Deal of the Decade? 850R for $500

[June]

That is not likely a T5R. I had the first year R 94 or 95. I ordered it early 1994 and took delivery late 1994 as I recall. The R had 17 inch wheels which was unheard-of in the mid 90s special to the car, also different lower body molding on side continued to the bumper totally different to the non R. Also only offered in Black, yellow, and I can't remember the third color but not grey. Also had special seats and spoiler as I recall. I can tell you they were quite special at the time and my dealership did not want to deliver it to me because it came in with a 5 speed standard and supposedly they couldn't get another with 5 speed. I payed the day I ordered it and they had to deliver it. I caused quite a scene.

I only had it about a year when my dealership neglected to put the oil cap back on after a oil change. I locked the engine up and they gave me a grate price to trade it in as it was their mistake. Somewhere there may be a photo with it in the background (film) I'll take a picture of the print and post it.

My main point is the car was quite different looking from the 850 turbo. I want to say I payed in the neighborhood of $40,000 all said and done which was quite a bit higher than the other 850 models on a side note. June

[rspi]

[bmdubya1198]

Clearly not an R. To be generous, are there that many differences between the R and the Turbo/T5? Swapping the engine probably gets you most of the way there, performance-wise.

I don't think so. Other than the ECU, the front bumper, the wheels, and the interior.

[bmdubya1198]

That is not likely a T5R. I had the first year R 94 or 95. I ordered it early 1994 and took delivery late 1994 as I recall. The R had 17 inch wheels which was unheard-of in the mid 90s special to the car, also different lower body molding on side continued to the bumper totally different to the non R. Also only offered in Black, yellow, and I can't remember the third color but not grey. Also had special seats and spoiler as I recall. I can tell you they were quite special at the time and my dealership did not want to deliver it to me because it came in with a 5 speed standard and supposedly they couldn't get another with 5 speed. I payed the day I ordered it and they had to deliver it. I caused quite a scene.

I only had it about a year when my dealership neglected to put the oil cap back on after a oil change. I locked the engine up and they gave me a grate price to trade it in as it was their mistake. Somewhere there may be a photo with it in the background (film) I'll take a picture of the print and post it.

My main point is the car was quite different looking from the 850 turbo. I want to say I payed in the neighborhood of $40,000 all said and done which was quite a bit higher than the other 850 models on a side note. June

They came in black, yellow, and I think dark green or red. Green is VERY rare, very few were made. There is one guy on VS who used to own one that was dark gray, which was 1 of 1. I'm pretty sure that one was actually an R, though, not a T-5R. The R came in black, red, or white only I think.
They only came with the 4 speed auto in the States. The M56 was only available in Europe.
So, you were able to order a manual T-5R, or they sent one by accident?

[June]

Yes ugly green metallic. Mine being a early pre order I am sure it was early production. It came with the 5 speed from Volvo by mistake. That thrilled my dealership and they outright refused to deliver it. I waited quite a while for the car and caused one hell of a scene and finely they gave me my car. Had I not pre payed for it I might not have gotten the car. It was my second Volvo and I was not pleased with the experience. As I recall there was only a couple of options available. It came with everything. June

By today's standards it really was slow when compared to a Polestar. But it was a hot machine for it's time. So somewhere likely in a garage is a first year R with a factory standard here in America.

[bmdubya1198]

Very interesting. I wonder who has the car now.

[abscate]

They are hiding it in storage until June drives another brand.

[erikv11]

As pointed out by many, not it's not an R - there weren't any in 94, there weren't any in silver, it doesn't have an R spoiler or wheels.

There is no such thing as an "R engine," presumably this car has a standard HPT engine. See bmdubya's post, the only parts unique to an R were the ECU, front bumper, wheels and interior.

[akitawagon]

I don't think so. . . a lot of people try to list their for sale Volvos as having a "type R" engine or being a "type R" to generate interest and higher price from the folks that are into the type R Honda performance community.

No winter package (headlight wipers), stock front spoiler, stock 850 color, Cetus wheels and all the other things previously mentioned. It may make a good beater, daily driver if it's still in reasonable condition. Sounds like a lot of work though.

Related fact: there was an option to purchase an 850R with the 16" Columba wheels from the factory for those that didn't want the "harsh" ride from the 17"s. I've read about this before on one of the forums and have actually met a guy at the gas station with an R and columbas. He preferred the 17" Volans on mine, but the his car came with columba's when he bought it.

[June]

They are hiding it in storage until June drives another brand.

Been there done that