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I own a 97 850-R. The best way to tell the difference is to drive one if you can and then immediately after drive a GLT model.
I bought from new a 94 base model 5spd 850 and sold it to buy this car new. I like both very much, however I still wish that Volvo engineers had put more emphasis on a softer suspension for the R and T5R. I believe the harsh suspension is its biggest drawback, but I like this car a lot. And now there are plenty of new cars on the road boasting hp ratings that make the R look slow. It's all relative.
The differences are: The R is much faster; The R has alcantra leather seats-meaning suede leather insets--which I prefer because it keeps me from sliding around in the seat; 17" wheels-different designs for different years; rear spoiler-different designs for years, although some of the turbos also came with spoilers; Wood laminate trim-if you could call it that; 240 hp vs 222 for the standard turbo vs 190 for the light pressure turbo vs 168 for my stock 5spd; Special front air dam; and Most of all----A hefty price tag-$39995 new--luckily I didn't pay that.
Rick in Denver
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