Blew the engine in my car. Need ideas on what to do with it.

[okeefe01]

I have a 2002 Protege5 with almost 200k miles on it.  The water pump failed and dumped all of the water out while I was driving on the highway.  Before I figured out what was going on, it was too late.  At the least, I have blown the head gasket, but I could have cracked the head.  Even if it is just a head gasket, I would still have the head checked and probably reconditioned, so I am looking at a minimum of $300-$400 if I do the work.  On top of that, I need a new water pump, rotors all around, a new caliper, brake pads all around, and a couple tires.  So, when its all said and done, I could have $1k in it to get it back on the road. (I admit I have let it go a little)

 

I have another car that I am driving that is fine, so I don't need the car.

Should I fix it?  Junk it?  Try to sell it?  Part it out?  Any other ideas?

 

[zx3vfr]

Donate it if you need a tax write off

[durk]

I had a similar situation this summer. I had a 2004 Altima that just blew all of sudden. It also had over 200,000 miles and I did not want to put any money into it. I ended up posting it on craigslist and just honestly said The motor blew. I eventually got a guy to pay me $450 for it. Obviously I didn't get rich from it but it was more than a junkyard would give me.

[blue-yamaR6s]

Unfortunately, with over 200K miles, it probably isn't worth it if the body is going.  You'd be ahead to either part it out or sell as a parts car unless you have a sentimental attachment.

[okeefe01]

I did a little checking on donating it.  Apparently the IRS has decided that they don't like the idea so much anymore.  They can make you cut your deduction back to the value that it brought to the non-profit.  So, if they junk it for $50, then you can only deduct $50.  It could be more of a pain that I want to deal with.

 

blue-yamaR6s, there's no sentimental value on this one at all.  We bought it new in 02 and it has been a money pit from the beginning.  I should have sold it a long time ago.  Since they only made those for two years, every time I went to buy a part for it (often), I always heard "oh, you got one of those expensive ones."  You would have thought being a Protege, they would have had a lot of similar to parts to a, well, a Protege.  

 

I think I will do what Durk suggested and put it on Craigslist.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.  I post back if I have any luck getting rid of it.

[zx3vfr]

Tow it to bill Daugherty Kia? 6,000 minimum off msrp of any select new Kia in stock with any trade?

[max power]

^ but then you have a KIA.

[okeefe01]

^ Ouch!

[serpentracer]

I did a little checking on donating it.  Apparently the IRS has decided that they don't like the idea so much anymore.  They can make you cut your deduction back to the value that it brought to the non-profit.  So, if they junk it for $50, then you can only deduct $50.  It could be more of a pain that I want to deal with.

 

blue-yamaR6s, there's no sentimental value on this one at all.  We bought it new in 02 and it has been a money pit from the beginning.  I should have sold it a long time ago.  Since they only made those for two years, every time I went to buy a part for it (often), I always heard "oh, you got one of those expensive ones."  You would have thought being a Protege, they would have had a lot of similar to parts to a, well, a Protege.  

 

I think I will do what Durk suggested and put it on Craigslist.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.  I post back if I have any luck getting rid of it.

 

and from what i've seen the car has to be be pretty damn nice (and running) and under a certain age for anyplace to accept it for donation.  pretty damn picky for a free car.

[redkow97]

^ but then you have a KIA.

 

Still funny, but was a lot funnier 10 years ago.

 

My father-in-law's Optima is a nice place to be.  pretty legit car.

[Scruit]

If it was me I'd put a junkyard motor in it.

 

Brake stuff is simple and cheap, don't let that scare you off.  How is the rest of the car?  Think you can get another 5 years out of it?

[okeefe01]

If it was me I'd put a junkyard motor in it.

 

Brake stuff is simple and cheap, don't let that scare you off.  How is the rest of the car?  Think you can get another 5 years out of it?

I stumbled onto a 05 Impala for $2000. Its in good shape,  Ironically, the guy asked me if I wanted it about an hour before the Mazda bonked.  I swear to you, I aid "No thanks, this one (the Mazda) is still doing okay."  I must have jinxed myself.  I called him the next morning and told him I would take the Impala.

I could fix the Mazda, I'm just not a big fan of it, and honestly, the way the rust has popped up so quick, I'm not sure if it will hold together for 5 more years. 

[zx3vfr]

^ but then you have a KIA.

Freaking advertising of theirs works. Anytime someone tells me they have a pos car I spit that out just like the commercial. Imasheep/

[2talltim]

I stumbled onto a 05 Impala for $2000. Its in good shape, Ironically, the guy asked me if I wanted it about an hour before the Mazda bonked. I swear to you, I aid "No thanks, this one (the Mazda) is still doing okay." I must have jinxed myself. I called him the next morning and told him I would take the Impala.

I could fix the Mazda, I'm just not a big fan of it, and honestly, the way the rust has popped up so quick, I'm not sure if it will hold together for 5 more years.

Impala is a great car, my wifes 07 has 164k miles and counting (150+per day) and I've done minimum repairs on it, mostly wearable items.

[redkow97]

Impala is a great car, my wifes 07 has 164k miles and counting (150+per day) and I've done minimum repairs on it, mostly wearable items.

 

I'm biased, but I hate that generation Impala.  I dealt with a horrible vehicular assault case where the victim was driving a 2007 Impala.  The passenger walked away relatively unharmed, and both occupants of the 2012 Camaro SS were completely fine (passenger wasn't even wearing his seatbelt), but the driver of the Impala had pretty severe injuries.  Some may have been caused by the paramedics when (s)he started to die on them, and they got desperate to get him/her out of the car more quickly, but the broken femurs, broken pelvis, etc. were not their doing.  Super nice person too.

[serpentracer]

I'm biased, but I hate that generation Impala.  I dealt with a horrible vehicular assault case where the victim was driving a 2007 Impala.  The passenger walked away relatively unharmed, and both occupants of the 2012 Camaro SS were completely fine (passenger wasn't even wearing his seatbelt), but the driver of the Impala had pretty severe injuries.  Some may have been caused by the paramedics when (s)he started to die on them, and they got desperate to get him/her out of the car more quickly, but the broken femurs, broken pelvis, etc. were not their doing.  Super nice person too.

shit happens.

there is a crash test video of a 09 malibu with a head on of a 59 impala and there were only minor injury data to the new car while the old impala data was considered fatal

 

Edited December 2, 2015 by serpentracer