Options for a totaled car

Spartan925

Spartan925

Warriors' Watch Rider
My mother-in-law was in a car accident last week, and while she's okay, the van is a total loss. However, she only had liability insurance on it and she was found at fault. Luckily the van is paid off but the damage is pretty severe, including a caved in front passenger door and very likely frame damage as well as broken steering on the right front wheel. She doesn't want to try and get it fixed herself and is basically wanting to be rid of it. I've never been in such a situation (I always carry full coverage on my cars) so I'm not sure what to recommend. Does she just donate it to something like Kars for Kids and take the vacation voucher and tax deduction, or does she try to sell it for parts since everything else on the van is in working order? I'd appreciate any advice, and if anyone wants a 2000 Honda Odyssey to part out, make us an offer. :)
 
JesasaurusRex

JesasaurusRex

Deleted User
um, she either has more time than money or more money than time, pretty simple

don't say that to be harsh but ya, good luck
 
splat

splat

Well-known member
Pick-n-pull will pay her for it. It'll probably be better money than a tax write-off. Call and ask. If it still runs and you can drive it in, they'll pay more.
 
Spartan925

Spartan925

Warriors' Watch Rider
Well the van was gifted to her by a family member and was basically an extra vehicle in the family. She had brought up wanting to donate it but I figured she might want to see if she can make some $$$ from it somehow since other than the right side damage it's in working order. I figured maybe putting it up on Craigslist or something but didn't know if maybe there was a better way to go about it.

splat said:
Pick-n-pull will pay her for it. It'll probably be better money than a tax write-off. Call and ask. If it still runs and you can drive it in, they'll pay more.
Click to expand...

It runs, but the right front wheel won't steer so it can't be driven in. It had to be towed home from the scene.
 
insyder

insyder

Like a Boss.
Staff member
We had an '04 Odyssey with a trans that went to shit at 245k miles.
Didn't want to pour money into it and bough a replacement car.

Sold the van to a local recycler for $1200 about a year ago.
 
bojangle

bojangle

FN # 40
Staff member
Yeah, a recycle / pick n pull place will tow it away for her and offer to give her something for it, depending what she can negotiate and how many salvageable parts there are. It won't be much, but she'll get something for it.
 
Kestrel

Kestrel

Well-known member
Parts yards will definitely low ball you... Most chain ones pay around $450 or thereabouts on the east coast. May pay to shop around with different yards. If the drivetrain is low mileage, you could do alright.
 
DTM74

DTM74

It's not my fault...
I had a POS '79 Mustang that got in an accident and eventually just died. I pulled the tires/rims off it and called a junkyard to come pick it up. Gave me $500 for it. Paid $700 for the car so I was happy.
 
Strigoi

Strigoi

Banned
A buddy of mine had an 80s Toyota MR2. No engine, no trans, no suspension, no wheels/tires, missing part of the interior. It was sitting on a pallet in front of a friend's house. Pick N Pull came and got it and I believe they still gave him a couple hundred for it.

I'd call them first.
 
Lex Talionis

Lex Talionis

Inciteful
Spartan925 said:
My mother-in-law was in a car accident last week, and while she's okay, the van is a total loss. However, she only had liability insurance on it and she was found at fault. Luckily the van is paid off but the damage is pretty severe, including a caved in front passenger door and very likely frame damage as well as broken steering on the right front wheel. She doesn't want to try and get it fixed herself and is basically wanting to be rid of it. I've never been in such a situation (I always carry full coverage on my cars) so I'm not sure what to recommend. Does she just donate it to something like Kars for Kids and take the vacation voucher and tax deduction, or does she try to sell it for parts since everything else on the van is in working order? I'd appreciate any advice, and if anyone wants a 2000 Honda Odyssey to part out, make us an offer. :)
Click to expand...
Maybe not Kars4Kids:

Minnesota attorney general finds that less than 1 percent of donations to Kars4Kids charity goes to Minnesota kids
http://www.startribune.com/minnesot...ids-charity-goes-to-minnesota-kids/421323363/

Lex
 
aminalmutha

aminalmutha

Well-known member
If you want to do a private party sale, you have to provide a Smog certificate less than 90 days old, so unless you have that, it's going to be a lot less hassle to just sell it to a junk yard, ie Pick n Pull.

There are a bunch of dismantlers in Rancho Cordova; I don't know how far they go to pick up cars, but that might be worth looking into as well.
 
insyder

insyder

Like a Boss.
Staff member
I found the info for when we dumped our van for $1200

Rancho Honda and Acura Recycling
3624 Recycle Road, Rancho
855-635-7600

"Steve"
 
Abacinator

Abacinator

Unholy Blasphemies
My ex had liability only on her bike when she totaled it in a solo crash. They hauled it off (AAA).

When I totaled a Civic years ago my insurance hauled that off, too. Again liability only.
 
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Spartan925

Spartan925

Warriors' Watch Rider
Got a quote from Pick 'N Pull for $90 so...um...no.

insyder said:
I found the info for when we dumped our van for $1200

Rancho Honda and Acura Recycling
3624 Recycle Road, Rancho
855-635-7600

"Steve"
Click to expand...

That sounds more like it. Would just be a question of whether they come out to Concord for pick up is all. Thanks for the info.
 
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