Car advice if poss. NB

[Shakey]

Am hoping someone can give some advice about this prob.

Basically, the gearbox is on its way out.

It's an old Volvo 440 Xi, K reg.

The gearstick jumps out of 3rd.

1st and 2nd gears whine and sometimes crunch.

4th gear currently OK, but 5th gear also jumps out of gear occasionally.

So I know the gearbox is knackered.

It also needs some other minor repairs such as new washer bottle and rear nearside lights replacing.

Have been quoted £200/300 for the gearbox repair. In addition to the other minor work needed, is it economically viable for this car? Am tempted to take it to a car auction and hope for the best.

I know a wide variety of people read this site, and I know that someone must have a answer! Just hope they reply.

Best wishes, Shakey.


<hr width=100% size=1>It could have been worse - it could have been me.

 

[oldharry]

The price quoted is very reasonable for gearbox repairs - you can easily pay £4-500 nowadays. As to being worth it - what state is the rest of the vehicle. Is it a high miler (i.e more than around 120k). Does it look clean and bright, and is the interior tidy. Do you have any Service History?

If the enswer to any of these questions is 'no' then forget it and take it to the scrappers. Auction houses are not the place for disposing of scrap cars. You will be required to state the condition of the engine and transmission on the entry form, and if you fail to declare major defects the buyer can demand his money back. The auctioneer will also take a dim view, and you might need to avoid dark alleys for the next few weeks! Equally if you declare the faults, it will not sell - and the auctionner would likely refuse to enter it. They are generally not interested in obvious bad deals.

You could try advertising it for spares or repair in your local freebies though - particularly if it is still driveable and has a good engine. Check round and see which one the local car fraternity is using for advertising SoR deals. But dont try to conceal the obvious faults.

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[ParaHandy]

have you tried using the clutch? .... that's the big pedal left of the brake ....

hope that helps ... !!

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[ColinW]

If you do a quick check on www.autotrader.co.uk you can find out what similar cars are being advertised for locally. Seems to be only £300 to £400 for good conditioned ones with long MOTs where I live and those are trade prices, so they'd probably take £200 to £300 just to get rid.


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[Clive_Rigden]

Try this : <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/?t=23441#>http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/?t=23441#</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>Khyber

 

[FullCircle]

There is a decently presented whole car 440 on a K plate for sale on the Burnham On Crouch road at 250 quid. With 24million in the UK, just go and get another one. And say hurrah to China, as there voracity for needing steel means that car breakers will actually give you a few quid for the old one again.

Jim

<hr width=100% size=1>Engine now resembles Singer Sewing Machine - amazing what happens when you renew all the old bits.

 

[FullCircle]

Oh yes, and go to Autotrader.co.uk and search on 500 quid maximum, private ads within 10 miles - it will shock you whats out there with tax and MOT.....

<hr width=100% size=1>Engine now resembles Singer Sewing Machine - amazing what happens when you renew all the old bits.

 

[Shakey]

Thanks everyone for your advice, I appreciate the time it takes to answer.

I must remember to use the clutch next time.

<hr width=100% size=1>It could have been worse - it could have been me.