Advise Re Junking My Old Car?

[nlpPati]

Someone is giving me a newer car so I am considering what to do with the old one.
It is old and funky but runs and has parts that could still be used such as good tires, carburator, etc.
I could post it and give it away free to someone but I'm not sure that it is safe to drive. I have been using it for local errands only for the past few months. I thought I was saving for a new car and then someone gave me her car - so great.
I am considering whether to donate it to a charity, give it to a mechanic, or take it to a junk yard.
Any advise on what to do with my sweet old car that is finally ready to retire is appreciated.
Thank you,
Pati
[email protected] :pengy: :pengy:

[ThePhiant]

:thumbsup:DMV WILL BUY IT FOR $1000

[rekarp]

If you find out that DMV still does that please let us know. I thought they had run out of money for that program.


Ron

[saysni]

I'm interested in older, interesting (to me) vehicles. If you have any kind of old car or truck you want gotten rid of let me know. I fix the car if it's fixable, and/or salvage parts and resell, and/or properly dismantle and dispose of what's leftover in the environmentally correct fashion, i.e: not down the drain, in the ditch, or along the side of the road - promise!
For 1985 and older vehicles the state will pay you $650 (if meeting the qualifications: at least 4 months of current ownership, current reg'd, and current smog check if due within 60 days - for 1975 and older vehicles no smog checks are required).
I might give you more than $650 if car's value is greater. Or if it doesn't qualify i'll give you something for it, more than what the junk yard will, and certainly more than giving it to Envirometal.
Unless of course you're wanting to truly junk your car then by all means call Envirometal, or Pick 'n Pull.

Thanks,
-Stuart
829-7690


The junking program is alive and well till April 29. (for this years cycle...)
There were early problems with the original contractor who had a fire at their facility ...Environmetal of Seb. now has the contract and has been picking up cars , free and with no DMV paperwork hassle!

Call for towing schedule 586 2498
for cars and pickups
for rvs call 565-2153...

[nlpPati]

I called Environmetal and they never heard of this program.
I also called AAA and they didn't have the information either.
I found the information by calling Pick N Pull. They have a hotline number that lead to a number that lead to a number...
Here's the web site with all the rules, steps and information and a downloadable application form:
https://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/stdhome.asp
It's all here as far as I can tell.
I am planning to apply. I will post another message if any new information comes up.
Thank you very much to everyone who contacted me with help and suggestions. There were a couple of people who suggested I call Pick N Pull. Thank you! because I would have never found this program without that advise.
Thanks again!
Pati


The junking program is alive and well till April 29. (for this years cycle...)
There were early problems with the original contractor who had a fire at their facility ...Environmetal of Seb. now has the contract and has been picking up cars , free and with no DMV paperwork hassle!
George Z

[findingme2]

One of my friends told me about where to get money for your junk car. I passed it on to a fellow WACCO who they said couldn't use it because he is not in a smog test area, but some others around here may be able to use it.

One option is the state: www.breatheeasier.ca.gov (https://www.breatheeasier.ca.gov) or (800)952-5210 with $1000 rebate if car fails smog and you turn car in before its registration expires. The other was Bay Area Air Quality Management District (415) 771-6000 with a $650 incentive. There are various restrictions and requirements in each program that must be met.

Good luck,
Donna

[nlpPati]

I talked with someone in charge of the car retirement program today and I qualify! I have to fail a smog test which will be sent to them electronically. Then I send them the completed form from their web site along with a copy of my vehicle registration. They will let me know in two weeks by mail if I have been accepted for their vehicle retirement program. They will instruct me on what to do after that.
I will let you all know how this comes out and answer questions when the process is completed. There has been a lot of wrong information circulated about this program so I hope that my experience will clarify this for anyone who needs the correct information.
Thank you to everyone who has helped me through this,
Pati :pengy: :pengy: :pengy:

[nlpPati]

As stated in my previous message, I need a smog test. I know I will fail it. This is to prove that my car qualifies for the state's car retirement program.
What I need is a Test Only close to home. This old car doesn't get very far so close is important.
Can anyone advise me on where is the cheapest smog test in Santa Rosa? I can get to just about anywhere by surface roads within Santa Rosa but close to downtown or Santa Rosa Avenue is closest.
Thanks again for all the great help!
Pati

[nlpPati]

I did it! It happened today! I got $1,000 for my crappy old car! Yippee!
I was turned down twice and called to find out why. I stayed patient and friendly and jumped through whatever hoops they told me to jump through. I had an enormous amount of paperwork to go through because I was turned down twice but it was worth it.
The name of the program is the Vehicle Retirement Program under the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) which is under the State Of California. It is not affiliated with the DMV and they did know how to get me in touch with the program. The place to start for this area is by calling Pick N Pull in Windsor which is the dismantling site. If you call their number there is a recorded message on how to apply for vehicle retirement.
Because it is through the government there is a lot of paperwork and everything has to be done exactly right. There is a list of rules that must be followed, but I didn't qualify according to one of their main rules. I wrote a letter and followed up with a phone call and they accepted my explanation but turned me down for another reason, which I also fixed. I called the office four times with questions on how to make this happen and then did what they said to do. It was never a sure thing until I was handed the check. On top of that, because the car sat for two months while I went through all of this the battery died and the car was required to start as part of the evaluation process today. Angels must have started my car because the battery was dead both today and yesterday; not even the lights would go on.
Thanks to everyone who helped me with advise and encouragement. I am now driving a newer car that was given to me so I really ended up ahead on this one. And now my sweet old car is going to be made into rebar. This was my lucky day!
Pati
[email protected] :pengy: :pengy:

[Sabrina]

Hi Stuart,

You mention you are interested in buying older, interesting (to you) vehicles. I would like to let you know about two that we have, and just need to get our money back out of.

I'm Sabrina from Wine Country Autobrokers in Santa Rosa, and you've probably seen a listing or two we've placed here on wacco for cars for sale. Anyway, when ever we find them, we buy diesel Mercedes vehicles to re-sell, in the hopes that people will want to buy them to run on Biodiesel or convert to veggie oil.

At the moment we have two Classic Mercedes 300TD's (a '79 and an '81) that we thought we would be able to do something with. Being as we are not actually mechanics, and have to depend on others to fullfill that need, they've become too much a task on us.

The 1981 Mercedes Turbo diesel runs fine (must warm up, but pretty peppy on freeway - needs an idle adjustment, but body sound (no accidents), rear spoiler, yellow paint decent for age, leather good, power sunroof works, stereo pulled, one window has regulator issue).

The 1979 Mercedes Turbo Diesel has a nearly identical body (accept headlight set style). the body is also sound (no accidents), no rear spoiler, yellow paint decent, leather good, even more nicely kept in and out than '81, more classic design (especially the headlight set here is attractive w/ circular headlights, etc. Ask for pics, I think I have some on both cars). But, on the '79, the engine has no compression. Both cars have the metal fuel lines.

The amount of money we need to get out of these is VERY minimal for the right person w/ some tools and skills. The '81 alone, in it's present condition, is worth more than what we are willing to take on both cars, which is approximately $1550, and which is including an amount of DMV fees that will need to be paid. I extend this offer to first come first served, if Stuart is not interested (HOW and WHEN DMV fee's are paid IS negotiable, so upfront amount to me could be less than $1550 depending on transaction circumstances).

Our only other sure bet recourse to get our money back, but more expensive,time consuming, and detrimental environmentally (in terms of towing them on big diesel trucks in traffic 45 miles away, or more, i.e. smog), is to put them into the dealers auction. We would prefer not to pay more in Auction fees and transport, and it would be so much more ecologically friendly if we could just match up to the right "local someone" who would just take them off our hands; maybe this is the perfect veggie oil project someone's been looking for (!!!).

Make a nice single car out of the two of these vehicles, or just fix up the '81 and save the '79 for parts. Either way, probably have many spare parts for future needs. If you have some sort of industry status (Mechanic, dealer, or?) I'm sure we can transact tax free. Otherwise expect to ad sales tax for your town of residence. Regardless, this is a deal for someone, if not you, Stuart, that's why I'm posting this publicly. Stuart, I may follow this up with a phone call tomorrow.

Sabrina
_______________________________________________________________


I'm interested in older, interesting (to me) vehicles. If you have any kind of old car or truck you want gotten rid of let me know. I fix the car if it's fixable, and/or salvage parts and resell, and/or properly dismantle and dispose of what's leftover in the environmentally correct fashion, i.e: not down the drain, in the ditch, or along the side of the road - promise!
For 1985 and older vehicles the state will pay you $650 (if meeting the qualifications: at least 4 months of current ownership, current reg'd, and current smog check if due within 60 days - for 1975 and older vehicles no smog checks are required).
I might give you more than $650 if car's value is greater. Or if it doesn't qualify i'll give you something for it, more than what the junk yard will, and certainly more than giving it to Envirometal.
Unless of course you're wanting to truly junk your car then by all means call Envirometal, or Pick 'n Pull.

Thanks,
-Stuart

[rob_rm]

Hi Stuart:

I can vouch for Sabrina. We often cross paths at the Santa Rosa CarMart
(weekends @ Fairgrounds). I sell only smogged cars for a charity out there.

If I get a car deemed "Wacco worthy" (any diesel, Saab, Volvo, etc.) I put
them out on WACCO first before the CarMart).