Well, unfortunately, my wife's 940 with almost quarter of a million miles on it has been rear-ended and totaled recently. I am looking for a replacement. As well as searching for another 940 I am also considering FWD Volvo wagons (has to be a wagon!). I see a bunch of 850's for sale in my area and also a 2002 V70 (non-turbo, non-AWD) at a very reasonable price. In my state cars older than 1996 are exempt from emissions inspection, so that is a great motivator to buy a '95 or older. Just wondering if the people here owned an 850, first generation V70 ('98-'00)and/or second generation V70 ('01-??). I own a '98 S70 and am pretty happy with it. I am looking for FWD (no AWD), automatic and wagon. Any comparative opinions would be greatly helpful. Are the 2nd gen V70 any good? I know they have a fly-by-wire accelerator, which I am not crazy about and I know there have been expensive issues with those. Other than that the 2nd gen V70 seem to have better handling, are quieter inside, but not as good as far as road feel (kind of japanized in that department). I am mainly concerned with dependability and reliability. This is going to be my wife's kid/grocery hauler and occasionally my Home Depot hauler (hence the need for wagon).

Thanks in advance!

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Vladimir. '98 S70 base, 5-speed manual