XC70 - Keep for parts or fix?

james166 · Post by **james166** » 11 Jul 2016, 20:54

One of our XC70's (2004, 120K miles) was in a bit of of a fender-bender and sustained what appeared to be minor front end damage. The body shop says the damage is too far in and too complex (bent frame?) to fix, so the insurance co wants to total it. In addition to the payment, they say we can keep the car for $300. The car was in good condition otherwise, with no known problems, but if I kept it (not being a mechanic) I'm not sure what I would do with it. Any suggestions?

Post by **abscate** » 12 Jul 2016, 04:37

A frame bend is end of life unless you have all the tools to straighten it. For $300, you can easily part it out and make some bucks though.

Lots of high mileage Volvos in New England. They might have had 0.5% market share but we have 9 on our block!

Post by **oragex** » 12 Jul 2016, 14:03

For example, even repaired at a professional garage, this car is not safe any more in case of an accident

I think some places simply cut the bent frame and weld a straight one from a donor car. If the welds are done under the supervision of an engineer, I would say that is safe.

I'd buy it for $300 and sell it to breakers for $1000

james166 · Post by **james166** » 12 Jul 2016, 18:20

I talked with the shop today and they said the front frame rail is bent in half, so that with the other repairs total up to more than the car is worth. They also said it's apart and can't be driven, and it would cost me for them to put it back together. Also, now the the insurance co has totaled it, it will be forever a salvage vehicle. So that's done.
Looking for another one now, preferably 2006-7, in the MA/NH/ME area. I did see a 2003 with 180K; would I be crazy to buy one with that many miles?

james166 · Post by **james166** » 12 Jul 2016, 18:31

Also, in checking out used ones, I am thinking about the particular quirks for this generation/type of car that I should look for. So far I have:
- PCV system issues (glove test)
- Instrument cluster failures (calling Xemodex....)
- Parking brake issues (not sure how to check this)
- Transmission issues, poor shifting (especially 02-03 MYs)
- Throttle body issues (check for wandering tachometer during idle)
Anything else?

Post by **abscate** » 12 Jul 2016, 19:10

james166 wrote:I talked with the shop today and they said the front frame rail is bent in half, so that with the other repairs total up to more than the car is worth. They also said it's apart and can't be driven, and it would cost me for them to put it back together. Also, now the the insurance co has totaled it, it will be forever a salvage vehicle. So that's done.
Looking for another one now, preferably 2006-7, in the MA/NH/ME area. I did see a 2003 with 180K; would I be crazy to buy one with that many miles?

Someone just made a small fortune parting this out. Who Authorized them to take it apart?

There's someone in Boston looking for a new engine in the P80' forum too.