I have had my 1999 Volvo S70 for about 3 1/2 years. It's got 166,000 miles on it. Recently it was rear ended in the bay area. Poor little car! I love my car and was expecting to get another 100,000 - 150,000 on it before I ever considered replacing it.

I've taken it to my body guy and the frame is bent, along with a buckle in the right rear quarter panel, and some other effects. He gave me an estimate of $3,175 to just get the body work done. The accident has caused the driveline to have some problems now too. My body guy doesn't recommend fixing the car. He says it will never be the same, which is part of the reason to drive a Volvo - the safety factor. I have a nephew in the body shop business in CA and he tells me it is actually illegal any more to straighten a frame, because of the microfractures in the metal.

Given all this information, it would seem that my car is best not fixed, and so now I have to haggle with the insurance to get my car replaced. I'm wondering if anyone can help me figure out what the actual value of my car is. I know Kelly Blue Book is the standard, but I have also been told to get some idea of what other 99 S70's have been sold for in the western state area. Any thoughts from people on this forum of where I should look to get some good numbers?

I know I'm not going to get true replacement reimbursement for my car, but I'm hoping to get enough to have a fairly decent downpayment, and if I only have Kelly Blue Book to give them it's not going to be good. I've taken good care of the car since I've had it. The engine is still good and like I said, I had every intention of going another 100,000 miles in it.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

Check out autotrader.com and ebay motors to see some similar models. You didn't mention what trim (ie T5 or GLT have a big value difference). A quick look suggests a replacement can be had in the 2000-2500 range for 150K plus mile cars, lower mileage jacks the price to 3000 or more (those are list prices, not sure who'd pay 3500 for a used S70 unless it was a T5 regardless of how nice... but I didn't see many on the west coast.

 

I appreciate the info. I will take your advice and will be doing some research this week.