Thanks for some input here. I own 5 240's and I know them and their weaknesses and I have a group of mechanics that work on them. I feel secure with them. Gas milage is wonderful and costs to repair are o.k. .I have friends that bought a new 2006 xc70 and just love it. I need something dependable because i'm on the highway all the time and I need it to be good in deep snow, ice and cold air conditioning in the summer for traveling in hot weather. I heard that the gas milage was not that great, but what have you heard? How about the weaknesses? Can it be the kind of car you can do an oil change every 3,000 and not worry? or what would I have to watch and maintain? Also because I can't afford a new one what years are better and which would I stay away from? thanks for any help you may have...i don't want just a front wheel drive model because I need it for heavy snow. If you also have any thoughts of what to replace the 240's with when their time comes, throw in a thought or 2 about that also.....thanks again for help, Lynn at chmtnbliss@cs.com