Volvo: Volvo 850R Wagon, volvo 850r, passing emissions

Question
Hello!  I've been a Volvo fan for a while, and I am seriously considering the purchase of a 1998 Volvo 850R wagon.  It is a 1996 model with 109,000 miles, and appears to be very well taken care of.  Asking price: $7,950.  Do you think this would be a reliable, relatively cheap to maintain vehicle that I can get another 100k out of, or is it a money pit?  Are there any particular problems I should look for?  Your help is greatly appreciated.

-Jonathan

Answer
Jon,
Any front wheel car is more to maintain. Check the repair records. See that all the maintaince has been done. Take the car to a Volvo shop and have them look the car over for needed work, get that list and compare that to what has been done. I have seen a couple of transmissions go out, axle boot that are torn, motor mounts that sag, along with the normal wear and tear items. Replacement of the timing belt very important and expensive if done right. Meaning replace the water pump and tensioner and both idler pulleys while in there. Is the check engine light on? If it is that will keep the car from passing emissions, and that could be costly to repair. There has been a lot of H02S (oxgen sensors) replaced and tank (fume) leakage issues that will affect the emisssions.