Ken - It sounds like your knowledge of the mechanicals of cars may be limited.

Your best bet is to have a good dealer check the car out. This will cost $100 to $150 or so. In "Volvo dollars" this is not much to spend for piece of mind, especially if you are not getting some kind of guarantee on the car. Issues found during a check-up could be used to bargain with. Keep in mind that most Volvo dealers have high standards and you may not need some of the suggested repairs immediately.

Although I dearly love my three Volvos, I once purchased an old 740 Turbo that needed more money in repairs than the car cost!

1995 850 wagon, 1990 740 Turbo sedan, 1988 740 wagon 550k miles total