Yep, I concur with the fellow bricksters on this one. I own a '96 960 which has now clocked 102,000 miles. Yes, the tranny coil leaked inside the radiator, and had to get the radiator replaced. Now have a B & M tranny cooler installed for the tranny; don't want ATF & coolant mixing again!

Had the timing belt replaced at 72,000 miles. Sway bar links broke, and weren't cheap to replace. The tranny in the 96 is the same as the Lexus LS400 I am told. Although electronics weren't a strong-point for the Europeans in the 90's, so expect your share of electrical problems. PNP switch is a good $115 example. Headlight was an expensive item if you're not used to paying $353 dollars for them, ouch. Nonetheless, the car is solid like the day it was new. Can definitely out-accelerate all 6 cylinder Lexus cars from the 1990s for sure.

Watch out for climate control problems, make sure all vents blow air just as cool with the AC on. Temperatures differences in vent air is difficult to diagnose & repair. Also, we seem to need an AC recharge every 1 1/2 or so. Dealer said it was a leaky valve back in 2000, and the car had to be recharged again in July 2002 even though he said he had fixed the leak. So needless to say the problem persists.

If you can, find out if the brake fluid was flushed & replaced as Volvo says in the schedule. I have been told thats the best thing you can do for this baby's brake system. You don't want to end with a neglected brake system from the old owner.

Sorry to scare ya, but IMHO one is better off knowing these things before the purchase.