No matter which model Volvo, I would go with a Volvo wagon over a VW for the reason that it is more useful as a wagon. The VW is a bit small for a wagon, and the experience Volvo has with wagons is second to few. VW makes a great car, basically a low end Audi, and that makes them good, however Volvo offers more safety and more power (especially the T5). Even the 2.4T (what I have) is a bit quicker than most models of the VW Passat (0-60 in 7.9sec, 6.5 on the T5).<P>It is always going to be a personal choice, but go and look at them up close, I found the Volvo's interior trim a bit more high end, better fit and finish and the doors on the volvo, as well as the rear hatch had a more solid feel when closed.<BR>The Volvo also had a lot of smart features that the VW didn't. There is a lot of logic that went into it's design and it is truely refined. Just read all the raves it gets in all the car magazines. <P>Finally, you also get a bit of extra "snob" apeal out of a Volvo, as it is not quite a BMW or MB, but it certainly ranks above VW in "status".<P>Good luck, and I hope you like what you end up with casue it's going to cost you between $30,000 and $43,000 depending on your choice!<BR><p>[This message has been edited by V70SAM (edited 11-03-2001).]