s70 or 850 Topic is solved

[rush]

i'm not sure which one of those to get i like both of them. Can someone tell me what is the difference between those two.

Thank you.

[matthew1]

They're both the very successful 'near-luxury,' super-safe front wheel drive Volvo (first FWD) that was developed for most of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

1993-1997 was called 850, 1998-2000 is called S70. Body is the same save for lights and perhaps some spoiler treatment.

There are differences in appearance, wheel styling, suspension, interior and even engine (turbo), but the two cars share -- my best guess -- 80% parts.

[Guest]

tnx for the quick reply!

can you tell me anything about the HP? i'm looking into 1996 850 or 1998 s70. since s70 is the new 850... would it be more sence on going with s70?

thanks

[matthew1]

1996 850 168hp
1996 850 Turbo 222hp

1998 S70 168hp
1998 S70 GLT ~194hp (small turbo)
1998 S70 T5 222hp

[Stormin Norman]

Electronic throttles on the 99+ S70 have been troublesome.

[TAFinley]

I first leased (and later purchased) my 1997 850 T-5 new in March, 1997 during the transition from the 850 series to the S70 series. At that time, the two cars were mechanically identical.

The major differences, besides the slight exterior body styling differences that Matthew mentions, were in the vehicles' interiors. The 850 is configured in the "European" style, with the power window/seat/mirror controls located in the center console, whereas the S70 is configured in "North American" style, with these controls located on the door panels.

Why did I go with the 850 instead of the S70? Economics. Volvo was clearing out the 850's and I got a really great deal on what was then considered to be a "leftover".

[matthew1]

Good point TAFinley.

I LOVE my center console controls. (I've luckily never spilled anything into them -- I'm careful)

Left hand is for steering wheel, right hand for shifter and everything else. Works great for me.