Considering donating a vehicle

[Ed_Strong]

My parents got a new ride and gave me their 2000 Windtars LX with less than 33,500m on it and it's in real good condition, so I don't have any more use for my 1995 Grand Caravan and I forfeit my battle with it... just search my threads on this forums by my name and you'll know why it has come to this. Just last night I was left stranded after the fan motor seized on me and the engine overheated in the middle of the road blowing steam all over the place.

My best choice is to opt to donate the vehicle, since I feel it won't be fair to pass the headaches to anybody else. I've heard that some organizations take any type of vehicle on any condition and if the vehicle is too expensive to repair they still process it into parts and still manage to profit from it plus I can claim some value for the vehicle on my taxes, instead of getting $50 from a junkyard...
Has anybody here done this before? How does the process go? I've heard of some horror stories about the problems of donating a vehicle, so I want to make sure I do the right thing. Can anyone shed some light on my direction?

[lewisnc100]

I did it years ago with an old Honda Accord. Great way to donate to a charity. But back then the laws were a little different, you could deduct fair market value of the vehicle on your taxes. Today you are only allowed to deduct the actual amount the charity organization received when they sold the vehicle or parts.

[DRW1000]

I donated a car a couple of years ago. The salvage yards were offering me $50 if I could drive it in and free pick-up (but no money) if they had to come and get it. I found an organization where they simply came and got the car and gave me a tax receipt as a donation to charity of somewhere in the neighbourhood of $100.

[lewisnc100]

Here's a link that describes the tax law changes: http://www.charity.com/new-car-donation-tax-law.shtml

[phil-l]

Try to deal with a well-known, reputable charity. I've heard too many stories where the charity took the vehicle away - but then never completed the title/registration process. The previous owner only finds out about it after the vehicle has been involved in an accident or other legal problem - and the VIN is traced back to the last registered owner. This could put you in the position of proving it's no longer your vehicle, and that you weren't responsible for what happened to it later.

To avoid problems: Make sure the title is signed over (don't fall for the "don't worry - we'll fill it in later" excuse) and keep your original tags (if your state requires it, turn in the tags quickly - and save the receipt). Be sure to keep a copy of the bill of sale to prove that you gave it away. Many state MVA web sites now publish vehicle donation guidelines; read them and follow their directions and you'll be fine.

Best wishes with your 2000 Windstar. In general, mine has done well - though you need to read about the isolator bolt fix and the remarkably useful leckemby.net procedure.