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I own two 97 850's, a GLT (light pressure turbo) and an R (high pressure turbo). You don't say whether the car you're looking at is a turbo or how many miles it has on it. The 850 is a FWD, the 240 and 740 RWD. NOTHING is interchangeable between the 850 and the earlier RWD models. What to check? Ask the seller if the ABS module has been repaired, and if so, whether by Volvo (a new one) or by
Victor Rocha (a rebuild, which is ten times cheaper and will last the lifetime of the car). I've never had any problems with my two 850's to speak of, except for the usual, like a locking gas cap door that won't open, dash lights burning out, the two ABS modules (rebuilt by Victor), etc. Fluids in these as well as other cars, is critical. I only use Mobil 1 full synthetic in the engines and transmissions, and change engine oil between 3-5K, transmission oil every two, along with brake fluid and coolant. Do that and the car will outlast you. The 97 was the last year Volvo made the 850's, and most of the bugs were worked out by then. What you can't do is reset the service light on your own. Comes on each time you start the engine. Learn to ignore it, as it goes out after twenty seconds of driving. You might ask about AC evaporator, whether the AC works, needs recharging every so often, etc. That was one of the problems with many of the earlier years, and even through 97, though I haven't had any problems with my two yet. More importantly, ask to see the service records, if there are any, and check the oil in the tranny (if it's an automatic) to see if it smells burned. Clean tranny oil should be candy-apple red, burned oil brown. It takes 12 quarts to flush it, and is probably the second most important thing you can do to maintain your car, besides changing out the engine oil and filter. Dick
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