You might be thinking about your old car and what to do with it. You don't want it taking up space in your garage or driveway, but you're not sure trading it in for a new one is the best option.
You may also wonder what to do with old car makes and models that will help make more money when you sell or donate them. You're not alone - many people have these same questions. We buy junk cars for cash, but here are other options.
Options For Your Old Car
There are several options for how to get rid of an old car, each with pros and cons. The best choice would depend on the car that you have and your priorities.
Barter It
Bartering is another option if you don't want to spend money or time getting rid of your old car. You could trade the vehicle for something of value with someone who needs a vehicle.
Bartering may be an option for you if you're more interested in cars than trying to get rid of an old car for cash. Many people prefer to barter and get used out of a car that still runs instead of letting it get junked.
Pros: Bartering is a hassle-free way to get rid of an old car and get a different one without spending money.
Cons: However, the process could cause more trouble than it's worth and not save you much in terms of either funds or effort spent if you get a car in worse shape than you thought.
Helpful Tip: Remember that there's no guarantee that anyone will accept your offer as part of the bargain.
Sell It As-Is
Selling as-is is popular when deciding what to do with old car models. You can sell your old car in a few different ways.
Sell It Online
This might be the best option if you're not a fan of the hassle of selling your old car traditionally. You'll still need time and patience, but if it's worth enough to someone else, buyers will come knocking at your door without any work.
Selling your car online is a great option if you're familiar with the internet and feel confident you can do the research and create an ad.
Pros: Selling a car online is as easy as posting an ad and can be done from home.
Cons: Scams are common in online marketplaces, though. You'll need to be careful and firm with the potential buyer.
Helpful Tip: Research the documentation required before going ahead with this option because some states are stricter than others regarding vehicles being sold online.
Sell It to a Dealership
If you're not interested in the hassle of selling it yourself, or even if you are but want to make some extra money from your old car as well, this might be a good option.
You can sell your old vehicle for cash at any dealership once they determine its condition and what repairs must be done before it becomes safe enough to drive again.
Pros: Dealerships handle the paperwork and make removing your old car for ash easy.
Cons: One of the downsides to selling your car to a dealership is that you likely won't get a great offer, especially if your car needs work.
Helpful Tip: Shop at different dealerships in your area for the best price. Dealerships aren't the best place to get rid of an old car.
Sell It Privately
If you don't want to deal with the hassle of going through a dealer or selling online, selling your old car privately is another option. Some cars will sell quickly, but others might take weeks or months. If you're fine with waiting, this is a great way to get rid of your old car.
Always be physically and financially safe when selling your car to an individual. There are many scams out there, and the last thing you want is to fall victim to one when trying to sell your old car.
Pros: You may get more money for your old car by selling it privately than by selling it to a dealership.
Cons: You'll have to advertise the car in different places like newspapers to ensure you can find a person willing to buy your car.
Helpful Tip: If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.
Trade It In
Another option when deciding what to do with old car makes and models is trading your used vehicle for a new one at your local dealership. You'll get the trade-in value plus any incentives the company offers as a discount on the car you plan to purchase.
Trading in your old one will help offset some of the cost of a car purchase. If you need to replace your vehicle rather than figure out how to get rid of an old car for cash, a trade-in is your best bet.
Pros: One perk of a trade-in is that it lowers the cost of the car you'll buy.
Cons: Unfortunately, the car typically needs to be in decent working order, and you'll have to be prepared to purchase a different car when you trade your old one in.
Helpful Tip: Go to different dealerships to find the best deal for your trade-in before committing.
Donate It To Charity
Another way to figure out how to get rid of an old car is to donate your old car to charity. You can find a charity in your area that uses donated vehicles or sells them at auction to raise money and provide transportation services for those who need it most.
This option is best if you don't need to get rid of your old car for cash and are merely looking to get rid of it for a good cause. If so, donating a junk car may be right for you.
Pros: When you donate old car makes and models, you're getting rid of a car and doing something good for someone else.
Cons: You won't get cash when you donate the car, but you can write the value off your taxes.
Helpful Tip: You should research charities before you donate old car models to ensure there won't be any surprises when it comes time to get rid of your old car.
Part It Out
If you're trying to figure out how to get rid of an old car that doesn't run, this might be a good option. If you're familiar with cars and car parts enough to disassemble the car, you can earn money selling the parts.
This is the most labor-intensive way to get rid of an old car for cash. Not only do you have to take the car apart, but you have to list and advertise the parts you plan to sell. Learn more about how to sell a car for parts.
Pros: You'll get rid of your old car for cash at a time and probably earn more in the long run than if you sold the car outright.
Cons: You'll have to spend a lot of time upfront researching the value of different parts and then finding people willing to buy them
Helpful Tip: You should also consider how many hours you want to spend researching locations where these items can be sold before going ahead with this.
Junk It
If you're looking for the quickest and easiest way to figure out how to get rid of an old car that doesn't run, this is probably the best option.
Junkyards will pay cash on the spot. You'll get rid of your old car for cash without stressing over any part of it. Sometimes, you don't need the key or the title to get cash for junk cars.
Pros: Junkyards will come to you and haul the car away when they buy it.
Cons: If your car doesn't run, you can probably only sell it for scrap, so you might get less than you'd hoped.
Helpful Tip: Research junkyards in your area to determine which will give you the best deal. The amount they're willing to pay will vary from junkyard to junkyard.
Fix It Up/Restore It
OK, this isn't getting rid of an old car, but you can make that old car run better with a few repairs.
This option works best if you're the type of person who doesn't want to give up your car for sentimental reasons.
To get started, you can do some work yourself or hire someone with specialized knowledge of cars. If you decide to go this route, understand that you'll need time, money, and patience and a place for storage if you don't have space in your garage or driveway.
Pros: Many people find that restoring an old car they loved gives them the best sense of accomplishment.
Cons: Depending on the state of your old car, restoring it can be a huge time and money commitment.
Helpful Tip: Make sure you can handle the commitment before pushing ahead.
Conclusion
You have many options when deciding what to do with old car makes and models. Remember, plenty of choices are available when you're ready to get rid of your old car for cash or donate old car models to charity.
If you're unsure which option to go with, consider how much money you can reasonably get, especially if you're figuring out how to get rid of an old car that doesn't run and make the most convenient choice.
