I think everyone's suggestions are good IF you want an automatic.

My opinion is that if you're a driver, you'll want the manual which means you're looking at either a non-turbo 850, a 240 or if you're really lucky a pre-91 740 turbo.

Honestly, most of the 240s are going to pot. I love them but they're old technology. I've run across about three manual 740s in my time. So we're left with the 850. I would buy a '93 or '94 5-speed and be, by default, a leg up on your auto driving friends. No transmission problems, no ABS problems, no TRACS problems, replaceable ball joints and an every bit as nice a car as the '95-'97 models. There is no one year that is less prone to problems. The '93 automatic models are no good however.

The 850 is a wonderful car. Buy one that's been well maintained in the 90-120k mile range and you're in the sweet spot for not a whole lot of cash. Most of the important fixes will have arisen already and you'll be driving a great car. The 5-spd is a great transmission if you can find one.

'94 was a particularly nice year because there was no stripper model. All came with leather, alloys, power seat, etc.
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'94 855 2.4 Sportwagon

Jet Black/Beige Leather . 5-spd . 16' Meteors . E-code lamps & sidemarkers