850 Turbo vs. S70 T-5?

Apologies for yet another "versus" q, but...

I'm considering a '96 850 Turbo sedan ("platinum" limited version) and a
'98 S70 T-5 to replace my '94 850 Turbo, which met its demise at 160K in a
collision with a Ford Expedition.

I haven't gotten to test drive the T-5 yet, and was wondering
preemptively:

- Is the S70 interior solid? Does the wood trim add anything or is it
"cheap"?

- Does traction control really help either of the vehicles'
handling in bad weather conditions? My '94 didn't have the TRACS option
and wasn't great in the snow. Not a big deal though.

- Is the slight additional power (14 hp?) and torque noticeable in the
T-5?

The S70 has 18K more miles and costs $2K more. Decisions, decisions!

Thanks for any input.

-A

 

- Does traction control really help either of the vehicles'

On my -00 V70 the STC helps a lot getting started in rough snow condition.
Sort of poor mans four wheel drive.

/aw

 

I have a '96 850 wagon and live in Ithaca, NY which probably has the
most Volvo's per capita outside of Sweden.

Here TRACS is considered a must have item. Combined with good snow
tires and sensible driving, you don't need 4wd.

 

Other than appearance, there isn't a lot of difference - in fact the
biggest difference is the positioning of the power window switches. If
you're like me, then you think having the switches on the door is where
they should be. Maybe you're used to having them where they are on the
850, and you'll have a hard time getting used to them on the door.
When I bought my 98 V70 new, I didn't think much of the wood trim. I
added a 98 S70 to the fleet 4 years later, it had the wood trim. If I
was to do it over, I would get wood trim if given the choice, it does
add to the interior. Overall I prefer both the softer style and gray
colour of the S70 interior, (and exterior) and so far no interior
problems.
I have a steep portion on my driveway, and once when there was a foot
wide strip of ice on it, I tested the TRACS. With one wheel on the ice,
one on dry pavement, I started from a stop with the TRACS on and off.
There was no noticeable difference in traction, the only difference was
the noise made by the system when it was on. My advice - it doesn't
really help, I'd buy whatever car you preferred for other reasons. Get
winter tires, they're way more important than any other traction aid.
You really won't notice the extra power.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

Thanks, all good to know. And yes, after driving my '94 for 6+ years, I'm
quite used to the odd power door switch placement. I still can't figure
out why they, or the mirror adjustments, wound up where they are.

I drove the '96 850 yesterday. Steering was much tighter and suspension
better than on my '94. The premium sound system is very nice. The roof
trim looked a lot like the hideous stuff on the '94 that cracks and peels
off (I wonder if it will?) but as of now, it's in perfect shape.

I'm due to drive the S70 today. There has been a delay because the dealer
listed the car and THEN sent it off to the body shop for a hood repaint,
the detailer, and then the (non-Volvo) shop. I got a call last night that
the car was "just fine" but needed a new ABS sensor, and in order to do
some of the work the speedometer was disconnected, but that the part
wouldn't be in until the beginning of next week and the car was being
taken from the shop until then so interested parties could test drive it.

I know there are electrical/ABS issues with these cars, but do you really
need to disconnect the speedometer for a sensor replacement? ECU, maybe?
If that's the case, I guess it's better to deal with before purchase than
after. I just hope I'm getting the straight story from the dealer.
Wonder if this'll fail on the 850 as well, eventually...

Thanks for all of the info!

-A (trying hard to make a good decision)

 

There is no disconnect needed for sensor replacement. However, the ABS
control unit is a common failure, (codes indicate a sensor failure, but
it's the control unit), and if it's removed for repair, then the speedo
won't work, as the speed signal is sent from the front wheel ABS sensors
through the ABS control unit to the speedo. And both the 96 850 and the
98 S70 use exactly the same control unit and suffer from the same
problem.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)