I think the MS3 has reached peak impracticality. Might "hang it up" for a few years with a focus on safety, utility, and "do not modify" mentality.
Anyone have any experience for the Volvo XCs? I am an old redblock guy, so have no idea what I'd be in for, but I love the design language and their approach to overall design.
Useful enough to be a good car, pricing is right, and less go fast bits on the market which should keep me from spending money for no real reason.
There are people who can give you more useful information, but I'll just relate my experience in looking for one (and ending up with something else). Based on input here, I was after an 04-07 XC70, which seems to offer the best combination of mechanical durability and features. There were a fair number listed, but more than half were over my paltry winter beater/bike hauler budget, so I was bottom-feeding. I drove a few, and they were fairly clapped out. Rather than wait - because I'm impatient and wanted something before winter arrived - I ended up buying a really well-maintained V50 T5 AWD, which has the same engine and drivetrain on a smaller platform. Had I waited, I found a few good ones months later, but the V50 does everything I need it to, though it's a tight squeeze on some cargo.
The point of all this is that the AWD drivetrain is great and there are definitely deals out there. Depending on where you are, there may be quite a few; they're very popular in New England and upstate NY, which is where I was looking. A fair number of owners do maintain them well, but it make take patience to find a good one. And they seem very resistant to rust, which is what sent me looking in the first place. I'm toying with the idea of a small lift and some slightly more aggressive tires for my V50 to make it into the XC50 that Volvo never built.
The 03 and newer have electronic control of the awd, 02 and prior have a viscous coupling. 00 ans older have a nla transfer case.
I think an 03 to 07 Volvo is one of the best overall cars ever built. They are not a race car. They need some maintenance.
I have a V50 AWD turbo 6speed just now, and it's a nice car, but I'd rather have a 70.
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