Hello all - apologies for making my first post a question, so hopefully it sparks some kind of enriching conversation for everyone.

I have a 2005 Impreza that spent ten years parked outdoors in VT and whose chassis is pretty well rusted out. It has about 140k miles on it and needs a new muffler (plus non-trivial labor costs of re-attaching as the pipe has completely disintegrated), a new set of wires in the engine to fix a misfiring cylinder, and new rotors and calipers on the front brakes. I would estimate that all these repairs put together at a shop are going to run approximately $1500 - $2000.

KBB on the vehicle is $4000 right now. It has had the timing belt replaced but the head gasket has held up and therefore never been replaced (lucky me I guess).

As it happens, I really don't need this car and want to get rid of it. That said, I understand that you can't sell a car in California without passing a smog check, which would involve fixing at least the engine and muffler (and at that point, I may as well get the brakes done too).

I frankly don't have the time or inclination to bear the risk of fixing this up, then listing and selling it.

My other alternative is to take it to pick n' pull and collect $1000 through cash-for-clunkers.

However, it seems to me that is leaving between $1000 and $1500 of value on the table, that an enterprising hobbyist or someone handy with a wrench could realize.

My question is: Is there any legal way I can sell this car to someone who is going to fix it up and use it or sell it, without having to do the work myself? I would be happy to let it go if so under those circumstances for not much more than $1000 to save me the hassle of going to pick 'n pull, which in theory means that person could pick up $1000 - $1500 of value.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks very much

 

I think you pretty much have to sell the vehicle as a PNO
Reporting Vehicle Status (FFVR 1) Registration Versus Planned Non-operation

Being that it's a non CA vehicle, you may have some smog issues regardless.

I gotta be honest, I don't see you getting $4000 for a rusted out 140K mile 10 year old car.
Keep in mind, we're in CA, stuff doesn't rust here. There are lots of rust free 2005's running around

 

Take the 1k the state is giving you. You probably need way more than those parts listed. I would be really surprised if the undercarriage isn't rotting away with rust. Your suspension parts are also likely weakened by rust and on the verge of breaking at 140k.

I have seen cars sell on CL without smog papers. Is it legal? nope but it happens all the time. Just understand that it could come back to bite you in the butt. For an extra $500, it probably isn't worth the risk.

 

Thx for the info, guys - My assumption is that if people on this forum are not excited about playing with this car, no one will be.

Has anyone ever done Cash For Clunkers btw? It sounds like Pick n' Pull makes it as painful as they possibly can.

 

As someone that has dumped thousands of dollars on Imprezas that sound like they may have been in better shape than the one you have described, I say, from my heart, take the $1k and be done with the car.

Pick-n-Pull is just trying to make sure that they are not taking in stolen or otherwise untoward devices. It sucks, but in this day/age/land it is sadly understandable.

 

Or donate it to any number of charities, then write off the highest fair market value (of a not-so-rusted car equivalent). It's not as fun as real cash in your hands, but it's real cash you won't have to pay in tax.

 

I dropped my old car off last Saturday through the program.

I had to fail a smog check, then submit an application for vehicle retirement. I then I had to wait ~30 days for the application to process and receive my approval letter. Once I had my approval letter, the process at pick-n-pull from sign-in to receipt of check took 50 minutes.

Consumer Assistance Program

I think you'll have an issue with the requirements for the program, as your car hasn't been registered in California for the last two years.

 

Minimal repairs + registration for 24 Hours of Lemons