V7driver-

Thanks for your advice!

I have seen several v70 and XCs in my price range ($3000 or less), but they typically have over 200k miles. How much of an issue is that?

Just looking at a few of the 850 posts, it seems like the transmission typically goes out around 200k. Are there any other big expenditures that are common for 850s over 150k? I am thinking that I could get two or three years out of the $2200 850 without major maintenance (knock on wood!), at which point I plan on having a little more money to work with.

Now I have a 1990 245 with 260k. It is getting poor mileage (between 15-20 mpg), has an exhaust leak somewhere around the exhaust manifold, barely passed smog (California) two years ago, needs new tie rod ends / ball joints / alignment. I am new to working on my car (DIY is now a necessity due to my financial situation), but I have enjoyed learning as I go, changing my timing belt, seals, water pump, rear springs, flame trap, trans fluid, (thanks to brickboard and Mr. Bentley), simple things that I had no idea about a couple years ago.

Given that it is a 20 year old car, it seems like there could be other issues that might appear sooner or later. It is fun and satisfying to fix something that is broken and actually have it work, but I don't have as much time to do this now as I did six months ago.

The seller of the second 850 ($2200, 2nd owner with full maintenance records) emailed me back: the AC works, the transmission has been flushed regularly, the front suspension components are reasonably new, the timing belt was changed recently, flame trap cleaned, tires are good, no issues with the ABS light coming on.

I am thinking that I could spend a couple grand now to upgrade to a newer brick, sell the 245 for $500 or so.

I'm planning on going to check it out in the next couple days. Anything in particular to check out?

Thanks for your help!