My wife's first car that I got her was a 1991 Volvo 740 and it was a fantastic car.

We found a great mechanic (Chuck Akzam, who owned "Exclusively Volvo" in San Francisco,) who kept it running geat for years.

At only 34 feet the turning radius is phenominal, making it a perfect choice for city driving and parking.

My wife decided in 2002 when it was having some problems, to donate it to the Make-A Wish foundation. I almost cried that foggy SF morning when the flatbed truck came for it.

Much later the auction buyer that won it called me with questions.

I definately would recommend this as a first car for anyone. The 112hp non turbo isn't very fast, and they HATE being driven over 80 mph, and the environmentally friendly plastics used in the interior can crumble and in the glue for the headliners can fail, but otherwise they are VERY safe, durable, well built and long lasting.

And they run great in snow!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSZLSfBDyhs

But buy one with books and records, even if it costs a little more.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)