I'm torn between an Subaru Outback or some variation of the V70 all wheel drive.

Maybe an XC maybe a T5 or.....?

I want it for random bad weather maybe once in a while dirt roads & flat towing behind my RV while on vacation.

The main reason I want a wagon is for the wife to have a nice car where she can put our large dog in back & have passengers without having the dog jump on us.

So I ask you the same question I posted on the Outback forum why would you pick either or?

 

What year vehicle are you looking to buy? The V70 is a little bigger and I think they are known to rack up more miles. I believe the Subaru has a better AWD system. Other than that, a Volvo would likely hold up a little better over the long haul. Look at a few of them at 10 years old and see which you think is in better condition.

 

I'm actually looking to buy somewhere around 10 years old, seems to fit my price range best.

 

Try to stay away from '01 - '03 Volvo V70's. I think they have transmission issues. I'm pretty sure I've read a lot of complaints about the '01 and '02 models.

 

Being you mention the trans, what about flat towing behind a motorhome?
I'm assuming I'll want a manual trans & not an auto for that hu?

 

I'm not sure but I believe it's a lot of work towing these Volvo's behind a motor home. I think I read that you have to remove the axles to drag them. You may want to call a dealer or check the online owners manual before you get into that.

 

Your not going to be able to flat tow a Subaru or any other AWD vehicle. It will destroy the AWD system. For occasional off roading, the Subi's have more ground clearance that Volvos.

 

Here is some towing info:
2003 VOLVO XC70

 

Thanks for the link but I did not see anything about flat towing.
Yet the small drawing in there got me thinking that maybe a front wheel drive with a tow dolly might be an option, I'd think the rear wheels on a FWD are always free anyways right?

Yet, I was sorta excited about an all wheel drive.

 

If you gotta have AWD, then get the subaru. On the other hand if you want something that's fun to drive, get the V70 turbo (sans the AWD).

 

After talking to IDP they said that for flat towing neither should be flat towed, we agreed that the best flat tow option should be a the rear wheel drive wagon & disconnect the rear drive shaft while towing yet he said that those older ( stopped making them in '98 ) wagons are harder to find parts for being not as common...

 

I never said that the owners manual like read NOT to flat tow, the manual showed the PROPER way to tow, any other towing method would damage the the car.