Thought it would be interesting to see how people on the forum decided to get into the R. I was searching for a Saab 92x when I stumbled across the R in an online search. As soon as I saw the R I knew it was far and away the nicest awd car that I could get within my price range. I still can’t believe that a used R can cost significantly less then a equivalent WRX!
How did you decide on the R.
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Re: How did you decide on the R. (Oscar1)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>Oscar1</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thought it would be interesting to see how people on the forum decided to get into the R. I was searching for a Saab 92x when I stumbled across the R in an online search. As soon as I saw the R I knew it was far and away the nicest awd car that I could get within my price range. I still can’t believe that a used R can cost significantly less then a equivalent WRX! </TD></TR></TABLE><p>For me it was one of the only performance luxury sedans available with a manual gearbox. I didnt want an Audi because they're too common. I could not afford an M5. Subaru's have horrible itneriors! S60R interior is simply beautiful
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>Oscar1</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thought it would be interesting to see how people on the forum decided to get into the R. I was searching for a Saab 92x when I stumbled across the R in an online search. As soon as I saw the R I knew it was far and away the nicest awd car that I could get within my price range. I still can’t believe that a used R can cost significantly less then a equivalent WRX! </TD></TR></TABLE><p>For me it was one of the only performance luxury sedans available with a manual gearbox. I didnt want an Audi because they're too common. I could not afford an M5. Subaru's have horrible itneriors! S60R interior is simply beautiful
Re: How did you decide on the R. (Oscar1)
Several years back, the wife and I were getting ready to start a family (add some little ones), and we started looking at replacing her 2-door sports car. We both wanted something very safe so we started looking at Volvos. She really like the look of the S60, but I knew I would have a hard time going backward 50-75 hp from the car we had to an S60. I started doing my research and discovered Swedespeed, and the R. From then on I knew what I wanted. My wife thought I was crazy, as there were no R's within 400 miles of us for sale, but just my luck a few months of looking and our dealer came up with a CPO 04. My wife loved it, I loved it, the rest was history. Until I came to love the R so much I sold my 95 Jeep Wrangler (had this jeep for almost 13 years!) and bought a V70R to replace it. Sometimes I do miss the Wrangler, cruising to the beach with no top or doors, with a long board strapped to the roll cage is great day. But I don't miss the whinning 33" tires, the 10 mpg, and the hugely underpowered 4cyl, or the CRAPPY chrysler trannys that need replacing every 50k! All I have to do is get in the VR, push advanced (gotta love FL roads!) and the memories of the wrangler drift away (or is it get left in the dust?)<p>Adam
Several years back, the wife and I were getting ready to start a family (add some little ones), and we started looking at replacing her 2-door sports car. We both wanted something very safe so we started looking at Volvos. She really like the look of the S60, but I knew I would have a hard time going backward 50-75 hp from the car we had to an S60. I started doing my research and discovered Swedespeed, and the R. From then on I knew what I wanted. My wife thought I was crazy, as there were no R's within 400 miles of us for sale, but just my luck a few months of looking and our dealer came up with a CPO 04. My wife loved it, I loved it, the rest was history. Until I came to love the R so much I sold my 95 Jeep Wrangler (had this jeep for almost 13 years!) and bought a V70R to replace it. Sometimes I do miss the Wrangler, cruising to the beach with no top or doors, with a long board strapped to the roll cage is great day. But I don't miss the whinning 33" tires, the 10 mpg, and the hugely underpowered 4cyl, or the CRAPPY chrysler trannys that need replacing every 50k! All I have to do is get in the VR, push advanced (gotta love FL roads!) and the memories of the wrangler drift away (or is it get left in the dust?)<p>Adam
Re: How did you decide on the R. (Oscar1)
I had fallen in love with "performance" Volvos while owning a '98 V70 T5. I loved the power and handling (after I upgraded to Eibach springs and Bilstein struts/shocks). When the R first arrived, we were invited to check out the demo S60R at our dealership. We knew immediately this would be our next car. In March, 2005, we factory ordered our V70R and took delivery in June, 2005.
I had fallen in love with "performance" Volvos while owning a '98 V70 T5. I loved the power and handling (after I upgraded to Eibach springs and Bilstein struts/shocks). When the R first arrived, we were invited to check out the demo S60R at our dealership. We knew immediately this would be our next car. In March, 2005, we factory ordered our V70R and took delivery in June, 2005.
I was looking for a car to get my wife, had to be safe and sporty, and the R bested anything else we considered. Coming from Audi's I had a friend who had an S60R and I came across a used one that was too good to pass up. Its been a year and we still love it.
Re: How did you decide on the R. (Oscar1)
In 2004, we were planning a family. I owned a Saab Viggen, my wife owned an Acura Integra. The Acura was not a viable kid-friendly car. Being 6'6" and needing the seat pushed all the way back for me to fit in the Saab, fitting an infant car seat in the Saab was well-nigh impossible. To add to that, I had been eyeing a new car anyway, as I never really fit in the Saab (headroom-wise) and only long term ownership demonstrated how hasty I had been buying the car in the first place (loved the car but hated how I had to hunch over slightly to be comfortable). <p>I wanted a performance oriented car, my wife wanted me to get something kid friendly. I wanted a manual transmission. That pretty much narrowed our choices very quickly. At the time, I looked at an S4 Avant (too small), a slightly used S6 Avant (no manual), a Passat 1.8T wagon (nice but I had previously owned a Passat and was tired of that car), a V70R (high end of our price range), a 9-2x (too small in the rear seat area) and a Subaru Legacy GT wagon.<p>The Legacy almost hooked me running away. Such a nice car. So intuitive to drive. in non-Limited form (no sunroof, which I needed for headroom, but that also meant no leather), a screaming bargain at $27k. But no leather (easy to cleanup kid-spills with leather) and less comfortable seats.<p>The V70R was the co-leader. Amazing seats. Luxury features. Adjustable suspension. But about $10-12k more expensive, faster but fussier to drive, and then there was always that Volvo reliability question mark (especially for a first-year product like the V70R). <p>I decided I was worth it and went for the Volvo. I am happy with my choice, but I think I would have been happy either way, in all honesty, as at times the Volvo has thrilled me and then annoyed me.<p>
In 2004, we were planning a family. I owned a Saab Viggen, my wife owned an Acura Integra. The Acura was not a viable kid-friendly car. Being 6'6" and needing the seat pushed all the way back for me to fit in the Saab, fitting an infant car seat in the Saab was well-nigh impossible. To add to that, I had been eyeing a new car anyway, as I never really fit in the Saab (headroom-wise) and only long term ownership demonstrated how hasty I had been buying the car in the first place (loved the car but hated how I had to hunch over slightly to be comfortable). <p>I wanted a performance oriented car, my wife wanted me to get something kid friendly. I wanted a manual transmission. That pretty much narrowed our choices very quickly. At the time, I looked at an S4 Avant (too small), a slightly used S6 Avant (no manual), a Passat 1.8T wagon (nice but I had previously owned a Passat and was tired of that car), a V70R (high end of our price range), a 9-2x (too small in the rear seat area) and a Subaru Legacy GT wagon.<p>The Legacy almost hooked me running away. Such a nice car. So intuitive to drive. in non-Limited form (no sunroof, which I needed for headroom, but that also meant no leather), a screaming bargain at $27k. But no leather (easy to cleanup kid-spills with leather) and less comfortable seats.<p>The V70R was the co-leader. Amazing seats. Luxury features. Adjustable suspension. But about $10-12k more expensive, faster but fussier to drive, and then there was always that Volvo reliability question mark (especially for a first-year product like the V70R). <p>I decided I was worth it and went for the Volvo. I am happy with my choice, but I think I would have been happy either way, in all honesty, as at times the Volvo has thrilled me and then annoyed me.<p>
Re: (heus33)
After 4 years and 113k miles, I decided to trade in my then current car, a 350Z, and had 1 month to do it (long story). I was looking for a used car with low mileage and a manual transmission, originally something like a G35 or a TL. A week after looking at the ad I went down for a test drive. Bought it an hour later. Had no idea it was an R or what an R was (1st volvo). I just liked the interior and the body kit.
After 4 years and 113k miles, I decided to trade in my then current car, a 350Z, and had 1 month to do it (long story). I was looking for a used car with low mileage and a manual transmission, originally something like a G35 or a TL. A week after looking at the ad I went down for a test drive. Bought it an hour later. Had no idea it was an R or what an R was (1st volvo). I just liked the interior and the body kit.
I really wanted an RS6, but couldn't afford it. We wanted a car that was pretty fast, safe, reliable, four doors, and got halfway decent gas mileage. I didn't want a car that seemed too uppity, so that got rid of the IS350 and the 335i. I wanted something less than two years old, so that pushed the S4 out of the price range, the A4 is too slow without mods, plus the engine is too noisy, and the CTS-v was getting pretty bad complaints for reliability. I was really looking for a A6, but couldn't find one anywhere near us with low mileage.<br>In the end, the SR fit us well, plus I like that we really don't ever see them on the roads here.<p>The really cool part is, the day after we bought the SR, the company I worked for announced it was going out of business. SWEET!!!!
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Re: (heus33)
I fell in love with Volvo performance wagons when I first read the review of the 850 T5-R yellow wagon in Car and Driver long ago. Something about the combination of practicality and speed really appealed to me. Some years later, the brother of a friend of my father's came to our house in a black 850 T5-R wagon and I was hooked. Especially the first time I tried to keep up with one being "spiritedly" driven on the PA turnpike headed east from the 476 interchange toward NJ (wonder if that was you JRL, LOL). <p>My wife comes from a Volvo family (240 Wagon, 740 sedan, S70 Sedan, XC70) and she owned a 2001 S40 when we started dating. We kept it until the fall of 2005 when it became apparent that with the mileage getting up there, we needed a replacement. We knew that children were in the future and I had been an R fan since they were out, so we started searching. I found V70R.com through a Google search through V70R and on reading Doug Hess' headlight / foglight modification thread, I found a link to Swedespeed. 3 months of searching found us our 27,000 mile 2004 at a Subaru dealer in NH. We put a deposit and drove the 5 hours up to collect our new joy! The rest is history. <p>There still isn't a replacement in my mind. The 535xi comes close, but it's a LOT of $$$.
I fell in love with Volvo performance wagons when I first read the review of the 850 T5-R yellow wagon in Car and Driver long ago. Something about the combination of practicality and speed really appealed to me. Some years later, the brother of a friend of my father's came to our house in a black 850 T5-R wagon and I was hooked. Especially the first time I tried to keep up with one being "spiritedly" driven on the PA turnpike headed east from the 476 interchange toward NJ (wonder if that was you JRL, LOL). <p>My wife comes from a Volvo family (240 Wagon, 740 sedan, S70 Sedan, XC70) and she owned a 2001 S40 when we started dating. We kept it until the fall of 2005 when it became apparent that with the mileage getting up there, we needed a replacement. We knew that children were in the future and I had been an R fan since they were out, so we started searching. I found V70R.com through a Google search through V70R and on reading Doug Hess' headlight / foglight modification thread, I found a link to Swedespeed. 3 months of searching found us our 27,000 mile 2004 at a Subaru dealer in NH. We put a deposit and drove the 5 hours up to collect our new joy! The rest is history. <p>There still isn't a replacement in my mind. The 535xi comes close, but it's a LOT of $$$.
Re: (Needsdecaf)
After I returned home from Afghanistan, I had a lifted S-10 ZR2 and a 02 Pontiac Grand Prix. Great vehicles never had any problems, but insurance was killing me (being only 21 at the time), so I started looking for something to replace both with.<p>Was looking at reviews for Audis, BMW, Subies, etc, but fell across a comparo between a couple luxury sports sedans. So I started doing a bit of research, found a few near home, took one for a test drive. Instant love. Between sinking into the drivers seat and laying my eyes on the blue gauges and how much fun it was to drive.<p>And the insurance was uber cheap for a luxury sports sedan. So Volvo S60R for the win.
After I returned home from Afghanistan, I had a lifted S-10 ZR2 and a 02 Pontiac Grand Prix. Great vehicles never had any problems, but insurance was killing me (being only 21 at the time), so I started looking for something to replace both with.<p>Was looking at reviews for Audis, BMW, Subies, etc, but fell across a comparo between a couple luxury sports sedans. So I started doing a bit of research, found a few near home, took one for a test drive. Instant love. Between sinking into the drivers seat and laying my eyes on the blue gauges and how much fun it was to drive.<p>And the insurance was uber cheap for a luxury sports sedan. So Volvo S60R for the win.
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Re: (kmagnuss)
Ever since i saw my first 850R I was hooked! Add to the fact you do not see very many and it became almost an urban legend that the car exists. I had always admired the cars when I saw them and when I had an opportunity to finally buy one I jumped on it. Lucky for me I have a very understanding wife that let me buy a performance sports car and not a Prius as a commuter!
Ever since i saw my first 850R I was hooked! Add to the fact you do not see very many and it became almost an urban legend that the car exists. I had always admired the cars when I saw them and when I had an opportunity to finally buy one I jumped on it. Lucky for me I have a very understanding wife that let me buy a performance sports car and not a Prius as a commuter!
Re: (CM2RAS)
I had always wanted a C70 after seeing it in the movie The Saint. I loved the sporty look and after dirving a few, I feel in love! My dad then purchased an S70 which had the same basic interior as the C70. After years of searching and many near misses, I finally gave up on the C70 dream. I was at the Philly car show I believe when I first saw the S60R. I liked the design of the S60's but the R model blew everything else away. I also loved that thay offered a manual! This obsession went on for years.<p>Well, I thought this dream was going to be blown away when my wife and I found out we were pregnant and about to start a family. I was actually in search of an R to replace my Jetta when I decided instead on getting an XC90 for the soon to be family cruiser. <p>After owning the XC90 for a little, we decided to look for another car since we were now driving 2 SUVs.<br>I searched longingly for an R thinking it was never going to happen since we now had a child but my wife said let's go for it since she loves driving stick as well. The search went on for a few months and we brought home our 06 Black Sapphire in March 09. We've been an all Volvo family ever since!
I had always wanted a C70 after seeing it in the movie The Saint. I loved the sporty look and after dirving a few, I feel in love! My dad then purchased an S70 which had the same basic interior as the C70. After years of searching and many near misses, I finally gave up on the C70 dream. I was at the Philly car show I believe when I first saw the S60R. I liked the design of the S60's but the R model blew everything else away. I also loved that thay offered a manual! This obsession went on for years.<p>Well, I thought this dream was going to be blown away when my wife and I found out we were pregnant and about to start a family. I was actually in search of an R to replace my Jetta when I decided instead on getting an XC90 for the soon to be family cruiser. <p>After owning the XC90 for a little, we decided to look for another car since we were now driving 2 SUVs.<br>I searched longingly for an R thinking it was never going to happen since we now had a child but my wife said let's go for it since she loves driving stick as well. The search went on for a few months and we brought home our 06 Black Sapphire in March 09. We've been an all Volvo family ever since!
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I had 3 criteria, AWD, Manual, 250+ hp.<p>I had a 2000 Audi A6 2.7t, 6 speed. Loved the room saftey of the car. The speed was there too, but it was a little muted.<p>A new s4 was a little too small, so pretty much all that was left was the s60r and the mazda speed 6. after driving both, the mazda felt like too much of a drop in quality from the audi. the volvo was right in between the 2.<p>so now i have a nice safe car for the family, and a fast car when i want to act like a teenager by myself.
Re: (ktm_525)
Lease incentives...<p>Required a car with:<br>-turbo<br>-AWD<br>-6MT<p>Liked the:<br>-amazing leather/nice interior/superb seats<br>-power<br>-Comfort/Sport/Advanced (little did I know).<p>It's been great for what I wanted it for. Reliable and retained value are what might be leaving me to drop it come December.<p>I had a deposit on an S40 T5 AWD 6MT loaded - got this instead - should have gotten a VR w/ Atacama <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/tongue.gif" BORDER="0">
Lease incentives...<p>Required a car with:<br>-turbo<br>-AWD<br>-6MT<p>Liked the:<br>-amazing leather/nice interior/superb seats<br>-power<br>-Comfort/Sport/Advanced (little did I know).<p>It's been great for what I wanted it for. Reliable and retained value are what might be leaving me to drop it come December.<p>I had a deposit on an S40 T5 AWD 6MT loaded - got this instead - should have gotten a VR w/ Atacama <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/tongue.gif" BORDER="0">
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It was traded into the dealer I work for.<p>If you see my history I joined right when the R was introduced.<p>In 2006 working at our Toyota delaer, a customer traded in the 04' R Nordkap inside silver with 18" pegs. 18k miles for a Prius.<p>Needless to say I took the car home over night..and purchased it in the morning.
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466 Posts
I had a 98 V70 T5 and I was looking to upgrade into something new, and I would prefer a Volvo. I was looking hard at going to V50 route because I liked the style and the mods were attractive for it. I was over at Larry's house one day in my V70 and told him I was trading up into a V50 and got scolded by him for the next couple minutes and convinced into checking out the V70 R. <p>I checked a few out and hit up a dealer who had one on the lot last year, drove it, and was instantly hooked. Bought it that day and have been pretty happy ever since.<br>
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Re: (harderbeats)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>harderbeats</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I was over at Larry's house one day in my V70 and told him I was trading up into a V50 and got scolded by him for the next couple minutes and convinced into checking out the V70 R. <p></TD></TR></TABLE><p>It wasn't a couple mins...<p>It was like a 1 line jab, and then you were enlightened. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/tongue.gif" BORDER="0"> <p> <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/screwy.gif" BORDER="0"> <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/screwy.gif" BORDER="0"> <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/screwy.gif" BORDER="0"> <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/screwy.gif" BORDER="0"> <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/screwy.gif" BORDER="0"> <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/screwy.gif" BORDER="0">
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>harderbeats</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I was over at Larry's house one day in my V70 and told him I was trading up into a V50 and got scolded by him for the next couple minutes and convinced into checking out the V70 R. <p></TD></TR></TABLE><p>It wasn't a couple mins...<p>It was like a 1 line jab, and then you were enlightened. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/tongue.gif" BORDER="0"> <p> <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/screwy.gif" BORDER="0"> <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/screwy.gif" BORDER="0"> <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/screwy.gif" BORDER="0"> <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/screwy.gif" BORDER="0"> <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/screwy.gif" BORDER="0"> <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/zeroforum_graphics/screwy.gif" BORDER="0">
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I used to own an 01 s60 and when the R line came out in 04 I read about it and saw pics and wanted one ever since then had the chance a couple of years ago to buy one used and did, being attracted by the turbo, AWD and the chassis settings ( like Adam little did i know), also it's great looks.
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