sell vehicle to salvage?

[BillyBadAss 189]

I have a 2007 Odyssey that needs probably $6000+ in repairs. 
It's fully driveable, but immediately needs two new tires, new fuel pump (leaking), front brakes and a front bumper replaced. 
That's estimated at about $1600 + whatever the bumper replacement would be. 

And in the near future will need a PS pump (?$) and AC compressor ($18-2500) - both leaking. 
Add to that a scratched up windshield , a non-opening sliding door, and some minor dents. 
It has 150k miles on it. 

A new-used car is not exactly in the budget at the moment, but I don't want to dump a few grand into it and still have a POS that needs to be replaced in a year or two anyway. 

KBB says the trade-in value in Fair (lowest) condition is $1200-2400. 

My options are to: 
1) put about $3k into it now to get it safe - expecting another ~3k in needed repairs in the next year or so. 
2) trade it in (assuming some dealership would take it as a trade-in)
3) sell it to an auto salvage

I assume that IF a dealership took it for trade-in - they'd likely sell it for salvage themselves. 
Which got me thinking I'd like to understand what the salvage value would even be. 
How do I go about determining that?  I mean obvious answer is just to call some places to see, but thought I'd check in if anybody had any experience or other advice.. 

 

[T’Boo Ted Marshall 2740]

Was this deemed a Total Loss in an accident?

[Jim Ed Love 93]

Could be anywhere from $175 a ton to maybe --and that is a big maybe $1,000, and that is if a wrecking yard needs the parts off that particular model.

If you truly think it is salvage I'd let the dealer fool with it.

[BillyBadAss 189]

It's never been in a major accident. The body damage is from minor, low speed incidents. I can deal with the cosmetic flaws, but the fuel pump leak promoted me to take it to a shop. They checked it over and gave me the estimates on the immediate, make it safe repairs, and the things on their last leg likely needing to be addressed soon. 

I trust the repair shop, more or less. 

I'm just looking at the repair costs vs even good condition resale and the needed repairs are more than it's worth. The drive train is still solid. If I sink 4 or so grand into it I think it would be a solid/safe vehicle for a couple more years. But it would still have a lot of flaws (that don't affect driveability); and with 150k miles on it not sure if that makes sense.  

 

 

[Jim Ed Love 93]

 Then Rock Auto Parts and You Tube  videos along with a $20 service manual. Even if mechanical skills are lacking those sources can walk you thru the process.

 Price out the parts yourself and see how much the labor markup is at the shop. Might make you want to buy a $70 set of tools and learn new skills.

[HOOKEM4 5044]

BillyBadAss drives a minivan?? 

[Shenanigans 31]

Call up Copart and get a salvage quote. You should at least know what kind of baseline they will offer you for the salvage.

[gyroprotagonist 2595]

might want to just see what $3K will get you on a used ride.  would hate to drop 4x the value of the car in repairs for 1-2 more years.

or maybe talk to a cabbie and see how they keep their minivans that are in similar to worse condition on the road.

[Bernard 879]

If it runs and drives it's not salvage. Trade it in or sell it on Craigslist. My mom's old Jaguar S-Type crapped out last year. Dead in the garage. I called some dude on Craigslist that buys junk cars. He showed up a few hours later and towed it away after handing me $200. He said they pull the wheels, and cats (maybe s coupe other parts) then send it on to the scrap yard for recycling.

Bernard

[Quagmire 2147]

BillyBadAss drives a minivan?? 

That’s what I was thinking , username doesn’t check out

[NeverMarryAStripper 21923]

List it on craigslist for sale with owner financing with a weekly payment.  Repo it after they miss the first payment and then do it again.  You will probably be able to end up getting about $9k for it with a little work.

[iamthepush 72]

What is your van doing that makes you think it has a leaking fuel pump?

[BillyBadAss 189]

Leaking might be the wrong term - it has a cracked plastic housing where it connects to the tank. So fuel can splash out a bit and vapor is escaping the tank. This according to the shop that diagnosed it.. 

[dingleberryswitzer 2724]

This may sound slightly racist*, but list that thing on Craigslist and some mexican dude will pay more than the salvage yard will, even if you tell them what's wrong with it.  

 

*I can say this because I'm part mexican. 

[iamthepush 72]

This may sound slightly racist*, but list that thing on Craigslist and some mexican dude will pay more than the salvage yard will, even if you tell them what's wrong with it.  
 
*I can say this because I'm part mexican. 

If he tells them in English will they even understand?

[BillyBadAss 189]

I ran it by Carmax and they appraised/offered $1600. So it's apparently worth something.. 

[Bernard 879]

16 hours ago, BillyBadAss said:

I ran it by Carmax and they appraised/offered $1600. So it's apparently worth something.. 

It's worth more than you think because there are people out there who have the time, tools and expertise needed to get your vehicle up to snuff for a whole lot less than you'd spend doing the same. They'll buy your car and fix it after hours with junkyard parts at the auto shop where they (or their brother, cousin, etc.) already work(s). Then they have a good ride at a sweet price. Win Win.

Bernard 

[dcbc 14510]

Sell it on Craigslist as is.  I sold a 2001 SUV for about $3,500 in less than 3 days.  Transmission was whining, a/c had a leak somewhere, cruise control was nonfunctioning.  Disclosed it all and had someone jump on it fast.  Carmax offered me $700, which prompted the Craigslist listing.

[pops 7007]

If CarMax offered 1600 it is worth at least twice that. Pretty much anything over 10 years old they take immediately to the auction.