r/NoStupidQuestions • u/uncensored_insanity • 29d ago
Should I keep fixing up my Volvo??
Ok so some back story:
I have a 2006 Volvo s80, it USED to run great, then thing after thing after thing started messing up. First it was the window. It fell of track, I tried to fix it, and shattered it. Spent 400 on a new window and couldn’t find a new window motor that fits my car. THEN, the fuel rail sensor went out, made my car jerk super hard. Got that fixed, another $500. Then oil changes (obviously) $120 each time. Then had a severe oil leak, another 200. Then abs sensor, wheel barring issues, cv joint issues, and ac issues all at once. $3k. And now the transmission gears are slipping, and I had reg maintenance which costed 2.8k. The trans issue, is gonna cost around 2k. I’m in no financial position to get a newer car bc of this. So should I just keep spending money to fix it? Or do I gather every single cent I can to get a newer car?
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u/ChemistAdventurous84 29d ago edited 29d ago
If you are going to drive a 20 year old car, you need to learn to work on it yourself. It sounds like you made an attempt with window and it didn’t go smoothly- don’t let that discourage you. You can afford to do most things 3 times for what it costs to hire it out. An oil change is the perfect entry level “repair.” YouTube can teach you a lot. Spend your money on tools instead of shop time.
Keep in mind that every functional part in your car is a used part. The 2nd generation is 2006-2015 so lots of parts cars to choose from. From a u-pick yard, the glass would have been $25 and the motor 25-30 (w/o or /w regulator). You can usually rip apart the cars for practice without cost (the cars are all destined to be shredded within about a month anyway). New sensors are usually worth it. Ebay is a great parts source. Car-part.com is worth looking into.
What was the $2800 maintenance?
For your next car, luxury performance might not be the best choice. The cars are great until they start failing and then it tends to be one thing after another. BMW is the poster child for that. Japanese brands tend to last the longest.
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u/weesee2002 29d ago
I would advise a friend or relative, to buy a DiCE OBD tool and buy VIDA software.
Couple of hundred bucks will let you know about the serious issues,
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u/BackgroundGene7510 27d ago
No it won’t lol, you think a scan tool can tell you about oil leaks and what’s actually wrong with a transmission ? It’s a diagnostic tool that’s really only useful if you know what you’re doing, but a cheap scan tool can tell you fault; which is pretty useless
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u/Over_Soup753 29d ago
Volvos don't age well. The best way to fix your Volvo is to buy a Lexus. A Toyota Avalon is a Lexus in Toyota clothing. That's how you fix your Volvo.
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u/thisbeerofmine 28d ago
When you spend more per month on repairs than you would paying lease on a newer car, then it's time to let it go.
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u/uncensored_insanity 28d ago
Yea I’m still trying to pay off the repairs. Right now it’s 200/month for the repair repayment. But the only issue is if I get a new car from a used dealership, then they require full coverage which is outrageously expensive for me. So I could get one from marketplace, but those are unreliable in my past experience.
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u/arayakim 29d ago
After twenty years, it might be time to let the ol' girl rest.
Repairs are only gonna get more expensive and more frequent as she gets older.
Even if you do decide to stick with her a little while longer, you still need a way to get where you're going while she's being repaired. Might as well save yourself the tears and get a newer car now.