What should I do with my old car?

[rolliefingersbarber]

I am buying a new (to me) car (14' Prius) and I am seeking advice on what to do with my 2008 Mazda 3.  It has 172k miles, body damage and would not currently pass Massachusetts emissions inspection (about $150 to fix that).  Still runs fairly well.

My options as I see it are:

-Fix the emission and sell as it
-Sell as is
-Salvage for parts. 
-Donate it

Anyone have any experience with any of these or recommendations?

Thanks.

[chasesfish]

I would call a couple salvage yards and get a quote.   After that it depends on if you want the headache of dealing with a sale yourself.  To me that's a hassle and why I end up keeping my cars longer

[Bernard]

No idea what it's worth (depends in large part of the extent of the body damage), but I would put it on Craigslist for $999 cash and sell it to a grease monkey.

[BECABECA]

I recommend going to kbb.com and putting in the specifics of your car model, options, and condition. I’m betting that the private party sale value is going to be a couple thousand, in which case I think it’d be worth it to get it to pass emissions for $150. You should be able to sell your car then on Craigslist for pretty close to the kbb value. If you don’t do the $150 fix, you’ll have a harder time selling it, since people will assume it’ll cost more to get it to pass.

[Buffaloski Boris]

Honestly, I'd keep the 2008 and skip the Prius.  Not much I like more than a fine vintage auto. Paid off and you don't even have to lock it anymore.  Complete with urban camouflage!  I'll bet that the car has a Zone of Invincibility around it when you drive it.  No one wants it to touch their Precious.

If keeping it isn't an option, then I'd do the $150 fix and sell it on Facebook marketplace or CL.       

[John Galt incarnate!]

I am buying a new (to me) car (14' Prius) and I am seeking advice on what to do with my 2008 Mazda 3.  It has 172k miles, body damage and would not currently pass Massachusetts emissions inspection (about $150 to fix that).  Still runs fairly well.

My options as I see it are:

-Fix the emission and sell as it
-Sell as is
-Salvage for parts. 
-Donate it

Anyone have any experience with any of these or recommendations?

Thanks.

I gave my old Toyota to an older acquaintance who was poor.

All it needed was a muffler.

It did pass the smog test.

OP, I would donate it or sell it as is.

[spartana]

Does Mass have any "cash for cars" type of programs? Calif has one thru the states air quality agency if it doesn't pass its emission test. They will pay you $1,000 ($1,500 for low income people) to junk it. It needs to be driveable so you can get it to a junk yard. I used it to junk an old Hyundai Accent I had that needed big repairs beside emission repairs (transmission etc) and because I have a low taxable income got $1500.

We also had a "Replace Your Ride" program where you junk your older car and, depending on your taxable income, they will give you a voucher worth several thousand to use towards buying a newer high mpg gas vehicle, a hybrid, an EV, or a bus/transit pass. That was run thru a private foundation and I'm not sure if it exists still.


ETA my old 2001 Ranger didn't pass emissions and it just needed a new spark plug wire. You can get the code from a scanner for free at most places and get a general idea what's wrong and if you can repair it yourself.