Contemplating a Purchase

just based on the info you gave, i would jump @ the older, lower miles wagon....prob a better price, hence a higher $ reserve for repairs (if needed)....and pleanty of good technology in the 1996 line of volvos...imho...btw, what are the prices?

1998 V70 XC with 102,000 miles $8900 1999 V70 GLT with 106,000 miles $7950 1996 850 GLT with 90,000 miles $7495

Try a 1998 V90. It is bigger than the others, rear wheel drive and IMO more luxurious. Standard UK/Europe trim has 204 bhp and IRS, yes even the wagon (estate).

All the best, Peter.

700/900/90 Register Keeper, Volvo Owners Club (UK).

go for the 96...offer them $6,999 (cash)...

just my $.02...good luck !!...

They are all the same basic car....does the xc have 4wd?

That's correct. The 1998 V70XC will have both AWD and TRACS. The

1998 V70XC and 1999 V70GLT will have a turbo-charged engine.

The 1996 850GLT will have neither AWD nor a turbo-charged engine.

Depending on where you live (snow, bad roads etc.) my preference would be for the V70XC.

Beverly

I would avoid the 98, because the old AWD system can become quite an expensive maintenance item.

I would avoid the 99, or plan to keep a spare electronic throttle module around (and budget about $1200 for the first replacement, about half that for the subsequent replacements). Also, I believe the 99 is coming up on a required timing belt replacement. That could be an expensive repair if you need a water pump and/or any of the tensioning bearings. The replacement would become quite a bit more expensive if you were to let the belt break.

Without knowing the condition of the cars, I'd be most interested in the

2. A non AWD 98 S70/V70 would be my pick as Volvo made some generally good tweaks to the suspension, steering, and interior with the S70/V70. Unfortunately the 99 and newer Volvo use expensive to buy, failure prone, and expensive to replace electronic throttle modules.