What year/model wagon should I buy?

I'm looking to buy a used wagon, probably not newer than 2000.
I've heard that the post-1998 models are problematic and troublesome
due to the computerization of the vehicles. I have also seen folks in
this forum complaining about the '96 850s.

Does anyone out there have suggestions on what year/model I should buy?
Do the AWD models have any particular repair issues?
I'm looking for something with low cost of ownership.

Would anyone recommend a Subaru Forester over a Volvo wagon?

 

What are you looking for in a car? Do you want power and handling? The
best fuel economy you can get? Do you plan to work on the car yourself?
I personally have a particular liking for the 240 and 740 Turbo wagons
but those, especially the former are getting a bit long in tooth so
finding a real nice one for sale is rare.

For newer stuff, the 850's are generally regarded as good aside from '93
which had a few issues. People like their 960s but they're a bit more
complex, the V90 is essentially the same car.

 

Over the new FWD ones, yes, absolutely. Given the choice between an older
RWD model and a Forester, I'd probably take the RWD Volvo (although the
Forester does come with a manual tranny and RWD Volvos were auto-only in
the US after 1990 or so).

-Andrew

 

Thankfully that's not too difficult to remedy, after doing a few
slushbox to manual conversions I think I could pull it off in a day
assuming all the parts were on hand.

 

Mechanic we use (volvo only, and independent) likes 2. He likes the
1998 model year and the 2000 model year; we haven't discussed anything
earlier. Doesn't like much of anything after 2000. Don't know any
more details, ie, awd, etc. Since he gets our 2 cars about every 5k
miles for routine maint. i trust his judgement. So if I were to buy
another one that's what I'd be looking at.

 

Thanks for all the advice. I found a '96 850 that I'll be taking in
for a pre-purchase inspection tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.