I have a 2006 xc70 that i bought for a thousand dollars. It had an obvious broken driver's side suspension coil and the windshield was cracked. I figured another thousand for those repairs and that worked out. So the car was into me for two thousand and some. The car came with a complete set of winter tires and a set of summers all mounted on wheels.

I now have a car with a blown head gasket and a broken radiator and bad brakes. I decided to let my local mechanic have a go with the radiator so that I could focus on the head gasket job [yet to do]. That is going to cost me six hundred. So the car is now into me for about three thousand. I am pretty certain the brakes will cost another thousand.

I am moderately competent with tools, etc., but I am working outside and the weather is not cooperating at the moment so I have set back the head gasket job. I might get encouraged to do the brakes if the head gasket job goes well.

How did you make out? I figure I would have to get at least four thousand to get my money back. If I get some driving out of the car I consider that as a part of the values involved. I don't expect to get all of my investment back but would like to get at least two thousand next spring or summer.