We are looking at getting a used car. AWD Wagons from the early to mid 2000s is what we have been looking at. I like the BMWs but I want to pay cash and not have to make payments.

The cars we are looking at are the Subaru Outback and the Volvo Cross Country. I like the Volvo because they are just safe/sound vehicles and the Cross Country is loaded.

I like the Outbacks because they are everywhere and I know more about them. They more off-roadable than the Volvo I'm sure. Parts might be cheaper???

What would you guys get under eight grand in an AWD Station Wagon?

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Don't say "Montero" because I already tried to talk her into one....She wants a car. (and i want a car that hauls ass) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Here is the one i like.
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/ctd/1512323365.html

Anybody know anything about Volvos? Should I run away? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

That's like asking "would you rather eat a brown turd, or a black turd?". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Well, I can comment about both Volvos and Subarus.

My dad has a 98 Volvo S70. Great car. He's had it for like 10 years, and I cant think of any problems he's had with it, besides something stupid like a power window switch or turn signal switch.

On the other hand, my mom has a 2001 Subaru Outback. Had it for maybe 5 years, and has had NUMEROUS problems. Seems to leak EVERY fluid out of it. Fuel lines seep and smell up the interior, steering rack leaking all over the ground, and the icing on the cake, the headgasket leaks oil and water externally. Gets bad gas mileage too. I'm trying to get her to cut her losses and convert to a 4Runner.

My 2 cents, get the volvo.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> liberal.

Funny! You know your old when your actually excited to buy a Station Wagon (brown turd). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Hey if the "turd" hauls ass and is more comfortable than my La-z-boy then I'll have to take a little bite. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the heads up Adam. I've known many folks to have Volvos and I always like the way they ride but none of those folks ever talked about any issues with the cars. I'll take that as a good sign. I'm going to read up on their maintenance schedules Most of the cars I'm looking at are right above a 100,000 miles so you know some of them are late on their scheduled maintenance. I'll price the parts/labor involved and request it to be removed from the asking price of the vehicle then do it myself.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Coming from the guy who put his family in a fish.

I see more "free the gay Tibetian whales" stickers on Suburus than Volvos. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I have an 01 Outback sedan and not a single problem. Head gaskets are a known issue but they are so easy to do they can be replaced in your sleep. My Outback has about 118k on its original engine trans and headgaskets because it was Subaru treated before any seepage could happen. Only problem I had with it was the balljoints were going bad and I cupped my front tires (I was replacing the tires anyways so not a big deal for me). Gas mileage I get around 30 so not too bad considering AWD. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />


I also went offroading with it once. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

My wife has had 1999, 2001 and 2004 Lexus AWD RX300/330. With the exception of a transmission shift problem on the '04 RX330, they were her favorite vehicles ever. If you can find one of the AWD '99-'03 older body style cars, they would be an excellent choice.

Frank

Lol...the only sticker on ours is the NRA-GOP bumpers ticker.

FWIW...Volvo and Subaru both have less than stellar collections of FSMs in the Ebsco database.

After reading some of both vehicles it seams like more folks had more trouble with Outbacks but...they sold way more Outbacks too. Everybody has had trouble with head gaskets. Many have had leaky AWD units. Most have complained about the cheap feeling of the Outbacks.

The Volvos seam to have some issues as well but from what I gathered most people were put off by the cost of repair rather than the occurance of problems. Most seamed to love the car but didn't want to pay to have the Volvo stealer do the work. I would be doing the work myself so I don't see too big of a problem there. Many just plain hated the car because they said it felt cheap compared to older Volvos.

From what I'm reading on the two....They both have issues but the owners of the Volvo said it drives solid and gets up and goes.