My wife returned from a short trip ~500 mi round trip. Her 2007 V70 made a chirping/clanking sound. I thought bad lifters.
We got it towed to a Volvo shop and they say she needs a new engine (rod going bad). The car was not low on oil and she didn't get any service light/check engine light/low oil light.

The cost is ~$4800 (labor and used engine), but I am waiting as it depends on the miles on the engine. So is it worth the repair or are there other options? The mechanic said he puts a new timing belt, seals, (water pump?), etc. on all the engines before he puts them back in.
This is our first Volvo (and may be the last). We've had it since 2011 (5 years and got it with 39K). I never had a car lose an engine.
This doesn't sound normal without any warning, etc.


I am looking at engines and see them from $700-$1500 (used engines from salvage yards). I'm handy but don't want to tackle this job.
The car is in good shape (no rust (Tx), no accidents, etc.)

Thoughts from the Volvo community?
Repair it?
Find another place to put in a new engine?
Sell it as is? What would it be worth ?