Further to your worries,I am a mechanic that as of a few months ago started working for a shop that specialize's in Volvo's,the owners sold out their dealership and I work with guys that have up to 40 years of factory training. The trans.that Volvo use's is an Aisin unit that is made in Japan and used on every car that comes out of Japan (Toyota,Lexus,even Mercedes) They are the worlds largest Trans.manufacture and make a good product,even GM is starting to use them in the new Caddy's.Some problem's come up when a Volvo overdrive solenoid is used on the overdrive but is a couple hundred dollar fix that people might get screwed on.Other issue's I have seen on some postings is "the dealer downloading new software to the ECU" that never happens as you can't download new software to it,you can read the codes ect.maybe an idle re-learn but that's it.There is ABS module failure around 60,000 miles,struts are good,bushings normally good till about 150,000 miles.Light bulbs burn out frequently for some reason,Over all I think they make a pretty good product.