I currently drive a S70 Non-Turbo, but I have the 5sp stick. When my fiancé and I test drove Volvo’s we first drove an auto non-turbo S70, a 1999 model I believe. We liked the car, and didn't mind losing that much power versus the GLT. Then we found the baby we bought. We wanted a 5sp anyway, but price was much more of a concern than having a manual. The 5sp is much quicker than the auto, and it has all to do with the shift points.

In my opinion, if power and price are a concern try and find a 5sp non-turbo. I believe the long run maintenance and durability will be better in the non-turbo, of course I have nothing to base that on. I do know in every model of any car I've driven, the manual was always more fun and a little quicker.

The non-turbo downsides as I see them are, less power, turbo envy (all the engine performance mods are for the turbo models), very hard to find a 5sp non-turbo (IMO), and you may have to sacrifice leather and the fake wood grain. I don't have leather, but otherwise the care looks just as classy as any other Volvo out there. Being that I'm in my early 20's I get many a strange stare.

JH