Does anyone know about manual transmissions for the V-70 FWD model 2000? My owners manual shows instructions for one but I have never seen them. Are they available after market or in junkyards? Are they extremely rare as I suspect? Are they lemons?

A V70 with manual transmission is very rare in USA. In fact, I do not recall ever seeing another one. My daughter has the family 1999 V70 NA, which we ordered specifically with manual in Greenville, Mississippi. It is just the opposite of a lemon because it is does not have that blasted automatic transmission. Gasoline mileage with 93 octane is about 29 mpg on the freeway. It was only about $26,000 new, which on current standards seems like quite a bargain. The MS license tag is only $35/year.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/cto/3095823774.html
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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

The number rumored for V70 T5 5-speed manuals was about 70-80 total imported into the US for MY 1998, much fewer for MY 1999 and only a handful for MY 2000. For some reason, many more S70 and C70 T5 manuals were imported and sold.

BMW only sells a couple hundred 328i 6-speed manual wagons in the US annually -- so I suspect that there is not a lot of demand for station wagons with manual transmissions in the US.

The V70 T5 manuals are generally loved and treasured by the Volvo nuts who post on the Volvo enthusiast boards.

As for the lemon aspect -- I'm probably going to install my third AC compressor this season -- but the drivetrain has been solid.

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 195K mi., 5-speed manual, original clutch, third evaporator, third windshield, heated velour cloth comfy chairs, factory HD suspension (1998 only), 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, Mobil-1 since new.

'08 BMW 328iT wagon 6-speed manual; many, many fewer miles

I did finally find a C-70 manual transmission of my size on ebay that is the same year as my V-70 but I have no idea if they are workable on other models of that year. I had a tough change-out of a clutch once and tranny work has scared me since then

The manual C70 should be that same tranny that is on other V70. But just getting the tranny is the easy part. Then you have to get the pedals and other gizzmos.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

I found 1 1998 V70 on Ebay out of a total of 3(2001&2006). If you are looking to do a tranny swap, they are quite rare.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic

Hello, If you found one-together with the pedals, master cylinder etc.-wouldn't you need to have the ECM completely reprogramed, if not replaced? I would so love to do this. Kira

This just popped up on our Craigslist. A manual 6 speed with a T5 engine!

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/cto/3043499449.html

When you are ready to 'downsize'....
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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic

The ECM would still work, just not the full horse power potential - at least according to the speed freaks who did this with T5 engines.

Your best bet is to scan Ebay and autotrader once in a while looking for a whole car - running- with a manual. Or, if you are richer than I am, order a Sweden delivery with a manual.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic

They were available afaik. Probably just rare. I know 850's with manuals are rarely up for sale. People tend to keep them...

I had entertained the idea of trying to find one. It would simplify the car and take a burden off the non-turbo engine

Normally the 5 speeds are paired with the NA engine.

As you probably know, the 5 speed will get a few more miles a gallon and it will improve acceleration as well. For example, my 95 855 (auto) on long highway trips already gets 30 mpg. A 5 speed in that car would probably return 32+ mpg.