I got a 1997 850 R today

[matthew1]

With destination charge, $40,630 in 1996 or $82,600 in today's money. The average new car was $18,700 in 1996, so this was wildly above average.

My thoughts on this window sticker: it's too bad it didn't list exact options. Was it delivered with Titans/Pegasus (I can never remember which is which) or Volans?

[gmh]

I paid $5K for the car in 2013 with about 120K on the clock. There were 4 black steel wheels on it then so I bought a couple sets of used Volvo wheels so I could swap snows without the tire store.

[matthew1]

Gary, I was hoping you’d see this thread and add. Cheers and thanks for the R.

[gmh]

Gary, I was hoping you’d see this thread and add. Cheers and thanks for the R.

Matt,
Take a look in the spare tire compartment. There is a 17" tire on a rim. Can't recall what it looked like, I never had to use the spare.

[matthew1]

I can’t get over the $40k price tag and that number presented in various comparisons to 2025.

The 4.4 multiplier derived from the Volvo’s price divided by average… take that and apply it to 2025 average new car cost of $48,600 and you end up with $215k.

In other words, extrapolation means the top new Volvo should cost $215k today if everything was equal.

[matthew1]

Gary, I was hoping you’d see this thread and add. Cheers and thanks for the R.

Matt,
Take a look in the spare tire compartment. There is a 17" tire on a rim. Can't recall what it looked like, I never had to use the spare.

Thanks Gary

[abscate]

I think average car pricing has stayed pretty close to about 1/2 household income from 1990-2025.

Worth checking

You are getting a lot more technology now in 2025, without question

gmh - reached out to you on email!

[matthew1]

Wait I’m smoking crack. It’s a 2.2 multiplier. I apples-oranged my calculation inputs. So $107k. So that’s what we would spend today to get the 2025 equivalent of 1996’s example of buying a new 1997 850 R, assuming we’re out to spend the same 2.2*(average new car price 2025).

In that sense, Volvo’s top cars hitting $85-90k today is historically low, given that it’s less than 2* current average new car cost. 1.8 or 1.9. At least compared to the 1990s.

I can’t get over the $40k price tag and that number presented in various comparisons to 2025.

The 4.4 multiplier derived from the Volvo’s price divided by average… take that and apply it to 2025 average new car cost of $48,600 and you end up with $215k.

In other words, extrapolation means the top new Volvo should cost $215k today if everything was equal.

[matthew1]

I don’t want the tech. What could they build 1997 850 Rs for today? Assuming 400,000 run volume. $15k? I’ll take three.

I think average car pricing has stayed pretty close to about 1/2 household income from 1990-2025.

Worth checking

You are getting a lot more technology now in 2025, without question

gmh - reached out to you on email!

[CIK7]

I agree with Neil. Dump the wheels!