1998 V70 T5 - 130K, Emerald Green, manual trans, cold weather package, third seat, moonroof

Not a "For Sale" ad, just trying to figure out an honest price for my car and the best avenue for selling it. Figured the Brickboard would be the best place to inquire.

The biggest sticking point on pricing the car properly is the Salvage title - It was a single-owner car I purchased from an insurance auction in 2001 (in Albuquerque) with RR Quarter panel and rear bumper damage which I had repaired with Volvo parts. I know all about the spooky reputation the salvage industry has for putting unsafe, pieced-together cars back on the road, but this was a solid car I got to inspect before it was touched by a mechanic. I also went into this with my eyes wide open, so I know the resale value on salvage titled cars are way below clear titles. I've gotten 5 years (and 40K miles) of trouble-free use out of the car (besides the minor Volvo annoyances) and considering the original purchase price, it's been a bargain. But at 130K, major maintenance bills are looming in the next year or so like struts/shocks, another timing belt, an eventual clutch replacement, engine mounts, etc. Rather than dump $3-4K of parts/labor into the Volvo, I'll be moving on to something a little newer.

Price-wise, I'm guessing $2500-$4000. I'm thinking about just putting it on EBay this fall when I get back from my remote overseas assignment (Air Force). But even with a super low reserve, I know the Salvage title will scare people away. Any suggestions? Do you think the Brickboard classifieds would work for this car? I know how discriminating the Volvo community can be. Recouping my investment isn't the goal, but I'm not going to dump it for a $1000 either (parts alone are worth more than that). Just want to get a fair price that's all. Thanks in advance. Sorry for the length.
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Scott J - '98 V70 T5M

For mine, (clear title but a bazillion miles) kbb.com comes up with $4230 trade-in and $5940 private party.

BTW, whn I'm at the dealer for parts, when the younger dealer techs hear it's a cloth-seat T5 with a stick they ask me when I'm selling it. (That's just the younger techs, the older ones seem to prefer 240s.) My point is that the car has a following, albeit small, and challenge is to match up with the right buyer.

I think that's kinda what Klaus said.

I still have my original clutch, FWIW, and the Bilstein struts and shocks weren't too bad at all from shox.com.

I'd try the classifieds over at Swedespeed or Volvospeed before brickboard.

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 167k mi, front IPD stabilizer bar, rear factory HD bar, Bilstein HD, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, e-codes, V-1, Mobil-1 since new

"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." -- Douglas Noel Adams (1952-2001)

Scott,
What you are asking for the car and what the market will pay cannot be answered without a reliable fortune teller. What you need to ask yourself, has it been worth what you paid for it? Plus repairs.
Salvage no longer means what it used to mean. Now, it just means that an insurance company deemed it too costly to repair at a repair shop. DIY repairs are MUCH cheaper and cost effective.
My Wrangler has a "prior Salvage" title. This means it has ben "fixed" and inspected by the state, and no insurance company would cover it again. That's OK to me. But I don't know what it means to someone else.
When you do sell your car, be honest with the repairs and the title. Also be patient and wait for the right buyer.
I doesn't hurt to run a classified on this site. Or on other forums. They are free! Just don't put it on Ebay first, save that for last.

Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

Thanks, Klaus. How you described salvage these days is a similar situation with this car--high mileage with just enough body panel damage to exceed insurance company cost limits for repair. Despite the Salvage title, my insurance company covers the car since I proved it was properly repaired. Won't have anything to hide when it comes time to sell, which is why I'm trying to approximate a selling price that factors in the Salvage stigma. Guess I'll try Brickboard classifieds, among others, when I get back from assignment.
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Scott J - '98 V70 T5M