Car needs engine - what to do with it?

Long story short.. 2003 Ford Explorer... 88K miles.. just found out needs a new engine. Also needs new transmission. I'm waiting on the estimate for the engine, but the tranny will cost $1,800-$2,000.

If I end up getting a new car, I have no idea what I should do with the other? It's obviously not running... and I don't want to keep paying $ to tow it all around the city. I have no idea of what I could even get for it? Any ideas in what I should be looking for as a price? Also, not sure whether to put on Craigslist, take to scrap yard, trade in, etc. Any thoughts?

Obviously, this was very unexpected... and I'd like to get as much cash as possible for the vehicle.

Thanks in advance for any input, help, suggestions!

created by wahhutch9 on Jul 10, 2011 at 10:57:37 am Home Comments: 11

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I would suggest scrapping your SUV, there is no trade in value and it's not woth putting money into it. Scrap prices are up, it's a good time to do it.

posted by Cisco on Jul 10, 2011 at 11:19:28 am #

Charity motors.

posted by Linecrosser on Jul 10, 2011 at 12:14:02 pm #

Care to elaborate, linecrosser?

posted by wahhutch9 on Jul 10, 2011 at 12:55:26 pm #

Since you said that you're looking to get as much cash as possible out of the vehicle, I'm not sure that the charitable thing will work for you.

Unless linecrosser knows of a different organization, most of the time the way it works is that you donate your vehicle to a non-profit, and then can use it as a tax deduction.

posted by mom2 on Jul 10, 2011 at 01:03:51 pm #

Engines are hard to find for those. Er, I mean decent engines. Anyway figure around $1000 labor for engine swap.

As far as what to do with it if you don't want it, here's a couple of suggestions.

1) Call a couple of ads from craigslist or blade that advertise for vehicles. As long as you have the title, they will come tow it away for up to about $200. No hassles, and you get rid of it cleanly.

2) Donate it to a charity. I've never done this, but you don't get anything in return except a tax deduction. Deduction only works for you if it helps your tax bracket.

3) If you have the time and the means, take it to omnisource. The downside to that is you have to remove the tires, gas tank, drain all fluids. Not fun but you get around $500.

4) Put it on craigslist, etc. This is biggest pain with people wanting to look at it, appointments, etc. Value is "iffy" at best because you have to consider that if anyone wants to pay for it, they have to be somewhat local. You could get up to $1000, but then again, you have to find a buyer interested in it.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

posted by hockeyfan on Jul 10, 2011 at 01:07:00 pm #

Gotcha. Thanks. Definitely something to consider.

posted by wahhutch9 on Jul 10, 2011 at 01:07:28 pm #

Please post how it works out wahhutch. I'm in about the same boat with my 2000 Explorer. I got about 150,000 out of her, but she's about done and I've been wondering what to do too.

posted by taxiang on Jul 10, 2011 at 06:50:35 pm #

put it out for a lemons racer... They will love you!

posted by smbfc on Jul 10, 2011 at 07:36:07 pm #

Take it into the inner city and dump it, then report it stolen in the morning. Collect the insurance.

posted by madjack on Jul 11, 2011 at 03:30:40 pm # 2 people liked this

So Wahhutch, what did you decide to do?

posted by taxiang on Aug 15, 2011 at 03:56:42 pm #

I actually ended up putting a new motor in for $1,400.

I figured I wouldn't get much by scrapping it. I thought that if I put a new motor it and then traded it in at a dealer, I would at least get back that $1,400 and then some.

It's running great now, but once I find the right vehicle.. I'll be selling/trading it in.

posted by wahhutch9 on Aug 15, 2011 at 04:38:47 pm #

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