My 2006 Volvo XC70 with 170k miles needs brakes, struts, and ball joints, and I’m trying to decide whether to get the work done and give it to my son (24 years old) or say goodbye to it. Any thoughts?
This is all regular maintenance items but the real question is : does your son want or need this costly vehicle to service . My thought would be do the work and then let him trade it in on what ever he wants .
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I agree with Volvo_V70. These are relatively affordable repairs with no difficulty for a decent shop. I can’t think of a better vehicle to pass to one’s kid. Safe and Safe. And Safe 
I would agree, but with one possible exception. Being a 13 or nearly 14 year old vehicle, the presence or the extent of rust is a consideration. Rust is what has rendered any of my formerly safe vehicles unsafe.
I don’t know thewritersway’s vehicle’s history or where it’s been operating, but perhaps she/he could indicate whether it has been driven on salted roads or whether or not there is severe corrosion on important components.
If it hasn’t already taken place, I’d get a very carefully done and complete safety inspection prior to considering transferring the vehicle or putting money into it.
CSA
You are not doing your son a favor by giving him a used Volvo! I’d sell it as is and give your son the money to buy something more reliable and simpler like a Hyundai Accent or Elantra, a Honda Civic or a Kia Rio.
These are all good starter cars that won’t break the bank to get anything fixed.
Most Volvo owners I know dispose of their cars when the warranty runs out. Upcoming repairs scare them.
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Does he need or want something that large? If so, I’d fixit and let him deal with it after that. Will it remain on your insurance, or will he get his own insurance? If you all haven’t decided yet, contact your insurer and see what the price is both ways. The way you might phrase it is that you are thinking about either letting your son borrow the car for a while or just give it to him and let him insure it. I guess you wouldn’t want him to drive a car in poor condition, otherwise you would just dispose of it.