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crossroads

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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BlackBart
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Re: crossroads

Post by BlackBart »

416k, good for you!


General point - you don’t hear people complaining about upkeep on their 122.

Neil - I was considering a 5cyl V60 about 10 years old with 60, 70, 80k miles for high teen$ US.
ex-1984 245T wagon
1994 850T5 wagon
2004 XC70 wagon BlackBetty

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BlackBart
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Post by BlackBart »

I still have my fun-to-drive ‘94 850. I don’t need it, but I still have it.
ex-1984 245T wagon
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FireFox31
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Post by FireFox31 »

Clemens wrote: 02 Nov 2024, 17:05 but am considering a used V90 with a maximum of 100.000 miles as a replacement for the worn ou 94 T5.
No, you'll never find parts for a 1997-1998 V90. Stick with your 850.

Oh wait, you mean a new V90. Yeah, I test drove one and it was pretty amazing. But I'd much rather have my P80 with comparatively no technology.
FireFox31
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Clemens
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Post by Clemens »

FireFox31 wrote: 07 Nov 2024, 22:19
Clemens wrote: 02 Nov 2024, 17:05 but am considering a used V90 with a maximum of 100.000 miles as a replacement for the worn ou 94 T5.
No, you'll never find parts for a 1997-1998 V90. Stick with your 850.

Oh wait, you mean a new V90. Yeah, I test drove one and it was pretty amazing. But I'd much rather have my P80 with comparatively no technology.
You are probably right. I just spent 2K on new rocker panels, and even though new tires and an exhaust are in my near future, these problems are comparably cheap to anything more than a Software Update on a new V90. I talked to a master mechanic at a local Volvo dealership and he said the V90ies are nicht e, if you can find a low mileage T4. Most over here are Diesels though, and they are to avoid everybody I talked to and knows Volvos told me.
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hausmeister
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Post by hausmeister »

I don't think there is the perfect solution for this scenario.

Totally get that you want to reduce the amount of old Volvos. I sold off my s70 that I dearly miss, but it was just too much effort for me together with the T5-R. 2 old cars going on Oldtimers just isn't great. And it really had become somewhat annoying to drive as it was so slow (2.0).
I did look at a v40 (really hated that one) and some others, but it was not for me. Went with a Kia Ceed 1.4 T-GDi. Yeah, I know it's not the best, but it was affordable, it is zippy enough and when you open the hood it is actually not that bad. It looks to be pretty simple built, and I can imagine doing some work on it myself. I didn't care so much about efficiency, but ~3L less that the s70 is something the wallet feels.

Imo, for newer cars don't limit yourself to Volvos. We all like them, but Volvo has changed, as have the other Manufacturers. Select a few that you like regardless of manufacturer and check them out.

Getting a really old one also appeals to me, but still it would be a lot of effort and you would probably still want another daily that just works. Great though for avoiding all the software crap & assistants the EU is forcing on us.
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Post by scot850 »

The late V60's can have piston ring/oil consumption issues in the 2015/6 years if I recall on the 5 cylinder engines. Buy carefully. They are a nice car to drive. My neighbor has a 2015 car with Polestar tune. It is rapid.

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
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1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
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Post by Clemens »

After a few weeks of consideration and reading all your comments, talking to the master mechanic at my local Volvo dealer and hearing my 12 year old say: "I knew it was you coming home, I heard you long before I saw the headlights ..." I decided to stick with what I've got.

For long trips, I usually take the 2021 Transit Van. It has enough room for most of our outdoor equipment.
If ice and salt are on the roads, I can take my wife's 1500 Euro s..tbox (google 1st gen toyota yaris 4dr).
And for everything in between I have 2 turbo 855s.

Yes, the modern V90 is surely awesome, but I'd hate having to go to the dealer to have codes read. Most indies can't even access the fault codes on these cars anymore.
I've never been a dealership customer, and I'll stay away from them as long as I can.
And I really don't need a modern, safe and super comfy daily. I work from home.
Summer: 1996 855 R
Winter: 1994 855 T5M
Donor: 1995 854 10V

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Post by scot850 »

V90 is a nice car. However, have you seen the load area? With so many electronics, the trunk area is so narrow, I'm not sure it would pass the golf club test. I think the XC40 may have more trunk room!

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold

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Post by BlackBart »

As big as they are, they should hold a lot. A 245 is medium-sized and carries a lot.
ex-1984 245T wagon
1994 850T5 wagon
2004 XC70 wagon BlackBetty

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Clemens
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Post by Clemens »

scot850 wrote: 23 Nov 2024, 07:34 V90 is a nice car. However, have you seen the load area? With so many electronics, the trunk area is so narrow, I'm not sure it would pass the golf club test. I think the XC40 may have more trunk room!

Neil.
The load area isn't that important. The V90 would be about comfort, prestige and style. If I need cargo space, I take my 20 foot van.
But, the reality is that I'm scared of service costs and repairs having to be done at the stealership.
Summer: 1996 855 R
Winter: 1994 855 T5M
Donor: 1995 854 10V

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