[Frankie VR6]

Hi everyone,

I am a total newbie to the Volvo world. I'm currently driving a 2000 Jetta VR6 but I am selling it (very poor reliability) and looking to buy a 1995 T5-R wagon to haul my dog/groceries/home improvement stuff at higher than usual speeds. I have a few questions though:

1) What's up with the mileages on the Volvos? It seems everyone who's driving a Volvo does nothing but driving (might be a good sign!). I'm wondering if I should be worried if a Volvo has 100,000 miles on the clock, as opposed to other brands of cars on which 100,000 miles would be a death penalty.

2) How is the ride in the T5-R? I like in Montreal and our roads aren't too great. Used to drive a VW Corrado with Bilstein Sport and I found the ride to be on the harsh side. Would a T5-R with 17" have a harsh ride ? Maybe a T5 would be better ?

3) How is the fuel economy on a 1995 T5-R ? It is certainly not my first criteria for choosing this type of vehicle, but I am just wondering

4) Is there anything specific I have to watch for when buying a used T5-R or T5 ?

If someone has a comment to make about TR-5 wagons, please let me know, thanks very much.

François

 

[steve s]

did ur window drop on ur jetta?

my friend had one drop on his too. was just at the dealer and they said they fix it for free now because it happens so much.

anyway, high mileage volvos don't seem to be too scary...there should be available lower mileage turbo/t5...but t5r yellow wagons are rare to start with..only 2000 were made (sedans majority). if u do happen to land one, and u'r concerned about the bad ride, the suspension is stiffer than normal turbo/t5. so, u can land urself some 16" rims to soften the impacts. the 850 platform is not known for comfy rides. fuel economy is city+highway averages out to 17 mpg. u can get up to around 28 highway only if u'r light-footed.

just make sure the maintenance records are good, ac is not broken (if replaced at all, if it is broken, can be really expensive to fix), suspension front and rear (look for mounts and normal wear), motor mounts...

happy hunting

 

[fhdt5r]

OH FRANKIE!!!~~~~~
Go to: www.autotrader.ca
or www.canadatrader.com
there is a 96 850R Sedan with manual tranmission in ontario for 22,000 CA.

Welcome to swedespeed man, you'll LOVE IT.

 

[Frankie VR6]

Steve s,

no my window did not drop yet. I was just unlucky, 3 days after my bumper to bumper waranty expired I suddenly got $1,900 worth of repair to do. Mass airflow sensor, coil pack. Made a stink and VW agreed to pay for it since I have such a low mileage.

I thank you for the info, I'm really looking for a nice wagon. Girlfriend is leaning towards a Subaru Outback or Forester but she likes Volvos too.

I certainly hope a Volvo would be more reliable than my VW.

fhdt5r,

thanks for the links!

François

 

[javadoc]

quote:

Originally posted by steve s:
anyway, high mileage volvos don't seem to be too scary...if u do happen to land one, and u'r concerned about the bad ride, the suspension is stiffer than normal turbo/t5. so, u can land urself some 16" rims to soften the impacts. the 850 platform is not known for comfy rides. fuel economy is city+highway averages out to 17 mpg. u can get up to around 28 highway only if u'r light-footed.

He's right. The roads in Anchorage, AK aren't wonderful, and I've tried 17" Volans on my 854Turbo and thought they would get damaged by the rough roads. I run the stock 16" rims now and am very happy, even if I've given up a few % in corning ability for a ton of comfort.

Good luck!

 

[rlabwgn]

Just made the switch. Wanted a wagon for the same reasons you do and found 97 R. Love it so far, but we've only had it for about 2 weeks. Very substantial in comparison to the Golf GTI 1.8T, and much more power. Don't know much about fuel economy yet, haven't had much chance to test it. As far as ride, my son has a Corrado with some suspension work done to it, and the R wagon is not nearly as unpleasant to spend time in. Yes, it's firm, but not harsh. (We have 17" wheels) Good luck in your search; don't give up too easily, but it may take you some time.

 

[[email protected]]

The downside to the R is it isn't as small and nimble as the Corrado or the GTI. It'll still perform very well, but you'll get uneven tire wear much more easily in it. Also, from the factory, I found the R to be more taut than the Mk IV Golf (except for the new ones with sport package) and maybe even the Corrado.

 

[mrmandmman]

Hey, if you end up getting a t5-r, or R and you want 16 inch rims, I could trade you my turbo sytle rims (with RE730s) for yours...????

Pete

 

[Phil Pugliese]

service history is utmost. T5-R's were at the top of the food chain price wise, so they tended to be bought by the uhm..affluent.

Rlab, where do you run the ski program? I grew up on theose MTNs and know a bunch of instructors up there, I grew up in Canadensis, too.

 

[rlabwgn]

Phil,
I'm a ski school supervisor at Camelback. You say you grew up in Canadensis. My son works at Buck Hill now, and I did for two years, too.
Where do you live now?

 

[Phil Pugliese]

quote:

Originally posted by rlabwgn:
Phil,
I'm a ski school supervisor at Camelback. You say you grew up in Canadensis. My son works at Buck Hill now, and I did for two years, too.
Where do you live now?

So, you know Joe Messina and Rod Wilson! What does your son do at BH, since the Inn is no longer? I live outside of Philly now in Newtown Square. I do make it back up there from time to time to see family, play golf or do a Miata rally or such.

 

[rlabwgn]

Phil,

Oh, yeah, do we ever know Joey and Rod!!!!!Sean is an assistant pro at Buch Hill, and he used to teach at Camelback, too.
Talked to Rod on the phone a few weeks ago, thought he could help me get our Volvo up from Texas. Usually see Joey at some golf course or another during the season.
Boy, did we ever get off the topic of this VW guy who wants a Volvo wagon!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Phil Pugliese]

quote:

Originally posted by rlabwgn:
Phil,

Oh, yeah, do we ever know Joey and Rod!!!!!Sean is an assistant pro at Buch Hill, and he used to teach at Camelback, too.
Talked to Rod on the phone a few weeks ago, thought he could help me get our Volvo up from Texas. Usually see Joey at some golf course or another during the season.
Boy, did we ever get off the topic of this VW guy who wants a Volvo wagon!!!!!!!!!!

Did Sean go out to York with Doug Price and that group a month ago? I was drinking with him in the bar that night! We were talking about Joe & Rod and making connections.

 

[rlabwgn]

No, Sean didn't go to York but we know Doug, too. Did you say you were drinking in a bar with Sean? (Don't worry, I'm used to that) Guess it means I must know you, too.

 

[Phil Pugliese]

quote:

Originally posted by rlabwgn:
No, Sean didn't go to York but we know Doug, too. Did you say you were drinking in a bar with Sean? (Don't worry, I'm used to that) Guess it means I must know you, too.

Doug is my Step father! e-mail me, so we don't waste band width. [email protected]