Volvo 850 T-5R is a ripping fast wagon that owners do not want to sell.
Some 27 plus years ago Volvo released a new car that came with some interesting features and very impressive power delivery that made its German rivals worry for a while. Today, this rather special Volvo has been forgotten and somewhat neglected by the used car market and we intend to change that with this article.
For current Volvo 850 owners reading this, please take pride in your Swedish ‘brick’ and know that it has more value than what some used car dealer will tell you.
To find one totally accident free is nearly impossible however as long as the car has not been wrapped around a tree or parked in a recent KL flood, a used Volvo 850 T-5R should provide good service and fun driving experience when looked after properly.
When brand new the T-5R’s 20-valve 2.3L 5-cylinder engine delivered 240bhp which allowed for a possible 6.7 seconds acceleration time from zero to 100km/h. Remember, this is a 27-year-old Volvo! Running on 17-inch wheels with low profile tires, this heavy (3,480 lbs) Volvo delivered a rather harsh ride but great grip.
This Volvo’s upright styling gave owners pretty much every cubic centimeter inside to be used. The seats were among the best in the business and while the dashboard layout was not as ‘high tech’ as most cars, the whole design was clutter free and easy to get used to immediately.
The condition of the whole engine needs to be checked closely, and we would start with a compression test as well as a cooling system pressure test to show up blown head gaskets or cracks in the block or head. Check for white smoke from the exhausts when you give the engine a bit of a rev.
For that reason, also make sure you start the engine from cold on any older car you are considering buying. A pre-warmed engine can hide a lot of internal damage. Take the trouble to look under the engine block and check for oil leaks from the front of the engine and around the sump.
The steering and joints need to be checked for squeaks, clunks and groans, all of which indicate the bushes are going to need replacing soon. Rust isn’t a major problem, but it can occur. Check the tailgate and the storage area under the floor as these can trap water and bring on rust.
Finally check the electrics to see if all are working and better yet take the car for a test drive in the late evening to see if the headlamps and rear lamps are clear and in good condition. If you find the right Volvo 850 T-5R to buy, then the final issue is price. This is where a smile will appear.
The station-wagon version has everlasting looks and we suggest that this is the one to buy. With a huge load space, you could move a single door fridge and still have space for groceries and it makes better sense then driving an MPV!
Right now, there are no used Volvo T5R’s for sale in Malaysia as we scanned all the online used car websites for a few weeks and we guess current owners will not want to sell. Next nearest possibility is the V70 Turbo station wagon used.
A few years ago there were a few units for sale and then the asking prices were from as low as RM25,000 for the sedan and RM29,000 for a well looked after station-wagon from 1995. The price for the wagon was higher and this is acceptable as it just looks so much more ‘garang’.
PRESS RELEASE: First some history. This new Volvo model was launched under the banner “A dynamic car with four world-firsts”. These new features were the transverse 5-cylinder engine, the Delta-link rear axle designed in-house, the integrated side-impact protection system, SIPS, and the self-adjusting front seat belt.
Even though the design was reminiscent of the 700 series, the 850 was a completely new car. The work on developing the model began back in 1978. At a meeting held that year, it was decided that it was now time to think freely and aim for the stars. That’s why the project was christened Galaxy.
Project Galaxy resulted in two model series – one Swedish and one Dutch. The underlying technology was developed jointly, after this the teams split up. The Dutch company Volvo Car B.V went on to develop what would become the 400 series, while Volvo Cars in Sweden developed the 850 series.
The first model to be presented was the Volvo 850 GLT, with its 20-valve normally aspirated engine producing 170 hp. During the development phase, Volvo worked actively to make the 850 GLT a lively car that delivered great driving pleasure while achieving the correct intake and exhaust noise.
The next important 850 version was presented in February 1993 – the estate car. It boasted typical Volvo features such as the abruptly-ending rear section for maximum load capacity. One new design feature, however, was the extended vertical tail lights that covered the entire D-post.
During the development work, Chief Designer Jan Wilsgaard had a model on which the large tail lights could be removed and replaced for comparison. The estate version was subsequently awarded the prestigious Japanese distinction “1994 Good Design Grand Prize” as well as the Italian “Most beautiful estate.
The 850 series was soon expanded with various engine options. The model that would achieve most attention was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1994. With its distinctive yellow colour, the T-5R really stood out like an exclamation mark on wheels.
