Junking a car for the most money

It’s time to finally junk a 2002 Silverado I have. It can be fixed to continue on, but it’s at the point where putting in a couple more thousand in repair bills is not worth it. But I know it has a lot of value left either from someone who does want to put in the repairs or to someone to part out. What gives me my best return? I don’t know if I want the hassle of dealing with tire kickers and low ballers by putting it on Craigslit or FB marketplace. Should I just try to call around to a place that will tow it and give me cash? I know I could donate it as well.

I’m not sure you’re gonna get much scrapping it. I scrapped my grandpa’s s-10 and got maybe $200. That was 10 years ago but who knows scrapping prices were probably higher then. I believe the answer is the option you don’t want to pursue – selling private party to the public. There is a reason it nets you the most return

Actually the way to get the most money is to part it out by pulling the parts yourself and listing them. It will take you a year or more to sell it off and will be an absolute hassle

PUt it on Facebook and CL as a repairable and be honest about what’s wrong with it that you know of. Put a fair price on it and it will sell and you’ll probably wish you had 2 more of them to sell.

It ASTONISHES me what will sell on FB and CL. There are dozens of buyers looking for a given thing at any one time. Somebody out there right now is searching for that age range of Silverado because they can fix them easily, they need a motor, transmission, complete interior, you name it.

This summer I listed what many will consider the least desirable tractor John Deere ever made–a 2010 from 1965. As every armchair internet expert will tell you, they were terrible tractors. Except… This one ran, drove, went in all gears, and had a good loader.

I figured I’d take the whole summer to sell it. Maybe finally I’d connect with the one buyer out there looking for a snow-moving tractor. I put it on FB and CL with what I considered a reasonable price.

My phone was on FIRE 20 minutes later. I took the ads down 2 hours after I listed it, I had 11 guys on a list, all of whom seemed interested and legit. Guy #1 met me the next day and bought it for asking price. He told me I could have asked for more and he’d have paid it.

Astonishing what will sell these days. Lot easier than scrapping.

I just sold a 2wd 2005 f150 with 225k that ran and drove with some issues to copart for $1000

I would put it on both sites and list whats wrong.If it runs and moves it will sell.500-1000 bucks is better than scrap price.

These days, a truck needs to be pretty far gone that someone won’t try to resurrect it. C.L. or F.B.. If it looks decent and you have a good visible spot, put a sign in the window.

If it’s 4×4 and the 4×4 works, I’d list it for $1500.

What color is it? If it is an extended cab, I need a rear door.
DT

With a little mechanical knowledge, you could part it out and make good money, or sell it to a place that sells used auto parts.

What’s wrong with it? Tranny issue it sounds like? Or a motor issue? Either way, you could sell whatever works for a good price!

I was dropping a freezer at my local junk yard and asked about their going rate on junk cars. I have a 2000 ford Escort ZR2 that’s been sitting for 8 years and for me not worth putting money into. They told me $150 ton. I think I sold them one about 10 years ago, same car, for $300.

BoatsHateMe wrote:

I was dropping a freezer at my local junk yard and asked about their going rate on junk cars. I have a 2000 ford Escort ZR2 that’s been sitting for 8 years and for me not worth putting money into. They told me $150 ton. I think I sold them one about 10 years ago, same car, for $300.

Back in the day it was $400 a ton. Good news, not long ago it was $90.

crappie55369 wrote:

Actually the way to get the most money is to part it out by pulling the parts yourself and listing them. It will take you a year or more to sell it off and will be an absolute hassle

Back in the 70s I had friends who worked on cars. They would follow ads by sellers who were “stripping for parts.” I remember accompanying a Buddy looking for parts and the seller had parts laying all over his garage and the frame was up on blocks. I always wondered what he was going to do what did not sell.

stevenoak wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>BoatsHateMe wrote:</div>
I was dropping a freezer at my local junk yard and asked about their going rate on junk cars. I have a 2000 ford Escort ZR2 that’s been sitting for 8 years and for me not worth putting money into. They told me $150 ton. I think I sold them one about 10 years ago, same car, for $300.

Back in the day it was $400 a ton. Good news, not long ago it was $90.

I’m not an economist but it blows my mind that with the price increases that my vendors for trailers, equipment, attachments etc have been hit with in the past year causing some products to go up by 50-75% or more, that the price for scrap steel is not higher. Their raw steel prices are close to 150% higher than 2 – 2 1/2 years ago. Then again, I’m sure their operating costs are up too just like everyone else.