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Fri Dec 11, 2020 6:19 pm

At what point do you decide to scrap a car or try to sell it? I'm replacing my daily driver/beater, which is best described as "four wheels, a motor, and working heat", but has rust or damage on almost all body panels. Is it likely that I can sell it "for parts" or as a "mechanic special", and possibly get more money than scrap? Thanks for any knowledge on this, usually I drive a car until it explodes, haha.

Fri Dec 11, 2020 6:22 pm

I had a 99 Accord with 250,000 miles and a bad transmission. i was gonna junk it but listed it on Craigslist for $700. It was gone in 3 hours.

My 2001 Civic had 265,000 and a leaking head gasket. I listed it for $500 and it was sold 2 days later.

These days cars have no scrap value and some will charge you to junk it.

Fri Dec 11, 2020 6:28 pm

Sell it to whoever pays the most.

Even if you are "scrapping it", that is selling it to the junkyard.
Proof of ownership will be required.

Fri Dec 11, 2020 6:45 pm

If it moves under its own power some poor person will be very happy to give you a few $$. When I was coming up I drove a $100 Volvo 122 that was on a trailer to be junked when I found it. Got 200K and 10 years of use out of it.

Fri Dec 11, 2020 7:01 pm

Never. I keep a car till it breaks then I fix it. I would rather fix anything old than buy anything new I don’t like new stuff when it comes to cars.

Fri Dec 11, 2020 7:34 pm

Ok, thanks guys. I'll look into selling it instead of scrapping it! That's kinda the way I was leaning anyways, glad to get verification that others had success with selling a beater.

Fri Dec 11, 2020 8:44 pm

If it’s the one in you gallery, you could probably get 3-4K around here in running driving condition. I paid $750 for a non running 64 with no title 5 years ago and the guy saved it for me but he kept getting calls on it as I was picking it up and it had the same amount of rust. :shock: that was in the Detroit area so similar market. You definitely could get a lot more money from selling it

Fri Dec 11, 2020 10:01 pm

Ceckert64 wrote: If it’s the one in you gallery

Nope, I guess I didn't say what car it is, haha. It's my daily driver, 2006 Mazda 3 hatchback. I found a steal on a low mileage Trailblazer, garage kept and waaaay cleaner than my Mazda. Which is good, because we just got a house and I'll need the space for hauling yard waste and remodeling supplies. Plus it's capable of towing my Bug if I need to!

Fri Dec 11, 2020 10:02 pm

your gonna get like 30 bucks if you scrap the thing if that. i would at least try selling it first. someone will want the parts.

Sat Dec 12, 2020 6:24 am

A running, inspectable car here gets $1000 in NY

Sat Dec 12, 2020 6:43 am

Do they have those “we buy junk cars” guys where you live? They come to you with tow truck and cash.

I have a 2005 Malibu that runs strong, but with faded paint and dents and AC not working.

They told me on the phone sight unseen they give $450 max for something like that.

Somebody that needs transportation would pay a few dollars more I think.

Sat Dec 12, 2020 8:17 am

modok wrote: Sell it to whoever pays the most.

Even if you are "scrapping it", that is selling it to the junkyard.
Proof of ownership will be required.
Maybe where you are! :lol: In Atlanta, scrappers steal cars off the street, out of driveways etc...This has happened to me and almost happened to my neighbor when I lived down there until he came out and held them at gunpoint. I still don't think they were arrested. I talked to the police and they don't give a crap. So, the salvage or scrap yards definitely don't care. I bet they actually keep any crackdowns from happening through some sort of corruption, since I bet a huge amount of their business is from stolen cars or materials.

Sat Dec 12, 2020 10:11 am

HMVWNAB wrote: Do they have those “we buy junk cars” guys where you live? They come to you with tow truck and cash.

I have a 2005 Malibu that runs strong, but with faded paint and dents and AC not working.

They told me on the phone sight unseen they give $450 max for something like that.

Somebody that needs transportation would pay a few dollars more I think.

Tin scrap down to about $130 a ton here. It tracks with energy of course.

When I strip one I get the wheel and front suspensions for another 350-400 of parts., engines and transmissions too. I usually get the cars where the owner strips the easy stuff like starters and generators but I don’t pay anything for them if you’ve stripped the easy meat. For an hour of towing and 4 hours labor I’lll net 1500-2000, from March through November

Sat Dec 12, 2020 10:48 am

If it's still road worthy, park it down by your local food bank and sign off the paperwork to a family or single Mom in need of it. Should be easy to spot as they will arrive by foot or public transport. A short conversation to confirm that it fits thier needs.

Or go in and talk to the staff, they know the clientele.

Sat Dec 12, 2020 10:59 am

oprn wrote: If it's still road worthy, park it down by your local food bank and sign off the paperwork to a family or single Mom in need of it. Should be easy to spot as they will arrive by foot or public transport. A short conversation to confirm that it fits thier needs.

Or go in and talk to the staff, they know the clientele.

I like this, it feels like you are helping someone directly

Sat Dec 12, 2020 12:22 pm

Use the money to keep the trailblazer on the road, when it hits around 90,000 miles it will nickel and dime you until you’re sick of it.

Sat Dec 12, 2020 2:06 pm

oprn wrote: If it's still road worthy, park it down by your local food bank and sign off the paperwork to a family or single Mom in need of it. Should be easy to spot as they will arrive by foot or public transport. A short conversation to confirm that it fits thier needs.

Or go in and talk to the staff, they know the clientele.

+ 1000 points

Did two of these cars since summer.

Sat Dec 12, 2020 3:26 pm

ubercrap wrote: modok wrote: Sell it to whoever pays the most.

Even if you are "scrapping it", that is selling it to the junkyard.
Proof of ownership will be required.
Maybe where you are! :lol: In Atlanta, scrappers steal cars off the street, out of driveways etc...
Yeah that can happen anywhere. I don't think they are going to the public junkyards, more like a chop shop.
Don't feed the animals. :roll:

Sat Dec 12, 2020 3:47 pm

modok wrote: Sell it to whoever pays the most.

Even if you are "scrapping it", that is selling it to the junkyard.
Proof of ownership will be required.

Not if it is cut up.............done it.

Sat Dec 12, 2020 5:09 pm

anthracitedub wrote: Use the money to keep the trailblazer on the road, it will nickel and dime you until you’re sick of it.

While I like the idea of donating my Mazda, I'm not made of money and this is the type of thing that usually happens to me. :cry: