Time to get rid of my 85 Caprice, Maybe

[RageCage]

I've had my 85 ever since 89. 421,000 miles on it. Lots of rust. Still runs well, but I swear, every 4 months something fairly time-consuming needs repairing, and it is pretty ugly.

What do you do with a rusty car with 421,000 miles on it? What would a junkyard give me for it?

What about donating it to some place that gives me an inflated value for it, like $1,500 that I can deduct from my taxes??? I've heard some horror stories about people donating their cars, then getting summonses from the police about some accident the car was in, or parking tickets, etc.


Thanks

[rhandwor]

A junkyard will give you free towing. If you donate it have them give you a bill of sale and transfer the title to them.
Otherwise go to a southern state where they don't use salt on the roads. Buy a good used body with a motor and transmission in it.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by RageCage

I've had my 85 ever since 89. 421,000 miles on it. Lots of rust. Still runs well, but I swear, every 4 months something fairly time-consuming needs repairing, and it is pretty ugly.

What do you do with a rusty car with 421,000 miles on it? What would a junkyard give me for it?

What about donating it to some place that gives me an inflated value for it, like $1,500 that I can deduct from my taxes??? I've heard some horror stories about people donating their cars, then getting summonses from the police about some accident the car was in, or parking tickets, etc.


Thanks

living in the rust belt 400,000mi is about the max you can safely operate these vehicles on a 365days/year basis...It boils down to body intergity.....

the body mounts as well as the frame is very weak at this point..
If you lived in a desert this would not be a factor...I have seen many old vehicles there ,, with no rust at all, but the drivetrain and interior/exterior paint, and fabrics take a good beating...

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by RageCage

What do you do with a rusty car with 421,000 miles on it? What would a junkyard give me for it?

Depends on the value of scrap metal at the time which has been dropping like a rock due to the economy and decreased demand. Ads in my local classifieds last year were paying up to $300 for junk cars with free tow, the same places were only paying $50 a couple of years before. Many of those $300 ads have since disappeared for the time being.

What about donating it to some place that gives me an inflated value for it, like $1,500 that I can deduct from my taxes??? I've heard some horror stories about people donating their cars, then getting summonses from the police about some accident the car was in, or parking tickets, etc.

The only way donating your car for a tax write off is if you itemize on your tax forms. Many people just take the standard deduction which many times is more, so they are unable to take the write off.
Before donating your vehicle remove any registration stickers or cards , especially insurance from the vehicle. Sign the title over and in some states, the former owner must contact their state's DMV and notify them of the transfer.And turn in your plates immediately if not transferring them to another vehicle( if plates don't follow the vehicle in your state.). Those steps can lessen your chances of receiving tickets meant for someone else.


Thanks[/quote]

[RageCage]

I called a local "recycling" place here that had a big ad in the yellow pages, and they said they would give me $300 for it. I said I would drive it to them.

[Blt2Lst]

Originally Posted by RageCage

I called a local "recycling" place here that had a big ad in the yellow pages, and they said they would give me $300 for it. I said I would drive it to them.

I was going to say, a running car is almost always worth at least $500.
I would take the $300 and call it a day.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by RageCage

I called a local "recycling" place here that had a big ad in the yellow pages, and they said they would give me $300 for it. I said I would drive it to them.

there is a bill in congress right now that is stated to give vehicle owners like you up to 4500.00 to scrap your vehicle for the purchase of a new higher MPG vehicle....

from what I have learned so far ,the scrap yards must totally destroy the engine transmission and body.....

they want these gas guzzlers gone ....

[Carsrcool100]

I would junk it. But i heard something about a donation thing where they give you money in return for the vehicle?? Or something like that.

[CD Smalley]

My general rule is any car that moves AND stops under it's own power is worth $500.

[Carsrcool100]

CD, Thats the way it should be right.

[RageCage]

Originally Posted by j cAT

there is a bill in congress right now that is stated to give vehicle owners like you up to 4500.00 to scrap your vehicle for the purchase of a new higher MPG vehicle....

from what I have learned so far ,the scrap yards must totally destroy the engine transmission and body.....

they want these gas guzzlers gone ....

j cAT,

Yes, I heard the same thing. But I can't find anything on the internet about it, just some program in Canada. It'd suck to only get $300 instead of $4,500 for it !!

Rage Cage

['97ventureowner]

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009...-for-clunkers/
The way the program is designed to work is if one trades in their car and buys a new one that gets at least 4 miles per gallon more than their old one they would get $3500. If the new vehicle got at least 10 miles per gallon more than their old one, it would go up to $4500.
I have some issues with these types of bills. Although they mean to do well they can also do harm. With the state of the present economy and record numbers out of work, how many can afford to buy new cars at this time, even with a $3500 to $4500 voucher to help. The banks have a tight squeeze on the credit market and many people I know who have excellent credit are still having trouble getting financing .A lot of these "lower mpg vehicles" are driven by younger people and those with lower incomes. Many don't have the means to purchase a new car. Also these bills tend to target any vehicle including antique and classic cars. Some owners of these vehicles, won't see beyond the true value of their vehicle, even if it's restorable, to trade it in to get destroyed in the name of getting a voucher towards a more efficient vehicle. These types of bills can decrease the supply of available cars and parts ( as the whole car including the engine, transmission and body must be destroyed) to those who restore cars, including those just entering the hobby, and those even looking for a cheap first car. Prices on exisitng vehicles may rise as a result along with much needed used parts to keep them running. There were similar programs in the '80s and some older classic and collectible vehicles were destroyed in the name of cleaning upon the environment.
These programs should exempt vehicles beyond a certain age to prevent their early demise in the name of increasing fuel mileage. The number of these classic/antique vehicles are already decreasing every year and we don't need a program to hasten their demise. Most of these aren't daily drivers, and are properly maintained .The bills should target those vehicles who aren't properly tuned or maintained and kept that way , using excessive amounts of fuel. Emphasis should also be placed on proper tuning/maintenance of vehicles so they get the best possible mileage.

EDIT: What the government should do is to forumulate a buill that forces the vehicle manufacturers to make more fuel efficient vehicles without increasing the overall vehicle price to make them more affordable so people will want to buy them. I knowthe President has already proposed new uel mileage standards to take effect in a few years, but the manufacturers have said meeting those standards will add an additional $1300 to the price of the car. That is unacceptable. Instead of putting money into vouchers , they should put it towards research and finding ways to increasing mileage without increasing price at the same time. Other foreign manufacturers have found a way to do it so there should be no excuse for US manufacturers to do the same.

[RageCage]

97Ventureowner,


Thanks for the link !

I used to get 49 mpg hiway in a 1984 Nissan Sentra with 5 speed manual trans, with a button on the gearshift for overdrive. The window sticker said 49 hiway. I didn't believe it, but tested it out, and I actually did get 49 mpg hiway on a few long trips.

The 2009 Sentra, a 4 cylinder car, gets only 30 mpg, which is horrible.

ABout the current bills in congress... the mpg max mentioned in the link was 18 mpg. My Caprice is OVER that max. It is rated at 17 city, 24 hiway. I assume the 18 mpg mentioned in the link was 18 combined. The link only said 18, period. Not very informative reporting. So I wonder if my Caprice is even part of the program....

I hate to junk it. But the hassle of selling it is too much, plus one of the rear brakes has a bad wheel cylinder. It's a shame they have to kill the engine and trans, and not actually recycle it. Recycling is very "green". And the CO2 / global warming stuff is just a scam to get tax money and fees out of folks, IMO.

It will totally blow my mind if I can get $4500 if and when I get a 4 cyl econobox. I was actually thinking doing just that, even before I heard about the anti-clunker bill.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by RageCage

97Ventureowner,


Thanks for the link !

I used to get 49 mpg hiway in a 1984 Nissan Sentra with 5 speed manual trans, with a button on the gearshift for overdrive. The window sticker said 49 hiway. I didn't believe it, but tested it out, and I actually did get 49 mpg hiway on a few long trips.

The 2009 Sentra, a 4 cylinder car, gets only 30 mpg, which is horrible.

ABout the current bills in congress... the mpg max mentioned in the link was 18 mpg. My Caprice is OVER that max. It is rated at 17 city, 24 hiway. I assume the 18 mpg mentioned in the link was 18 combined. The link only said 18, period. Not very informative reporting. So I wonder if my Caprice is even part of the program....

I hate to junk it. But the hassle of selling it is too much, plus one of the rear brakes has a bad wheel cylinder. It's a shame they have to kill the engine and trans, and not actually recycle it. Recycling is very "green". And the CO2 / global warming stuff is just a scam to get tax money and fees out of folks, IMO.

It will totally blow my mind if I can get $4500 if and when I get a 4 cyl econobox. I was actually thinking doing just that, even before I heard about the anti-clunker bill.

until this is passed anything can change....this is not a done deal yet/....

[Blt2Lst]

Originally Posted by CD Smalley

My general rule is any car that moves AND stops under it's own power is worth $500.

Some of my best cars (beaters) cost less than $500
Really..