We now realize that we have purchased the wrong car for a couple of reasons, firstly, I have to work overseas much of the time and can not be around to make decisions on the car and secondly we are on a budget most of the time and didn't realize all the maintenance costs of these cars. We are located in the Los Angeles area.

Our Volvo has about 115,000 miles (about 30,000 miles on the current engine), the second engine works great and so does the transmission (lets face it - these are the expensive things to fix - in this car they work great). We now have a radiator which needs replacing, and the body and the interior of the car are only in fair condition. There is an airbag warning sign which will not go off (told by Volvo that the computer may need to be replaced - airbag apparently works fine.)

I have driven this car many thousands of miles and the engine works and performs great, the only issues are with the maintenance costs and small things such as the radiator and light bulbs etc which need attention.

We need to move into a low maintenance Japanese or US car.

We need advice on what to do, I am tempted to sell this car for whatever I can get for it, better it go to someone who is basically looking for a car with a great engine and transmission and is not worried by all the other fiddly things that these cars need.

Regards to all forum readers, we would appreciate the help and advice of any forum enthusiasts who live in the Los Angeles region.