Roark-I own a 98 V70R AWD that I bought off lease with 55K miles. I hade a 740 wagon for 12 years and in general like the "solidness" of volvo's but I consider them a "car nuts" type of car. They can be sometimes "finiky" when it comes to annoying problems/repairs which if your a car nut you can handle and repair and maintain yourself! The other question is where you live and what type of driving you do? An AWD in New England / snow is great which is where I live. But then again, the AWD are even more of a "car nuts" car! It is true about the tire situation and I am one of those guys that is "religious" about maintanenceand tire rotations as I do most all myself. Dealer repairs/maintanence can get a little costly! The R AWD is a great car and I luve the performance! Trouble os its only in the AWD and buying a "used" AWD ya gotta be careful because of the tire mis-match troubles!! Consumers gives 98-99 AWD a big black mark for troubles! I searched 3 months for a used Volvo before I found mine and again--thats because Im a "car nut"---I eat-sleep-luv cars in general which helps! As they say "knowledge is power"!!! Happy hunting!!!