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 ?
New or restore? h
- Blacklab467
- Posts: 1107
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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 value is a 10 year old Honda Civic.
2003 XC 70 (sold)
2007 XC 70, 1970 Dodge Charger R/T.
2007 XC 70, 1970 Dodge Charger R/T.
- jonesg
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no need to go nuts and replace everything, just do what is broke or worn out.AlanS wrote: ↑11 Jul 2025, 15:55 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 ?
Mine was clunking, I swapped the ball joints, still rattling, it turned out to be the drop links.
A $20K car that is financed will cost 30K when you add the interest, tax and sky high insurance required on a bank owned car.
Thats buys a whole lot of volvo parts.
I bought mine 8 yrs ago with 175K miles, runs perfect today, suspension is mostly original except control arms and ball joints, no need to go crazy.
- Krons
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Three 200k mile Volvos in the family fleet — they have to have solid engines/ transmissions for me to keep investing. I’ll pull the plug when those go. I think you do have to somewhat enjoy (or at least not hate) working on these cars to keep them going.
If I was in your shoes, I would give this new Valvoline Restore oil try. I’m not sure if it will reduce your oil burning but everything I read online it looks like it could possibly work for you.
08 S602.5T/05 XC902.5T/02 S602.4T
08 C702.5T (sold)
05 S402.4i (RIP, timing belt failure)
The non-Swedes:
25 Mazda MX-5 / 17 Frontier Pro-4X / 17 Ford Focus
17 R1200GS / 15 Versys 1000 / 11 DR-Z400S / 07 R1200GSA
08 C702.5T (sold)
05 S402.4i (RIP, timing belt failure)
The non-Swedes:
25 Mazda MX-5 / 17 Frontier Pro-4X / 17 Ford Focus
17 R1200GS / 15 Versys 1000 / 11 DR-Z400S / 07 R1200GSA
- MoVolvos
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.
Our Odyssey was purchased with 154K miles over 12 years ago. The set of Iridium plugs I installed have about 100K miles and is still excellent. Probably due to running Premium fuel in all my cars.
One timing belt, water pump, engine mount at the beginning of COVID, regular oil changes, several sets of tires, an alternator this year, a couple sets of brakes plus a radiator bypass with a large transmission cooler with a couple of flushes and drain and fills. At 257K miles it's the most reliable in the fleet and the engine and transmission are strong with maybe a quart of oil between changes. Paint peel and a few small items to deal with that's it. Will need an AC charge for the first time coming up soon. All that said we keep it because it drives strong and not because it's a Volvo.
If the bones are good on your car I would invest in fixing it. Per Krons give the Valvoline Restore a try. The 5W30 is at its lowest price anywhere right now at Walmart for $29.97. Get it before it goes up. Change the filter out after 500 miles and monitor the color and feel just to be sure it's not cleaning too well and reducing the oil pressure at the filter.
Valvoline Restore & Protect Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil 5 QT - $29.97
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline-Re ... 5000131742
If you need an engine and transmission I have a 2002 V70 XC with around 86K miles for sale, that's if it can be used in the 2006? The body and interior could use work which I don't have energy for.
.
Our Odyssey was purchased with 154K miles over 12 years ago. The set of Iridium plugs I installed have about 100K miles and is still excellent. Probably due to running Premium fuel in all my cars.
One timing belt, water pump, engine mount at the beginning of COVID, regular oil changes, several sets of tires, an alternator this year, a couple sets of brakes plus a radiator bypass with a large transmission cooler with a couple of flushes and drain and fills. At 257K miles it's the most reliable in the fleet and the engine and transmission are strong with maybe a quart of oil between changes. Paint peel and a few small items to deal with that's it. Will need an AC charge for the first time coming up soon. All that said we keep it because it drives strong and not because it's a Volvo.
If the bones are good on your car I would invest in fixing it. Per Krons give the Valvoline Restore a try. The 5W30 is at its lowest price anywhere right now at Walmart for $29.97. Get it before it goes up. Change the filter out after 500 miles and monitor the color and feel just to be sure it's not cleaning too well and reducing the oil pressure at the filter.
Valvoline Restore & Protect Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil 5 QT - $29.97
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline-Re ... 5000131742
If you need an engine and transmission I have a 2002 V70 XC with around 86K miles for sale, that's if it can be used in the 2006? The body and interior could use work which I don't have energy for.
.
Blessings,
BKM
2008 C30 T5 2.0 M66
2007 S60 2.5T - New Project
2003 S80 T6 Transmission DIED
2000 S70 SE Base - New Project
1998 S70 T5 Prior
1989 240 Wagon Prior
BKM
2008 C30 T5 2.0 M66
2007 S60 2.5T - New Project
2003 S80 T6 Transmission DIED
2000 S70 SE Base - New Project
1998 S70 T5 Prior
1989 240 Wagon Prior
- Krons
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Good advice on watching after 500 miles. I’ve watched just a few YouTube videos on that oil and definitely seems it could clean too well.MoVolvos wrote: ↑12 Jul 2025, 10:53 If the bones are good on your car I would invest in fixing it. Per Krons give the Valvoline Restore a try. The 5W30 is at its lowest price anywhere right now at Walmart for $29.97. Get it before it goes up. Change the filter out after 500 miles and monitor the color and feel just to be sure it's not cleaning too well and reducing the oil pressure at the filter.
Valvoline Restore & Protect Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil 5 QT - $29.97
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline-Re ... 5000131742
While I know oil color isn’t a great indicator, I’ve de-sludged a few Volvo 5-cylinders and sometimes 2000 or 3000 mile intervals with cheap synthetic is a good option. I used a half quart of Marvel Mystery Oil in the sump prior to this Valvoline coming out but reliable sources seem to indicate is the real deal to help engines out.
08 S602.5T/05 XC902.5T/02 S602.4T
08 C702.5T (sold)
05 S402.4i (RIP, timing belt failure)
The non-Swedes:
25 Mazda MX-5 / 17 Frontier Pro-4X / 17 Ford Focus
17 R1200GS / 15 Versys 1000 / 11 DR-Z400S / 07 R1200GSA
08 C702.5T (sold)
05 S402.4i (RIP, timing belt failure)
The non-Swedes:
25 Mazda MX-5 / 17 Frontier Pro-4X / 17 Ford Focus
17 R1200GS / 15 Versys 1000 / 11 DR-Z400S / 07 R1200GSA
- MoVolvos
- Posts: 5270
- Joined: 15 January 2012
- Year and Model: S&V70XC,S60,C30,XC90
- Location: NC
- Has thanked: 310 times
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.Krons wrote: ↑12 Jul 2025, 20:33Good advice on watching after 500 miles. I’ve watched just a few YouTube videos on that oil and definitely seems it could clean too well.MoVolvos wrote: ↑12 Jul 2025, 10:53 If the bones are good on your car I would invest in fixing it. Per Krons give the Valvoline Restore a try. The 5W30 is at its lowest price anywhere right now at Walmart for $29.97. Get it before it goes up. Change the filter out after 500 miles and monitor the color and feel just to be sure it's not cleaning too well and reducing the oil pressure at the filter.
Valvoline Restore & Protect Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil 5 QT - $29.97
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline-Re ... 5000131742
While I know oil color isn’t a great indicator, I’ve de-sludged a few Volvo 5-cylinders and sometimes 2000 or 3000 mile intervals with cheap synthetic is a good option. I used a half quart of Marvel Mystery Oil in the sump prior to this Valvoline coming out but reliable sources seem to indicate is the real deal to help engines out.
Agree, though it doesn't tell the whole story when de-sludging, both color and feel with gloves however are useful indicators.
.
Blessings,
BKM
2008 C30 T5 2.0 M66
2007 S60 2.5T - New Project
2003 S80 T6 Transmission DIED
2000 S70 SE Base - New Project
1998 S70 T5 Prior
1989 240 Wagon Prior
BKM
2008 C30 T5 2.0 M66
2007 S60 2.5T - New Project
2003 S80 T6 Transmission DIED
2000 S70 SE Base - New Project
1998 S70 T5 Prior
1989 240 Wagon Prior
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