Hi,

I spent this summer working for my Volvo mechanic so I got to see and work on a lot of Volvos :) I can tell you that the RWDs (200/700/900s) are VERY different then the FWDs (850/V70/S70/etc). The RWDs are MUCH easier to work on and for the most part are much more problem free and when they do have problems it usually costs about 1/2 as much as the same problem would on a FWD Volvo. The 700/900 Volvos are the best cars they ever built IMO. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the FWDs, but they're just not the Volvo a 700/900 or even a 200 is. If I were going to buy a used FWD Volvo I think I would probably look for a '96-'97 850, because they appear to be the most problem free Volvos of the FWDs so far. We'll have to see how the new generation makes out. Needless to say, I'll be sticking with the 700/900 Volvos for as long as possible, although, we might get a new XC70 or XC90 to replace my mom's MPV in the next few months and see how it fairs before the warranty runs out.......
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Chris. Halifax N.S. '91 745Ti, 282K km and '91 745 NA, 355K km.