The question is more, wich engine do I want? The later models have more of the quirks sorted out so I would recommend them to a Honda customer. The B230F is a solid engine that is available in the later 240s as well as the 7&9 series. I have little personal experience with turbos but I would not recommend them for a young driver as they require a diciplined approach to shut down procedures and overall maintenance. If you are looking for an inexpensive solid car to keep your young drivers out of the emergency room I would look at a 240 or 740 wagon. The most often overlooked elements to vehicle safety is driving skill, and regular vehicle vital sign checks. Obviously a younger driver has little experience to draw upon. I think that you should spend some time looking for a more extensive driver training course for your youngsters. The public school system provides little time actually behind the wheel, or during hazardous driving conditions. In addition teaching our kids that cars require input and attention by showing them how to keep a vehicle properly maintained will reduce the chances that your kids will be hitchiking home from a concert in the middle of Kansas because they ran out of a vital fluid or blew a tire. Proper training is (in my opinion) the best safety feature for your family. Volvos are safe cars because more often than not they attract safe drivers as customers

> hello,
> I'm looking into buying a used volvo wagon, but I am at sea as
> to which model to buy. Is there one year, one model that is widely
> considered to be "the best"? I I've always owned Hondas
> before, which have never given me any trouble. With two teenage drivers
> in my family though, I'm attracted to the safety record of volvos.
> Any information or advice would be much appreciated.