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Why do you (still) drive a P80?

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
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Why do you (still) drive a P80 Volvo?

I like them because they are somewhat cheap to own and operate.
20
14%
I like them because I like cars from the 90ies.
22
16%
I just can't afford a new car.
5
4%
I like the challenge of wrenching on cars.
27
19%
They make sense from a specific financial point of view (tax deduction, low insurance costs, ...).
11
8%
I like longevity.
29
21%
I think operating vehicles long is environmentally friendly and saves resources.
25
18%
 
Total votes: 139
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abscate
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Re: Why do you (still) drive a P80?

Post by abscate »

E Showell wrote: ↑09 Jan 2020, 18:55 I love the fantastic visibility.

And they are a Rogue-proof
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bmdubya1198
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Post by bmdubya1198 »

E Showell wrote: ↑09 Jan 2020, 18:55 I love the fantastic visibility.
Agreed BIG time. The only car with better visibility that I've driven was my S90.
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brunocerous
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Post by brunocerous »

They're ergonomically fantastic, fun to drive, incredibly spacious (even more useful than the XC90 or a 4Runner, I'd argue), great for DIYers whether pros or wannabes (like me), vaguely sporty and like Abscate said seats and heat.

I love them so much, I've owned five of them — three of them still titled under my name. My brother's S40 is awesome, and my SO's XC90 is pleasant enough, but the V70 is my ideal vehicle.
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smacknab
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Post by smacknab »

E Showell wrote: ↑09 Jan 2020, 18:55 I love the fantastic visibility.
+1 I have a hard time going back to other cars even SUV's
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Post by RickHaleParker »

Has anybody seen a rusted out P80? .....
⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙⸙
1998 C70, B5234T3, 16T, AW50-42, Bosch Motronic 4.4, Special Edition package.
2003 S40, B4204T3, 14T twin scroll AW55-50/51SN, Siemens EMS 2000.
2004 S60R, B8444S TF80 AWD. Yamaha V8 conversion
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brunocerous
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Post by brunocerous »

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑10 Jan 2020, 14:25 Has anybody seen a rusted out P80? .....
+1 That's the other thing I thought about as I drove the kids home from school today — no rust!

Also, pretty much all the original switches still work after 20 years.
2000 V70, base, MT, 'The Silver Bullet'
1998 V70, base, AT, 'Blue Steel'
1998 V70 T5, AT, project
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Post by bmdubya1198 »

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑10 Jan 2020, 14:25 Has anybody seen a rusted out P80? .....
My cousin's old V70 was bad, but I wouldn't call it rusted out. Rust proofing on these seems to be pretty good.
00 V70R Venetian Red/Charcoal M56 Swapped 214k
07 XC90 V8 AWD Sport Titanium Grey/Black 220k
92 245 White/Beige 249k
91 944 Turbo 175k
…and a bunch of other stuff
Sold-
03 S60 2.4T
00 S70 GLT
98 V70 GLT
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98 S90
95 850 GLT
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05 S60R M66
08 S40 2.4i
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E Showell
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Post by E Showell »

They don't rust specifically because of the high natural phosphorus content of Swedish steel. That having been said, if you live in States that use road salt and you intend on keeping you cars on the road, I recommend you remove the plastic rocker trims and do a POR15 or equivalent rust treatment underneath them before reinstalling. You will find rust, just not a lot of it and it will be hidden. Out of sight, out of mind.
'98 V70 NA FWD 5 spd, silver sand metallic (sold)
'99 V70 NA FWD Auto, dark blue (sold)
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Post by j-dawg »

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑10 Jan 2020, 14:25 Has anybody seen a rusted out P80? .....
This was the main thing for me, coming from a rusty Toyota. I hated the rust and living in the Midwest these cars stood out to me as apparently rust proof. I'd had a crush on them ever since seeing a video as a teenager of a turbo 850 shredding hard, and years later I finally went and bought one.

I'm not sure if anyone has commented on appearance yet? As goofy as it may sound, I like the way these cars look. Neat and compact, clean lines but not bland, good proportions. They're not beautiful, but they're purposeful without being slaves to function.
1999 V70 T5 5-SPD | ~277k mi | sold
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Sveedy
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Post by Sveedy »

Reading all this deserved gushing just makes me want to go out and take a drive ! But as wet, snowy and muddy as it is, she will stay under cover. Yes she's babied. Coming out of the Phoenix area I doubt she has seen much rain or, I'm going to go out on a limb here, snow, so I'll continue keeping it that way. This stuff is what my '94 Cherokee 5 spd is for.
I think this 850 will be it, unless they catch me with an electric one day.
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