850 Versus S70

[abscate]

Nobody lives in NYC, its too crowded.

I work/week abode in NYC, but also work/weekend upstate. A T5 up the I87 is just zoom zoom zoom fun..

I think you would be far better off with an automatic.

Hey!! I caught that!!

[mecheng]

I hope this thread doesn't make the S70 look bad; my point was there are differences and I still love my S70. Most 850's have super high mileage so a lower milage S70 is a good bet. Not sure about the 99-2000 models though with the Electronic Throttle - I've heard its not a big deal if you know how to work with it, I can say the 1998 are great. My days of owning a manual are done, as long as the engine has torque, automatic isn't bad. I love the new DGS transmissions.

[abscate]

I love the sticks for five reasons

Driving fun factor
No worries about transmissions for 250k miles - also no TCM issues. Clutches are just labor, so I don't mind doing them
Winter driving - much better control of starting torque with manual
Young drivers - my three girls all drive sticks better than autos - I think the stick makes them more aware of the car and in tune with driving
Torturing other members of MVS

[brad850]

I use the low end power on my 850 Turbo in every day driving, granted, i drive more aggressively than some people do. I was just remarking to myself the other day how the 850T continues to pull excellent power in 2nd and 3rd gear, and i easily scratched the new tires with hardly an effort in first with a car load the other day as well.

The 850 is a remarkable car, one of the best ever all around passenger cars with some pep in her step.
And she just plain looks interesting with actual straight lines and corners, - before the curvy fishbowl aerodynamics mania set in that made almost every car since 2000 look more and more homogenous. You can hardly tell the cars apart any more unless you look for the branding.

[mecheng]

I take my comment about the LPT back, I know prefer the HPT because I figured how to use it. You just need to push harder on the pedal LOL. The best is rolling accleration when it drops down a gear; it feels like a lot more than 236hp. The T5 is a great engine; mid range and high end. The LPT is good but loses steam pretty quickly mid to high rpm.

I agree, the styling of the 850 and S70 is distinct but the S70 perfected the angular styling without looking dated. My S70 gets a lot of stares; I don't like the non painted bumpers on the 850.

[matthew1]

I take my comment about the LPT back, I know prefer the HPT because I figured how to use it. You just need to push harder on the pedal LOL. The best is rolling accleration when it drops down a gear; it feels like a lot more than 236hp.

I've always believed the hp ratings on the HPT P80 line was underrated, 850 or 70 series. Agreed.

[2012]

I used to work at San Diego Volvo as a service tech, so I have driven countless S70s which at the time were practically brand new. It was my favorite of the Volvos, because they were boxy but sporty, and the S60 had barely came out and was very "non-Volvo" at the time. The experienced techs always said "dude, forget about the S70 get an 850 much better car", but I didn't really like the dated interior.
But now I'm a little older and wiser, and just happened upon a very clean 95 850 Turbo. Granted, it does look dated and old school, but, but can be good because it is still very much a tradtional Volvo. The S70 is moms or grandmas car, but the 850 is much more of a man's car. And its almost as fun to drive as an old VW GTI. Build quality is simply amazing. And as everyone says, when you get on the T5 engine you are enjoying a pure, raw driving exprience because there is very little technology between you and the car on the 850s. Even though the S70 is the same car, there seems to be more car pampering you from the road.
So, for a pure fun to drive stand point, the 850, for some wierd reason, certainly wins, at least IMO.

[jblackburn]

I take my comment about the LPT back, I know prefer the HPT because I figured how to use it. You just need to push harder on the pedal LOL. The best is rolling accleration when it drops down a gear; it feels like a lot more than 236hp. The T5 is a great engine; mid range and high end. The LPT is good but loses steam pretty quickly mid to high rpm.

I agree, the styling of the 850 and S70 is distinct but the S70 perfected the angular styling without looking dated. My S70 gets a lot of stares; I don't like the non painted bumpers on the 850.

After not driving my old S70 for a year, I was really surprised at how hard you have to mash down on the gas for power out on the highway - but when you do, it spools up and zooms away.

Electronic throttles change everything. They give you pretty much everything the car's got to give at 50-70% throttle, and then have nothing left when you floor it

[c70_lindsay]

What about S70 Versus C70??

[phils94850]

ive owned both S70 T5 and 850 turbo/R's. I prefer the 850s as far as performance and quality, I think the S70 is better as far as comfort driving.