Unloading a car..

[Preston]

Due to a recent career move we are only going to need one car... but the thing is my wife's car is the one we are going to have to keep as my car is near the 200k mark. I can't and don't want to sell it as I won't be able to get much for it.

I was thinking about just letting hers sit for the most part and we drive mine out until it dies. But the thing is her car gets 5 miles more per gallon plus my car requires 89 octane. Do you think I'd be better off just using mine when we really need it and hers as our regular vehicle? Or should we drive out mine first so we only have one car and don't have t pay the insurance and other expenses?

[Jaded]

Donate it to Goodwill, or Salvation Army and take the tax writeoff.

[Darlene]

We just donated 2 cars to charity, they came by the next day and took them away. The proceeds from whatever they do with the car goes to the charity of your choice(off their list). Ours went to the Victory Junction Gang Camp a camp that:

"Enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun, and empowering, in a safe and medically sound environment."

Hubby isn't home now but I'll ask him the name of the website he used and get back to you if you want. Filled the form out on Sunday and Monday someone came to tow them away, couldn't believe it.

[HisDaisy]

I donated my old car to Goodwill when some one gave me their old one (newer than mine). Is there some one you know that might be in need of a car? Or maybe a high school or recent grad would like it for a low price? I was so blessed when I received a car from someone. I also know other that have been blessed by receiving reliable transportation. I would ask around you never know who might be in need.

[peanut]

Preston, I don't know where you live or what kind of car you own, but I do know we buy cars and hold till they die almost. We live in Canada and can't donate cars to charity...at least I don't think so. Our first Toyota truck we ended up giving to a farmer in a roundabout way for $500.

Our second car, a Toyota Tercel, was 16 years old when we sold it to a grease monkey looking for parts from several Tercels to make a new one. We sold it for $500 again.

So, depending what you have, it may be worth something in parts to some mechanic somewhere. Ask at the dealership service department...or your local car enthusiast club.

But considering the cost to insure and license, I'd get rid of the second car. We've been a one car family all my life.

Jean

[sdrjeolsen]

We are in a similar situation, with our van, it is sort of extra, but it is still a good car and gets better gas mileage than our truck.

For now, we chose to let it sit and are paying the insurance on it. We only pay comprehensive wich is $43 for 6 months. The ins. co. said to call them if and when we drive it and they will add the other coverage as needed on a daily basis. We haven't driven it since july, so will probably end up selling it, but it is newer and lower mileage, just not suited for where we live now.

I would give it a bit of time to make sure that you really don't need it then maybe sell it for parts, or donate it.

[leezza]

Preston,

I like the idea of donating it to someone who really needs it, maybe a friend of your families, a church member, or a charity.

If I was you I think I would wait away and just make sure that you don't end up needing it for some reason.

JMHO,
leezza

[Nightshade]

Folk's long term stitting can cause problems on older vehicles unless
they are run to full operating temprature at least once a month.

Why?

Gaskets,seals,belts is why. They dry out if the vehicle isn't run,at least once
a month, which can cause very expensive leaks that must be repaired.Tires
also need a roll to keep the belts from "setting" due to the ageing rubber.

Then there is the fuel in the tank that WILL go stale or ,if diesel, have
mold grow in the tank which can cause a major fuel system repair. NEVER
store any car you want to keep with an empty tank!! KEEP it full!! A full
tank will also help avoid moisture damage inside the tank that leads to
rusting or corrosion issues.

So as you can see if you wish to leave a vehicle sit idle there are things
you HAVE to do to keep it driveable......or pay repair bill later.

[SammeyG]

LAST YEAR DH AND I BOUGHT A 3RD CAR. WELL SUV. WHEN WE BOUGHT IT WE HAD A FAMILY FRIEND LIVING WITH US THAT ALSO HAD A CHILD. ALL THAT WE HAD WAS 2 TRUCKS. SO IT WAS KINDA OF HARD TO FIND ROOM. SO THAT IS THE REASON FOR THE 3RD ONE. WE LET MY MOTHER DRIVE MY OLD TRUCK. IT WAS SOMEWHAT HANDIER TO LET HER DRIVE IT INSTEAD OF LETTING HER BORROW MY SUV. FOR THE FACT THAT I WAS WORKING 2 JOBS. BUT DH & I WERE STILL CARRING THE INSUREANCE ON ALL 3. THEN DH & I DEBATED ON WEATHER OR NOT TO SELL THE TRUCK THAT MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING OR JUST TO GIVE IT TO HER. WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT IT WE WERE SOMEWHAT TIGHT FOR MONEY. BUT AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE KNEW THAT WE WOULDN'T GET MUCH FOR IT SINCE THE TRUCK WAS 12 YEARS OLD WITH 175K MILES ON IT. SO WE ENDED UP GIVING IT TO HER. FOR THE SAME REASON THAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO BE TOTING HER AROUND ALL THE TIME. ALSO I AM STILL WORKING 2 JOBS.DON'T GET ME WRONG I LOVE MY MOTHER. BUT THERE ARE JUST TIMES THAT I DON'T WANT TO GET OUT AND DRIVE ON MY DAYS OFF. THAT WAY TO THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT. AS FAR AS INSURANCE AND MAINTIANCE ON IT. SO I SAY GIVE IT TO A FAMILY MEMEBER THAT WILL APPERCIATE IT.

[Preston]

I don't think giving it to a family member will really work considering that our closest family member is four hours away. I'm not into driving two cars 250+ miles to give one of those cars away and driving home. Gas is a little too expensive for that.

I've been thinking about it and I think my best option is to hang onto the car for when I need it (also I don't really feel like cleaning it out just yet.) It costs me $20/month to insure, and averages out to about $15 a month in maintenance. I think going to one car right now might not be our best bet. I'd rather have the peace of mind knowing that if her car goes into the shop (her car is at 100k) that mine is always going to be waiting in the wings.

Now if we somehow come across some money I will probably donate it and get a new car.. but I don't think that will happen anytime soon.

[ironmaiden]

Maybe I'm reading between the lines, but it sounds like you like your car (or dislike the wife's car) and want to hold onto yours. If the insurance isn't much, go ahead and hold onto it. Just decide and try to stick to when you use hers and when you use yours. How long is your commute? You could always decide based on how long of a drive or when you are alone vs. when you are together.

One of the reasons I hate car insurance is that a working car is worth a whole lot more than they'd give you if you'd have an accident. Because if you have an accident they give you what the car was worth at the time, they don't care that you'd have to go out and buy something that costs more than what you had. So consider the $120 insurance that you'd have to pay as insurance against the other car having issues/accident.

Also, if somehow circumstances changed and you did need a second car, it would cost way more than $120 a year to pick up another one.