Hi guys

Could you tell me about rust that appears at the sunroof rim on the inside. Is this a usual concern?
Also, how is the job of replacing CV joints in the FWD?

The car is a monster. It is pretty powerful. But, what is fuel economy like?

Interior is old and stinky and upholstery is grotty. Body is very good.

PS: Why is the 2319cc 850R T so much more power than the 2454cc V70 turbo?

Our '96 855R got consistently 28-29 on the highway on 3 trips from MA to MN full of stuff to the roof, and I never spared the gas pedal.

It was fun to blast away from a toll booth and a mile later see a guy in a BMW scratching his head as he passed me.

If you really want to see how an R goes, shut off the traction control. BTW, the R was better in the snow than our base 850.

I had the car for 11 years and smiled every day I drove it

The 850R is a 'fun' car to drive. Reasonably light, easy to toss around corners, and goes like stink! It only has 222bhp, or so, but when the turbo kicks in it lets you know that the fun starts now.

I assume you are looking at one with a manual tranny, only automatics in the USA (darn). I am only familiar with USA gallons, less than 4 liters, and the 2.3T cars usually get 22 miles/gallon around town and 28 mpg on the open road with automatic tranny.

The CV joints are reasonably easy to replace. I suggest finding remanufactured Volvo axles if you can, some of the cheap Chinese versions aren't good enough. And, there is no difference between Turbo and NA axles.

Yes, the sunroof does rust and leak. It is a pain to strip, clean, and install new weather stripping. If you can find a 1999 or older sunroof that isn't rusty, that will swap right in. The newer body style in 2000 changed everything.

Sounds like you found a beige interior model. The black versions usually did much better in the wear department. Finding a nice condition driver's seat is tough, the "R" interior is unique. There is a Florida company that makes new "R" seat skins, for a FEE.

The V70 with a light pressure turbo had around 200bhp.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

Hi Klaus, thanks. Funny how I am still looking at Volvos.
I drove this one. 850R turbo. Test drove it. The reason I was interested is I wanted to drive the sports model and possibly keep for my own. I would have bought it, for the power, except a few things on this one: The interior was smelly. I could smell my clothes later in the afternoon even after sitting in the car just ten minutes. Possibly they had a dog travel in it then shampooed. It was kind of soapy kind of unique to the owner. 2. I am sure it would suck a tank of gas a week in even light travel. 3: The steering wheel was crumbly from age. 4: Glovebox was broken, and 5. Sunroof rust.
I couldn't believe the pull though. But that, that is another thing - why the heck make these front wheel drive. So much torque in those front wheels seems strange. I prefer a balanced feeling rather than the steering wheel feel like it is oversteering. FWD in this seems to have too much power steer. I am sure I saw a demo vid on youtube of an 850R that was RWD.
That's my moan. Still looking for the perfect car ...
PS: It is an auto - but still a lot of punch. Not many older production cars force you back in the seat. At just over half throttle.
Some lucky person is going to get it though and use it to race. That is what it is for, really.

The 850R doesn't really suck gas unless you keep your right foot on the floor. My V70R got 26mpg on the highway at 75mph+, and 22-23mpg around town.

The 850 turbo has traction control, up to 25mph. When I had 195 snow tires on the automatic car, I could full throttle from a standing start without wheel spin. At 26mph, still in first gear and dry pavement, both front wheels would break loose!!

The power steering is so light, I never felt torque steer. The car you drove must have had a problem.

Sounds like you need to look at a Porsche 911... there should be one in everyone's garage.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

My Saab is 230 horse, which had no turbo working when I got it. The turbo now reaches only half on the gauge. I cleaned out the exhaust catalyst that made the turbo work (with bath of citric acid.) So, I will clean that out more. I bet car will be full of power after setting the turbo right.
but alas, I call it the wife's car at the moment.