Found On The Ebays - I Can't Believe Its a Swede: Volvo V70R

"offroadkarter" (04RauderDTR) 11/27/2013 at 11:00 • Filed to: ebays, volvo, v70r, wagon, FOTE

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Turbocharged engine, 6spd manual, all wheel drive AND its a wagon? You've got to be shitting me!

That's right folks, today we shall take a look at a car which always trailed behind the Germans, the Volvo V70R. Although I guess it isn't really fair to say that Volvo's trail behind anyone, because they aren't really made to compete with anything. Volvo has always been a company to build a car that they want, not what the market segment depicts would be a good seller.

For those of you who didn't know that even the super safe Swede's can build fun cars at times, the Volvo V70R (and in sedan form the S60R) packs a 2.5L turbocharged Inline 5 making 300hp and 300tq. The last generation of R's (not that new R-design bullshit) ran from 2004 to 2007. The 04-05 cars had a 5spd automatic with torque limited first and second gear, while the 06-07 cars had a 6spd automatic. The 6spd manual was available on all model years, and that's what this wagon before us happens to be equipped with.

(I bet these were taken with an iphone)

The Volvo planted all its power down using the Haldex AWD system, which has been used on many cars, including the Bugatti Veyron! Next time you see a Veyron owner, make sure you mention how your Volvo wagon has the same AWD system as his million dollar supercar, I'm sure that'll go over well.

On the inside, this car looks well optioned out. It has a Nordkap blue interior with the pop up sat nav (who cares if the system is junk, that looks so cooooool!). Since it is a M66 manual, it has the glorious spaceball shifter. Love it or hate it, the spaceball is unique. The R's also have the leather wrapped steering wheel with blue stitching, and those amazing watch face gauges.

(Volvo really did an awesome job taking the boring S60/V70 gauge cluster and turning it into something classy)

The V70R also has Volvo's Four-C suspension (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept). This offered three settings for the suspension, traction control, and throttle sensitivity. Comfort, which was intended for daily driving, offered the smoothest ride. Sport, which was intended for spirited driving, stiffened up the shocks and lets the traction control act a little more lax. Advanced mode, which Volvo stresses is for track use only (I hope US Interstate 1 counts as a track, that's where I tested it in a S60R) stiffens the suspension up and sharpens the throttle response. The whole suspension can readjust shock pressure 500 times per second, and as Clarkson once stated "has more computing power than the CIA".

Aside from the 300hp inline 5 and the trick suspension, the R's also wear 4 piston brembos all around. 17" 5 spoke wheels were standard, with 18" wheels as an option. These cars also came with standard HID reflectors which, if I'm honest, look good, but the US spec housings function like crap. Most R owners try and swap to the euro housings which have a separate high beam.

So there you have it, an under the radar, practical family hauler that you can autocross on Saturday, and take the kids to church in on Sunday. Its a great blend of fun and responsibility. Which I would imagine Volvo was intending when they built this car, knowing that a few people who still buy the cars they build, haven't just given up on life completely.

Kudos, Volvo, for remembering that not all of us are dead inside!

This 2006 V70R can be found on ebay !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , for a buy it now price of $11,995.

505Turbeaux > offroadkarter 11/27/2013 at 11:02

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beware that clutch. Buddy of mines s60r went 1000 miles from home. $3k to replace

Straightsix9904 > offroadkarter 11/27/2013 at 11:10

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Little known fact: it is illegal to own one of these outside of Connecticut or Massachusetts.

offroadkarter > Straightsix9904 11/27/2013 at 11:13

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I heard a lot of these exist in Washington also

Carl (@stuffcarlsays) > 505Turbeaux 11/27/2013 at 11:22

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Says the clutch was done recently.

505Turbeaux > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 11/27/2013 at 11:25

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missed that, lots o info there!

Ilike_cougars > Straightsix9904 11/27/2013 at 11:29

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really? why?

Straightsix9904 > Ilike_cougars 11/27/2013 at 11:40

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More of a joke, I've just never seen one for sale out of those states. Probably because nobody with that taste can afford one out that area

Straightsix9904 > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 11/27/2013 at 11:42

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are you sure? "Runs and Drives Like new. Including the clutch" Really poorly worded, I would clarify what it means

Maybe he means he is including the clutch in the sale?

André - Volvo4Life > offroadkarter 11/27/2013 at 11:44

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I love this car.

FurySamurai72 > offroadkarter 11/27/2013 at 11:57

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Just looked up this listing. Its near me!

Who wants to lend me $12k?

Anyone?

By lend, I actually mean give. Just FYI.

Ilike_cougars > Straightsix9904 11/27/2013 at 11:58

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lol ok, you got me going there, my aunt has one and is looking to get rid of it, so was going to go next month and pick it up..

offroadkarter > FurySamurai72 11/27/2013 at 11:58

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top gear top tip

rob a bank

Hooker > offroadkarter 11/27/2013 at 12:20

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But it's not brown!

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > offroadkarter 11/27/2013 at 12:23

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That would make the perfect baby transportation device.

offroadkarter > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 11/27/2013 at 12:37

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Volvo V70 = 10/10 can baby

offroadkarter > Hooker 11/27/2013 at 12:38

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to be brown it needs a 130hp 3.0L pushrod V6 or something

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > offroadkarter 11/27/2013 at 12:42

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and dragon.

brakesnow > offroadkarter 11/27/2013 at 12:51

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I would be alllll over this car if I was 10 years older and had some kids.

For now I'd take the slightly smaller but much sportier and faster Subaru Legacy 2.5gt wagon for my fast wagon fix.

SkarTisu > offroadkarter 11/27/2013 at 13:10

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I'm a big fan of these. Still thinking about buying one.

offroadkarter > Straightsix9904 11/27/2013 at 13:54

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I think I saw my first VR wagon in PA actually

Hooker > offroadkarter 11/27/2013 at 14:50

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Or a diesel.

Vandelay Industries > offroadkarter 11/27/2013 at 16:48

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the 5 speed auto was the good tranny...the manual had the torque limiter.

had an S60R...get an extended warranty if you get that car. My Nav went after a couple months and they just switched out no problem.

Also the sound system in the car is fantastic too.

Vandelay Industries > offroadkarter 11/27/2013 at 16:50

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PS this car was spefically made to go after the BMW M3 and the S4. So yes it was trailing the germans, its a great car as its bigger then the Audi, more functional then the M3 and has about 85-90% of the performance.

offroadkarter > Vandelay Industries 11/27/2013 at 16:57

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I don't think many Saab and Volvo owners cross shopped with the germans, the customer base just isn't the same.

If you are comparing blunt numbers, yes, the R was no match for an M3. But I'm willing to bet the R is more civilized to drive every day over an M3

Vandelay Industries > Vandelay Industries 11/30/2013 at 21:00

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In 2004 when the M3 had only 333hp and the Audi had a heavy V8 w/340HP and the C32/55 had yet to become a fire breathing 6.2L beast the volvo products were very inline performance wise at a slightly discounted price.

Albeit I think the Volvo buyer would be more inline with an "Alpina" bimmer guy.

And for the time (almost a decade ago) 'looks wise' i think the R is better than all but the E46.

wagontastic > offroadkarter 12/09/2013 at 09:03

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I have looked into these very heavily since this is basically the ideal car for me right now, kids, dogs, skis, and the wife commutes 100mi./ day so she would love it too. But you look at the repair history of any of these, and I am mostly a DIY person, but this is like, basic maintenance, basic maintenance, basic maintenance, BAM $1500 at the dealer for some R-only issue and requires some insane R-only part to be replaced, and it has to be reprogrammed by the dealer. Two of the cars I looked at had the same exact service history. Phenomenal car, fast enough, amazing seats, obvious Volvo wagon awesomeness, easy to maintain.. right up until the annual bend-over at the dealer.

And this is coming from an owner of a 2001 BMW 325xi with 194k and counting, which ain't exactly a willy's jeep in terms of maintenance needs.

Sadly, I think these cars are just outside of my budget; not in terms of purchase price, but nearly all the ones on the market now over 100-150k, they are right in that sweet spot in their lives where they'll really need some expensive stuff replaced.

offroadkarter > wagontastic 12/09/2013 at 22:30

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when I shoot for an S60R I'm gonna hunt for a lower mile one for sure, I know some things like the angle gear and 4C struts are expensive.