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I got a 1997 850 R today

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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abscate
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Year and Model: 99: V70s S70s,05 V70
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Re: I got a 1997 850 R today

Post by abscate »

He is just after them for his trailer...
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
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erikv11
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Year and Model: 850, V70, S60R, XC70
Location: Iowa
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Post by erikv11 »

Nice car, Matt and gmh!
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

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volvolugnut
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Year and Model: 2001 V70
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Post by volvolugnut »

abscate wrote: 09 Dec 2025, 14:56 I think average car pricing has stayed pretty close to about 1/2 household income from 1990-2025.

Worth checking

You are getting a lot more technology now in 2025, without question

gmh - reached out to you on email! :D
I had noticed this half of salary car price relationship in the 70's and 80's. At that time I wondered how anyone justified buying a new car. Then there was a public comment by the CEO of Ford about 1990 - he did not care if most people could not afford his new cars.
volvolugnut
The Fleet:
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
Ford: 1977 F350, 1964 F150 (2), 1938 Tudor Sedan
Farmall tractors: 1956 400 Diesel, 1946 A
And others.

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abscate
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Year and Model: 99: V70s S70s,05 V70
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Post by abscate »

volvolugnut wrote: 10 Dec 2025, 18:19
abscate wrote: 09 Dec 2025, 14:56 I think average car pricing has stayed pretty close to about 1/2 household income from 1990-2025.

Worth checking

You are getting a lot more technology now in 2025, without question

gmh - reached out to you on email! :D
I had noticed this half of salary car price relationship in the 70's and 80's. At that time I wondered how anyone justified buying a new car. Then there was a public comment by the CEO of Ford about 1990 - he did not care if most people could not afford his new cars.
volvolugnut
The car companies figured out how to rent them to people instead. Im amazed at the number of people who own their homes, and lease their cars - invariably cars they shouldnt be leasing.
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
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matthew1
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Post by matthew1 »

What about all the "Leasing Makes Sense In Some Cases" stories? I don't recall ever reading one to find out why it makes sense in some cases.
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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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abscate
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Year and Model: 99: V70s S70s,05 V70
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Post by abscate »

THose are written by banks.... :D

If you want to drive a late model car no more than 2-3 years old then a lease 'makes sense' but thats such a poor financial choice its like choosing between cyanide and hemlock for your soup.
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread

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matthew1
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Post by matthew1 »

More photos. I haven't dug into anything yet. I re-arranged a fair bit of my garage today. First things first.

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Help keep MVS on the web -> click sponsors' links here on MVS when you buy from them.

Also -> Amazon link
. Click that when you go to buy something on Amazon and MVS gets a cut!

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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454cid
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Post by 454cid »

I love the wood around that dash!
1996 850
1999 S70 GLT (sold after deer hit)

2010 Ford Focus SE
2006 Cadillac CTS
1996 Mercedes C220
1999 Chevrolet K3500
1969 Buick LeSabre Custom 400

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850 LPT
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Post by 850 LPT »

Me too! Unfortunately the dash pad has the dreaded buckle. Overall the car looks very nice though besides the usual signs of usage. Nice Vredestein tires too.
98' S70, base, 5-speed manual, pewter/ tan, 145k miles
99' S70, base, 5-speed manual, nautic blue/ tan, 225k miles, currently inop
06' V70, auto, willow green/ charcoal, 147k miles
79' Ford Capri S, Euro Spec 2.8 V6, T9 5-speed manual, owned since 1986
58' Porsche Diesel Junior
13' Honda Odyssey :oops:
84' Mercedes 300 D, gold/ tan, 420k miles (retirement project :D )

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abscate
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Posts: 35267
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Year and Model: 99: V70s S70s,05 V70
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Post by abscate »

Is that one of the original OBD scan usb tools from that guy in Texas? Dan something?
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread

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