Volvo Findings! (What have you found on FB/Craiglist/Kijiii/other)?

[matthew1]

BTW everyone, car values continue to fall from 2022 peak.

[scot850]

Been a while since I saw anything worth posting here. We have a huge shortage of decent used Volvos here these days. This one came up and a buddy was interested until I told him what is NLA in the way of parts. Pretty car but no interior shots. Why do people do that, especially when they want a high price for a high miles car?

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/let ... 1713876419

Neil.

[Sveedy]

Been a while since I saw anything worth posting here. We have a huge shortage of decent used Volvos here these days. This one came up and a buddy was interested until I told him what is NLA in the way of parts. Pretty car but no interior shots. Why do people do that, especially when they want a high price for a high miles car?

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/let ... 1713876419

Neil.

One of those times that it's good that I'm not wealthy. I would grab it up with the intention of converting it to FWD.
Love the year, model and color.

[scot850]

Well the prop-shaft is removed already so you are half way there! If it were not so expensive, I'd let my mechanic buddy know. The paintwork on his 97 850 AWD (only came in manual) wagon is needing a lot of work and a repaint. He has considered buying a V70 AWD and transplanting all his parts into it!

The biggest hassle is just finding a lot of the parts. As you suggest the other option is FWD conversion like bmdubya did on his V70R. Of course, others have followed that process since.

Neil.

[bmdubya1198]

I love those Comets too... that would be a worthy candidate for a swap!

[matthew1]

I have the heebie jeebies with Saffron R cars listed for sale because of this. It's not a rational feeling, but it's thoroughly immutable.

[bmdubya1198]

I have the heebie jeebies with Saffron R cars listed for sale because of this. It's not a rational feeling, but it's thoroughly immutable.

Wow… that saff is terrible. The cluster was probably swapped at some point, it’s not the proper R blue gauge faces and no trip computer. Plus I doubt it only had 82k miles. Then again, I’ve seen some ragged out low mileage vehicles, which is why I don’t buy into the hype over mileage at all. I daily drive a Nissan Titan with 532k miles, and it’s way nicer than many vehicles with 1/6 of the mileage!

[jreed]

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/ ... 13393.html

Screenshot 2025-04-11 at 07.16.33.png (1.38 MiB) Viewed 1438 times

""Up for sale is a quirky and scarce 1996 Volvo 855R station wagon, family owned for 22+ years, approximately 204.5k miles. The 850R was a 2-year limited-production high performance model for Volvo (following the breakout 1995 850 T5-R). At the time, (and still today), it was the ultimate sleeper car—while it looks like the family hauler, it has 240 hp (more than a ’96 Mustang GT of the day) and IS the family HAULER! While the US speedo only reads to 140mph, Road & Track showed a governor-limited 854R (sedan) at 150mph (and a previously tested 850 Turbo Sportwagon at 155mph). There are too many cars at my house, so unfortunately this one needs to go.
When the 850R was introduced, Volvo’s ads poked fun at its legacy of safe cars, saying “After Years of Building Cages, We’re About To Let The Animal Out” and announce that it was the most powerful Volvo ever produced. One YouTube video is titled “The Car That Changed Volvo FOREVER – Volvo 850R” ( And it is fast, if you’re going to floor it, you’d be wise to be pointed straight when it comes on boost to avoid any FWD drama!

Volvo gave the 850R unique performance, exterior styling and interior features. The “car of the tomorrow” (our family nickname) or “The Batmobile of Volvo’s” has seen several lives with our family, from business car to highway bomber to student car, but now it’s ready for a new home. I have never seen another R-wagon “live” since I have owned it (and only a few 854R sedans), so it is a great first car for someone that wants to own and work on something unusual or a great basis for a cool project.

The 850 was Volvo’s first mass-produced FWD vehicle and the 850R was the culmination of that line. Originally equipped with 240hp Volvo B5234T4 engine (designed with input from Porsche), it was professionally swapped for a later variant from a 2003 Volvo S60 T5 2.3ltr/247 hp engine—it is a STRONG runner! While it is easily the most responsive car that I’ve ever driven (especially for in-town driving), it will also eat highway miles.

We purchased the car with approximately 88k miles in 2003 (from a family leaving the area for a 1-year sailing trip) and I have service records dating back to our ownership and before. While it has been a daily driver throughout our ownership (it’s last stint was as a student high school/college/1st job car) and I still drive it several times a week, we have too many cars and want it to go to someone who finds it as exciting and fun as we do.

Volvo packed the 850R with many unique features on top of everything that a premium 850 already included.. (For more info, check the Matthews Volvo site, a great resource for all Volvos, https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/1996- ... and-specs/)

Here’s a brief list of what makes it special:
• Black, Red or White exterior paint colors
• Special lower front bumper and spoiler with integrated fog lights
• Rear spoiler
• Sports Suspension
• 7″ × 17″ 7-spoke Titanium Grey Alloy Wheels (since replaced w/15”, more below)
• Turbocharged and Intercooled 240 Horsepower Engine
• Traction Control System (TRACS)
• Split leather and Alcantara® suede upholstery
• Tilt/telescoping leather steering wheel with color accents
• Scandinavian Burled Black Walnut wood trim on instrument panel and floor console
• 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with 3-position memory
• 8-way power adjustable passenger seat with 3-position memory
• Heated seats, headlamp washer/wiper
• Outside temperature gauge
• Eight speakers w/single DIN current JVC Bluetooth receiver (original was double DIM CD/cassette)
• Stainless steel door sill plates

Our car has been regularly maintained by local Volvo specialty shops, but like any 29-year-old car it has its own spectrum of quirks, squeaks and intermittent operations and I want to be transparent about them. . Many of the needed repairs are afternoon/weekend jobs, but between work, family and other cars, my attention has been elsewhere.

Recent work includes fresh Hankook 205/60-60 tires, more below), upper/lower radiator hoses and flush, plus a recent oil change. YouTube is a huge asset for this car, both on info ( for upgrades/repairs (Robert Skinner is one of my favorites https://www.youtube.com/@RobertDIY). Plus, specialty retailers like iPd (https://www.ipdusa.com/) carry lots of replacement parts and upgrades.

Current quirks include an HVAC system that follows directions somedays, not on other days (and A/C is suspect, it lived in Boone and wasn’t really used). The front windows have some moodiness, plus rear passenger door is currently inoperable (the linkage is fixable with a minor modification, I have fixed others with a minor modification, I’m just out of time on this, The rear tailgate struts need replacement but require lowering the headliner and again, I haven’t gone there. There are number of dash lights and switch lights that are out at the moment, may/may not have time to make an iPd shopping trip or not.

The suspension has front/rear iPd anti-sway bars, plus the Nivomat shocks were replaced a couple of years ago. The front end needs new struts and bushings at some point--I was considering a full suspension kit from iPd, but that will be the new owner’s choice.

On the tires/wheels, the 850R originally came with anthracite 17” 7-spoke Volvo Volans wheels (the predecessor 850-T5R had 17” Titan 5-spoke wheels) and it looks evil with either. When we bought the car, the previous owner had replaced the wheels with Volvo 15” 5-spoke Spica wheels which gave more sidewall height and somewhat moderated the very firm ride on the 17” s. I was able to find a replacement set of Volans, but a later wheel theft sent me back to the 15’s, hence the new tires.

**One important final note, the car may be sold on a salvage title, so some explanation is needed. About 10 years ago, my wife was in a lrft-front shunt (all body work/trim) and State Farm wanted to total the car for a very low price. My wife is a negotiator by nature (and, by profession at the time) and wouldn’t take it. She challenged the adjuster to find 850R comps, which they could not do. She specifically challenged them to find the unique front air dam. Again, no luck on their part. She won the argument on compensation and they substantially increased the payout, so we accepted. A couple of weeks later, S&M Auto Paint in SW Charlotte returned us a hot-looking refurbishment!
**We have never received an updated title from NCDMV, so still have original title from 2003 purchase, but wanted to be transparent.

Currently, there are several pieces of exterior trim that need replacement, companies like Tasca Parts and FCP Euro also offer lots of older Volvo parts. Finally, there are some areas where the clear coat is flaking (again in 22+ years, some areas have been recoated at least once, thanks again to S&M!).

If desired, we do have a factory roof rack (no rain gutters, so it has roof pads and pins that align with holes), but a clam-shell rooftop carrier.

It’s a great car, but too many cars at my house now I will miss it and maybe I can find it again in 10-20 years or so when the next owner needs to move on. Again, you probably will never come face-to-face with another unless you’re at a Volvo event or such!
""

[bmdubya1198]

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/ ... 13393.html
Screenshot 2025-04-11 at 07.16.33.png
""Up for sale is a quirky and scarce 1996 Volvo 855R station wagon, family owned for 22+ years, approximately 204.5k miles. The 850R was a 2-year limited-production high performance model for Volvo (following the breakout 1995 850 T5-R). At the time, (and still today), it was the ultimate sleeper car—while it looks like the family hauler, it has 240 hp (more than a ’96 Mustang GT of the day) and IS the family HAULER! While the US speedo only reads to 140mph, Road & Track showed a governor-limited 854R (sedan) at 150mph (and a previously tested 850 Turbo Sportwagon at 155mph). There are too many cars at my house, so unfortunately this one needs to go.
When the 850R was introduced, Volvo’s ads poked fun at its legacy of safe cars, saying “After Years of Building Cages, We’re About To Let The Animal Out” and announce that it was the most powerful Volvo ever produced. One YouTube video is titled “The Car That Changed Volvo FOREVER – Volvo 850R” ( And it is fast, if you’re going to floor it, you’d be wise to be pointed straight when it comes on boost to avoid any FWD drama!

Volvo gave the 850R unique performance, exterior styling and interior features. The “car of the tomorrow” (our family nickname) or “The Batmobile of Volvo’s” has seen several lives with our family, from business car to highway bomber to student car, but now it’s ready for a new home. I have never seen another R-wagon “live” since I have owned it (and only a few 854R sedans), so it is a great first car for someone that wants to own and work on something unusual or a great basis for a cool project.

The 850 was Volvo’s first mass-produced FWD vehicle and the 850R was the culmination of that line. Originally equipped with 240hp Volvo B5234T4 engine (designed with input from Porsche), it was professionally swapped for a later variant from a 2003 Volvo S60 T5 2.3ltr/247 hp engine—it is a STRONG runner! While it is easily the most responsive car that I’ve ever driven (especially for in-town driving), it will also eat highway miles.

We purchased the car with approximately 88k miles in 2003 (from a family leaving the area for a 1-year sailing trip) and I have service records dating back to our ownership and before. While it has been a daily driver throughout our ownership (it’s last stint was as a student high school/college/1st job car) and I still drive it several times a week, we have too many cars and want it to go to someone who finds it as exciting and fun as we do.

Volvo packed the 850R with many unique features on top of everything that a premium 850 already included.. (For more info, check the Matthews Volvo site, a great resource for all Volvos, https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/1996- ... and-specs/)

Here’s a brief list of what makes it special:
• Black, Red or White exterior paint colors
• Special lower front bumper and spoiler with integrated fog lights
• Rear spoiler
• Sports Suspension
• 7″ × 17″ 7-spoke Titanium Grey Alloy Wheels (since replaced w/15”, more below)
• Turbocharged and Intercooled 240 Horsepower Engine
• Traction Control System (TRACS)
• Split leather and Alcantara® suede upholstery
• Tilt/telescoping leather steering wheel with color accents
• Scandinavian Burled Black Walnut wood trim on instrument panel and floor console
• 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with 3-position memory
• 8-way power adjustable passenger seat with 3-position memory
• Heated seats, headlamp washer/wiper
• Outside temperature gauge
• Eight speakers w/single DIN current JVC Bluetooth receiver (original was double DIM CD/cassette)
• Stainless steel door sill plates

Our car has been regularly maintained by local Volvo specialty shops, but like any 29-year-old car it has its own spectrum of quirks, squeaks and intermittent operations and I want to be transparent about them. . Many of the needed repairs are afternoon/weekend jobs, but between work, family and other cars, my attention has been elsewhere.

Recent work includes fresh Hankook 205/60-60 tires, more below), upper/lower radiator hoses and flush, plus a recent oil change. YouTube is a huge asset for this car, both on info ( for upgrades/repairs (Robert Skinner is one of my favorites https://www.youtube.com/@RobertDIY). Plus, specialty retailers like iPd (https://www.ipdusa.com/) carry lots of replacement parts and upgrades.

Current quirks include an HVAC system that follows directions somedays, not on other days (and A/C is suspect, it lived in Boone and wasn’t really used). The front windows have some moodiness, plus rear passenger door is currently inoperable (the linkage is fixable with a minor modification, I have fixed others with a minor modification, I’m just out of time on this, The rear tailgate struts need replacement but require lowering the headliner and again, I haven’t gone there. There are number of dash lights and switch lights that are out at the moment, may/may not have time to make an iPd shopping trip or not.

The suspension has front/rear iPd anti-sway bars, plus the Nivomat shocks were replaced a couple of years ago. The front end needs new struts and bushings at some point--I was considering a full suspension kit from iPd, but that will be the new owner’s choice.

On the tires/wheels, the 850R originally came with anthracite 17” 7-spoke Volvo Volans wheels (the predecessor 850-T5R had 17” Titan 5-spoke wheels) and it looks evil with either. When we bought the car, the previous owner had replaced the wheels with Volvo 15” 5-spoke Spica wheels which gave more sidewall height and somewhat moderated the very firm ride on the 17” s. I was able to find a replacement set of Volans, but a later wheel theft sent me back to the 15’s, hence the new tires.

**One important final note, the car may be sold on a salvage title, so some explanation is needed. About 10 years ago, my wife was in a lrft-front shunt (all body work/trim) and State Farm wanted to total the car for a very low price. My wife is a negotiator by nature (and, by profession at the time) and wouldn’t take it. She challenged the adjuster to find 850R comps, which they could not do. She specifically challenged them to find the unique front air dam. Again, no luck on their part. She won the argument on compensation and they substantially increased the payout, so we accepted. A couple of weeks later, S&M Auto Paint in SW Charlotte returned us a hot-looking refurbishment!
**We have never received an updated title from NCDMV, so still have original title from 2003 purchase, but wanted to be transparent.

Currently, there are several pieces of exterior trim that need replacement, companies like Tasca Parts and FCP Euro also offer lots of older Volvo parts. Finally, there are some areas where the clear coat is flaking (again in 22+ years, some areas have been recoated at least once, thanks again to S&M!).

If desired, we do have a factory roof rack (no rain gutters, so it has roof pads and pins that align with holes), but a clam-shell rooftop carrier.

It’s a great car, but too many cars at my house now I will miss it and maybe I can find it again in 10-20 years or so when the next owner needs to move on. Again, you probably will never come face-to-face with another unless you’re at a Volvo event or such!
""

I'm not sure if I've seen this car around, but clearly the seller is very transparent and cares very much about this car. Likely a very good buy!

[foggydogg]

Pretty rare 850R, but the ask may be a bit stiff for the current condition, regardless if the title is branded.