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In my opinion, the 940 Turbo would be the best one. You'll always have the turbo looming out there as a maintenance item, though, on any turbocharged car. They'll usually last for a long time, but it doesn't guarantee that you might not see it being replaced one day.
Basically the 940 is the most refined of the 4cyl/RWD models. The most comforts, best seats, quietest, nicest equipment, good ride, nice A/C, good to drive. But the heart is still what it used to be -- 4cyl/AW71, just like for the last many, many years.
However, the later 850 and especially 99- S70 are very nice. They are more complex, however, and they do have their failure points. Nowhere nearly as bad as what the S60 has proven to be, though. The later 800 and S70 cars have much better auto transmissions than the early FWD US models. The leaky rear main seals were upgraded in 1999, I believe, which solved THAT big nasty repair bill, at least put it off for a while longer. Also, the 850/S70 non-turbo still has a nice engine and puts out decent power; far better than the non-turbo 900 series cars.
There are weak spots to many of the later FWD cars, but if you're looking for cars without that many weak spots, Toyota makes a bunch. My favorite mid-sized Toyota is actually the Lexus ES300, a very nice car, solid, long of life, etc. Basically a really nice Camry. I used to wrench on Volvo and Toyota side by side, and I always wondered when working on late model Toyotas (mostly Camrys and Avalons, some Lexus product), why can't Volvo build a car like this? It's just that everything seemed to work all the time. Most Volvos had something or other broken, nonfunctional, in the process of malfunctioning, etc.
But I still drive Volvos. I have 2 940s and without a doubt, they are the most reliable of the whole stable of Volvos I've owned and driven. And easy to work on, more self-diagnostic (smarter), more safety features, std. ABS, bags & belts, etc. Very good cars. And decreasing in supply.
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