1998 BMW 540i or 2002 Volvo XC70 Cross Country

I don't know what I'm doing.

the 540 obviously

I'll take a vulva over either of them.

depending on optionning, i think i'd go for the volvo.

honorman, would you buy the BMW just because it's a BMW, or just because it's not a volvo?
or is there a different reason...

BMW. I love that era of 5 series and they are pretty reliable.

That was the generation I discovered the M5 with.

I'm assuming the 540 isn't the wagon variant, so I go with the wagon Volvo.

+ AWD

ascona wrote:depending on optionning, i think i'd go for the volvo.

honorman, would you buy the BMW just because it's a BMW, or just because it's not a volvo?
or is there a different reason...

id buy it because it's one of the cars i'd like to have in real life. good looks, luxurious, quick, good handling, and it doesnt hurt that it's a bmw either, theyre great cars. i have never been crazy about volvos.

If you're going to have a Volvo Cross Country, you might as well buy a Subaru Outback, because that's what Volvo is copying.

The problem is the Outback is too reliable. I already own a Toyota (technically three Toyotas), so it would be nice to own a temperamental European car with a disintegrating transmission or exploding radiator.

BMW

more than you can afford, pal!

Swerve wrote:The problem is the Outback is too reliable. I already own a Toyota (technically three Toyotas), so it would be nice to own a temperamental European car with a disintegrating transmission or exploding radiator.

You want unreliable? Get a '96-'04 Outback with the 2.5L. You'll pull the motor and replace headgaskets every 60k. Get a 5-speed and watch it eat itself after 150k abusive miles.

OR, get an automatic and get nasty torque bind.

Oh, and don't forget the impossible to replace wheel bearings of the older cars. Make friends with your dealership!

BMW

Benfolio wrote:

Swerve wrote:The problem is the Outback is too reliable. I already own a Toyota (technically three Toyotas), so it would be nice to own a temperamental European car with a disintegrating transmission or exploding radiator.

You want unreliable? Get a '96-'04 Outback with the 2.5L. You'll pull the motor and replace headgaskets every 60k. Get a 5-speed and watch it eat itself after 150k abusive miles.

OR, get an automatic and get nasty torque bind.

Oh, and don't forget the impossible to replace wheel bearings of the older cars. Make friends with your dealership!

What's a good car?

Swerve wrote:The problem is the Outback is too reliable. I already own a Toyota (technically three Toyotas), so it would be nice to own a temperamental European car with a disintegrating transmission or exploding radiator.

nice, no. quaint, yes.