Have a car that needs to go

[Fred W]

Several years ago my daughter was in college, and her car at the time ('93 SAAB 9000CSE w/ 145k miles) was not roadworthy without putting a good amount of work into it. The kicker is that for her major she would be traveling a good amount to do her internship and needed a reliable car for the winter months. I opted to buy a used 1998 SAAB 900S w/ 90k miles for ~$5k.

Fast forward 5 years. She graduated a long while ago. Car has been handed down to my son, who has taken it through 4 years of college, and is now in his 5th year (all on scholarship so I don't care how long he takes), and the car now has 150k on it. It just failed the state inspection needing a muffler (small rust hole) and a front balljoint, which on a SAAB means a $200 control arm. They'd do the work for ~$800, but I just looked at my favorite SAAB parts purveyor (eEuroparts.com) and I could get the parts for ~ $400 and do all the dirty work myself.

The thing is, I don't even really need this car anymore. I have a "spare" '99 Jeep Wrangler that I could let the boy drive for his last year at UA (then I'd get it back), Momma has her ole' Ford Exploder and I have a newer company car. So I'm trying to decide if I should sink another $400 into a car I don't need, or what my other options are.

I know I can donate the thing and get something off on my taxes, also get rid of it from my insurance, but to be honest, it seems like a lot of dicking around for a few bucks. I could just fix it and have the boy run it for another year and maybe sell it when that's over and get a few $$ back. I don't mind doing that kind of work as long as there is no "deadline involved or familial screaming (think "OCC"). I have even considered having him take the car to Albany (where he goes to school) and keep driving it sans NH inspection, never to return to Cow Hampshire again. But I think that since the car is already on record as failing I may have screwed the pooch on that option already.

Any creative ideas?

 

[Patriot]

well, I'm sure we're both honest folks, so pushing it into the Lake and submitting a claim on compreshensive for the stolen, totaled car isn't an option.

that's why I won't go through that action with my broken bike...not to mention avoiding having to spend some time in the pokey... :blink:

I think it's 6 one, half a dozen another

I guess you would't be successful selling it to a mechanic type as is with full disclosure

I think, like I've done before, I'd donate it to a non profit, especially if you are in a highish tax bracket

edit: hey Fred, are you getting some seat time on the Triumph and enjoying it...glad you purchased it now that's some time has passed?

 

[Fred W]

Forgot to mention. No comprehensive nor collision. Car's not worth it...

 

[Murph]

Donate it. Maybe you know of a local church that has a car donation program. When I was looking to donate a car that was only worth a few hundred bucks, my accountant informed me that not all charities that accept cars are so great at providing follow-up paperwork. However, he was able to confirm that the local church I was planning to donate it to was actually one of the best at providing paperwork for tax deductions. Maybe you know someone who can steer you toward a hassle-free charity. Or maybe you can find a reputable charity here. Donating my clunker was a piece of cake ... I dropped it off and received a receipt a few months later advising me of how much I could claim off my taxes after they sold it for scrap. If you don't need it, at least it can go toward a good cause.

 

[vectervp1]

Personally I would say fix the car and let the boy drive it his last year in college. After that, let him trade it in on a new car if he wants, or donate it then. You could also just sell it dirt cheap too. Say $500-$1000

 

[FJRay]

When I was doing some teaching in the local shop class we would take work off the street and repair for the cost of parts only. We couldn't charge labor because we couldn't compete with local shops. If there are any trade schools near you it might be worth checking out. At least you would keep your hands clean and only buy the parts.

 

[Grumpy]

If the boy wants it, fix it.....otherwise call NPR and donate it!

 

[FJRBluesman]

Donate it. Maybe you know of a local church that has a car donation program. When I was looking to donate a car that was only worth a few hundred bucks, my accountant informed me that not all charities that accept cars are so great at providing follow-up paperwork. However, he was able to confirm that the local church I was planning to donate it to was actually one of the best at providing paperwork for tax deductions. Maybe you know someone who can steer you toward a hassle-free charity. Or maybe you can find a reputable charity here. Donating my clunker was a piece of cake ... I dropped it off and received a receipt a few months later advising me of how much I could claim off my taxes after they sold it for scrap. If you don't need it, at least it can go toward a good cause.

Gunny

 

[kaitsdad]

Personally I would say fix the car and let the boy drive it his last year in college. After that, let him trade it in on a new car if he wants, or donate it then. You could also just sell it dirt cheap too. Say $500-$1000

this makes the most sense. Fix it for $400, then donate when he's done. It's not like it's going to drop in value a great deal over the next year....

 

[mattster31]

Let the guys on "Mythbusters" blow it up!!!

 

[Geezer]

Well, me being of the extremely frugal persuasion, I'd fix it and drive it. 150k is not a lot of miles for that car.

15 years ago Saabs were the popular car around here. I don't know what happened, but I see very few these days.

 

[Mr Bill]

[SIZE=8pt][/SIZE]

I know I can donate the thing and get something off on my taxes, also get rid of it from my insurance, but to be honest, it seems like a lot of dicking around for a few bucks. I could just fix it and have the boy run it for another year and maybe sell it when that's over and get a few $$ back.

[SIZE=12pt]Charity will auction the car and give you a tax form showing the auction value, unless they junk the car then you only get a receipt for a $500 deduction. Say your in a high bracket and get a third off on your taxes, you get $167 in your pocket.[/SIZE]

I'd fix it, use it, and then turn around and sell it like you said.

 

[7xray]

If you have a local volunteer fire department, donate it to them to use for extrication training. We just got one from the local junk yard that we won't cut up but will keep at the station for stabilization training. It will be a good training prop for us. Maybe somebody in your locale can do the same. The young man who brought it to the junk yard thought it was really cool that his old clunker was going to live on.

Cheers,

Fred

Edit: PS, donating helmets to FDs and EMS crews is a good thing to do too.

 

[Zorlac]

Two words.

Demolition Derby. :hehe:

 

[dcarver]

They make a great table top MX jump..

or Trials obstacle...

 

[johnny80s]

What if you fix it and something else breaks? Get rid of it now or you could be opening a can of worms.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Take the VIN numbers off, drive it into the hills, drain fluids, then shoot the sucker till it looks like swiss cheese. That's what they do around here.

Alternatively, donate it to your nearest redneck so he can have a status symbol rusting in his yard.

They have those around here too.

 

[road runner]

Personally I would say fix the car and let the boy drive it his last year in college. After that, let him trade it in on a new car if he wants, or donate it then. You could also just sell it dirt cheap too. Say $500-$1000

this makes the most sense. Fix it for $400, then donate when he's done. It's not like it's going to drop in value a great deal over the next year....

+1

 

[Bustanut joker]

Alternatively, donate it to your nearest redneck so he can have a status symbol rusting in his yard. They have those around here too.

You sure have a funny way of askin' fer a car bub

:jester: