95 854 turbo: My new volvo for $1200 Topic is solved

Post by **CIK7** » 28 Nov 2025, 09:10

I have been holding back on having a daily Volvo.

I had my red v70 running in April or May but the blue Honda CRV was my daily because the Volvo was running really bad. However the Volvo was still pulling well in a straight line. That exhaust sounded good. From NW C st (s hwy 271) to NE A st is a downtown corridor and echoes a lot. You get my point. I hate loud exhausts but this one was not loud. Not a tin can either. Moreso a soft growl of sorts. The local Motorsports has a separate garage where the crew assembles the new units at the start of the aforementioned corridor. They would turn and wave sometimes.

The CRV was perfect except for being slow and has a 1500LB tow limit.

So I bought this Toyota Rav4 Limited because it has a towing capacity of 3500LB w tow pkg, sunroof, fwd (not awd), and the quick v6 (not the i4 with 9.5sec 0-60 like the CRV). Insane amounts of room (73 cu ft). But I somehow glazed over the mention of a SmartKey (push button handle entry, push button start) in the sale ad. I like keys and traditional remotes. So yeah the butthurt seats and SmartKey has killed the vibe of a non-Volvo. I must sell the Toyota to survive the next month or two. I borrowed $1000 from the bank for the 854.

Here I am with a $1200 1995 854 Turbo. 258,5xx miles. Already up to 258,802. Engine runs very well overall. Quite potent and responds well to both Economy (light throttle) and Sport (heavy throttle) modes. Turbo sounds healthy. Average mpg through Dallas city/hwy was about 20-21, respectable I think. Transmission seems to run like one with 150k miles. I didnt know gray could be such a beautiful paint color. I thought it was a special edition gray but turns out to just be Volvo code 214 Dark Gray Metallic. I am going to contact the original owner to get history and records if possible. Im going to work on bringing this up to Stage 0 over time. I have a timing belt kit, some seals/gaskets, cleaners, and m56 trans ready to use. It needs a serpentine belt. Also have a pair of NA cams to drop in for stage 1 after Stage 0 is done.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 28 Nov 2025, 09:20

This story sounds very familiar. The stray just followed me home...
volvolugnut

Post by **CIK7** » 28 Nov 2025, 10:18

volvolugnut wrote: ↑28 Nov 2025, 09:20 This story sounds very familiar. The stray just followed me home...
volvolugnut

Post by **CIK7** » 28 Nov 2025, 10:22

I just went for a drive to look for my neighbor. It suddenly started honking randomly while turning the wheel. I covered my mouth in case I was driving next to someone while it honked. It honked when a 2020+ explorer drove by as I was exiting a driveway.

I was laughing the rest of the way home.

Post by **abscate** » 29 Nov 2025, 02:19

Probably just a loose ground wire in the column. Not too bad to fix. Can you fill those splits in with craft putty to dress those up.

Those bullet holes in the back …tough ‘hood

Post by **CIK7** » 29 Nov 2025, 19:06

abscate wrote: ↑29 Nov 2025, 02:19 Probably just a loose ground wire in the column. Not too bad to fix. Can you fill those splits in with craft putty to dress those up.

Those bullet holes in the back …tough ‘hood

That's actually a single dent where the seller's son bumped it. But I know what you mean. It actually looks like someone shot with bb gun.

Post by **CIK7** » 29 Nov 2025, 19:15

I almost lost it last night when I got pulled over.
I forgot to check the tag lights before driving it. And then they said I was going 51 in a 45, except I hadn't even exceeded 45. But this Oklahoma law with the license plate switch and purchasing and all that blah blah blah is so confusing. then the police couldnt figure out much about the VIN number (OO not PO) and plate (still shows 05 Honda CRV). I grabbed the wrong insurance paper before I left home so I actually had a November 26th 2025 expiration instead of May 26th 2026 expiration. He said he was going to give me a ticket for not having an up-to-date insurance on my person. I have to go to court in January. He said just to bring the up-to-date insurance paper. My record is actually really clean, so yeah. Once the confusion about the vin came up, he told me that technically he could tow it if he really wanted to, but he saw that I had the dogs in there and it was cold and all that. All I drove away with was a ticket for the insurance paper.

Post by **abscate** » 29 Nov 2025, 20:30

Just be polite and always let them know if you are carrying. Yes, ma’am /sir will get you out of many a ticket.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 30 Nov 2025, 08:12

Don't know if other states do it, but Oklahoma now has you keep your old vehicle tag when you trade. Keeping current insurance verification in cars can be a chore.
At least now you can buy tag sticker for 2 years instead of just 1 year. Oklahoma has not issued new metal tags each year for decades.
I think you are also required to keep a current copy of the registration paper in the vehicle.
Nights traffic stops will always be scary.
volvolugnut

Post by **CIK7** » 04 Dec 2025, 13:01

volvolugnut wrote: ↑30 Nov 2025, 08:12 Don't know if other states do it, but Oklahoma now has you keep your old vehicle tag when you trade. Keeping current insurance verification in cars can be a chore.
At least now you can buy tag sticker for 2 years instead of just 1 year. Oklahoma has not issued new metal tags each year for decades.
I think you are also required to keep a current copy of the registration paper in the vehicle.
Nights traffic stops will always be scary.
volvolugnut

I found out that I'm not supposed to put the current plate on the new vehicle, but instead have no plate and just keep the bill of sale on hand in case of a traffic stop. I have 10 days from the date of purchase to get the new temp tag put on there.