You may want to ask Klaus and folks on the AWD/FWD side.

Sort of an apples and pears (or other pomme fruit) comparison?

I'm prejudice in favor of all things RWD Volvo. The PRV V6 and inline white block engine sort of exceptions. (Why not merely go from B30 OHV to B30xx OHC like the BMW engines without the slant like B30 with or without the slant like evolution I-6 as with B30 to B21, yet an iron alloy cylinder head.)

I like the early 850s without Turbo and fitted with the manual (M56?) gearbox.

Home repair service is more difficult then the living room sized engine bay in 700/900 and spare room sized 240 engine bay. No fan of the 240 transmission tunnel (with large, fat hands like I have now and in the 1980s).

Before variable valve timing and the ever perpetuating upmarket drive that Volvo did to make the real people's car (VW, boo lest a 1979 Sirocco with manual gear box and K-Jetronic) into some luxury upmarket.

1995 and 1996 may be the best years before the changes began. No fan of the AWD system that got worse around 2004 with that angle gear thing.

I love the first C70 hardtop version as I want coupe over all, yet the changes started in 1997.

If moving from RWD 700/900 to FWD, you will need to up your tool set somewhat.

Else, I dunno. Yet you'll find on the AWD/FWD section here many that have made the migration to FWD with varying experience.

Happy Sat-Your-Day.