Hugh,

I hear you. I just bought my '01 v70 (base, cloth, manual, etc) for very short money because I wanted it. And don't want to drive my rust-free 855T and 245 in the snow.

As for your questions in another post:
-Look for the timing belt/water pump/pulleys to have been done somewhat recently, or else prepare to do them.
-Look at ETM (electronic throttle body) - mine just happened to have been replaced with a newish unit from 2013). At the very least, it should have a yellow sticker on it (though mine was white, but newer).
-Listen carefully with windows down and radio off for noises from the suspension and exhaust (the exhaust hangers like to rust, dropping the exhaust down and stressing it - these exhausts are $$$)
-Check fluids (make sure there's no coolant in oil, or oil in coolant, etc)
-Look for signs of motor mount wear
-Look for signs of oil leaks at rear main seal (the hardest seal to get to), other seals aren't so bad.
-PCV system - place a latex glove over the oil fill hole and see whether the glove gets sucked in (you want it to suck in rather than blow out).

None if these things are deal breakers, just things you should expect on an older P2, and that you can use as a basis for negotiation. Should be somewhat similar to your 850.

Jesse
-'73 1800ES, m41
-'92 245, m47
-'96 855T, m56h
-'01 v70, m56h