I currently own a pretty nice 2000 V70 SE. It is non-turbo, but it is a five speed, which I love. A friend of mine just had twins and he wants to buy my wagon. I just bought a 1989 F-150 4X4 for work, and was going to drive the Volvo less. That's all fine and good, I like the V70, but I could dig an older model, and maybe a turbo model. I really do like the wagons, for a multitude of reasons. So, I need some advice, since the only Volvo I have ever driven was my 2000 V70. I will not buy an automatic, turbo is probably something I do want at this point. 740 turbo wagon? 850 R? Any thoughts would greatly be appreciated.
Thank you.
jmc

 

I would seriously look into 850 wagons (Turbo, T5R, R) and or a 1998 V70 (Turbo, T5, R).

Those are what I would look for. Most likely you wont find a manual. So don't expect to get one that is.

 

Yeah, it was pretty hard to find a 5-speed V70. I went from NC to upstate NY to get mine. Were 5-speeds not made in the 850, or are they just rare and difficult to find, like any other manual Volvo?
Is the 740 a poor choice?

 

I believe the U.S. saw a few manual but I could be wrong. Canada got the manual 850's. But it will be rare to find a manual 850 unless your lucky and someone imported one or did a manual swap.

A 740 wouldn't be a poor choice, but I personally would go back that far. I would stick to the 850's and 1998 v70 models.

 

The only thing you could possbily get in the USA, at least that was originally imported to USA, is a 98 V70 T5 with a five speed. It will be very hard to find though. You can get a 98 S70 (sedan) T5 five speed though.

 

I found a 1995 850 GLT with a 5-speed at the same place in NY where I bought my V70. 129,000 miles for $4,900. This is the low pressure turbo, correct? Any thoughts? It's no T5, but it should be fun and quicker than my NA V70.

 

It is not a Turbo. Only the 97 850 GLT had the low pressure turbo and that was the first year for it. 98 V70 GLT also has LPT.

 

Awwww man. Well then. What are your thoughts on the automatics? How about the manu-matics, are they a good option? Finally, usually the only manual R wagons I find are AWD, does that spell trouble? I really like my 5-speed, but I am coming to terms with the fact that am not going to be able to find exactly what I want. At this point, I am leaning towards a turbo, preferrably an R. More inclined to go with the automatic, really unsure about the AWD.

 

hi guys.i live in northern ireland were car insurance rates are amongst the highest in europe. petrolcostsare also very high and as a result of these two factors, there are a lot of older big engined volvos going rather cheaply. having said that, the special editions such as the T5r hold their value really well.you would be spoiled for choiceand price here if you were looking for an 850 or pre 2000 V70. one peice of advice,go with a manual transmission if you can especially were the 850is concerned.

 

Hmmm.., I'm starting to get cold feet. I don't want to have to start looking for another car again. I just replaced all the tires, and already did a timing belt service. I scraped up the bottom of the front bumper, so while I wanted to ditch it, now I'm thinking I should just hold onto it. I'll never get my money back because of the small damage to the body I inflicted on the car on a night of poor decisions. Well thankyou all for the input.
Also, who can tell me the reason that some say the 2000 V70 is one to stay away from? I was unaware of this before I bought mine.

Thanks,
jmc

 

I really wish one of my R's was a five speed. The 95 T5R and the 97 850 R just feel so alike. I want one to be different than the other. One of these days, I may put a five speed in one of them.

 

I was going to ask you about your R models. Are they standard automatics, or are they this manumatic setup? If you have one of each, which do you prefer? I imagine they are pretty fun to drive with more power and road hugging ability than a NA model. My wagon may not be the quickest thing out there, but it does feel pretty sporty with the 5-speed.