You're on the right track as far as I can see. We put all three of our teenage sons in well used Volvo's for the same reason. One key point with the cars you are looking at. Side air bags are on the '97 (and on all '96 and up Volvo's). However, Volvo was the first production car ever to offer side air bags, and they started in '95 by making them standard only on the Turbo. However, they were optional on all of the others, so you need to confirm if the '95 you are looking at has them installed. You tell by looking along teh outside lower edge of teh front seats. There is a plastic cover along there, and it says SIPS on all. this is not the air bag, just the Side Impact Protection System that Volvo introduced in I believe '93. If it has side air bags, that plastic piece will say "SIPS Bag". The base '95 850 sounds like it has few options, so it needs to be checked. They did come that way as still have side bags, however. We have a base '95 wagon, with no sunroof, but leather, alloys, and side air bags are there.