just based on the info you gave, i would jump @ the older,
lower miles wagon....prob a better price, hence a higher
$ reserve for repairs (if needed)....and pleanty of good
technology in the 1996 line of volvos...imho...btw, what
are the prices?

Try a 1998 V90. It is bigger than the others, rear wheel drive and IMO more
luxurious. Standard UK/Europe trim has 204 bhp and IRS, yes even the wagon
(estate).

All the best, Peter.

700/900/90 Register Keeper,
Volvo Owners Club (UK).

They are all the same basic car....does the xc have 4wd?

I would avoid the 98, because the old AWD system can become quite an
expensive maintenance item.

I would avoid the 99, or plan to keep a spare electronic throttle module
around (and budget about $1200 for the first replacement, about half that
for the subsequent replacements).  Also, I believe the 99 is coming up on
a required timing belt replacement.  That could be an expensive repair if
you need a water pump and/or any of the tensioning bearings.  The
replacement would become quite a bit more expensive if you were to let the
belt break.

Without knowing the condition of the cars, I'd be most interested in the
96.

A non AWD 98 S70/V70 would be my pick as Volvo made some generally good
tweaks to the suspension, steering, and interior with the S70/V70.
Unfortunately the 99 and newer Volvo use expensive to buy, failure prone,
and expensive to replace electronic throttle modules.