'97 850 hit and run - Now what to do

[combatkarl]

While not as bad as as "brick head"s incident... https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=74717

My 850 sustained damage to driver's side involving rear quarter panel, rear door, front door, and front fender. Also, the winter steel rims on the driver's side are dented so that the wheel covers no longer will attach to wheel. A quick estimate from body shop was $3,000-$4,000 in damage. I don't plan on fixing it. It is still drivable with no damage to suspension. Like the most of us on MVS, I've spent some time and money getting it to Stage 0, plus PCV, A/C evaporator, brakes front and rear, rear shocks with delta links, one new CV/axle, & one control arm. It has 188,000 miles.
My question's are where to go from here:
1. keep up with routine maintenance/service in order to continue to drive it? (was planning to do timing belt this spring & more front suspension)
2. Continue to drive "as is" with only minimum maintenance until the engine dies or other mechanical issue is too costly or time consuming to repair?

My 20 yr old son has inherited the car and drives it ~4,000 miles a year for work/pleasure. No insurance claim is being made due to high deductible and lack of collision coverage. The one caveat... since it happened at my son's workplace - they are going to cover the Kelly Blue book value of the car (it was a special circumstance!) If the KBB value of the car is approximately $2,000 dollars, I could pocket money and look for different car. Thanks.

[combatkarl]

Dang... just read the "Another cell phone victim" from Erik.

[tryingbe]

The one caveat... since it happened at my son's workplace - they are going to cover the Kelly Blue book value of the car (it was a special circumstance!)

Any video?

I'd keep up the maintenance and drive it!

[BEJinFbk]

Good Gravy!
That's like 3 in a month!!!
Very sorry to here about the event.
Best of Luck finding a worthy replacement!

I am leaving mine in the garage from here on out...
Time to dig out the old pickup.

[oragex]

Perhaps I'd look for another car, given it would need the timing belt and the other suspension parts. But it will be a gambling finding another $5000 car more or less trouble free.

[erikv11]

Sorry to hear, you and I are in similar positions. Except yours drives has a turbo, the turbo is a pretty big difference in my opinion. My thinking might be, if you can eventually source a couple of red doors and a red fender, and the doors will mount up and open and close properly without sounding like a wind tunnel at highway speeds, then hang onto it. Chip away at it, do the minimum only to keep it going. Or pocket the money, keep it going, keep saving until you find a replacement. It is so difficult to find much for the $2 k you can get for the car, and if it is close to stage 0 then it will drive a very long time. The damage is a drag but to be honest all of my Volvos look a little beat, I'm not one to bother with cosmetic details. That's not for everyone, to each his own I know.

If you want them, I've got 15" steelies that I can swap with you, my straight ones for your bent ones. But I will need to end up with tires mounted so the rims can roll away a parts car. PM me at some point if you want to discuss.

[combatkarl]

The one caveat... since it happened at my son's workplace - they are going to cover the Kelly Blue book value of the car (it was a special circumstance!)

Any video?

I'd keep up the maintenance and drive it!

Yes, but it wasn't helpful in determining who was responsible. Could only see it was a semi-truck, but no details on the company/driver.

[scot850]

Bugger! Another Volvo hater out there. I think the general consensus is what I'd do. If it is cosmetic, continue to run it until it dies. Or, improve with good bolt on panels from a junk yard if they come available.

Sorry to hear of the bad news.

Neil.