From whenever Volvo went to the B23 (1983?) they changed the rear axle ratio from a 3.9 to a 3.31. That makes a big difference. My first experience with an '84 with stick shift owned by a service customer left me wondering if something was wrong with it. I understood better on learning of the axle change. The solution--a heavy foot. Mash the throttle and run it up to 5,000 rpm in 1st -- the motor will love it and you'll get going better. My 104hp '80 M46 245 has no trouble keeping ahead of most traffic.
I would guess that your problem is not what my wife's best friend experienced with her first car--a Hillman convertible with a column shift. I came home from school for the holidays and Andrea was anxious to show me her car. She took me for a ride--and I had to ask--why not use 1st gear?--she looked puzzled--the previous owner had shown her how to drive it---apparently he didn't know it was a four speed :-) Dave