As usual, MadeInJapan nails it.

I bought a '97 850 Base Sedan, manual, in late '96 and within a year regretted two things:

1.) I should have bought a wagon -- the utilitarian value is great, and I wouldn't give up my V70R AWD wagon today for anything but another V70R AWD. For dogs, stuff, or people, we couldn't be without the wagon now.

2.) I should have bought a turbo, either a GLT or full T5 (I think both have advantages over the other). The base engine, at 168hp, was just WAY too weak for my tastes -- though a K&N air filter and having a manual transmission did help a fair amount.

Other things:
- The base 850 has a lot of "body roll." The slightly beefier suspension in the Turbos, if not IPD's anti-sway bars, are essential for predictable and responsive handling. If you feel the same thing in either model you may purchase, IPD's add-ins are a not-too-pricey upgrade.

I never had AC or ABS problems (as of 100K miles -- my mother has it now, so we'll see), but had weird little things like a failed gas tank lid release, a defective gas tank meter, and dash bulbs burning out early (possibly because I always use the daytime running lights and usually just left the interior dimmer set at about 80%).

It was, and continues to be, a good family car, if a bit dull compared to our other Volvos. The plush cloth seats were nice -- cool in summer, warm in winter.

Good luck with the quest.

-KB
--
'99 C70 Convertible || '99 V70R AWD || '90 780 Turbo (for sale)