Hello all.

With so many threads I'm not sure how long it will be until someone reads and may be able to respond - and I am new to Forums so....here goes.

I have a 2006 Volvo XC90 V8. I purchased it with maybe 89 or 90k miles. It now has 205k miles. I've had it 7 years - without one problem. I've kept up all the maintenance - mostly at the Volvo, but in the past year or two at a reliable mechanic. I have had new tires, brakes, rotors, spark plugs, serpentine belt, timing belt, keep my oil changed, etc. I have notice having to add oil a bit more often, and I use Castrol High Mileage, 10W30.

I'll preface my problem by saying I'm a single parent, had a previous volvo sedan - 1996, that had 250k miles and would have kept going had I not been in an accident. I love volvos and believe in their reliability and resiliance.

July 7 I was in Pennsylvania, and making my trip back to DE. My transmission had been throwing off some signals that maybe something was going on, but nothing major. I did have someone pull a code Sellinoid (spelling?) A. I had an appointment to take it to an Amaaco on that Monday when I got back to town. The transmission was doing this thing where at the place where on the instrument panel you see you "D" or "R", or "N" next to the clock, it would turn to a "dash". When it did the transmission would slip but if I turned the car off, then on, I could drive it again. On my trip home, it was not letting me go more than a few feet.

Long story short, I've trouble shooted every way possible, and it's broken. I'm going to need a new one. I just had a specialist look at it that only works on transmissions, and the oil is runing dark, and I can runi n in the first three gears manually, but not in 4th, and only to 24mph in automatic gear.

My quandry, and the advice I need is this: These are my scenerios:

1. Get a new car. I can't. No credit due to a business I had that closed in 2012. I also dont want another car payment.

2. Find a used transmission and have someone put it in. Possibly 2200. Does anyone have thoughts on reliability of buying a used transmission with 100k miles?

3. Use money I am expecting in mid September. If I get over 5k-10k, should I spend 7k on getting a new transmission and having Volvo put it in? It may get me 7 more years, plus just the regular wear and tear parts that may need to be replaced in the next 7 years.

If I spend 7k on a used car, I will not KNOW the car like I know this Volvo. I still feel you can get a lifetime out of them.

My last scenerio. My son and I just purchased a 600 chrysler Lebaron with 217k miles that someone was restoring and got bored with it. It runs. May need brake work. Should I just use money to get the brakes done and keep this running? My travels are to PA and back - 200 miles - once a month. I work within blocks of my house. I do do notary work a few times a week that take me maybe 30 miles each way.

I really need some sound advice. My heart hurts hearing people say "dont put the money in to the volvo. But I love this volvo and 7k over 7-10 years if I can get another 200k out of her seems sound.

Thank you.