Keep her going?

[Woopsadaisy]

Hello from Non-Snowy Montana.
I have a 2002 XC70 that I've owned for 4 years now.
It's white. I am it's primary driver, and I don't drive a lot. I think I've put 20,000 miles on it in 4 years. Right now it's got 188,000 on it. Not great. But, it's 15 years old, so...
It's had a few issues, none of them that costly and some of them seem like they might have been superfluous. I take it to a good mechanic in my area. There arent a lot of foreign or European cars here, so, he's the best in town, but because of where I live, I wonder if I'd be getting the same feedback from a mechanic who works on more European cars.
At any rate, I like his attitude that he'll "keep her going another 150,000 miles!"
Which brings me to my reason for posting tonight.

I have a question as to whether or not to keep the car for my son, after getting the things that are wrong with it fixed, or not.

I have no dashboard.
Last winter, the clock quit on me, and now the dashboard lighting comes and goes with no reason to it. Sometimes I think it comes on because it's warmer out. Sometimes I think it comes on because I've driven more than 20 miles. Sometimes it doesn't come on, no matter what. Bumpy, smooth...it makes no difference.

My brake lights stay on after I've parked, turned the car off, and taken the keys out of the ignition!
A light tap on the brake turns them off, but during the day, it's not always glaring at me that they are on --I forget to check them often!

My drivers side rear tire has lug nut issues.
One day, I drove 40 miles along a windy river road only to have the vibration and noise get so bad I had to stop driving.
When I got out to look, there was only one lug nut barely hanging on and the tire was angled out and stuck in the wheel well.
A fisherman nearby witnessed the noise and had flagged me down, hesaid, "Looks like you shoulda bought a lottery ticket today!" --no doubt
I got the whole wheel replaced and here I am again.. This time 200 miles from home for thanksgiving and we noticed today that I have a lug nut missing! Grrr

My tie rods? The rods that help you stear? Those things need replaced and the front end realigned afterward...which frustrates me because I JUST had the alignment done last year!

My air filter also needs replaced again already, after maybe 1500 miles.

Not to mention that my transmission, I think, is having issues when I drive in the mountains. I live in the mountains. So.... It won't shift on time and then when it does, it jolts into gear.
Mechanic thought the engine needed suctioned or vacuumed or something, and he did that, but nothing changed.


And the little things: the pretty Volvo emblem over the grill is broken and crooked, the lights over the license plate are out, my wipers suck. I need new tires, and he recommends a new battery because mine is at 85%.
My check engine light is always on.

I am not sure if I should bite the bullet and get everything done. I'd really like to have a car that doesn't have any issues. I'm kinda tired of there always being something that needs attention. I will get something important done and think "ok. Now I can save up and get the dashboard back". As if a gas gauge and speedometer aren't important!

Is it possible that if I get it all fixed... That I can be maintainance free? For how long?
How much will all of this work cost?

I really like the car. It suits me and I know volvos are worth holding on to. I like that it's older and I have permanent plates. I like that I don't have a car payment. I like having affordable comprehensive insurance. I like the space in the way back/trunk, and the third row seating back there that has come in handy a few times. I like the tape deck and c d player, and the memory on the seats for when my husband drives it.
I'm just worried that my liking of the car might be getting in the way of making a good decision. If it's a money pit, I ought to get rid of it because neither my husband or myself are mechanically inclined. We do houses. We are home and house inclined, and I guess I'm using what I know about houses and trying to apply it to this car.
But I feel like I'm in the dark!

Any input is appreciated!

Thank you.
Lucy

[abscate]

If you are in Bozeman or Billings area there are decent independents who can get your car back into shape. For this model you need someone who has VIDA , which is Volvo diagnostic software which will tell you what's going on with that dash. It's all electronic stuff which is different than Grandads Oldsmobile, but easy to diagnose.

For a 5000 mile a year driver, fixing it will always be cheaper than a car payment. Depreciation is the silent killer of personal finance.

[tryingbe]

That I can be maintainance free?

No car is maintenance free. Maybe a bus pass.

[Tonyx]

Just my five cents; when you look into what your alternatives are, I think you will come up with keeping your Volvo going. Despite the many issues you outlined in the center is one fine car. I have 2001 XC70 which made me ask the same question before. Here I am many miles later and it's still the car I grab among other cars(and motorcycles:).

I hope you can find a better mechanic who is more knowledgeable on Volvo's. Perhaps other members who can chime in to help you locate one nearby.

[oragex]

I'd do two things : search for an honest mechanic (use local.google.com and check the reviews), then ask us or others forums before doing repairs suggested by the garage.
The dash board can be fixed - search ebay for DIM repair service
The transmission probably needs a new B4 servo cover and maybe a fluid change by a volvo speacialist only, around $300 all included
The side that looses wheel lugs might need a new bearing - a used spindle assembly is cheap on ebay.


On the other side, it looks like the most important part for you is to not have to keep repairing your car. A 15 years old Volvo does not fall into that category. If you don't have a very honest and competent mechanic or you are not a DIY-er on cars, a Volvo is not a deal.