New or restore?

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » 11 Jul 2025, 15:56

You really can't make my decision, but I just want to vent: 2006 OR XC70, 135K. Very good condition...no dents, rust, rips, etc. Uses about 1 quart of oil every 2000k. The suspension is shot...clunking and rough ride. To replace EVERYTHING will be a few thousand dollars...Maybe more than 'a few'. A newer car (purchasing a pre-owned) will cost me upwards of $20k + to have the advantage of modern tech. I don't want a debt, because I would have to finance a vehicle.
Boy.. Just fix this car, or invest in another, newer car. Has anyone else had this dilemma ?

Post by **Blacklab467** » 11 Jul 2025, 16:03

You need to be an enthusiast to own a 20 year old Volvo, decide if you really like the car or just need transportation. If its the latter, the best used car value is a 10 year old Honda Civic.

Post by **BlackBart** » 11 Jul 2025, 16:14

But it’s a blue OR with only 135k….

I just replaced many suspension components on my ‘04 wagon. It was a lot of work, but it’s mostly heavy lifting and big bolts, not NASA-level diagnostics and precision. A big floor jack, jack stands, basic tools.

I’ll bet a lot of it isn’t really worn out at 135. But the steering components, struts/shocks, lower front control arms, brakes are worth doing.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 11 Jul 2025, 16:33

If you need a reliable transportation and this is not a spare car, then run away and buy new regular gas corolla(24k or so). We are addicts here with Stockholm syndrome, so be better than us. Only because of FCP euro most of us still justifies having those cars, but honestly we are spending on them equal or sometimes more than monthly payment on civic or corolla

Post by **scot850** » 11 Jul 2025, 19:29

Stockholm?? I thought we had the much rarer Gothenberg variant??

Neil.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 11 Jul 2025, 19:55

scot850 wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025, 19:29 Stockholm?? I thought we had the much rarer Gothenberg variant??

Neil.

That was a good one. You made my day.

Post by **abscate** » 14 Jul 2025, 03:56

AlanS wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025, 15:56 You really can't make my decision, but I just want to vent: 2006 OR XC70, 135K. Very good condition...no dents, rust, rips, etc. Uses about 1 quart of oil every 2000k. The suspension is shot...clunking and rough ride. To replace EVERYTHING will be a few thousand dollars...Maybe more than 'a few'. A newer car (purchasing a pre-owned) will cost me upwards of $20k + to have the advantage of modern tech. I don't want a debt, because I would have to finance a vehicle.
Boy.. Just fix this car, or invest in another, newer car. Has anyone else had this dilemma ?

Depreciation on a modern car will be twice that of repair costs on a paid off car. That’s real money you lose , so put that into the equation. I’ve got a good Indy up here in stony Brook that you could get a quote on that suspension work

What’s your use case in miles driven per year? Getting another 5 years out of the 2006 will beat any payment, every time.

A 5 tear, 6% loan on $20,000 will cost you $400 per month , so if you spend $2000 on suspension fixes in 5 months you’ve broken even.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 14 Jul 2025, 07:42

Lets think about it again. 135k miles and 2006MY. Lets imagine $2000 for suspension. Was the timming belt done? If not it is a ticking bomb and one can count on at least $750 for parts and labor. Past 110k ignition coils are going bad consistently, so 5 plugs and 5 coils-$300. Thats very conservatively. We have no idea in which area this car was driven, so rust can be of a concern(muffler, central pipe rusting away...)...135k how much longer until your angle gear will start leaking from all the seals and collar sleeve failing...or the driveshaft will start developing vibration due to failed CV shaft...Now lets calculate time to fix all this(even if you are doing it yourself) and time out of the road when you will need to seek alternative transportation...it is most likely be 25-35% cost of a new corolla plus your nerves and you still have 20year old car with questionable reliability. My argument stands, if you need reliable daily transportation-buy new car and have 3 years worry free life. One can budget for payment, insurance but it is impossible to budget for old car.

Post by **scot850** » 14 Jul 2025, 11:49

$2000 for suspension? If it is a OC then it likely has 4C suspension. In Canada that is $4000+ CDN for the front and rear shock/struts alone!

Neil.

Post by **vtl** » 16 Jul 2025, 16:48

I love my 2005 and keep driving it, but all 4 Volvos I've had were money pit basically. My family grew, free time annihilated, I had to make family fleet decisions... The decisions don't brake. Nothing seem to happen to them. Boring as boredom can be, that's why I keep driving my 2005