"Upon bringing it home, I noticed that the water pump, thermostat and radiator are the original, 26-year-old parts that came from the factory."

If this is an automatic, immediately replace the radiator. While you are at it do the hoses including the heater hoses and heater control valve. Hoses should ONLY be Volvo but the Nissen radiator gets better reviews than the Valeo/Volvo part and is usually a couple bucks cheaper.

Water pump will usually let you know when it needs replaced with a decent amount of warning.

"I plan on using this car as a daily driver (except during winters of course) and on long trips, as I travel home to Vermont a lot."

Put real snow tires on it, and you might very well be surprised. I regularly drive in 6-8" of fresh powder without issues. It actually is kind of fun when the roads are empty.

"Is there a way that I can disconnect a fuse or a wire to prevent the use of the roof?"

Sure, pull the switch out of the dash and unplug it. That said, these are sunroofs from an era that European cars usually did not have AC. They are full perimeter drain so you will need to make sure the drain lines remain clear. I never "open" mine but it is in the vent position 7 months out of the year and even with torrential rains, I get no more than sprinkle or two in the car.

You need to identify if this is a Bosch LH 2.4 or Rex/Regina car. Find the coil...is it a big square'ish thing or the shape of a tallboy beer can? The former is Rex/Regina and the latter is Bosch.

Overall, you should start taking care of some known issues with the model now but at your liesure:

Renew the thermal paste on the ignition powers stage (Bosch)
Remove and resolder the fuel injection/system/fuel pump relay
Remove and resolder the Radio Suppression Relay (if you car is so equipped)
If an automatic, use the process in the FAQ's to flush the transmission...do not have it done my mechanic with power flush
Clean your throttle body, IAC and flame trap
Replace any rotted vac lines
Pick up a spare used Air Mass Meter (Bosch), install it and run with for two weeks in the hottest part of summer, remove and keep in the trunk
If it is a Rex/Regina car, consider preemptively replacing the single in tank pump as they have an average life-span of 150K miles...do at your leisure

All of these things, except the fuel pump, are VERY simple DIY items and should take no longer than about 8 hours (I am not including the radiator/water pump/hoses) of work for someone who has never done them before. Total cost is probably a little over $80 (again, excluding the fuel pump, radiator, etc).

Replacing the plugs, cap, rotor and wires is an "open/clean/inspect" type thing so only you can assess their condition.

Accessory bushings are also one to keep in mind. Due to age, not mileage, the alternator at least will probably need both replaced (polyurethane or VOLVO OEM only).

There are lots of other maintenance items but the above will make you reliable for the most part and only need done very rarely (most about every 100K miles). Timing belt if of unknown age/mileage should be replaced at your leisure but if you are doing a water pump, you are already half way to having the timing belt done.

Congrats on a fine purchase.

Sunroof - go to a junkyard or ebay and pick up a manual sunroof mechanism - I converted all three of our 740s - it even works faster. Our daughter and three friends escaped through her sunroof after being t-boner by a drunk driver!

Timing belt is changed for mileage or TIME. I think it is 50K or 5 years. Go by the maintenance manual.

Why not have a dealer tech go through the car?

My dealer will do a certified used car examination and a two page report for one hour's labor.

The car might have some damage in its underbody that you won't find. Also, ask the tech to note any non-Volvo parts he may come across.

Do you have maintenance records? Who took care of her car? Her dealer could give you valuable info about that. I have even obtained records from an indie!

I would do any maintenance that cannot be proven, such as tranny fluid and brake fluid changes.

The cooling system is very important, but Volvo systems are robust.

Use your spare time and read through this:

https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/
--
Post Back. That's whats makes this forum work.