Volvo 850 T-5R: It Exists

Volvo 850 T-5R: It Exists

My first car was a 1996 Volvo 850 Turbo. I know what you’re thinking: I’m sorry. But actually, I loved the car. It was my parents who hated it, since they were on the hook for most of its repair bills, which were both constant and massive.

During my tenure owning the 850 Turbo, I always lusted after the model’s slightly more exciting stablemate: the 850 T-5R. This thing was cool. They only made it in 1995, and it only came in yellow or black (plus an incredibly small handful in green). Plus, it had those really neat wheels that looked like they constantly had brake dust.

Beyond the looks, the T-5R was cool because Volvo entered a race version in the British Touring Car Championship. And beyond that, Volvo entered the station wagon, which is just wildly cool for anyone who loves fast wagons.

On paper, the T-5R was actually kind of crappy. Every single US model was an automatic. (And a four-speed, to boot.) While my 850 Turbo’s horsepower rating was 222, the T-5R was only 240. And the front bumper was so low that you scraped it on virtually every parking curb, ramp, and normal street in New England.

But as the ultimate performance Volvo of its day, it still appeals to a few people who clearly have no idea about the engine problems they’ll soon experience. That includes me, even though I do know about the pitfalls – which is why, to this day, I go on SwedeSpeed every few weeks to see if any new T-5Rs were listed in my area.

In 1996, Volvo came out with the 850R, which was made in much larger numbers and came in many colors, none of which were yellow. But my dream was always the T-5R. If only I could get my parents pay for it to stay running.

22 Responses to “ “Volvo 850 T-5R: It Exists”

  1. Forrest says:

    Nice! My first car was a 2000 Volvo S70 (850 refresh) with the light pressure turbo and an autotragic. I hooned that thing like there was no tomorrow. Its engine caught on fire at around 170k miles.

    My favorite volvo–the one I lust after–is the 1st gen manual C70 coupe. Its just a glorified 850, but oh what a difference it makes to replace a box with a few well-placed curves.

    • Doug DeMuro says:

      In Saffron, especially! A perfect color on a perfect car. As long as we’re ONLY talking about styling, and making absolutely no mention of driving characteristics.

  2. Martin says:

    This, in my opinion, was the most handsome generation of volvos, they streamlined the boxiness without losing the edges…I can’t really dig them much now.

  3. becauseCAR says:

    The closest Volvo to this I ever drove was a manual S70 T5. And it handled terribly because of the engine at the front. It’s $3500 with 163K miles and I know it’s the stupidest thing I can possibly buy.

    The later 2005 V70R automatic I drove is a much better car, on par with BMWs.

  4. Mike Livshiz says:

    I knew there was a reasone I stumbled onto this site and instantly subscribed. I have owned two Volvos myself: an ’89 740 GL and a ’90 740 Turbo 5-speed. I loved both of them, especially the second one. And they were both built like a brick shithouse and were reliable as hell. One of my automotive fantasies is to one day buy a T5-R or an R wagon and put a manual trans in it as it was not offered that way in the US. Either way, awesome car and great post!

    • Doug DeMuro says:

      The other day I was eating dinner outside and an 850R pulled up to the stop light next to the restaurant. When the light turned green, it rolled back and you could hear the driver shifting as it drove away. I was green with envy. It was just a sedan but still – I’d love to have that car with a stick shift. I would probably be scared by a lot of the swaps, though.

      • Mike Livshiz says:

        From what I’ve read, it’s doable. But I would definitely prefer to do it myself over buying one that someone else hacked up. Or maybe I would just buy a V70 R and call it a day.

        • Doug DeMuro says:

          No joke – I actually saw a yellow T-5R wagon when going to dinner tonight, mere minutes after posting this. It’s the first one I’ve seen in years. So cool – and definitely better than any V70R!

          • Mike Livshiz says:

            Hey, now. Don’t knockin the V70 R. That car is a gem as well. Rare, unique, and thoroughly Volvo. I agree that the T5-R is a tad bit cooler, but the V70 R makes up for it with AWD, a manual trans, and more power. I hold them about equal overall. I’m actually strongly considering an S60 R or V70 R for my next vehicle. I prefer the wagon of course, but they are hard to come by and have a much higher resale value.

        • Ltd783 says:

          As the owner of a V70R, I have to almost, sort of, maybe agree. My particular V70R is pretty unique, and I love it like a child, but there’s not much I wouldn’t do if a low mileage yellow 850 T-5R wagon ever surfaced for sale. It would be an automotive Sophie’s choice…

          And, your first car was a Volvo turbo wagon!!! This means 2 things, I’m assuming you maintained your, ahem, “untouched” status all throughout high school, and 2, your car guy credentials are pretty much impeccable, at least in my eyes.

          • Mike Livshiz says:

            I agree that the 850 T5 is a gem that can never be duplicated, but so is the V70 R. And the major one up it has is that it comes in a manual trans. For me, that’s the clincher.

          • Ltd783 says:

            Yeah, mine’s an auto, but it’s cool the 6 spd was offered (and is such a cool shidter). Let’s not also forget the S60/V70R also has a full 300hp. I’d probably not trade it, mostly do to how much more refined it is. I’ve never ridden in a T-5R particularly, I’ve read they ride harsh. But in general the P2 V70 was a bit step up in overall refinement from the 850/S70/V70

          • Mike Livshiz says:

            I agree. The 850, although a nice car, is outdated at this point. Not as refined or as efficient. I would love to have a T5 for a project, but for a DD, the V70 definitely takes the cake.

          • Doug DeMuro says:

            Hah! Your assumptions are correct, although my 850 Turbo was actually a sedan. Would’ve liked a wagon, but the sedan happened to be available when we were looking. As a 16-year-old I wasn’t picky!

            Agree on yellow 850 T-5R wagon. If one showed up locally, I would buy it tomorrow.

  5. RBF says:

    I currently own the 97 T5 wagon. I will say it is one of the most fun cars I have owned. you won’t beat anything off the line with it but you can surprise a few people (including yourself)once it hits about 2500 rpm. If you do have one definitely spring for the IPD sway bar kit and try a cloverleaf.

    • Doug DeMuro says:

      Is yours a “Platinum?” Mine is long gone now, but I would’ve enjoyed a bit better handling. Frankly, the acceleration was definitely enough for 16-year-old me back in high school.

  6. William Robinson says:

    I had a green 95 turbo (T-5). It had a little sticker commorating their win on the right side of the trunk lid. After some IPD springs anti roll bars and some bilsteins that car worked had to add big brakes to keep them from warping then some turbo work and a tune and it was a real rocket for about a month until there was a foggy blue haze fallowing me everywhere. Turns out the engine mounts dont like the extra power and the engine fell into the subframe going over the apron of my driveway. I parted it out and kept all the fun stuff and bought a S70 glt (low pressure turbo) and have been running it smoke and trpouble free ever since. BUT I still want another T-5.

  7. Laurens says:

    This brings back some memories. In 1998 my dad bought a V70. Me and my brother were pissed because we both liked the E39 bmw more.
    But after 5km we were in love with it. He bought a V70R AWD in dark pearl grey (=sleeper). After 1 year he sold it but the sound of the 5-cyl engine never goes away.

  8. Beelzebubba says:

    My ex-wife bought a used ’93 Volvo 850 in 1995 with just over 50k miles on it (before we got married and against my advice). Shortly after we tied the knot (and the warranty expired), it needed a new transmission….then new front half-shafts….followed by multiple electrical gremlins….when we dumped it in 1998, it still looked like new and only had 78k miles on the clock, but we had spent over $6k on repairs!!!

    We replaced it with a ’98 Volvo S70 and was a great car…she drove it for years after we divorced! We remained friends and now she has an ’06 V70 2.5T that’s starting to cost some $$$…but that is new hubby’s problems, NOT MINE!

    I actually love the way these cars drive and they make the most comfortable front seats in the business, but when things start to break they get very expensive, very quickly! And it seems like they all start to squeak and rattle before you even drive it off of the lot…I miss the old RWD Volvo’s and the battle-axe “Red Block” engine. =)

  9. Johnmpc94 says:

    The first car I bought myself was a ’95 850 Turbo. Odometer died at 154k, way before I bought it. People laugh at it and say it’s geeky, at least until they see the way it moves. It burns oil every now and again, but it’s amazing fun to drive. And it holds everything a person could want to carry. I love it.

  10. Screanam says:

    I have my mint 99 V70R storing in my garage. Great car. Ive had it 6 trouble free years before I took it off the road at 130k miles. Wish I could say the same for the Wrangler I’m using now. Chrysler junk. Seasoned car enthusiasts(not young kids) used to approach me all the time about it. It’s bright red, I wish it were one of the few orange ones though.

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