Hi members, I need your opinion. We have a 2007 V70 that we have owned since new. It has 100,000 miles on it, but is now experiencing transmission issues. My mechanic says it will cost $2000-4000 to replace/repair it. Should we spend the money or sell the car? What other issues are lurking around the corner over the next few years? Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Mike

 

You are about due for a timing belt service which includes the water pump, tensioner, idler, etc. and that will be another grand or so, but if you have owned the car since new and know that it is otherwise solid it shouldn't be that difficult to get another 100K out of it, so $5,000 for 100K miles is cheap compared to what the first 100K cost. But if cost isn't a huge concern then trading it for something you would rather have and would keep for 8 years isn't exactly being financially irresponsible either. It really comes down to whatever is right for you. I would fix it and drive it, but what's right for me may not be right for you.

 

Fantastic input -- thanks for the post!

 

The timing belt is due at 120k on the 07, so you have some time. And the water pump isn't required. I very, very rarely see them leak. Just know that if it does later, the belt comes back off to replace it, so some chose to do it at the same time.

 

I am sorry to hear this. I have a 2006 xc90 with 110,000 miles on it and a 2008

v70 with 99,000. I have put 200 and 300 thousand miles on Ford trucks and Nissan Pathfinder and never had transmission problems. I have heard of 3 to 5 year old Gm suv's with tranny problems . This speaks poorly of the VOLVO brand.

 

BUMP for more great member input/advice . . . keep it coming!

I think we're leaning towards repairing it and hoping for another 100,000 miles out of it. Thoughts?

 

I agree with pkrface. $5k for 100k miles isn't bad at all, and consider what you'd get for it with a bad transmission private sale, or trade-in to a dealer if they don't notice the issue, then add $5k to that and ask if you'd be able to buy anything worthwhile. KBB says a 2007 base v70 with 100k miles should fetch $4879 at a dealer as a trade-in, so what would $10k get you? KBB says private sale in VG condition is $6451, so knock off the transmission repair, and you might get $2451-$4451, then add $5k to that. So $9-$10k at best if you unload the car and put $5k into a new one.

 

I own a 2000 S40 and a 1995 850T (both since new). My 850 is approaching 200K miles and still is a daily driver. I trust these cars since I know the maintenance history (regular oil changes and maintenance parts etc). So if you opt to repair and keep up with your maintenance, there's no reason to not expect another 100K miles. If you buy a used replacement, you don't know how diligent the prior owner was.

 

^ True story. Maintenance records are a MUST with any used car, and more often than not you won't get all of them, or any.

 

One last BUMP before I make a decision . . . thanks!!

 

Fix it. That car is but a young pup.

 

and I'd say fix it as well. You know that car, and to find a suitable replacement that offers the same level of confidence in quality/maintenance, while possible, would be challenging.

 

Unless you're thinking getting another new car, I'd say fix it. You had this one since new, you know it, getting a used car can bring who knows what kind of issues.

 

The problem is the solenoids in the valve body . I got a rebuilt one from valvebodyrebuilders out of Canada . And paid a mechanic $ 450.00 to install. It works perfect now .