Guess we're in the same boat. Thanks for your post...or, I should say, Thanks TO your post, I'll spend my Fun Tickets ($) on shoding my 240's with new snow shoes. So far my 240's have carried me home, despite the weather....occasional "white knucles", but got me home.

Thanks for post.
--
84, 242GLTi, 167K, 4+OD, not on the road yet; 89, 245 DL, 340K, M 47, daily driver; 93, 245, auto, 167K; daughters 84, 242 Ti, 193K ; and other toys.

Consumer Reports has the '98-'01 XC70 on it's "Used Cars to Avoid" list. (The XC90 '03-'05 XC90 is on the "avoid" list, too.)

I'm going for the 10-years-or-200,000 miles (10 years will be next October) but I doubt I'll ever buy another Volvo.

If you actually need AWD and want to avoid buying your mechanic a new yacht, look at Subaru-Honda-Toyota.

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 170k mi, front IPD stabilizer bar, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, XC grill, C70 jewel E-Codes, V-1, Lidatek, Mobil-1 since new.

"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."-Douglas Noel Adams (1952-2001)

My XC is the most reliable Volvo that I have ever owned, and I have owned quite a number of them. People will tell you that XC are unreliable, but this is what people used to say about 240, 740, 850, 960, and s90 when they first came out. However, XC are quite expensive in terms of maintenance.

Ta-ta, j.

Unless you have deep pockets, steer clear of an XC70 older than 2004. According to Consumers Reports they get better from that year onwards. I owned a 2002 from new and can categorically state it was the most unreliable new car I have ever owned. Mine broke down often and was very expensive to repair, so when the warranty ran out I dumped it. I will never own another.

Yes, 2003 or later is preferred . . . but I've got a 2001 S60 and it's working out just fine so far. Some issues, but nothing major. I think durability will be quite good. S80s are clearly the cars to avoid, but it seems that Volvo's top of the line models have always been inexplicably unreliable.

XC's are always a greater risk because of AWD. I don't believe the XC90 is more robust, just bigger. Why do you now need AWD, if you've lived always had RWD cars? If it's just for snow/ice, simply buy the best snow tires you can find, e.g. Nokian Hakkapeliitta.

Not good choice...get a subaru if you need AWD and reliability. Volvo is not the same company you are used to.