matt,

make sure to check out- or have your indie mechanic look closely at the turbo area for any leaking... leaking hoses has been my biggest issue (and if this is as bad as it gets i'm terribly lucky) i've had coolant hose go bad, and the oil return line, plus a few other hoses are being repaired at the moment (will post what they are tomorrow), as the indie mechanic said they were basically *aneurisms*

hoses! and there are SO many of them...

you are right, at least in my case, the service light will come on at start up, but then goes out after a few minutes driving...

i have not ever purchased a car the way you are, so is it drivable, (or has it no engine, trans?) and if it does, will they allow you to take it off the lot? check the colours and amounts of fluids everywhere, and really, driving it if possible, would be the best way to determine how it sounds, accelorates, brakes, smells, idles, turns, shifts, et cetera...

the timing belt and water pump are very important- look to see when the timing belt was last changed... remember to have the coolant and transmission fluids flushed if they haven't in a long time, and not a bad idea to have the brake fluid changed... i TOTALLY watch, and keep up on the fluid levels and changes-- this is paramount to keeping the car healthy and not as sick as a parrot- so many times people change the oil- period end.

i've learned so MUCH from this board, and people always help out... i've probably forgotten a lot, but i'm sure some great 850 people will post plenty of information for you...

best,
belle

--
'After silence, that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music' - Aldous Huxley