Combined with what "MADE IN JAPAN" said, i must say that these are not your average beat-around, everyday cars. They are tough vehicles, sturdier and safer than your Asian and American made, but they MUST BE MAINTAINED REGULARLY. They do carry Swedish ingenuity in their design, but that is higher tech than your Volvos of old. Because of the 4-wheel drive, tires should be rotated every 3 to 6K miles. Volvo shows no maintenance or service to the transmission, but coniseurs will tell you to have it done every 30 to 50k miles (depending on how hard you work your vehicle) There is no shop manual that you can buy for this model, unless you go through Volvo for $5,000.00. Make sure to have dealer change transmission fluid before you buy, along with their service of the vehilce to ready it for sale. They should also service the front differential mechanics (for lack of terminology). If you write and ask Claus for opinion, he can probably give you more precise terminology. It doesn't have to be said but you know we are happy with the two we own, and all of the previously owned ones as well. Try to get as much information regarding service, number of owners, upkeep records, and any other history available when buying used. Don't let them just show you records, you want copies of it to take with you, so you have complete history of car for yourself, and when you go to resell the vehicle. VOLVO FOR LIFE.