Free replacement airbags? From VOLVO???? They won't even cover obvious safety stuff like the ABS modules that always fail!

As you have discovered the NA 940 is sooooo slow that even Consumer Reports, that pinnacle of rational car-buying behavior, recommended springing for the turbo when they were new. Better to have extra HP when the cement mixer is bearing down on you in the acceleration lane.

I was going to suggest a 940T (or a Camry) but I see you're already there. I have a '98 V70T5 that's probably worth about $8k but I doubt most other $8k ones have been as obsessively maintained. If they've been well-maintained they can be OK, if not they can become maintenance nightmares. If your sister fits the typical new Volvo buyer demographics the maintenance costs of an FWD Volvo won't bother her. Otherwise, suggest 940T, Camry, Accord or Subaru.

Don't forget the snow tires if you go with the 940T!

Resources:

Car safety: http://www.carsafety.org/

Consumer Reports Best and Worst Used Cars: http://autos.yahoo.com/consumerreports/best_worst_used.html?refsrc=autos/eyak

850-SVC70 Common Problems - click on the owner's survey: http://kinovolvo.velez.ws/

http://www.volvospeed.com/maintence.htm

-Punx