I am interested into knowing what you guys think about the numbers on the 1995 T-5R's. When looking at the image set in the graph below, it appears that there were 5,000 black and yellow T-5R's shipped worldwide. We all know that there were also green cars made. Lets assume there were 500 green T-5R's which made the estimated 5,500 that were suppose to be produced. I don't think Volvo planned to ship any of the green cars to the USA but a few slipped in through special order by a few dealers. Lets call it 10 wagons just to call it easy.

Now, it appears that 185 yellow cars were shipped to the USA. I know for a fact that a yellow wagon was imported by a GI around 1997. There were probably several imported but I doubt it would have amounted to anything worth choaking about.

For some reason, I believe that most of the yellows were sedans. It's evidant due to the number of yellow sedans you find pictures of, find for sale and see on the roads. My guess is that 150 of the 185 were sedans which would have left 35 wagons. Lets assume I'm right. That would mean that 19% of the yellow cars were wagons.

So, that left 719 black models. Lets assume that the same ratio applied to the black cars. If I'm guessing correct, that would mean that there were approximately 137 black wagons and 582 black sedans shipped to the USA.

Now, looking at the process of elimination, lets assume that people were excited about the cars when the first hit the market, but didn't really look at them as being anything very special. I would guess that on average, 75% of all the 1995 Volvos are off the grid. So, if Volvo sold 100,000 1995 850's, there are only 25,000 of them still on the road (these may be generious numbers). Now that they are 16, going on 17 years old, they are dropping like flies. Also, lets assume that people did see the yellow cars as being something VERY SPECIAL after a few years. Lets guess people started holding on to the yellow ones after 2000. I know for a fact that 5 yellow sedans meet their death in the past 12 months. I have actually gotten the calls personally. Getting down to my thoughts... I think there are less than 100 yellow sedans left in the USA. I'm assuming that NO ONE let a yellow wagon die, so lets say that there are still 35 yellow wagons on the road.

That brings me to my point. If the 1995 black T-5R's were not looked at as being VERY SPECIAL cars, how many do you think are still on the road??? From my observations, this would be my thought, I ask that you guys give your opinions. I would guess that there are approximately 203 black sedans and only 48 black wagons still on the road. This guesstimate is based on the assumption that 35% of the black cars are still on the road.

In the past year I have seen several black sedans for sale, several yellow sedans for sale, 1 green wagon for sale, 2 black wagons for sale and 1 yellow wagon for sale. What do you guys think??? Also, when do you guys think the values will start climbing?

 

One thing you left out of your equation that I bet took a LOT of older volvos off the road: Cash for clunkers.

 

Icouldn't imagine that someone trades a T-5R in for let's say a Daewoo Matiz,lol

But to give you an example

Here in Belgium(i asked at Volvo)there were 6R's sold new,of wich About 4 are still alive.Since then there were a few imported because they're rappidly becoming a "cult" status,i think it's the same for the T-5R's.
Wheter the value of these cars is increasing i would say No(not yet)and to put it stronger;if ever(with all the envirementol crap going on,and offcourse gass prices)

walter

Ps,also anyone who ever owned one of these cars know they're not the cheapest cars to own/maintain.So only the"diehards"(true enthusiast)will want these.

 

My yellow sedan wasn't bad. Although I was servicing it myself. The only thing I had to do other than scheduled maintenance was the evaporator, which I did myself. I put 30,000 miles on it in 2 years.

 

i dont know.. haha but if i ever find a black t5-r down here, im going to buy it!

but i think that 35 yellow wagons is generous.. At the Ipd show there was 2.. So if there was 2 in that area, im thinking maybe 10-15 in all of US.

I wonder how many yellow manuals there are in canada.. i know of at least 1 original. or.. yellow wagon manual! that'd be valuable.

 

As you see, Canada only had yellow cars, my guess is mostly wagons. I have seen 3 of these for sale in Canada and 2 were yellow wagons.

I know people claim these 850's are high maintenance, and compared to the RWD Volvo's they are but not compared to cars in general. Keep them out of Pittsburgh size potholes and do the scheduled maintenance and the cars are good strong runners. I don't see why one well cared for wouldn't go 500,000. Great daily drivers.

 

I think your math confused me. My guess is more of them are still around, since Volvo's have always been known to last forever.