"Just think what the bills would have been like if all my repairs were done at the dealer."

-maybe THAT's you're problem? I work at a dealer and don't see any 850s that need THAT many repeat repairs within a short period of time/mileage so it's not common. Did someone install a used trans? If it was replaced at a dealer with a Volvo reman trans, you'ld have a 1 yr unlimited mileage parts warranty and the labor would also be covered, thus FREE to you a second time within that time period.

We now have a car on the lot where the owner wants us to install a used trans and he's been warned that there's NO warranty on that whatsoever. If I install the used trans and it's NG, even if his supplier exchanges it again for free, he pays my labor another time. Considering that most 850 owners never or rarely flush their ATF, I'd never opt for a used trans in any FWD Volvo as it's possibly got a limited lifespan and you don't know what you're getting. The older AW70 trannies used in old RWDs were almost bullitproof in comparison so one of those used is rarely a problem.