Damn dealer ... wants more business, so they screw up in the service department. Find an independent Volvo shop for service - usually the more specific, the more experienced. Not always, but check around here for recommendations in your area.

As for limited slip ... IIRC, you can check when both wheels are jacked up. Brakes released, of course, and in neutral, spin one of the tires. If the other rotates in the same direction, you have limited slip. If it rotates in the opposite direction, it's an open differential.

I wouldn't recommend getting so attached to a Saab. Servicing ain't fun in those, and parts are more expensive than the Volvo counterpart. And since those Saab cupholder/coin holders are just standard DIN size, you can mount it in the bottom tray, behind the shifter, of the 240's.

As for the priorities - old Volvo's fit #1 and #2 alright, but #3 and #4 usually aren't their strong points. Towards the upper eschelon of your price range, she may want to consider a used Camry - '97 or newer, as the earlier ones didn't have as much priority to safety. That's not saying that it's a tank, but it's doing better than a lot of other cars, regardless of origin.

If image is not a factor at all, large Buicks (Le Sabre, Park Avenue, Roadmaster) may fit the bill too. Contrary to their larger engines, their conserative gearing keeps the mileage up.

Now, these are stictly my opinions, and I'd admit that they won't be the top selections on my list (RWD is a priority for me). Your own judgement should prevail first.

-- Kane ... so don't complain if my choices are skewed, OK? :)