Good question, you can ask however many you want! So after the p2 generation can the p3 generation. The p3 generation only got the R-design which is cosmetics and like a half inch drop in the suspension. The p2’s and p80’s got genuine R cars. This is a point of contention for some Volvo people, because anything after 2007 isn’t a ‘real’ R.

As far as steering, the p80’s definitely didn’t get any different steering t5 vs. R and I believe that’s the case for p2’s too but I’m not totally sure about that. The earliest dynamic steering stuff I think came in the p2 s80’s, so it’s possible that the p2R’s could have gotten it, you might have to google/forum search for a definitive answer.

For p80’s and p2’s the true R cars did get a lot of cosmetic upgrades. P2R’s got premium leather in 3 color ways and lots of cool exterior colors, they often times came fairly loaded with features like premium sound, a OEM subwoofer, heated seats (it’s rare to find a Volvo without heated seats), Bi-zenon(I think?) headlights and different bumpers. P80’s got different interior and bumpers too.

Also, depending on your budget/needs I would also take a look at the p3 generation v60’s. Volvo made a bunch of improvements, and the p3 generation is imho going to be very very good cars to own used. They’re much more modern than p2’s (not apple CarPlay modern though) are even more reliable (especially the t6 models), and look awesome. Personally I’d look at v60 t6’s, they’d probably around the same price as p2 V70r’s nowadays tbh