check for rust (one not very obvious place is around the hinges of the
front doors: do the doors close properly?)

a clutch kit starts at 125 euro's and should take 4-5 hours to install

We have a 1995 Volvo 1.8i, ran 245.000 km now. And still runs fine.
Uses when my wife drives (..) 1 liter on 14 km. We did have to replace
the waterpump, which is cheap. Breaking down of a waterpump seems to
happen to Volvo's ofter, but not too oft.

When you want to check for rust, make sure you check the back, besides
the wheels. Where the inner and outer plates connect.

I do find it to be a good car. But would not pay much for it at this
age.

When I read that an old lady drove it, make sure you spoke to that
lady and not to a salesman: ALL cars have only been used on a sunday
by an old lady. And guess what: ALL cars have somebody else looking at
them too, who is coming back after a couple of hours, so you have to
decide fast. And guess what more: after you sold your old car, you
suddenly find somewhere a much newer car for sale that has the same
numberplate as your old car, but only half the mileage - makes you
immediately want to buy back your old car... Do not believe everything
you hear from a garage, but consult a professional when you do not
know enough about cars.

Regards,
Pieter