I'm looki ng to get back into a Volvo, preferrably an S70 as I can't justify the need for a wagon. My fiance insists on a Volvo, but I dont' want the additional stress of paying for turbo and auto tranny related (or caused)breakdowns. Not to mention the fun that a 5 speed over an auto can be.

Thanks for you replies!

The other guys were right, the 5-speed, especially in the USA South, is incredibly rare. Dealers got extra profit margin on options, so any car they had on the lot was equipped to the max, especially with the $1000 automatic. And bill d cat was right, people who ordered a Volvo with manual tend to be the type who hold on to their car for a long time. Keep looking, but be patient.

Rare.

They occasionally show up on e-bay. JRL over at Swedespeed is a used car dealer who visits the auctions. If you want one PM him maybe he can help. http://www.swedespeed.com/

People crazy enough to want them are also crazy enough to hang onto them.

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 173k mi, heated velour cloth comfy chairs, factory HD suspension, Bilstein HD, front IPD stabilizer bar, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, XC grill, C70 jewel E-Codes, V-1, Lidatek, IPD stuff, JB Weld, Original Duck tape, zip-ties, two '06 Honda license plate nut impressions in back bumper (gift from daughter), Mobil-1 since new.

Finding a manual tranny is hard in the USA. Those were "special" orders, dealers wanting to make more money coupled with the demand for automatics made stocking a manual very risky.
The turbo does not add much maintenance overhead and would be more fun with a 5 speed :)

Klaus
--
Please answer your responses. We need to know if the advice is good or bad. The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are 2 turbos :)

Hi,
The 850/S70`s with 5 spd are a little easier to find here in Canada. Daughter has a 96 850 NA with manual. Friend has a 97 AWD wagon with 5spd & a recently a neighbor had a very nice S70 5spd with turbo for sale.
That said, I searched for several months for a 5spd wagon but in the end settled for an 850 with an automagic tranny. It was/is an excellent car; now semi-retired when we bought the XC70 a few months ago.
Good luck!
Rich