Re: 850...and 780

[four.rings@MCIONE.com]

William Elliott <William.Elliott@mail.mei.com> wrote:

 Robert W Obrien <rwo@u.arizona.edu>:

<<Pity they were never available with 5-speed (I hate AT!) I'm quite
sure of these stats but as
always might be wrong...>>

The 780 is just about my favourite Volvo.  What other car looked more
like a Ferrari 400i? Could be wrong, but I think the 780 Turbo 
(intercooled, 178 hp) was indeed available with a 5-speed...
but special-order only... and almost nobody ordered it.  Never
seen a manual in person, but saw one for sale in the Washington 
Post a few years ago.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Damn! I wanted to buy a used 780 a few years back, the car looked so
elegant. The dealer told me they were never imported with a manual box.
I lost interest in the car.
Later in '92 when the first 850 washed ashore, I stopped by the dealer
again and test drove one with a manual box. It barely moved. No
comparison with my "mad hare" '85 5000s that I owned then. Same size,
5-cyl engine, 5-speed, FWD, 4 doors etc. I was very disappointed. Dealer
sed "come back in '93 when the turbos arrive".
I did. 850 indeed was available with a turbo and a 5-speed but not on
the same car.
I asked the dealer why??? He sed: "they are too fast". Hmmm. I gave up
on the 850 and bought the 200. Never regretted it. 

Another Co that arrogantly presumes that all Americans are too lazy to
shift for themselves is M-B. 
A couple of mos after I bought my '98 A4 I received a letter from the
President of M-B North America which has boiled down to:
- Mr.Kessel, what would it take for you to consider a new C280?
(Are their marketing guys good or what?!)

I couldn't resist a little sarcasm and replied:
-"A manual transmission. 
Also a small displacement/high output turbo engine, permanent AWD and
four rings on the grill".

-- 
Igor Kessel
'89 200TQ -- 18psi (TAP)
'98 A4TQ -- nothing to declare
Philadelphia, PA
USA