I have three 1995s and a 1997. Needless to say I like the cars, but it helps greatly if you can do some repairs yourself. This site and Matthewsvolvosite.com are a godsend in helping you do some of the repairs that will inevitably come up in older cars like these. In 1996 and newer you have to buy a code scanner($100) to read the check engine light codes. For a young fellow like you I would look for a manual transmission as the auto trans can be a problem if it has been abused particularly in the 1993-4. I have two stick shifts one with 225, 000 miles and neither has had tranny trouble. When you look at one some things to consider are:1) Do a compression test as described in Chilton/Hayes, exhaust valves/head gaskets go out frequently around 125,000 miles, 2) The rear main crankshaft seal leaks in most of these vehicles around 125,000 miles, the question is how much it is leaking, 3)The air conditioning fails in nearly all of these so hopely you can live without it, 4)The power drivers seat is known to frequently fail although I haven't had a problem, 5) The steering rack has a tendency to leak but it is generally not a big problem again if it is not leaking too much and you keep the fluid up in the power steering pump. Overall these cars are a great value for being an older car. They are relatively safe, good gas mileage(30 mpg with a manual trans), and relatively easy to work on. They are great in the snow if you put snow tires on them. They also have a great heater, I should know as I live in Alaska. They are not a good car for someone who has to have every item on their car in perfect shape at all times in order to drive it, and has all repairs done at the dealership. In other words you have to be willing to live with some risk in your life. Of course in reality we are living with risks in our lives all the time some of us just don't acknowledge it. Bottom line I would recommend a 1995(the first year for side air bags, auto accidents are the number one killer of teens} or later 850 nonturbo(you don't need all that power as a new driver), manual trans wagon. That is what I bought my son and he was very happy. You'll be very popular with your friends being able to carry their junk around. Good Luck