This has been my experience. Now a volvo owner for a week and a day.

I bought a '96 855 GLT.
Engine purrs like a kitten. I don't see any issues here, The visible lobes on the camshaft seem to indicate good oil service (I've been a mechanic for a while - just not cars) compared to others I've seen.

Car serviced quite extensively. All documented service was done at a local volvo shop.

Car has a new radiator, new drive axles (done @ volvo, which tells me they at least LOOKED at the control arms), AC has been recently serviced, and the valve train was recently looked at @ 90K during the 90K svc. They replace the valve cover gasket. They did the timing belt @ the same time.

The check engine light came on the day I bought it.

Flame trap. Dealer fixed for free. In-dash stereo went TU. Looks like someone spilled a huge slurpee in it or something. Dealer fixed for free.

Light hasn't come back on with an additional 200 miles on the car, but the tranny has me just a little worried. I've never driven a true transaxle car (yes - there is a difference), but I have driven 850s / v70's with both better and worse tranny feel. I get a pretty decent bump sometimes, soft smooth transfer others. Sometimes it's sluggish to shift to hi.

You decide. As for me, I'll be getting the tranny flushed, and maybe someone to look @ the PNP switch.