have a 940t and a 850 2.5 20 valve (not turbo)

manufacturers spec they put out about the same power, but i have an m46 (manaul) on the 940t (+ a couple of performance mods) the 850 is an auto...

The handling on the 850 is miles better in some ways, although you will crap yourself until you get used to it, if you dont commit the car until it 'sets' in a corner it feels horrible - and god help you if you lift mid corner....
but once used to it it faster round the twisties than the 940...

For long drives the 850 is much nicer, quieter the cruise is nice etc..BUT its not as exciting to drive as the 940t (perhaps an R would be..) but at the same speed round the same corner the 850 just goes around while you 'know' about the experience in the 940t..basically the handling is os good it feels bland..

One difference i would site is the behaviour once the'limit' is reached..the 850 tends to aquire understeer getting more and more pronounced before 4 wheel drift happens...not terribly snappy but certainly to be respected, the 940 tends to drift the back end until opposite lock is required...the 940 is, in my opinion more predictable and controllable (again perhaps unfair in that my 940t has a locking rear diff and sports suspension. my 850 has t5 suspension & wheels, but no locking diffs etc)

The 850 is easy to work on (in some ways easier than the 940 - the oil filter being a LOT more accessable for instance) and in some ways the engine is really a lot like a b230 turned thru 90 degrees with one more pot...

The 850 feels smaller inside than the 940 (then agian my 850 is a sedan, my 940 a wagon) but then again it feels smaller side to side), butthats nto to say its a small car..

I like them both...and we use them for different things, my 850 is my main driver for work - its reliable, uses no oil, cheap to run and i can drive 500 miles on top of a days work no problems. The 940 is my wifes 'shopping trolley & kiddie carrier' and my toy at the weekends - it uses oil like nothing on earth, is a hoot to drive and has me tinkering with it for fun...

Cars:-

91 940turbo b230ft (high presure)wagon, m46, locking diff, 145k, draco wheels, half leather, winter package, aftermarket aircon, 7 seats, dog guard, load tray, load blind, blaupunkt CD, gutted airbox with factory restriction removed, straight thru 'absorber' 2 1/2 inch custom exhaust (no cat), calibrated boost guage, oil presure guage, voltage guage, turbo timmer, custom alarm system with microwave radar cloaking and blue flashing LED's next door releases - includes remote locking / unlocking, custom made oil catch can & non-return valve in hand turned aluminium on engine breather lines

95 850 GLE sedan, 2.5 20 valve, auto, 80k, t5 wheels & suspension, full leather, walnut dash, volvo premium audio package in c cd changer, dual zone climate, aftermarket sat nav, nokia mobile phone kit, osram silver star bulbs...