To be honest, I've only test driven a couple of FWD Volvos before having bought my 850 wagon. They all were doggy slow, and all vibrate at the firewall, a lot.

I drove a 1998 S70 (5 speed!) N/A with 88k miles on it at a dealership in 2003.

I drove a 1998 V70 AWD (auto) with 106k miles on it this summer (2006.)

And finally, I am driving my 1994 850 with 108k miles on it.

Do these things just make a lot more cabin noise and vibration due to having transverse engines that are physically attached at the firewall? I examined mine, and the rubber bushing looks fine up above.

My 960 wagon with 170k miles, one blown out engine mount (from my accident) and one junk yard engine mount on the passenger side runs leaps and bounds smoother than my 850. It also has seemingly much more get up and go.

moreso than I would have thought with the 200 vs 168 hp comparison.....

So I'm just curious if "That's the way things are" when it comes to the 2.4L 850 engine and cars.

I'm totally not used to it yet, because it feels like I'm driving a 4 banger Jetta again, versus my historical Volvo experience.