Need help or tips making a decision v70 vs s80 Topic is solved

[CIK7]

Heads up: because I'm considering a v70 and s80, this list will be in the s80 forums as well. I want opinions from both sides. I am also a hypocrite because I said I would never get a newer Volvo again but the realization of how safe my 960 is has me worried.
Anyway, I like space in my cars, therefore I do NOT want an s60. I am trying to decide between a v70 03-04 and 03-04 s80. I already had the v70 base model, so I know I don't want the base model. I'm okay with my 960 that has the 2.9NA, but the 2.4na is too slow for me. I know the trans has the popular solenoid issue (which I had with my v70 base model) because of Volvo's forever-fluid claim. But my recent research showed plenty of people have solved this issue by draining and refilling the trans 2-4 times in a row across a matter of 600-1000 miles.
General: On v70 topic, I'm trying to figure out if I want the 2.4T, XC, or t5. I would strongly consider one with manual trans.
Point 1: I would like the XC because of the AWD and I love having an excuse to go through a nearby mud pit. I also want to go to one of the 4 nearby off-road classes to see how rough it will tolerate. I know the 03 xc has the old 2.4t, with 197hp/210tq and 7.7sec 0-60. The 04 xc has the newer 2.5t with 208/236 and 7.6 0-60. I do not like the base model front seats, but can deal with them and change them later on.
Point 2: I would like the t5 because it's better mpg than xc, with 2.3t 6.5sec 0-60. I like the probable upgraded sport seats. I know this model has optional manual.
Point 3: theoretically the 2.4t fwd should be faster than the xc because less weight and friction from the non-existing awd. There is an 03 2.4t for sale about 130 miles from me.
Questions: What are y'alls thoughts on this? What would y'all choose and why? What other factors should I consider? Did the v70 have the same airbag recall that the -2003 s80 had? Did the 04 v70 have the same solenoid issue as the 01-02?

[- Pete -]

Just for clarification (& future readers who may not know), the T5 is not the same as the 2.5T, the terms aren’t interchangeable.T5 has a higher pressure turbo, 2.4T & 2.5T are LPT (low pressure turbo). Personally, I would not get too hung up on this though. 2.4/2.5T LPT still make plenty of oomph and with an ECM tune are actually kind of impressive. That being said, the T5 was never offered in the P2 XC70, only in a FWD V70. The only factory HPT AWD variant of the 2.5T in a wagon was the V70R.

I personally prefer the 2.5T over the 2.4T because of its dual VVT, but I would not avoid the 2.4T. They are equally enjoyable to work on.

You mention both speed and safety. If you want to go faster, do an ECM tune on whatever it is you end up purchasing if it does not perform to your liking - don’t let lackluster acceleration distract you. As far as safety goes I would always pick all wheel drive vs FWD or any 2WD. AWD simply has more versatility. Your climate & geography will help you zero in on AWD or FWD being better suited. Definitely get an AWD P2 that is 2003+; Haldex AWD is excellent. If you plan on doing any offroading I do not think that the S80 is going to be a good option. Not when compared to an XC70. Same with a V70.

V70 VS XC70: to compare apples to apples you’d need to find an AWD V70, which would limit you to the 2.5T. The V70 will definitely handle more sharply. Many people complain that the ride is too harsh, & exacerbated by larger wheels. I run 16”, 17”, and 18” wheels on my V70’s & XC70’s The smaller wheels definitely promote a more plush ride but handling is sacrificed. My favorite combination is a 17” wheel on an XC70 or the 17” Pegasus wheel on a V70R in “comfort mode”. Plush ride but still retains the nice handling attributes of the larger/wider wheel. 18” wheel on a V70 AWD looks and handles impressively, but many would say the ride is too harsh.

Overall, I think the XC70 is hard to beat. It just does everything so well, sits up a bit taller, tows, has a nice tight turning radius compared to the relatively dismal V70.
MPG: it all depends on your foot. To me, if you have extra power at the ready (T5 or a tuned 2.5T), you’ll be more apt to use it & MPG is going to plummet. I regularly get 25+MPG highway on my tuned 298,200 mile XC70.

Can’t help ya with the S80, wagons for me!

[jonesg]

wagon for me.

[CIK7]

Just for clarification (& future readers who may not know), the T5 is not the same as the 2.5T, the terms aren’t interchangeable.T5 has a higher pressure turbo, 2.4T & 2.5T are LPT (low pressure turbo). Personally, I would not get too hung up on this though. 2.4/2.5T LPT still make plenty of oomph and with an ECM tune are actually kind of impressive. That being said, the T5 was never offered in the P2 XC70, only in a FWD V70. The only factory HPT AWD variant of the 2.5T in a wagon was the V70R.

I personally prefer the 2.5T over the 2.4T because of its dual VVT, but I would not avoid the 2.4T. They are equally enjoyable to work on.

You mention both speed and safety. If you want to go faster, do an ECM tune on whatever it is you end up purchasing if it does not perform to your liking - don’t let lackluster acceleration distract you. As far as safety goes I would always pick all wheel drive vs FWD or any 2WD. AWD simply has more versatility. Your climate & geography will help you zero in on AWD or FWD being better suited. Definitely get an AWD P2 that is 2003+; Haldex AWD is excellent. If you plan on doing any offroading I do not think that the S80 is going to be a good option. Not when compared to an XC70. Same with a V70.

V70 VS XC70: to compare apples to apples you’d need to find an AWD V70, which would limit you to the 2.5T. The V70 will definitely handle more sharply. Many people complain that the ride is too harsh, & exacerbated by larger wheels. I run 16”, 17”, and 18” wheels on my V70’s & XC70’s The smaller wheels definitely promote a more plush ride but handling is sacrificed. My favorite combination is a 17” wheel on an XC70 or the 17” Pegasus wheel on a V70R in “comfort mode”. Plush ride but still retains the nice handling attributes of the larger/wider wheel. 18” wheel on a V70 AWD looks and handles impressively, but many would say the ride is too harsh.

Overall, I think the XC70 is hard to beat. It just does everything so well, sits up a bit taller, tows, has a nice tight turning radius compared to the relatively dismal V70.
MPG: it all depends on your foot. To me, if you have extra power at the ready (T5 or a tuned 2.5T), you’ll be more apt to use it & MPG is going to plummet. I regularly get 25+MPG highway on my tuned 298,200 mile XC70.

Can’t help ya with the S80, wagons for me!

I know the t5 is fwd. Iirc, the 03-04 t5 motor is pretty much the same 2.3t as what's in the 99-00 t5. Right? I suppose if I got an xc, I could get a tune for it. I remember on my 98 xc, I got about 27mpg hwy. Yes I must admit the wagon is hard to beat. I love wagons despite having a 960 sedan. A nice idea would be to get the wagon and swap the top of the line interior from s80 into the wagon. See I've never encountered such soft seats before I bought my 96 960. Same with the sound system. Never heard such great sound system in all the 28 vehicles I've been in besides this 960. June from the s80 and 960 forums recommended the 960 and I love it. But watching a video of the 960 sister, the 940, crash @50% overlap @60mph made me think about what I'm driving. It was a bad crash.

[CIK7]

Does anyone else have input?

[abscate]

Wagons are for shagging, and Sedans for the bland.

With apologies to the Ladies of the forum for the prurience.

[CIK7]

Wagons are for shagging, and Sedans for the bland.

With apologies to the Ladies of the forum for the prurience.

I hope your not provoking a fight with June she drives an s80 ya know I actually found an s80 with all phone components intact. That's a teaser. Except that it has to be towed. Would be nice to find out if the width of s80 and v70 are same, because if so, I'll buy a v70 and buy the s80 phone components to replace the stock v70 parts. Anyone know if the stereo on s80 and v70 are same dimensions (WxH)? If I buy a v70 with non-sport seats, I'll either get s80 t6 seats, 960 seats, or s60/v70 sport seats to replace them.

[abscate]

Maybe she won’t notice......

[CIK7]

Maybe she won’t notice......

I'll give you ghost ink so you can retype that message ahahahahahahaahhaha

[erikv11]

I'm really liking the XC70 these days. Took some investment to get the AWD going. I don't know the specifics of the S80 so can't directly compare them but why get a sedan when a wagon is a option ...

This!!

... Overall, I think the XC70 is hard to beat. It just does everything so well, sits up a bit taller, tows, has a nice tight turning radius compared to the relatively dismal V70. ...