If you can use an ohm meter you can see if the MAF is really the problem. Google the ohm readings for the MAF. Another problem that causes hard starts this time of year on 20 year old volvos is the coil....the plastic that covers the windings falls off and the windings deteriorate........since you had a KN filter though, it was most certainly the MAF. KN=junk as far as reliability. They say their product doesn't cause problems, but with all the MAF failures I think they are just selling a defective product.

Cleaning accumulated crud is usually a good idea.

It's possible the MAF is going bad. But intermittent problems are a tough call.
My first one lasted around 210,000 miles. The new replacement was bad, so was the second new replacement.

Yes, it is an expensive part to just throw at the car and cross your fingers.

The MAF is not a cheap device, nor is it going to last forever. Cleaning it with alcohol was a good thing if your car now runs on demand. Any error codes?

Cleaning the intake like mad? Well, at least make sure the air filter is clean and positioned properly. In most cases, dusting out the top of the airbox would be nice.

It would be nice to have a clean throttle body, but that is way down stream from the MAF.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new