Hey all- this my first post to the board in a long time.

I've been a Volvo guy since I could drive, and have owned a '71 144E, '76 164, '79 242 GT, '80 GT, '80 242, and currently, a '92 245. The wife drives an '88 240. All of my cars have been high milage (i.e. just broken in) at the time of purchase, with the newest being the '92 240 wagon, purchased in 1998, at a measley 127k and with a salvage/rebuilt title. At any rate, the rebuilt 240 currently has about 240k (appropriate for a 240!)on it, and has been a good car until the last year or so, when I've ended up putting nearly $4500 into it in parts and labor, especially since the NY winters are taking their toll. Unfortunately, my current living situation does not allow me the time or space to do a lot of my own work on the car.

At any rate, I have an opportunity to purchase a '99 V70XC wagon from a local volvo dealer. The car has 127k on it, and the dealer is asking $10,000 (well below blue book value of $14000). The 1 owner car has a clean carfax history, and has been serviced at the same volvo dealer for its entire life, including the volvo factory recommended maintenance (all records are available).

I have never owned anything other than a 140/240, and I am wondering if this might be a good deal. My wife will probably file for divorce if I buy a $10000 car and put a ton of money into maintenance in the first year(!!). I don't expect a perfect car for $10000, but the dealer maintains that the car has been through their 140 point inspection and everything is in good order. They claim the price on the car is low because they have a hard time selling high mileage cars to most people, and they just want to get rid of it. I'm still leary though, since the XCs seem so much more complicated than a 240.

I'm going to go and have a look at the car and maybe take a drive this afternoon. I don't intend to make any fast decisions on this one. Any advice or experience with potential problems is appreciated.

Thanks as always!

-Andy Reed