The Advice Thread

[Exhuminator]

Here's an idea that's probably dumb but that's never stopped me before. Howabout a thread that's all about asking random people for advice on any given subject? If there's a dedicated thread for this concept, I didn't see it. So yeah. Got something eating you that you need anonymous ideas to find a solution for? Let's do this.

Edit:

Mission statement: Ask for advice, or give unsolicited advice.

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Okay, I'll start off.

So I've recently acquired a new vehicle. This is a nice vehicle. But now I own too many cars (or at least that's what my fiancée says). So she said I have to get rid of one of my other cars because she doesn't think we'll drive all of them enough and doesn't want to pay for insurance, gas, and upkeep for all these vehicles. So I figured I'd get rid of the one car I have that's a beater.

The "beater" is actually a 1996 Chevy Lumina. It still runs great, but the A/C died and the paint job has gone to pot. So what's the best thing to do with this car? I don't think I'd get much for it to sell it. Is scrapping a good idea? Donating to Goodwill? Give it to a demolition derby? I need ideas!

[BoneSnapDeez]

Ha! Interesting thread.

Incidentally, I'm in the same boat. The Bone family has three cars (and two drivers) so I too will be dumping one: a '96 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Like your Lumina it runs great and the A/C is toast.

I'll be putting my car on craigslist. See if I get any bites. I've also reached out to some friends and family members who may want another vehicle. Hope to have it gone by the end of the month.

I'm in rural Maine, so there are plenty of "backwoods" types who love junk cars. A few years ago I was able to sell a non-working vehicle within a matter of hours for $300. This Olds actually runs though so maybe I'll have a tougher time getting rid of it.

Anyhow, I'd try to sell and then donate if that fails.

[KalessinDB]

I've gotten rid of 2 straight-up broken cars (one without a title because I lost it) for $100 each in upstate NY to a junkyard. Nowadays I would probably donate them, but as a teen/20something the cash was nice.

[marurun]

http://www.cartalkvdp.com/

Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program to support your local public radio station.

[Ziggy]

Howabout a thread that's all about asking random people for advice on any given subject?

Can you only randomly ASK advice? Can I randomly give unsolicited advice?

[bryan_65]

I've gotten rid of 2 straight-up broken cars (one without a title because I lost it) for $100 each in upstate NY to a junkyard. Nowadays I would probably donate them, but as a teen/20something the cash was nice.

Damn around here the junk yards will pay $300 to $500 for non running cars. My Grand Prix even had a blown engine and I kept the wheels and tires, still got like $275.

[Fragems]

Craigslist isn't a horrible start since people are looking for cheap cars and vehicles for parts. Scraping or donation isn't a bad idea either there are plenty of charity's out there looking for vehicles and many will even haul it off for you. Since it's still running taking it to a junk/scrap yard would be fairly easy though if you wanted to just get an estimate of what they would give you.

[Exhuminator]

Can I randomly give unsolicited advice?

I don't see why not.

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As for the replies I've gotten so far (thanks everyone who replied), I kind of like the idea of selling the car to a junk yard the most. I mean, I can drive it to one easy enough. Getting a couple hundred bucks for the car would be nice. I'm kind of scared of selling stuff on Craigslist because I've heard too many horror stories concerning that site.

[fastbilly1]

Exhuminator, what part of GA are you in, and how many miles does the Lumina have? My wife's car is on its last legs, and if the Lumina fits the bill I might be able to help you.

[Exhuminator]

Exhuminator, what part of GA are you in, and how many miles does the Lumina have? My wife's car is on its last legs, and if the Lumina fits the bill I might be able to help you.

I live about 30 minutes above the Florida line, near Thomasville.

I wouldn't recommend this Lumina as an every day car. It needs a paint job big time and a new front turn signal lens assembly. The interior fabric is faded and stained too. I was just driving it in the winter only as a work car because I live 9 minutes from my job, and no A/C in the winter wasn't a problem. Soon as the heat came I started driving my much nicer Impala.

As for miles, that Lumina has over 300,000 miles on it! And it still runs great. Chevy knows what they're doing (when it comes to cars at least).