Hey all,

I've had to do some maintenance to her over the past three years- fix AC $1,100, alternator $700, engine mount, etc.. Probably $5,000 total over 3 years.

I wonder if she can make 175,000 - 200,000 miles without too many costly repairs. Do you guys think it's a good idea to keep or is it time to shop around?

Does anyone know the big repairs that I might be able to anticipate coming up?

Thanks

My 2010 XC60 that my daughter drives is going to need a power steering pump in the near future. 139,000 on the odometer …
We did engine mounts as well in the last year…

 

Which engine?

My ‘11 S60 T6 is close to 220,000 - beyond routine maintenance I’ve done engine mounts, control arms, wheel bearings and a transmission triple drain and fill in the 125,000 I’ve put on it- currently in retirement due to a cooling system issue complicated by a hood release cable failure that I have not yet had time, money and inclination to address, but otherwise engine runs great… burns a little oil but not excessiv: I buy two 5qt jugs for each change and the remainder is enough to keep it topped up til the next one.

 

We could provide more info with more specifics of what maintenance history you have for the car. I budget $1500-2000 per year for maintenance/repairs for any used car over 75k. A car with a known history (yours) is often cheaper to keep running (assuming it hasn't been neglected) than another used car with say 100k miles on it because things likely have been neglected. It might be worth taking the car to a good independent mechanic and asking them to look it over and give you a list of what it needs. We could help parse that list. If that totals more than ~$4000 then maybe it is time to move on. Otherwise, it's a nice safe car. My daughter has a 2007 V70.

Hey guys, thanks for responding.

It is the T6 model with one owner before me. It was well maintained and had all service records (done at the Volvo dealership) before I bought it (carfax showed + receipts). I've had an independent mechanic look at it and fix the issues it's had the last 3 years: bad coil, spark plugs, alternator (went this past weekend), engine mount, headlight filled with water, and other things of this nature.

Things I know wrong with it:
Burns excess oil. However, the mechanic used an additive, and now it makes 3 months before the oil light kicks on.

Very small oil leak. Supposedly, it's in hard to get to a location, and the labor is the costly part to fixing this ($1,400). The mechanic doesn't think it's a concern but keeps an eye on it.

And one of the joints or something similar broke (I can't remember exactly). He said I should fix it, but it was not a concern until the wheel started to vibrate. It's roughly a $600 repair.

The car drives great. The turbo is nice, and there are no noises when driving. I do like the car and would be happy to drive it for 2-3 more years. If I can maintain it for $1,500 - $2,000 a year, that isn't terrible, considering a car payment would be around $5,000 or so.

Based on that information, do you think that's pretty standard stuff or does anything stand out as a concern?

 

We could provide more info with more specifics of what maintenance history you have for the car. I budget $1500-2000 per year for maintenance/repairs for any used car over 75k. A car with a known history (yours) is often cheaper to keep running (assuming it hasn't been neglected) than another used car with say 100k miles on it because things likely have been neglected. It might be worth taking the car to a good independent mechanic and asking them to look it over and give you a list of what it needs. We could help parse that list. If that totals more than ~$4000 then maybe it is time to move on. Otherwise, it's a nice safe car. My daughter has a 2007 V70.

 

You have at least three choices (1) Price up a new car with warranties,(2) Sell it for a song and buy a used unknown car that someone is wanting to get rid of or(3) stay with what you know and repair as needed. All three options have a price that you don’t know at this time. If the car is as nice as you say I would keep it unless I was ready for a new something. With the current crop of new cars with many problems and inflated prices there is nothing I want.

 

These cars have their issues but they are known to do mega mileage. 200k is extremely common; you could even attempt 300k with vigilant maintenance. It will not be free, but, like you said, it will probably be cheaper than a car payment + the financial hit of new car depreciation. The T6 is a wonderful engine even if yours does burn some oil -- maybe ask your mechanic about running a heavier-weight oil to further slow consumption? Your XC60 has low miles for its age. My advice is to maintain it as best you can and hold onto it until it becomes unviable.

 

Thank you, everyone for your feedback. This has been really helpful. After talking with all of you, I have decided to keep the car and monitor the oil closer (thanks for the tip barstow).

I test-drove some other cars and honestly felt my Volvo handles/drives better than some of these newer ones I test-drove (the turbo makes a huge difference). The market on cars 1-3 years old seems to be a bit upside down still, too. If some good deals come around, I'll consider getting a new car, but for now, keeping the Volvo seems to make the most sense.

Also, since I am keeping it can anyone recommend a website to order parts?

My key cover for the drivers door handle fell off after I had to use it this past weekend to open the door when the alternator died. I want to grab a new one and some other minor cosmetic fixes.

Also, the hydraulics on my trunk lifts have failed. Can anyone recommend replacement ones?

Thanks so much!

Perhaps that joint is the CV joint boot?

Your daughter should learn how to check the oil level and add oil (read the owners manual). Don't wait for the oil light to come on - that is a low oil pressure warning - not really an oil level light. You should top up the oil well before the light comes on - that light means you are doing damage to the engine. I actually suggest that she reads the entire owners manual (small price to pay for keeping a car?). Maybe the mechanic can show her how to check the level and add oil. Old cars need more attention to fluid levels than newer ones.

Below is the excerpt from the owners manual for your car regarding the oil light. It's not a casual warning. It's a stop the car immediately or risk ruining the engine kind of thing:
"Low oil pressure
If the light comes on while driving, stop the vehicle, stop the engine immediately, and check the engine oil level. If the oil level is nor- mal and the light stays on after restart, have the vehicle towed to the nearest trained and quali- fied Volvo service technician."

Here is a link to the owners manual:

https://volvornt.harte-hanks.com/manuals/2010/2010_xc60/2010XC60OwnersManual.pdf

You have at least three choices (1) Price up a new car with warranties,(2) Sell it for a song and buy a used unknown car that someone is wanting to get rid of or(3) stay with what you know and repair as needed. All three options have a price that you don’t know at this time. If the car is as nice as you say I would keep it unless I was ready for a new something. With the current crop of new cars with many problems and inflated prices there is nothing I want.

 

FCP Euro will have almost everything you need. They offer free lifetime "warranty" replacement on everything they sell, even brakes and fluids. They are a customer-centric company and many on here use them.

I would keep the car and fix things along the way. These are good cars and as others have stated, the engines can go to 200K easy with regular maintenance. Consider changing the transmission fluid if that's never been done. Also, the Haldex unit and differentials could probably use a service.

 

If you are looking for certain parts I have heard Erie Volvo is a good source for used bits.