[jkarolyi]

Pre '99 Volvos (the boxy ones before Ford bought Volvo and ) are good, safe, durable cars, but not much fun at all. Ditto the early 80s 300D...however these can be money pits too due to their age and very expensive parts. The engines will last forever, but everything else seems to go wrong! The 318 did very well in crash tests if I recall right...

The '87-newer 944s were better...I got the same advice and bought an '88...but within one year the pinion gear blew (new tranny), water pump froze breaking timing belt ($$$ valve replacement), water cooled oil cooler failed (caught it soon, but who knows how the engine was damaged), the A/C broke and the ECU computer was flaky...just stalling my car at random times. I have owned tons of cars and this was my only "lemon". Wasn't too sad to see that car drive off into the sunset.