We have a ballon note with a buy back option where we can get Volvo Finance to buy to car for the ballon balance less $250 and (of course) less charges for excess wear (whatever that may mean). Anyhow, we are trying to decide whether to keep it or not.

We bought the car new 3/98 and have put 45k miles on it. Car is in good condition. No wrecks or anything like that. It has a few dings and other normal stuff (you know like curb rash and scraping the front lip). While we haven't had any major mechanical problems, we have had several small ones that make us wonder whether it will be reliable in the long run. (For instance, we kept smelling a burning smell from the driver side. Turned out something in the window switch was burning. It was replaced under warranty and the smell has not returned. That kind of stuff makes me wonder what's next.)

From a purely financial standpoint, we are concerned that the car is worth less than the ballon balance. Our balloon is around $18k after deducting the $250 disposition fee. By the way, if we keep it we simply continue paying the same payment at the same interest rate (6.79%) until its paid in full.

Any thoughts on what its worth? I've checked Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book, and after talking to dealers about trade-in those sources seem highly optimistic.

Thanks for the advice.

Michael