Hi everyone. My name is Steve. I just bought my first volvo (and second ever automobile). I'm 22. Completely new to auto mechanics having ridden bicycles my whole life until recently when the need for functional transportation arose. Anyway, I have always admired these cars, and figured now that I am going to drive, I might as well have a volvo. And now that I have a volvo, I might as well learn how to work on it myself. Beyond bicycles, however, I have zero mechanical knowledge and only a basic understanding of the way a car works. So, that is why I am here. The car I picked up is:

1987 745 GLE non-turbo with an M46 manual transmission.
257k miles. Two owners. No service records. All I have is the P.O.s verbal assurance that the timing belt and water pump are fresh, along with the fluids and other odds and ends. Everything on the car works except for the lights behind the instrument cluster.

I plan to have the car looked at by a volvo mechanic here in Vermont so I know I'm not driving something that is about to explode, but I also thought I would get some more opinions from y'all. In general, keeping in mind every vehicle has its own peculiarities, what should I expect to go wrong on the car? Which spare parts, bulbs, relays, etc. etc. should I go about acquiring now?

As I said, I am a total novice here, so anything can help, whether it is referring me to another thread, or website, or a canonical volvo book. I am also aware that someone with no mechanical knowledge is unwise to buy a car like this that will need frequent mechanical attention - but I figure: what better way to learn?

Thanks,
Steve.