Sweet lookin car but...

The engine basically has two positions of operation: on/off. The turbo lag is pretty unbearable and before it spools up the car seriously lacks balls. It has an I5, not a smooth engine. It's decently fast.

Steering and transmission/shifter are nothing to write home about. Not really too much feel. Good grip from awd.

We test drove one last year. Not impressed. Overall, its an adequate performer but it's very crude. Just another Ford in my book.

Oh boy have I heard more than I ever wanted to hear about this car because a friend of mine has a highley modified S60R. Check out Evolve and look at the offerings. My friend has pretty much everything Evolve makes. He is sort of a beta tester for Evolve. The car looks pretty good with the body kit and lowered suspension and the stock wheels are very nice.

It's a fast car but as Vin mentioned, the turbo is far too susceptible to lag ang the usual turbo related issues like heat. The car is noticeably slower when it's hot.

If it means anything, my friend is forever trying to prove how cool his car is. He is also trying to compensate for the car's shortcomings. He admits that it is not a competitor in its class. I think the R version has been discontinued.

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No, Volvo is still making the R. There was one on display at the L.A. Auto Show last month. It's kind of a tweener car size-wise - it's bigger than an E46 and smaller than an E39. It's actually a pretty well equipped car and has plenty of goodies including Brembo brakes. But it lacks refinement, the motor sounds like a vacuum cleaner when pushed, and the resale value is poor. It fared poorly in all the car mag comparos when compared to 330i's, G35's, CTS, etc. There are plenty of aftermarket parts (Evolve and IPD). If I were to buy a Volvo (if someone had a gun to my head), I'd consider the new S40 hardtop/convertible before anything else.

I have been in three accidents in Volvos. In two, both cars were totalled. Walked from each. Great gas mileage. I sold a 1998 V70R last year to a guy in CA. Two guys drove it home, with stops only to flush and fill up. The lag can be cured by a chip and mods. The stick is a better choice IMO. The local dealer has very shortsighted service writers. One big reason I left the brand. Buy used with 3K to 5K on the clock, value drops like a stone. Always drive with a warranty. Check out www.ipdusa.com

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My $0.02 - Safest cars in the world = worst drivers in the world. LOL
No offense accella

I've had two Volvo 850Rs (Sedan and Wagon). The both had horrible lag and they both suffer thermal heart attacks - cracks in cheap plastic radiator led to massive engine overheating requiring new cylinder heads and other work costing ~$10k!!!

When it happened to the first car I thought it was bad luck and actually paid to get it fixed. When it happened to the second car I screamed bloody murder, ask for relief from Volvo corporate (was denied), donated the car to charity and washed my hands of Volvo forever.

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the REAL Shaka Zulu
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Silver w/ Black Interior
'03 4.4i w/ Sport & Winter Pkg
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I guess it's like buying an old used car. The better it looks, the crappier it runs. Maybe it's because deep down it still just a Ford.
I ran across the EVOLVE site too, seems like they were able to take care of the lag issue and such.
They are nice looking cars though.

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Actually, I was rear ended in one, and the other two got t-boned because they forgot to stop at red lights.

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It is a good-looking car, saw it at the DC auto show http://www.xoutpost.com/lounge/10647-...gton+auto+show
Nice seats and cockpit.

JV

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JV

What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know...it's what we know for sure that just ain't so