Ok, I will reply to the Volvo transmission issue. Several points. I have a 1993 850 with 143,000 miles on it. I am the second owner. I have had it for about three+ years now. I have had NO problems with it save for a misfunctional electric seat module when I got the car.

After about 40,000 miles that I have put on the car, last night the flashing arrow came on. My response... damn new transmission time. My brother, ace exotic car mechanic (professionally), was called and he had me smell the trans fluid etc, but did not mention the PNP switch. This makes me think, above all and contrary to popular belief, that this is NOT a really big Volvo problem. Sure it seems like an issue to us here, but to the general foreign car mechanic (he has 5 bays and mechanics but mostly does Porsches etc) this is not a big issue about Volvos).

Anyway, I am still thinking new trans and maybe "Outback" and the like. But the Speedvolvo website says slide the gearlever back and forth a bunch of times and if light goes out, well it is the PNP switch ($250-400). It went out.

My point is this is a great car, at least in my book. Darn... three years and no problems short of this after 40,000 miles. I know of NO Toyotas, Hondas etc that have this same story... they all have this type of problem particulary at 140,000 miles. I tend to believe that most VOLOV problems come from hanging around the dealership too much, this is an apparently costly habit. Thank God for the freedom of information act, now I can consider a newer than 1999 Volvo and a shadetree mechanic that will not rip off my left arm for payment of warning light reset.

In short, this is may nth Volvo, and IMHO the best yet.