What should I do with my overheating 1994 Nissan Sentra ?

June 25, 2007 2:44 PM

What should I do with my 1994 Nissan Sentra ? It has 270K miles on it and now the water pump needs to be replaced. I don't want to put any more money into it. Will a scrapyard or a used parts dealer pay me for it ? How much should I expect to get ? Any specific recommendations for Tampa, Florida ? Thanks for your help !
posted by kingb to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total)

Junkyards don't care if its running or not. They'll offer you between 75-100 dollars for it. Your best bet is to try to sell it as-is for anywhere between 200-300 dollars. Assuming the car is worth around 600 dollars this would be an attractive buy for someone who can fix cars.

I'd imagine a dealer would give you a decent trade-in price for a new/user car too.
posted by damn dirty ape at 2:57 PM on June 25, 2007

Google for "kelly blue book" to see what the car is currently worth.
posted by damn dirty ape at 2:58 PM on June 25, 2007

List it on craigslist. You can probably get at least a few hundred for it.
posted by mr_roboto at 3:17 PM on June 25, 2007

It could certainly be worth more than a few hundred, even with the high mileage and bad water pump, depending on its general condition, trim specs, features, etc. I sold my 1995 Nissan Sentra just a couple of years ago (to my mechanic, actually) in fair condition for much more than that (its mileage was lower, but it had multiple mechanical things that needed to be fixed). Plug in all the relevant info at Kelley Blue Book online and you'll get a better idea.
posted by scody at 3:58 PM on June 25, 2007

I sold a Ford Probe, which I loved, when the mechanical problems cost more to fix than the car was worth. I got a few hundred bucks by selling it to a mechanic. Since he could use his boss's shop, he only had to pay for parts, an dhe got those wholesale. He ended up with a great car. Many times, it's the labor that is the major expense in repairs.

I agree with the above: look at the blue book, list it in the local "auto trader" or whatever, and/or Craigslist. Be honest that it a mechanic's dream, but don't start too cheap. You might get more than you think. Good luck!
posted by The Deej at 4:24 PM on June 25, 2007

Water pumps are pretty easy to replace. A new one will run you less than $150 and they'll usually buy back the broken one. It will be even cheaper at a junk yard. Borrow a set of wrenches and you've got it.

If it's running you can drive it until you can sell it on craigslist (for much more than a broken car).
posted by jmgorman at 4:38 PM on June 25, 2007

Thanks all. Good ideas !
posted by kingb at 5:57 PM on June 25, 2007

The SR20DE engine in the Sentra (which I think is what it has) and some of the underpinnings are a useful cheap source of parts for the Infiniti G20 of the same era.

As a G20 owner, I can tell you that the Infiniti dealers and junkyards charge a lot more if the same part comes from a G20 than if it comes from a Sentra.

Try: http://www.sr20forum.com/ for a potential marketplace for your spare parts...

As it happens, my G20 needs a water pump (as of today at 96,000 miles). Oh, look, yours has failed too. Hmm... I think you were luckier than me!
posted by blue_wardrobe at 7:06 PM on June 25, 2007

I'm embarrassed to confess that just before I gave my 1989 Nissan Minima (Sentra) to charity I practiced donuts and bootlegger's reverses in a parking lot for fun. When you are about to give up a car sometimes a little party is good.

That said, a water pump is not much of a fix unless this is the straw that broke the camel's back.

Also, www.edmunds.com has a quick appraisal guide.
posted by BrotherCaine at 8:28 PM on June 25, 2007