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850 or s70

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

This topic is in the MVS Volvo Repair Database » Buy a Volvo 850 or Volvo S70?
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jeovaz
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Joined: 8 May 2007
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850 or s70

Post by jeovaz »

What will I be lossing or gaining if I buy a sub-80K miles 1997 850 T5 against a sub-80K miles 1998 S70 GLT?

zenmervolt
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Location: Seattle, WA

Post by zenmervolt »

I'm fonder of the S70's interior, but the 850's does have a certain charm, and even if the boost guage isn't marked, it's still nice to have, which is an advantage of the 850.

If it were me, I would be after the 850 T-5 for the higher-power engine and the slightly sportier suspension. It's not a sportscar, but I still prefer more feedback if it's possible.

On the other hand, the S70 will have a more modern interior and the GLT engine, while les spowerful overall, has a stronger low-end pull with less turbo lag, so it feels stronger around town. It will probably cost a little less to insure as well.

If they're both in good shape, it just really comes down to whichever one you like more. Mechanically there's not much different between the two cars in the core componants.
'98 Volvo S70 T5 SE

'86 Porsche 951

'76 Porsche 914

MadeInJapan
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Post by MadeInJapan »

S70 GLT with the IPD ECU upgrade is the Shite....it will hit the low end find and boost right through the power band! I have had both 850 and S70 and prefer the S70 by far!
'98 S70 T5 Emrld Grn Met/Beige Tons of Upgrades Mobil-1
'04 V70 2.5T Red/Taupe Some Upgrades Mobil-1
'07 S40 T5 AWD 6 speed manual! Silver/Black Stage1 Heico & Elevate
'07 S60 2.5T Blue/Taupe- my kid's Volvo

jeovaz
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Post by jeovaz »

Thanks for the replies. Hopefully, there will be a s70 glt or an 850 t5 on my driveway soon.

jeovaz
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Post by jeovaz »

I now have a RED 1997 850 T5 on my driveway. I think it is in good shape for a 10 year old with 77K miles.
1997 850 T5 DD in NoVA 77,500 miles



mods: Twin Britax Marathons

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matthew1
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Post by matthew1 »

Nice. Upload pics or Youtube video if you want. We'd love to see your new Volvo.
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1998 V70, no dash lights on

1997 850 T5 [gone] w/ MSD ignition coil, Hallman manual boost controller, injectors, R bumper, OMP strut brace

2004 V70 R [gone]

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Git-R-Dunn
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Post by Git-R-Dunn »

850. the s70s look like they have downsyndrome

MadeInJapan
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Post by MadeInJapan »

Git-R-Dunn wrote:850. the s70s look like they have downsyndrome
Oh now.... 8)
'98 S70 T5 Emrld Grn Met/Beige Tons of Upgrades Mobil-1
'04 V70 2.5T Red/Taupe Some Upgrades Mobil-1
'07 S40 T5 AWD 6 speed manual! Silver/Black Stage1 Heico & Elevate
'07 S60 2.5T Blue/Taupe- my kid's Volvo

Arlatigo
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Location: Canon City, Colorado

Post by Arlatigo »

A '97 with 77K???? Whoa....my 98 has over 210K.
Still runs like a champ!!!! 8)
'98 S70 GTL Turbo 210,000 miles and counting.

Has had a hard life before me.

JRL
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Post by JRL »

zenmervolt wrote:
If it were me, I would be after the 850 T-5 for the higher-power engine and the slightly sportier suspension. It's not a sportscar, but I still prefer more feedback if it's possible.
.
850, even a T5, has the SAME SUSPENSION as an S70.
There is no difference unless you ordered or installed a sport suspension (VERY rare).
The reason an 850 "feels' a bit better is that it's lighter than an S70
Mod note. Jim passed away in early 2022, his contributions to this forum are immortal, and he is missed. RIP

2000 V70R Black, 144,000 miles Wife's R.
2007 V70 2.5T White/Oak 111,000 MILES. Polestar tune, IPD bars, rear spoiler, dark grey Thors, DWS 06, HU850, sub.

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