Volvo purchase advice please

[Mango]

My wife needs a bigger car. She is currently stuffing herself & 3 kids in a corolla wagon. I've owned a couple 240s and a 740 and I loved them. So now I'm looking for a newer wagon. I've been checkingout 850s online and noticed there is a huge variation in the prices of them. I've found a '95 t5r with 112k km for $9950cad then I'll see a 97 glt with 230k km for $15K cad. What gives why does there seem to be no pattern to the pricing of these cars?

In looking at 850s what are some of the things I should be wary of?

Thanks

[dosbricks]

Well, an 850 wagon would be a lot safer for the wife and kids than the Corolla.

It is hard to determine the value of a used car without looking at it in person. One factor is whether the car is being represented honestly. Was it driven hard, been in a wreck, or was it pampered and all maintenance performed on schedule? A CARFAX report costs $25 and is well worth it, as it will give some history of the vehicle, but is no substitute for personal inspection especially by a trained Volvo mechanic who is trustworthy.

Things you should try to find out about an 850:

Was the timing belt changed on schedule?
Are the maintenance records available?
Is the trans fluid clear red or is it brown and burnt smelling?
Is the body straight (no repairs)?
etc.