Hello! I am new to your forum. It seems like a friendly, helpful place from what I can see. (At least I hope so). I am seeking some opinions/advice, please.

I have never owned a Volvo. I am considering buying one because of Volvo's reputation for safety. However, I am hesitant because I am afraid because I have heard that Volvo's may not be very reliable and that the repairs are expensive. Is this true?

Regarding safety, I have heard that Volvo's have a steel reinforced passenger cage? Is this true? And I had heard that Volvo's have an engine that slides under the car in the event of a severe frontal crash? True? I also wondered about something that someone told me about air bags, that they had to be replaced after 10 years? Is this true?

I need some advice because I am considering buying a Volvo that is for sale. It is a 1988 Volvo 760 Turbo. It is a 4 cylinder with an automatic transmission. It has 141,000 miles on it. It has a driver's airbag and antilock brakes. The exterior is pretty good, except for two small dings on the bumpers, one in the front and one in the rear (happened in from parking lot, per seller, says car has never been in any accidents). The interior is good, no cracks in the dash. Problems with the car, according to seller: power seats don't recline (but forward and back work OK); heated seats don't work; power sunroof is "sticky" (but doesn't leak); power rear windows are "sticky"; tape player doesn't work (but radio does work); air conditioning is weak (but heat and defrost work well). Seller says he is second owner, has had car 7 years, and says he has most of the maintenence records. Says he is selling car because he is moving and needs to know my answer soon. The price is $3,500.

I wonder, what are the possible trouble spots with this car? I think I can live with the problems as listed, but I wonder, does this car have the "wiring harness" problem I've heard of? And I wonder would this car have one of those "bad" engine models? And about the turbo? Is that prone to problems? Anything else I should watch out for?

As I mentioned, I want a Volvo for the safety, but am basically afraid of the reliability and repair costs (I am not at all mechanically inclined and all work would have to be done at a repair facility). Should I get this Volvo, or any Volvo? If not this Volvo, what years/models of Volvo's (or other vehicles) would you recommend that would have driver's airbag and ABS, and be safe and reliable, for under $5,000?

Thank you very, very much for any responses. I really appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Angela