Went to midas today, they put the car up on the lift to take a look at my brakes since they are making much more noise than usual.

Here's where the fun begins...
According to their estimate, it will be roughly 900 dollars to fix the brakes alone. They said that the pads need replacing, the front rotors need to be turned, the rear rotors need to be replaced, the system needs to be flushed and bled.

900 dollars is unrealistic, first of all because the rotors they are talking about retail in their catalog for $192 a piece because of the multilink rear end. i found a new pair for $45 on import auto something. My question is how likely is it that the rear rotors really need to be replaced? (as in what is the definition of a worn rotor) i plan on getting a second opinion, for sure. I figure i only need new pads, and can do that myself, and the rear rotors if necessary.

The mechanic decided to look at the front end while it was on the lift, he said i need new lower control arm bushings (should i get strut rod bushings, too?), new tie rod ends, i believe new struts, too (dont have the estimate on hand) and best of all....

the rack and pinion is leaking, and has torn the boot off the passenger side, and is going to fail. i know their definition of "going to fail" is probably tens of thousands of miles, and the car will be sold by may. also need new tie rod ends, according to them.

what, of all of this, really needs to be done (i know it's hard without looking at it yourself)?

P.S. the serpentine belt is apparently cracked. I also plan on bringing it to a volvo specialist this week for a second opinion.

Thanks in advance, Cwatson