There's a 1999 V70XC in decent shape other wise. Small issues, like the left rear shock is shot.

I was looking it over, they want $2000, and I noticed something odd. I jacked it up and sure enough, there was no driveshaft to the rear axle!

The engine runs well, and there aren't any fluid leaks, but the CEL is on, and there is a loud ticking at idle that comes and goes. It sounds like the exhaust cam shaft, but I couldn't isolate which cylinder it was.

Anyone ever hear of something so preposterous as removing the driveshaft? How much should I budget to put one back in?

Once I get the codes read and figure out what is causing the intermittent engine noise, is $2000 a reasonable price, or not?

Thanks to all you Volvo fans.

OTHER INFO:
I've been driving the venerable 240 since 2002, but the (optional) locking differential finally locked up for good - it drives in a straight line very well, but just don't make any turns. So I bought a 1995 840 off Craiglist for $600 (only because it didn't leak oil), and I put about $400 in parts (new rotors and pads, air filter, airbox thermostat). It still needs a tailgate latch, odometer gear, tailgate struts and 'heated O2 sensor'. I figure it's worth about $2000 now, so I'll sell it and use that to buy the V70. I want the AWD, as there's snow on the road here 6 months out of the year...