Anyone on here ever donated a car for the tax write off? I've got an old airport car that really isn't safe or worth anything. I don't feel right about selling it to someone, so I thought I would try the donation thing. Quick google search now has me scared of scams, not doing it properly, etc.... I live in Alaska if that helps. Thanks for the help.

 

Dont know the details of it since I have never donated a car. Cut one up with a Sawzall once after a wreck ... ah that was a sad day .... anyway .. Around here (Ohio) they take them in and have auctions every month or so. I'd feel safe about Goodwill

Find A Goodwill

 

I've got a Buick with low miles and a bad tranny. Is it immoral to sell this car for $650? It can't be repaired for a cost effective amount according to my research. I put the car in front of a local Walmart with a poster in it saying "transmission needs repair". People are calling me even so. The first thing I tell them is, you can't drive this car. I am wondering how moral this is.

 

I think it is totally moral as long as you are upfront. Heck, I might try selling mine now!

 

Well, I am screening people who call. It has to be a person who sounds like they could do something useful with the car. I have had several overweight women with kids drawing welfare call me about it, and it is obvious they have no idea what they are getting into. I am waiting for mythbusters, charlie shade tree, or someone from the demolition derby to call.

Reminds me of a funny episode from my early life. I had an old Cadillac my uncle gave me in swell condition with low miles except it was a Sedan De Ville and kids my age did not think that was cool. I wanted to sell it of course and sure enough this guy comes around and offers full price. Two weeks later my car turns up in a homecoming parade for the Georgia Bulldogs with the roof chopped off. I was heart broken, had really liked the car. He had painted a bulldog on the hood and a bunch of naked women riding in it. I would venture a guess it never went a mile after that.

 

Hell yea its moral. "Cost effective" is in the eye of the ... uh ... spender. I HATE working on FWD cars, but if it were a RWD, I'd have no problem buying it and swapping trannys. Once bought an 84 Trans Am for $300. Two days later, it had a new interior, motor, tranny. Go to your local AutoZone and ask who buys and sells cars. You'll find someone.

 

I bought a car just like you describe. I bought a jeep with a bad transmission. The owner was upfront about it. I'm on the mechanically inclined side so I went to the junkyard, pulled one out of a wrecked car. 7 years later I'm still driving a car I paid $400 for and it has the same transmission that cost $500.

My sister bought a car that was sold because it kept overheating. She paid about $900 for it. Spent $400 on a new radiator, hoses and thermostat that I put in for her and now has a reliable driver that has a blue book of over $3000.

If you're up front about the issue, I don't see the problem. Shadetree mechanic types are always trying to find fixer uppers.