Thanks everyone for your responses. I guess it's a 1998 I'll choose and use careful intuition!

98 if you really want the AWD system. If you don't need the AWD, or the system screws up in the future, you can drop the driveshaft and have a FWD car with no long-term repercussions. Fixing the RWD part if you do need it though can be very expensive. If you want a reliable AWD system, look for a 2003+ V or XC70.

Oh no, here we go again. There have been 100+ posts about the weak points of the early vintage AWD system. And there have been 100+ posts where people will say 1998 is the only year to buy because otherwise the throttle module may fail on the 1999 and you have to replace it, etc., etc. These are 10-year-old cars; of course you have to replace parts. I suggest you buy the best condition one you can find, the one that looks like it was owned by people who cared, kept records, and performed maintenance. Good luck.