I just bought a '96 850 non-turbo wagon with 37000 miles on it from a dealer. I can't get service records on it. I took it to a mechanic before I bought it and he said it was in OK shape. The air was working when I test drove it - who knows if I will need to replace the evaporator, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The first (I'm sure of many)questions are the following:

1. Is it worth buying an extended warranty and if so, what kind? A dealer is talking about one by Western Diversified (1500$ for 36 months or 36000 miles). He says it's as good or better than the Volvo kind. Parenthetically, I am not handy with cars and have what I think is an honest local mechanic who works on my other car but I doubt he would take an extended warranty for payment.

2. What kinds of things should I do to maintain this car? Should I just follow the maintenance schedule in the manual? I've heard it's better to change the oil every 2K and use synthetic, etc. What else can I do to try and reduce the expenses of running this car?

Thanks for any advice which I have always found helpful from this board.

Tad Crohn