TGO
King of the OFT
go for the 04. you won't regret it.
I would say that the 850 is expensive if your dealer maintains it. But parts arent to bad. Our 240 is incredibly reliable. I figured we will have the 240 long after the 850 junks out. The 240 engine is easy and there is tons of room in there to work on it and parts arent to bad either, just watch out for rear main seal. Its defently a solid car. We have seen many 240 with over 300K on them. We even saw one with 435K on the clock. The actaul body of the car is extremely solid, i use to feel way safer in the 240 versus the contour. Our 240 has 4 studded snow tires for the winter and i tell you nothing can stop that thing in the winter.
The 240 is rear wheel drive, the 850 was the first time volvo made front wheel drive. i would say stay away from the 1994 850's, as i have heard there was a bunch of problems.
Matt