I would stick with RWD period

Another point to realize is that you're not confined to just Volvo when seeking a newer car with good safety features, IF that's the only reason you'ld consider a newer car?

Volvo still pushes their safety as if they're making the ONLY safe car in the world however, by now many other brands of newer vehicles have caught up and many other brands are less costly to purchase, maintain and repair in the long run. Just food for thought.

The 2004 is safer in a collision.

The side impact bags (SIPS)in older Volvo only protect front
occupants and do not offer any head protection until model year
1999. In 1998 the B piller was strengthened to give the side
air bag more time to work (they are mechanically triggered from
sensors in the seat so the seat starts to crush as the bags are
fired). Newer side curtain designs are much better.

Even though T-bones collisions are 25% of all crashes
they account for one third of all deaths
(http://www.firehouse.com/extrication/archives/1997/may97.html).
I'd also say 25% means side impact collisions are common.
And with all those SUVs with their bumpers pointed at car occupant's
heads probably means the death rate isn't going to change for some time.

When time comes to replace our 1995 855 and 1998 S70 I will want
a car with the latest side impact protection (regardless of possible
maintenance costs over an older model). Obviously it is not a big
enough issue for me to trade in now; but side air bags are a
requirement for my next car.

I agree with everything written below, but the newer car is safer. Period.

HTH,

R
'99 S70 235Kkm
'89 745 378Kkm

If you can find one stick with the '95 940.

Even though they don't have side air curtains, they came with SIPS(side impact protection system), driver and pasenger air bags and ABS.

The '940 is almost maintenance free, vs the FWD volvos that are maintenance intensive to keep them running right. BUT

The V70 is nicer looking, faster, more confortable and more luxurious, and it reminds you how luxurious it is, when maintenance and repairs come due
--
'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 John, Tampa Bay

The new car would be safer BUT one needs to ask oneself just how often one's car ever gets t-boned or totaled in the first place. Very rare for most.

My older cars don't even have one air bag yet in my 30+ yrs of driving, I've never needed it. Most of the time, defensive driving and being aware of others nearby saves one from most accidents.

There is also a huge cost difference between buying/maintaining a '95 940 today vs any newer Volvo in the long run. One's almost free, the other will cost you alot of money.

NHTSA hasn't specifically tested the V70 for side impacts but it gives the similar S80 and S60 "Five Stars".

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/testing/ncap/

-BTC