Roy:
I bought a "newsed" 98 R wagon (42K) and have enjoyed it. It handles great and with the IPD power pack runs like the wind. All the complaints about the viscous coupling are from those who don't read the owner's manual. ANY AWD system that uses a viscous coupling requires the same size tires/wheels at all four corners...plain & simple. I had a Talon AWD with viscous coupling 100k and no problems.
I also have a 94 850 turbo (same engine) which is limited in handling due to front wheel spin. You can't power out of corners, or the front wheels spin. It has 120k and runs like new.
As for Consumer Reports, these clowns reccomended the Chevrolet Citation, remember that POS? Ever read one of their "road tests"..what a joke!!

Have Fun
Spence
92-740 wagon 98K
94 850 turbo 120K
98 R wagon 45K
All run great...

Greetings,
I purchased a '98 V70R new in the Fall of 1998. Volvo was offering better financing on the XC, but I liked the nice stereo and added power of the 'R'. 44,000 miles later, I'm very happy with my purchase. Just normal maintenance and oil changes (dino oil every 3,000 mi. in spite of factory recommendations). It's got enough power to be fun to drive, 24 mpg average, AWD is awesome when slippery and snowy. All that and the practicality of a wagon. The AWD is totally seamless and the car just goes where it's pointed. The Nokia studded tire/wheel combo offered by the dealer is noisy but fantastic on ice. No major problems,the right front turn signal stopped working and was replaced by the dealer twice; I think it's a great car. I mostly use an independent service shop, but the dealer has been superb, too. A Seattle/Lynnwood dealer has a couple of used '98 models offered at approx. $26 and $27K. I don't know if that's reasonable or not. I plan on keeping mine for 10 or 12 years and then, who knows. Almost 4 years and 44,000 miles down the road and I think I made a great choice to replace my 1985 BMW. I hope that other V70R owners have had a good experience, as I have had.
Good Luck!

Hi, Nothing beats a "R". Always wiser to buy used as well. Let someone else take the hit. Good Luck, Ray. 1997 850R

Get the 2WD V70R as it'll be less trouble, less money to own for the long haul.
I personally wouldn't ever advise buying any current AWD Volvo at this time and the '02 XC is not the new computer controlled type now used on the AWD S60 which might be better, time will tell. There's been many complaints with XCs whereas the 2WDs are pretty decent cars in comparison. Most people really don't NEED AWD anyway.

Search the archives above (on the pull down menu "Help") for something called a "bevel gear". There have been over 100 posts the last few years.

Consumer Reports says "avoid" all AWD Volvos as used cars for model years '99-'00 and the '01 XC. It says avoid ALL '98s (my year). BTW, they (CR) recommended the V70 when I bought mine. So it goes.

-Phil Punxsutawney

Dealers in my area are aggressively dealing on the XC, presumably to decrease inventories in advance of the V90XC rollout this fall. I have no personal experience with either option, but just picked up a new V70 T5. I ultimately decided I'd rather have the performance than the offroad capability and other features that come with the XC. I could have saved a few thousand bucks with the XC, though.