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Basically it comes to this: you want a turbo in any case (700 / 900 / 800).
850: With the low pressure turbo in an 850, you have better off the line movement and around-town responsiveness (LPT spools up faster). High pressure turbo units come off the line slower, but at 60mph are out front and pulling away. Has touches of the character flaws inherent in any FWD car (torque steer, understeer, plowing and fishnosing on slippery surfaces) but the implementation is good. The 5cyl Porsche-designed engine is a nice piece of work.
940/960: The 940 turbo is a high pressure turbo mated to a 4 cyl engine, a little sluggish starting from 0mph, and fewer amenities but bigger, and better turning radius...by a long shot. Great seats (like the 850) and utterly reliable (somewhat unlike the 850). Once under way, will feel about the same as 850 / low pressure turbo. Beginning in 1995, only 960 normally aspirated 6cyl available, with same engine that's now in the S80. I kind of like this car and will replace my 940 with one of these in about a year. Good acceleration, same amenities and ergonomics as 850, spacious interior. In 1998, the last year of production, was re-badged S90 (sedan) and V90 (wagon).
740/760: Again, you want a turbo. The 740/760 turbo is a 4cyl engine with HPT...pretty much the same as above. The 760 turbo (do NOT get normally aspirated 6 cyl) has a few extra amenities - e.g., early climate control, cd changer, and a spiffy looking instrument panel.
In all cases, a car with a turbo must have been maintained with a record of regular oil changes. Later model Volvos have more durable turbos, defended as they are by ECU management of turbo boost.
David
(98 S70 T5SE Black, misc mods (mostly lighting), red calipers) (92 940GLE)
(Previous: 86 240DL / 88 745T / 94 945T)
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