SELLING 1995 850 T5R

[matthew1]

I think of that Buick dealer up north with the only untitled Gran National GNX (500 made, fastest stock car for 1987) sitting on the showroom since new in 1987 and still new on the showroom floor not driven. If you have the money the dealer wants it can be yours. I actually thought about it as I drove a GNX one time in 87 and luckily nobody died though my bf nearly did in the passenger seat. June

Holy smokes June! Great story, thanks for sharing.

I think anyone modifying a stock P80 R Volvo today is crazy. Now is the base of the value curve, probably a bit up it. Take this 1995 T5-R wagon in perfectly stock condition for example. Well, it's lowered, but that's fairly easy to reverse. He wants $12k. Not saying he'll get it, but it gives you an idea of where P80 R cars are on the "classic" spectrum... they're starting to climb the value ladder.

Mods kill value, dead, IMHO.

[June]

I think of that Buick dealer up north with the only untitled Gran National GNX (500 made, fastest stock car for 1987) sitting on the showroom since new in 1987 and still new on the showroom floor not driven. If you have the money the dealer wants it can be yours. I actually thought about it as I drove a GNX one time in 87 and luckily nobody died though my bf nearly did in the passenger seat. June

Holy smokes June! Great story, thanks for sharing.

I think anyone modifying a stock P80 R Volvo today is crazy. Now is the base of the value curve, probably a bit up it. Take this 1995 T5-R wagon in perfectly stock condition for example. Well, it's lowered, but that's fairly easy to reverse. He wants $12k. Not saying he'll get it, but it gives you an idea of where P80 R cars are on the "classic" spectrum... they're starting to climb the value ladder.

Mods kill value, dead, IMHO.

I had to look on YouTube at that GNX and they want North of $200,000 for it. It was featured by Jay Leno. Hard to think of a 87 as a antique since my first new car was a 86 Buick no less! LOL

Lowered, see my point? Yes the car could unscrewed likely, but the big money T5R would have to be a no, or extremely low mileage indoors kept near perfect original. You know I had one new, I thought it was a 94 since I ordered it and took delivery in 94 and traded it in 95 for a 95 960.

It simply rode too hard for South Tampa streets and the 17 inch Pirelli tires blew easily hitting a pothole and had horrible torque steer. I mean HORRIBLE TORQUE STEER that made it a challenge to keep straight when floored.

My 2002 S80 T6 was faster, quicker acceleration, no torque steer, and in sport mode handed just as well if not better with the extra advantage of having a soft ride setting for city and interstate, in addition to the SIPPS bags came with Air curtains, and WIPPS also same size 17 inch tires. That's from a buying two new Volvos perspective with just seven years advancement. Imagine the difference between a 95 850 T5R and a 2015 S60 Polestar?

I will say the 850 was simply beautiful to look at. I am sure the younger crowd looks at a 95 850 T5R today the way I looked at a 1964 Thunderbird in 1985 when I started driving. So I do understand nostalgia, but when used Polestar S60s are available or new if you can afford it, why Not? You'll get a faster, safer, more reliable car for driving and give it a few years it'll be a classic! June

[matthew1]

You know I had one new, I thought it was a 94 since I ordered it and took delivery in 94 and traded it in 95 for a 95 960.

It simply rode too hard for South Tampa streets and the 17 inch Pirelli tires blew easily hitting a pothole and had horrible torque steer. I mean HORRIBLE TORQUE STEER that made it a challenge to keep straight when floored.

Oh I know the torque steer game, believe me. I had my 850 pushing probably 260hp with its boost turned up to 18psi. Maybe more hp. I never got numbers, either at the drag strip or on a dyno.

I knew you had an XC70 P80 with the AWD disaster, but not an 850.

[bmdubya1198]

It's not always about what is "better," but it's what the person looking for. For me, I like the P80 platform and I prefer built over bought, so I would take the 850 T-5R over anything new. It's simple, nice to look at, and has a large aftermarket. I'm the kind of person, though, who gets bored of cars quickly. I can't believe I've had my V70 for almost 3 years now... second place for how long I've kept a car (all projects, for the most part) is 4 months when I had my 9-5 Aero. I'm actually looking for another one now to replace the V70 as a daily. I'd still like to keep the V70 though until I come across the right R.
That being said, I do like the S60 Polestar and when I can find one of those for $5k, I'll surely buy one!

[June]

You know I had one new, I thought it was a 94 since I ordered it and took delivery in 94 and traded it in 95 for a 95 960.

It simply rode too hard for South Tampa streets and the 17 inch Pirelli tires blew easily hitting a pothole and had horrible torque steer. I mean HORRIBLE TORQUE STEER that made it a challenge to keep straight when floored.

Oh I know the torque steer game, believe me. I had my 850 pushing probably 260hp with its boost turned up to 18psi. Maybe more hp. I never got numbers, either at the drag strip or on a dyno.

I knew you had an XC70 P80 with the AWD disaster, but not an 850.

It's in the list of Volvo cars I have owned at the bottom of every post I make. I just cannot fix the year from 94 to 95 on the 850. I don't talk about that car much because I really was dissatisfied with it and the engine locked way under a year. The car was marketed as Porsche improved 850. I had only really driven a Porsche 928 and was expecting a 4 door 928 with less cyl.

Both P80 cars were my least favorite cars I've owned. Gorgeous to look at, but clunky, finicky, not the best built Volvo had made. Had the 98 V70 not been a cross country my tune likely would be different about that one reliability wise, but still clunky.

The first Volvo I bought, a 1989 740 GLT is the one that gets me warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Also the 1998 S90 Executive that was totaled at three weeks old was the best, finest, most amazing Volvo I ever drove. Had it been fitted with the T6 engine out of my S80 it would have been crazy! I had a toddler at the time and the larger rear doors made getting kids in and out a breeze. Also the longer wheelbase made it feel like a Lincoln Town Car that handled well and had Volvos best premium stereo and the best safety for the time. I know female logic is different than men's. Also compared to the 850 and V70 platform the 960 and S90 had a heavy solid feeling on the road like a BMW. I digress, the 960, S90, 2002 S80 T6 like the 850 all were special ordered which takes forever with Volvo.

After the insurance company decided to total the S90 Volvo had quit taking orders for S90 Executive. My dealer had the V70 with the extra options like the premium stereo, and pretty much every option available plus the optional wheels so I bought it right off the lot. As far as both S80 T6 cars, I have loved both and will never understand why the model is so disliked.

I also ordered a Buick Reatta in 1989 that I took delivery of in November 1990 and kept until 2014. Never drove it much and still have the owners portfolio to it. I bought the 740 while waiting for my Reatta and never looked beyond Volvo after that. June

[redwinggrrl]

I AM SORRY FOR BEING OFFLINE FOR SO LONG. I HAVE A BUYER COMING TO GET THE CAR SUNDAY MARCH 18. IF IT FALLS THROUGH I WILL CONTACT YOU GUYS. NOW I'M REGRETTING THE PRICE... . GLAD TO HEAR THE GIRL WILL BE WELL LOVED.

[matthew1]

You’re back! I would have bet against seeing a second post from you, as my prior post mentioned. But I digress...

Thanks for the update. I hope it went to someone who will love her and do some kind restoration. If she’s pressed into daily driver grind, we’ll have a word with you.

Please ask the new owner to follow up here in this thread to continue the car’s provenance.

I know I’m asking a lot, but this would mean a lot to me and others here. Thank you!

[redwinggrrl]

Wow. So I came home from work today and found a great guy in my driveway who had seen the 850 around and could tell where I lived from the pictures. James will put a thread out on the restoration and talked with the original owner of the car so I feel it’s like family. My son was a bit teary eyed as James drove away. John, the original owner shouted “drive it like you stole it” when we bought it and we continued the tradition.

[bmdubya1198]

Very happy to hear it went to a good home!
People who show up on your driveway like that are usually the best ones for cars like this. Some of us will do anything for a special car like a T-5R.