Place Near Boston I Can Get the Best Price for Selling My Old Car with a Shot Engine? (buying)

[Japanfan1986]

Let me just preface this by saying I'm not expecting to a get much for it, but am hoping to do better than my best possibility now.


The deal is I have a 2001 Toyota Corolla. It still runs and actually past inspection last year, but the engine is shot. It had an oil leak and by the time it was taken into get fixed it had already had some severe engine damage. I talked to a mechanic about it and he said there was no point in fixing it anymore unless I wanted to replace the engine, which wouldn't be cost effective.


So, I'm looking to sell it for parts pretty much. I had to sell another car some years back after I got rear-ended in an accident where the other driver was at fault. In that case the frame got some damage and was technically totaled. I of course never took it back on the road for safety reasons, but I still managed to sell it to a website (junkmycar or something like that) for $400. That one could barely start when I sold it and was a 1999 Corolla so, I know I can get at least that much for it. The 2001 is actually drivable, but I doubt it'd pass inspection and I'd rather not take chances with it breaking down at the most inconvenient time.


I'm hesitant to try a trade-in or anything like that because I've always heard it's best just to sell your old car separate then keep buying another car completely separate. Otherwise there are more moving parts in the negotiation than needed and salesmen will take advantage of this.


Thank you in advance for any thoughtful replies

[robr2]

You can drive it to a few auto recycling yards to see what they will give you. Otherwise, put it on craigslist for $1500 or best offer. It'll probably be gone a couple of days.

I wouldn't be hesitant about trading it in. Figure out what it's worth - it's a rough trade in - and figure out the difference you want to pay for the new car. Go in aiming for that price - ie:

Trade: $1000
New Car: $15,000
Difference: $14,000

It doesn't matter if they give you $3K and you pay $18K - the difference is the important number.