850 engine is toast -- part out or sell for scrap?

CJFusco · Post by **CJFusco** » 14 Mar 2018, 16:53

So, my beloved 1997 850 Wagon met its end today -- apparently I hit something (probably in my driveway, which was just plowed after a snow storm) that punctured the oil pan; by the time I realized something was wrong, the engine was already toast. Almost made it to 300K miles!

It's currently sitting at the local Volvo independent specialists' shop; he has a reputation for being very honest and reputable, and told me that these things are basically worthless once they suffer a critical issue -- that the market for parts on them has basically dried up.

But then I heard from another knowledgeable friend in the automotive world that old Volvo parts are in high demand (he claims that a friend of his made $5800 from parting out a Volvo wagon, but was unsure about the model). Is this true? Would it be more worthwhile to scrap the car for $100-200 (as my mechanic suggests), or part it out?

And yes, I am also considering finding a used engine and dropping it in as an option.

Post by **scot850** » 14 Mar 2018, 17:06

Yes a parts car is worth more than the sum of the whole. Definitely more than $100-200 for sure. Although in your case with 300k on it there may not be a lot worth having unless you have been babying it. If the body is good and the interior and lots of the ancillary parts, then you could probably make more money. Question is what would it cost for a good low mileage engine and putting it in (if you can do it yourself then good way to go).

If the car is generally in good condition, otherwise in mechanical good condition the engine swap is worth considering although you may have to spend more money on another car than an engine swap may cost. I reckon a new 'old' Volvo cost $1500-2000 to bring up to a really good condition. Question is, can you find another daily runner for less than say $2-3000 after any repairs have been done?

Neil.

Post by **jtp** » 14 Mar 2018, 19:12

I have friends and family in the auto salvage business. You can literally make a fortune off old car parts. Problem is you’ve got to disassemble the car, store all the parts until they sell, and deal with customers/potential customers along the way. Not to mention disposing of the unsellable parts.

That guy who made 5800 probably earned it.

If it were me and I didn’t want to keep the car I’d throw it on Craigslist for a week as is and see if someone in your area is looking for a parts car at 3-500, and then if that didn’t work and I could get 1-200 at a salvage yard for it I’d take that all day. Scrap prices aren’t what hey used to be.

Post by **abscate** » 14 Mar 2018, 19:36

Check out the recent thread on used engines. Volvo engines selling for about $6-700 shipped

You will make about 2000 usd scrapping a wagon and it will take 6 months, you won't make anything with the

" Volvo parted out , call for parts " ad approach

Post by **cn90** » 14 Mar 2018, 19:53

- At that age and mileage, parts are not that great. Plus it takes a lot of time to sell all the parts.
So my opinion is ---> junk yard.

- Then buy a 2004-2007 2.5T car with < 100K miles for about $3500-$5000 and enjoy it.

Post by **erikv11** » 14 Mar 2018, 20:38

I basically agree with cn90 here about the part-out, but not necessarily what to do with the car:

OP you are in a good market for old Volvo parts but even there the 850 market is fairly dry, and parting a car does take a fair bit of time. To go along with active advertising (pics help a great deal) and seeking out buyers (watch the forums) you can either strip it down and wait for the buyers (a risky game, takes a lot of up front labor and well organized storage of parts you may never sell), or wait for the buyers to tell you what to pluck off the car (here you need to be able to pull on demand and need a place to store the decaying car).

In my experience a parts car makes the most sense when you have the room for it and either (a) you can actually use it yourself at the same time or (b) the car is really nice with many new, high value parts. I'm not sure either is in play here. The most sensible options may be either that, or get a new engine or get another car.

Post by **tryingbe** » 14 Mar 2018, 22:03

abscate wrote: ↑14 Mar 2018, 19:36
You will make about 2000 usd scrapping a wagon and it will take 6 months, you won't make anything with the

I parted out three 850 in the last 5 years, most I made was $800. Two were Rs, two had running engine and transmission, one had aftermarket parts, and as I did the work, my time was free.

If anyone thinks they can make $5000 in parting a 850, you'll be in for a huge disappointment.

CJFusco · Post by **CJFusco** » 15 Mar 2018, 03:47

Thank you for the advice and info. Very well-appreciated.

For the record, this car was the single best value-for-money I've ever gotten out of a car: I bought it 4.5 years ago (with 230K miles) for $1500 as a winter "beater" that would allow me to garage my "fun" summer car during the snowy months. It came with two pairs of wheels -- one set with summer tires and another with winter tires -- and didn't take long to become my DD. I put 60K miles on it over those 4.5 years with only one trip to the mechanic's before today.

Post by **abscate** » 15 Mar 2018, 04:55

Where are you in CT? If you are on my business routes I might be able to help move big parts like engines and keep shipping costs down to a cost of a pizza and a beer.

This car owes you nothing, I would put a new engine in it and drive it another four years. Classic Volvo story

Post by **alschnertz** » 21 Mar 2018, 15:44

I may have something for you.
PM sent.