1998 V70 Wagon Selling my Car - Trying to Determine Value?

CountryGal · Post by **CountryGal** » 05 Dec 2014, 09:46

I'm looking to sell my car (located in Roanoke, Virginia), but I'd like some help determining the value/what I should sell it for. Here's the info:

Volvo V70 1998 wagon, automatic. 219k miles. Gets 28 mpg average combination of city/highway. It has a wear hole in the driver seat (see pic), but otherwise is in great shape. I'm the 2nd owner; my car has either been stored in a garage or been in the South since '98. I've kept it well maintained and repaired.

Other history info:

1) I've owned my car for 6 years, prior to that it was owned by the government in DC but kept in a garage. It wasn't used a ton in the 10 years they owned it. (117,000 miles) Someone hit a deer on the passenger side, busting the light and crunching it up a bit. (You can still see the ripples on the car from that if the sunlight catches it just right, but you'd never notice it if I didn't point it out.) Instead of fixing it, it was sold to a dealer south of Lynchburg, VA. That's where I got it from & have had all my repairs done since then. An honest shop, good work, cheapest around. I'm just sick of driving over an hour to have the simplest repairs done - all the shops around here who take care of Volvos I don't like.

2) I haven't done anything major, but I could pull the service records if anyone is interested in my car. I've dumped thousands into it for smaller repairs just to keep the maintenance up and everything in good repair. I know I repaired the original bars in the tailgate - that was $700. The tailgate wouldn't hold itself up before I fixed it. I got new headlights a couple months back, I've replaced the license plate light on the back a couple times, I've replaced the brakes and tires a number of times. I've got Amsoil in it and Dad just changed the oil. I fixed the passenger door at one point because it wasn't latching right or something. I also vaguely remember fixing a seat belt a good while back. There are a few cosmetic things wrong with it - worn buttons for the windows, minor scratches on the back bumper, etc.

3) Nothing else about the car I can think of right off the bat. I kind of just told you all the history I know of it, without pulling the repair record. Oh, a guy rear-ended me last fall, but just barely tapped me at a light - no damage except scratching the bumper so I didn't get it repaired. I got 2 people to check the car to make sure the bumper was OK internally and structurally. It was fine - both a repair shop and a car insurance adjuster checked it.

Oh, the check engine and service light are both on on the dash - the check engine light is on because my car no longer meets SOME states' EPA guidelines for fuel emissions. This doesn't effect the car in any way, plus it meets Virginia law, and to fix it is like $500. Since it doesn't hurt the car and I meet state law, I don't want to spend $500 to turn a light off. The service light is on because Volvos are pre-programmed to turn on the light every X miles to remind you to change the oil, check fluids, etc. We do this ourselves, but can't turn the light off as only dealers can. I forgot to have it turned off last time I was at the dealer/shop.

Thoughts on what my car is worth? A fair price to sell it for?

Here are pics (I couldn't get them added via the uploader): http://s278.photobucket.com/user/govern ... t=3&page=1

Post by **mecheng** » 05 Dec 2014, 19:01

Check your local Craigslist and kijiji. I would get the codes scanned, the codes could be something simple like air pump which is a simple diode fix, or EVAP and would add value if you can get it fixed

Post by **cn90** » 05 Dec 2014, 19:21

Use kbb or NADA etc.

My guess is ~$1,500 is the fair price.

Post by **Matty Moo** » 05 Dec 2014, 20:58

Turbo or NA?

Lit CEL's drive some people away and lower the value. It sounds like you don't do a lot of your own work so I can see why you don't want to invest the money in it as you won't see a return on your end.

I'd say $1500 at the high end. I'd guess most people are going to offer you $1k or less.

Post by **rspi** » 06 Dec 2014, 08:18

If you can afford it, donate it to a needy person. Other than that, from your sales pitch above, maybe $1,200 to $1,500.

Post by **E Showell** » 06 Dec 2014, 11:24

In my experience Edmunds.com appraisal function gives a truer reflection of market value than does KBB (Kelly Blue Book) whose values, in my opinion, tend to be grossly inflated -- at least for my area of the country. That's a $1000 car, tops.

Post by **Matty Moo** » 06 Dec 2014, 21:16

rspi wrote:If you can afford it, donate it to a needy person. Other than that, from your sales pitch above, maybe $1,200 to $1,500.

That needy person will just end up poorer owning a Volvo, unless they know how to wrench.

Post by **rspi** » 07 Dec 2014, 03:55

They'll just drive it into the ground.

Post by **esl_97_850_T5** » 12 Dec 2014, 11:57

I'm very interested. I need a '98 S70 or V70 to generalize volvo850diag for the '98 cars.

I've sent you a detailed PM with an offer (conditioned on several things).

1998v70xcbill · Post by **1998v70xcbill** » 17 Dec 2014, 10:29

what i paid for mine 1998 v70x/c 190k miles $20000.00 check eng lights on. clean body and interior.
2014 feb 1, i like the car (love hate). love