I'm looking at an automatic 90 240 with 218,000 miles. The overdrive is inoperable, and though I've just read a bunch of helpful posts about fixing it myself, I'm not sure I'm ready for that challenge. The driver of the past 2 years was a teenage girl, and she may have been driving all that time with the arrow light on the dash on, for all I know.

This is only my second volvo purchase, so I'm new to all this, and my previous one (88 240, 220,000, which I now think I stupidly left behind, rather than drive across country in relocating) was a manual so I am very gun-shy about all this automatic stuff.

I also had a wagon, and this one is a sedan. Other obvious problem: trunk is wet on driver's side & has condensation. Current owner claimed surprise at seeing it. Do we worry?

Other issues the AAA guys (I know, I'm making lots of mistakes, but don't know & love any mechanic here yet...I'm in bay area... any suggestions?) said:

- needs new air filter & front brake pads
- should check oil leak @ back of engine & oily steering rack bellows
- should clean and/or repair lower trans cooler line @ radiator
- should check differential, inspect sensor for oil leak
- license plate bulbs out (this couldn't be a harness problem like what I had to fix on my wagon, is it?)

We're talking about $1500.

I know any used car purchase is a gamble, but I just bought & then had to get rid of an 87 240 that turned out to have a bad wiring harness (major surging), and all I wanted was to sell my old car and buy a comparable -- but running! -- one in my new location so I could pick up where I left off, without spending a ton of money I don't at the moment have.

And, oh yeah, the service light goes on when you start up, then off after about 3 minutes. And the clear coat is going on passenger's side (why only one side??).

Any suggestions? All appreciated!

Thanks.