What would DR do? "extra car"

**jlkerns1** · 02-01-2011, 07:46 AM

We currently have 3 cars - all 2001 models. I've been going back and forth with what is the "smartest" decision regarding the one that is rarely/never driven.

I can't decide if it would be smarter for us to sell it (we could get MAYBE between $500-$1000 for it) and put that towards our debt. Or do we keep it (it runs perfectly fine) as a spare for if/when we have problems with our other vehicles?

I don't know if it makes much of a difference but we are current on all of our bills and have a snowball (small as it may be) that we are putting towards debt each month.

I am leaning towards keeping the car, but would like some outside input. Thank you.

~Jenny

**Ceashels** · 02-01-2011, 07:50 AM

So you essentially have a "back up beater?"

Would selling one of the other cars net you more money to throw at your debt? I think DR would recommend selling the car that will get you the most value.

**handerson2005** · 02-01-2011, 07:54 AM

Something else to consider, how much would selling one of the cars save you in insurance, registration, maintenance, etc?

**jlkerns1** · 02-01-2011, 08:02 AM

I think annual saving would be minimal. We have the insurance down to the bare minimum and registration is <$75/year.

**Greebo** · 02-01-2011, 08:08 AM

I think Dave would suggest that you lose the 3rd car if it's never used because it's costing you maintenance and insurance and registration fees for little benefit.

After all, if you have problems with one car, you can inconveniently suffer for a few days with having only one car at your disposal - and many places offer loaner cars when your car is going to be out of commission as well.

**Russ** · 02-01-2011, 08:37 AM

or... you could cancel the insurance and not renew the registration.
However, I would lean towards selling and putting it towards any debt.

Is your emergency fund fully funded?

**Greebo** · 02-01-2011, 08:38 AM

But you can't legally drive a car that isn't insured and registered - so what's the point?

**Russ** · 02-01-2011, 08:41 AM

She's not driving it anyway, whats the point of keeping it registered and insured? If it's a beater, she can have it as a backup w/o it costing her money.

**Greebo** · 02-01-2011, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Russ

She's not driving it anyway, whats the point of keeping it registered and insured? If it's a beater, she can have it as a backup w/o it costing her money.

But if it's not insured and not registered then she can't legally use it as a backup anywhere except on her own property. Certainly not on any public roads.

**Preston** · 02-01-2011, 08:43 AM

First of all, this car should be sold. Where are you located? I might be interested.

The sale of the car is not the only thing you have to consider in this scenario. You might only pocket $500 from the sale of the car, but then you also pocket the $75 in registration and the insurance, gas, oil change, etc. Plus if it leaks oil or just gets in the way you have less hassle.

Simplify your life. Sell the car. Don't look back.

**Russ** · 02-01-2011, 08:47 AM

Greebo, I don't disagree. I honestly think she should sell the car.

But if she's hell bent on keeping it and it's never/rarely driven, why keep paying those two fees? She doesn't HAVE to pay either one and can very easily get them re-instated within a day or two if need be.

**Greebo** · 02-01-2011, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by Russ

Greebo, I don't disagree. I honestly think she should sell the car.

But if she's hell bent on keeping it and it's never/rarely driven, why keep paying those two fees? She doesn't HAVE to pay either one and can very easily get them re-instated within a day or two if need be.

But the stated reason of keeping the car is in case there is trouble with one of the other cars. In the time needed to reinstate insurance (immediate) and registration (not so much) the car giving trouble would be in the shop and repaired in most circumstances.

**nodmicks** · 02-01-2011, 08:53 AM

I would sell it unless you have a new driver coming up or think one of your cars is ready to go bye bye for good. We kept my old car when I got a new one in Aug. However we have another kid start driving soon. If we hadn't had another kid going to drive I would have sold it. Our spare is not insured and won't be until I call AAA and say it will be driven. We did pay the $75 tags.

**Russ** · 02-01-2011, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

But the stated reason of keeping the car is in case there is trouble with one of the other cars. In the time needed to reinstate insurance (immediate) and registration (not so much) the car giving trouble would be in the shop and repaired in most circumstances.

You know what's going to happen the day after she sells it, right?

But yeah, in most circumstances you can get a car repaired that quickly.... which begs the question to the OP...

Can you live a few days without the 2nd car?

**Greebo** · 02-01-2011, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by Russ

You know what's going to happen the day after she sells it, right?

Oh almost certainly

But yeah, in most circumstances you can get a car repaired that quickly.... which begs the question to the OP...

Can you live a few days without the 2nd car?

That question sounds familiar