it seems like soon after they replaced that style with side curtain airbags, is this because there was an issue with that style of airbags?

 

They're the essentially the same aftermarket parts. All 850's have SIPS and I know some of them have side air bags, not sure which year it started in. I feel that both the S70 and 850 are equally safe. Get whichever model has a turbo in it.

 

My sons 1996 850 has the side airbags. It was one of the reasons that I went with this car.

 

Like I said, whichever one has the turbo!

 

Alright thank you, I didn't realize that the 850 usually has side airbags also.

 

I have a '95 850 and it has side airbags as well. If you are a passionate driver, be sure to get a TURBO. If you get a '98 S70, get the GLT or the T-5. They are both turbo's. To be honest with you, I got my 850 Turbo after getting a S70 GLT for my daughter. I was jelious.

The 850 and S70 do not look alike. They do from the front door pillar back but the front ends are different. The S70 GLT is tuned to have it's horsepower available at 1800 rpm's. That is incredable. I don't think there is a stock car that can beat it to 60 mph. I talked to a guy that claims that he has driven his '99 S70 GLT up to 145 mph. Wow!

I have also heard that the '98 model is the best of the 3 years they ran the car. The S70 was introduced as the 850 with 700 changes. Volvo tweeked / improved the 850 to make the S70. I don't know why they dropped it, I guess they thought the S40 & S60 would sell better. Than again it may have been a Ford decission.

Get the '98 S70 GLT. One of the most comfortable cars I have EVER drove. The seats are amazing.

 

Thanks for all your input guys, I just need to look around to see what is available near me!

 

I do have to agree there. Last winter I drove my Dad's 99 S70 GLT multiple times for long distance snowboarding trips and it is one comfortable car, and the acceleration right off the line was so much fun.

Although I do have to admit, it was always nice to get back in my 850 Turbo that has a sportier feel, and that higher end boost sure is nice too.

 

turbo!!!


jpn

 

+1000000. Go turbo or go home.

 

large letters!!!