Time to get rid of the car?

[Preston]

Hello.

I used to travel for a living putting 1500 miles a week on my car. It's a 98 Ford Taurus I lived out of it for a few years since I traveled so much. It's pretty beat up but still runs fairly well for its age, sitting in the parking lot with 186k miles.

I now bike everywhere I need to go. In fact, I haven't bought gas for this car since the end of April.

My biggest vehicle expense was this month, $58, to renew the plates. It has about a quarter tank of gas in it and will be driven in an emergency. Trouble is I don't even know if it will start since it's sat so long. (Since June 28)

I'm wondering if I should just try to sell it or just hold onto it for as long as I can as a backup to my wife's car.

It's got some sentimental value, and some use value to me, but I'm wondering if I'd be better off just selling it.

It gets about 25 mpg.

[Greebo]

You should run the engine for 15 minutes every two or three days at least to keep it in running condition, and move it as well to keep the tires from dry-rotting.

But if you're not using it, why not sell it? It could bring in a grand or two, and it could be the car that helps someone else be debt free in cars.

[Momto2Boyz]

I would say that if you have a "back up" car in the family, there is no point in keeping it around. I sold my car last fall and haven't looked back. We still have DH's car for emergencies and when we need to take road trips. Otherwise, the kids and I walk everywhere.

Not sure where you live, but if you live in an area with harsh winters, you might want to let it sit in the driveway through the winter. Last winter was the toughest time for me without a car. There were days when it was -20 with the windchill and I had to walk the kids to school. We bundled up and did it, but it was rough on them. So just be ready for walking/riding in ALL kinds of weather if you sell it.

The other benefit is that you can tank the insurance on it too if you sell it, so there is extra savings too!

[PrairieRose]

Well you won't get much for it so I'd be inclinded to keep it....for a back up and run about town type beater. You won't be able to buy one for what you'll get that you can have as much trust in. Jmho.

[DonnainME]

That is a hard one. If you do have a backup then there is no reason to keep another backup - then sell it.

I can't imagine being able to not have a vehicle and bicycle everywhere. I live in the middle of nowhere and to get almost anything we have to go 20 miles each way.

[Denvergirlie]

Unless you have car issues, the car should start right up after sitting for 3 weeks. I mean this is the length of some people's vacations, 3 weeks is nothing.

I had my car sit for 8 months, but my mom did fire it up every month or so and move it so the tires didn't get flat on the one area.

What is the annual cost on keeping the car? You mentioned $58 dollars for plates, what about insurance?

Are you sure you will continue to bike and such come the winter? I would keep it for another year at least and then re-evaluate

[Preston]

Total Costs to own vehicle:

Gas (usually only put $20 in it at most)
Plates: $58
Insurance (6 months) $10, $20 a per year.

Maintenance: $35 for high mileage oil change which I will get every six months. $70. I am not fixing anything else

Total cost to own per year: (excluding gas) $150


I am not making up that insurance rate. I got a quote and when I'd lose the 'multi-car' discount there is only a $10 difference.

[JanieD]

I think I would keep it unless you really need that $150.

[Grayce]

I'd keep it. It would be good to use in bad weather and at $150 a year it sounds like a bargain. I'd start it up every so often though.

[Pianolady]

I'd keep it as a back up. Around here, you'd be doing good to get $800 to sell it. I've got one of these older back up cars myself. Just drive it once in a while, don't let is sit totally unused.

[hugxlaughxsmilexlove]

I would personally keep it. We had a beat up '94 Corsica that I sold like an idiot and could have used it for a backup car! Paid off, insanely cheap for gas and insurance was next to nothing!

Even if you started it once a week, keep the liquids flowing and make sure the tires dont melt to the ground - it would be worth it (IMO)!

[DonnainME]

Well, I have changed my mind - you should keep it. I can also believe that the increase in insurance would only be $10 for that car - I have found a similar increase when I called and talked to my company about adding a truck that we have.