We have two cars that are such a headache. Both have problems with them that have left them sitting in our driveway, and they are just in the way. The first one has a bunch of small mechanical problems, one that made us have to unhook the battery every time we shut the car off it so it wouldn't drain the battery. The other one was bought off of Craigslist recently, it was driven to our house, and then wouldn't start again. I'm tired of having two non-running cars sitting there, blocking the garage. I want to get rid of them and don't know what to do with them. They are probably fixable, but I don't have the money to put into them to make them sellable. We already had to buy yet another car (a new one this time) so that we both can get to and from work, so these two are just a nuisance. The major issue we are running into is we don't know who would take them when they have to be hauled away. And with the one we bought off of Craigslist, we can't even find the keys anymore! My daughter has a bad habit of finding things and throwing them away, and I'm afraid that is what happened to them. It's locked, we can't find the keys, and it's in my way. What a combo! We have the title, but haven't titled it yet because the thing doesn't even work! (We haven't had it long enough that we'd be in trouble for not titling it yet.)
My question is, what in the world do we do wih these things? I'm a little upset over the money that we invested in the car we just got that won't work, but I'm at the point that I don't care that we got screwed. I don't want them here anymore. Are the ads offering to haul away junk cars legit, or are they a scam? If they were even close to running, I'd just donate them, but as they are, I don't know anyone who even wants them. Please help! Any ideas are very appreciated!
Put them back on craiglist! It's free so why not, someone will buy them to fix them up and even the one that you can not find the keys for, just state that in the listing, or have a locksmith come out and get in there and make you a new key.
What kind are they? My husband and brother are mechanical and my brother has no car and credit problems from a divorce. If you live close enough would you consider giving or selling it cheap to him if they could make it driveable at a reasonable cost? You can email me at ____@____.com if interested.
Jenn,
We had a non-running car that we donated to a charity. They came and towed it away. Lots of charities do this. I would do a google search or look in the phone book or call a favorite charity.
MaryS
The ads offering to haul away junk cars are for the most part legit...you can also call your local salvage yard and they will come get it too but you probably won't see more than $50 out of that... most all of them will pay you something for them because, well face it, they are going to make several hundred dollars just off the parts of your cars alone! Every time I've had one hauled off, starting them didn't matter. As long as you can get into the car and throw it in neutral they can either load it on a flatbed or tow it where it needs to go. I think it's worth calling around to a few places to see what they would offer you for the pair of them...frankly, since you got screwed, I'd try to make a few extra bucks off of them if that is possible. Craigslist may or maynot work and that is always based on how fast someone wants the product...for the salvage yards, well I called in the morning and they picked up my car that afternoon. ;)
you might try to contact a mechanic school, or a high school that has a mechanical program and see if they would want them to use for instructional purposes. I am not sure if this is something that they do or would be interested in, but it wouldnt hurt to try. Good luck.
we had a truck that we bought from a "friend", who mysteriously never gave us the title, then disappeared, long story...anyway..we did all we could to ensure we were the legal owners, then put it on craigslist...it did run but we couldn't insure it since we didn't have the title...it sold for $500 to some guy who had the identical vehicle and just wanted it for parts. (he even came to pick it up, in the matching vehicle...kinda funny i thought!) it was our last idea because we spent over a year trying to get it legal to drive and couldn't.
also, what about those push/pull/drag sales car dealers have? maybe wait for one of them, and let a family member trade them in...just a thought...
There are salvage yards that will pay for junk cars, it's not much, I think I got $60 for my Grand Am that was a problem. They buy them by weight and don't care what shape they are in. You have to sign the title over to them, you might ask if they have suggestions on the one you just bought. Then comes the hauling off problem, do you have a friend with a truck and trailer? You might ask the salvage yard, they may know someone that could haul it there. They may even pick it up.
We donated our 1996 Corsica, which barely ran and the body was bad, last year to the Kidney Foundation. They came and towed the car away, and gave us a receipt so we were able to claim a $500 donation at tax time. They were great to work with. I highly recommend calling them.
Yes the car haulers are ok. Make sure they pay cash up front. You can donate the cars, They will send towing service to pick them up then thay will tell you how much to claim on your taxes after they auction them. Good luck
Donate them. It is not a scam. They will come and tow your cars away for free and you will get a tax deduction for their value. I believe the Kidney Foundation will do it, and a few other charities too. Good luck!
We recently sold our SUV that was not running to someone on Craigslist. We were really upfront about it not running and that it would probably need a new motor. The gentleman that bought it was responsible for the haul away. If you want you can negotiate that in the price too. But while I was in your position, I also found on Craigslist in the wanted to buy or automotive section I believe a big list of places claiming to give you "top dollar" for your junk & they will haul away. We were going to do that, as one offered us $350, but luckily we ended up selling it for more through Craigslist. Good luck & hope that helps.
I haven't read all the postings, but we've donated several cars to the Kidney Foundation. We usually drive our cars to the ground then donate them, most have not been running. When you donate them they ask on the application if they are drivable, if the tires are flat etc. Then they send the appropriate type of tow truck to take it. Its the easiest thing in the world, then you figure the value of your car and take it off your income tax for the year. We've done this several times and never had a bit of trouble. I'm thinking we've even done the application online so the car is usually gone soon.
If you want the cash, put it on Craigs List telling all you've said here, you might be surprised and have someone buy it, we had a car that my son had crashed, not much damage, long story, we finally had someone that came and bought it. People have different reasons to buy cars.
Hi Jenn,
Dishonest people are the worst! UGH! On the flip side, you can always take them to the salvage yard, they won't give you much, but it is an option.
If I were you I would call one of the charities and donate to them. We did that with a car that we had that wasn't worth trying to trade in or sell. I am almost positive we donated to The American Heart Association (it's been about 5 years). Anyway, they came out and picked up and sent us a tax deductible receipt. The one we got we had to enter what we thought the fair market value was. (Used Kelly Blue Book for that!)
Good luck and I hope you find a solution that works for you! In good health, J.
There are plenty of legitimate organizations that you can donate your cars to. We donated one to the American Heart Association a few years ago. Good luck.
Look into donating them. from what I understand they will come and get them. You can also sell them on craigslist list them for sale as is must pick up. you can also call a junk yard to come and get them they might be willing to pick them up and they can use them for parts. Good luck. J.
Donate them to cars for a cure "Cancer research "You can then take a writeoff on taxes
Any salvage yard should be willing to come and get them and will even pay you $100-$200 for them, depending on their value to them and as long as you have the title. As far as not having keys for the one car, I don't know if that would even matter to them. I know what a pain that can be. We have had to do that 2 or 3 times over the years when our kids' cars gave out or the had accidents with them rendering them unable to be driven or worthless. Good Luck! ~J.
I've heard ads on the radio lately for pick and pull. I think they will tow them away. Or, check calvary 88.5's website. They take junk cars as well as donations.
There are always orginizations that you could donate them to...lots of luck = )
B.
we donated an old unworking quite beat up car to salvation army. I know there are a few other organizations that will also accept cars in any condition for donations...they ususally will come and tow the car away for you and you get a tax deduction for the donation. But I am not sure how that would work with your title situation. Might be worth checking out a few websites to see if they have FAQ or something that may cover that issue. Good Luck!
You can donate it for a tax deduction to the kidney foundation, they may even pick it up.
Have you considered donating them to "Cars for Christmas?" I think they may have a web-site, but am not sure. Several of the local KC radio stations have sponsored this program so you may be able to contact "Cars for Christmas" through one of the radio stations. Or you might even considering selling one car and using the proceeds to fix the other.
Hi. The first thing I would probably do is get a new set of keys made for the vehicle purchased from Craigslist. I would contact a dealership that caters to that particular car. They will need a VIN# from the car in order to get a match. Or you can contact a locksmith.
That being said...you can either donate the vehicles to charity or pay $25 for each car to have a junk yard haul it off for you. I'd just as soon donate the cars since you will get a tax writeoff.
Good luck
There are also places that take cars like this and then part them out. I am not sure if they just take donations or if they pay you for the car.
Here is a place:
U Wrench It Auto Parts
8012 E Truman Rd
Kansas City, MO 64126
Phone: ###-###-####
Good Luck
Good Morning Jenn, So sorry hon someone took advantage of ya. Dirty rat. So lets see of you can make some lemonade out of those lemons. Call churchs/ Charities in the area, some I have heard take semi running /non running cars and fix them up for low income families, or single moms.
I did a google search just typed in Car Donations and there are several you can look through. VET's have one, American diabetis has one. He is a good one, nation wide running or not. Teddy Bear Cops http://www.givecars.com/
With tax credit also. Try this one ^ Jenn
I know the feeling also. Just bought a little fishing trialer from my step brother for 800. Stove, sink, bathroom sleeps 4..Gonna take over 4 grand to fix everything.. OOPS brothers Duhhh going with the flow so to speak...lol water tanks leak,so we'll take water jugs, potty doesn't work so we'll park closer to restroom areas.. Like Holiday INN...lol
I like camping and fishing so i will make do when I get to go along. It was basicaly going to be used on my hubbys yearly fishing trip with 5 childhood friends anyway.. You know guys they don't care if they even shower for a week if there's beer and fish to be caught...lol
God Bless you, Jenn hope it works out
K. Nana of 5
