purchasing Volvo 850 in Australia

[dgg9879]

Hi,

My name's Dave and I'm saving for a Volvo 850. I've done heaps of research and plan to test drive one soon.

My research (mainly on carsurvey.org) tells some have harder suspension than others and that non-turbo models with 10 valve engines are the most reliable.

My question is how do I know whether a particular 850 model has the harder suspension and whether it is a 10 valve engine. I already know GLT and R models are turbos.

Could I trust a dealer to be honest in telling me and could thedealer be expected to know?

I'd also like to know how I can check it doesn't have petrol leak issues, as I know some 850s do? Are there any models of 850 that don't have petrol leak issues?

I'd greatly appreciate some feedback, including any general advice on purchasing an 850.

Someone also told me there are extra govt charges when purchasing from a dealer. Is that true?