I drove a 740 wagon -- base model, manual tranny, no frills -- for 11 uneventful, reliable (though slow) years before moving up (way, way up) to a Saab 9-5 Aero wagon. While I love the Aero on dry pavements, it's a challenge to handle on wet, snowy or slick roads, it has a very busy, often noisy suspension, and the FWD on this high-hp car creates some major torque steer... making this car a challenge to handle on anything other than pretty straight roads.
My other car is a '98 Audi A4 Quattro 4-door. I really love the AWD, and wish the Saab had it.. The Audi's suspension is light years better than the Saab's, and the A4 is far nimbler (though far less brutish under a heavy right foot).
So, among other possibilities, I'm considering a move back to Volvo when the Saab lease expires... anyone have any thoughts on the V70 Wagons, esp. the "R" model? I've only read about it thus far, but it sure sounds as though it has everything the Aero has, plus the Volvo AWD system. Comments?