Commonality between 2001 & 2002 model year

[stevek924]

I have a 2001 XC with ~ 250K miles on it and found a 2002 in very good shape with ~150K miles, different exterior color, same interior color, at a very reasonable price. I was considering buying the '02, driving both for a while and then using the poorest performer as a 'donor'. When I looked under the hood I noticed a few visible differences, mostly empty space forward of the engine on the '02 that isn't empty on the '01. Haven't done a side by side comparison (yet) but depending on the response(s) I get, can do so.
Can anyone make an educated guess as to the commonality of major components (engine, transmission, suspension, drive train, computer modules) and lesser parts (seats, window motors, sunroof components, 'stuff' under the dash) between the two model years?

[JRL]

Not sure of the empty space you mean but you still need to be careful of the transmission as it's exactly the same minus the abbprant software.
Same crappy valvebody and at 150K you need service records!

[Astro14]

I think I would save the $$ for good parts.

Seriously.

The same stuff fails on P2 cars - so, you're likely to end up with two great running engines- and two junk transmissions. Two great interiors and bodies - that both need tailgate struts and a tailgate wiring harness.

I've done the exact same work on both cars: strut mounts, valve bodies, LCAs, brake boosters, blower motors, PCV systems. The high failure items are going to be bad on both. You'll be buying parts anyway, and you won't get them off the donor, because they'll be bad on that one too...