Volvo Repair: Which midel to buy, mechanical problems, timing belt

Question
Regis,

I'm looking to buy a Volvo for my teenage daughter, who is just learning to drive.  I'm looking for a car she can learn on and drive for a few years, then turn it over to her younger sister for the same purpose.

In addition to being safe, I want her to have something reliable.  I've been looking at 240s and 740s.  Most of the cars I've looked at are 1989-93 model years and have mileage between 85,000 and 150,000.

Is there a particular model or year that you would recommend or recommend against in terms of reliability and mechanical problems?  Is there anything in particular I should be looking for in terms of work that should have been done (i.e., timing belt, valves, etc.)?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Matt

Answer
both the 240 and the 740 in these years are reliable.they are both about equal in reliability.I would have the dealer or a good local volvo mechanic look the car over before purchase if possible.it will be worth it to pay to have it checked.the 1989 or 1990 240 will not have that great of air conditioning performance.they did not cool very well the later ones and the 740 do cool well.