Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with junkyard

I need an awesome junkyard in the DFW area (Dallas).

Jim On Light — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:22:57 -0800

I live in Plano, TX, and I am looking for a place where I can basically harvest my own parts from a large scap yard. I am looking for one of those junkyard places (auto salvage yards?) where you can go in, pay a nominal fee, and take parts off of junked cars in order to fix your own car. Basically, I have the skill, I don't have a lot of money, and I enjoy the game of repairing my own car.

(If you're interested, my multi-function switch in my new to me 2002 Ford Explorer is kaput. But it also took the right rear turn signal with it when it died.)

I don't mind 30 or so miles of one way travel to get to a cool yard. I would certainly revisit a place that was awesome and had nice people running it. If you're in the DFW Metroplex and know of a place like this, could you let me know?

What is a dead car worth?

anastasiav — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:40:59 -0800

I own a 1997 VW Golf that threw a rod in 2004 and has been sitting (inside a garage) ever since. Donating it to charity has no tax benefit for me. It needs to go. Does it have any cash value at all? If so, how much? I've been looking on Craigslist, and there have been some '97 Golf "parts cars" listed recently in the $300 - $500 range, but who knows if those sold? Would a junkyard pay me anything for it? If the engine and tires were replaced, I suspect it would run ok - is there some DIY High School car enthusiast who is dying to take this car off my hands and make it into their ride?

I saw this but my car has no KBB value because it doesn't actually run.

How do I get rid of a dead car?

rhizome — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:01:56 -0800

How do I get rid of a dead car? On one hand, it's a 92 Corolla with less than 100,000 miles. On the other hand I loaned it to a friend and it blew up on the Golden Gate Bridge Saturday night (not his fault). Now it's sitting at the bottom of my street, forlorn and nearly forsaken. I think I'm going to use up some AAA and have it towed to a shop for an estimate (overheat repairs, probably like a blown gasket or valve), but I don't think I'd spend more than $1000 or so to fix.

What can I do after that? Taking it to a junkyard and collecting my $200 is a little too convenient and underpriced (I think). I'm not sure whether the "Donate Your Car!" advertisements are more scams than charity for those who run them, and I suppose Craigslist might be useful here for a "Best Offer" option, but (...).

I think a lot of this might have to do with how quickly I'd like to take care of this (Monday is streetcleaning day) and how much money I'd like to get out of it. At that level maybe a question is "how much is this car worth?" In which case it'll be hard for you to help, but tips on maximizing my benefit and easing removal are most welcome.

Is my poor truck worth anything to anyone?

sarahmelah — Tue, 22 May 2007 08:45:26 -0800

Is my mechanically troubled '97 Ford Explorer completely worthless? I'm the unfortunate owner of a 1997 Ford Explorer Sport with over 100k miles on it. Earlier this year I had been thinking of trading it in, as I don’t particularly enjoy it anymore, and it’s a beast on gas. Kelley Blue Book estimated its trade in value at about $2,500, assuming “good” condition.

In the past month or so it’s gone from “good” to really, really bad. The alternator and battery went, which I had replaced for about $500. While fixing that, the mechanic alerted me that the rear brakes were worn. They quoted me about $800 or so to fix this as well as some bushings that could use replacing. I didn’t have it fixed thinking (maybe incorrectly) that I could still trade it in and at least get the KBB “fair” estimate of $1900 or so.

Within a week of getting it back from the shop the check engine light came on (code P0430). The diagnosis was that the catalytic converter was clogged. The mechanic quoted me $1100 for parts and labor. In addition they noted that the belt pulley system / tensioner needed work too, to the tune of $300. Total cost of repairs including the breaks: $2200. That’s more than what it’s worth to me, not including the $500 I’ve already spent. Also, this doesn’t touch the other minor issues with the thing (a/c runs hot, rear wiper doesn’t work).

I’ve made the decision that it’s not worth fixing. These are just the latest in some rather expensive repairs over the past two years, including other emissions issues and the transmission. I really can’t see fixing it up just to trade it in, I'd much rather put the money towards something a bit newer, more fuel efficient, sensible, etc. So, my question is what to do with it now?

I hate to send it to the junk yard; it still runs fine and the exterior and interior are in great shape. I don’t know that selling to private party would work, as the thing definitely isn’t going to pass inspection. I’m not opposed to trying to sell it to a dealership or trade it in, but I’m afraid I’ll get laughed off of the lot. I’ve never traded anything in, so I’m not sure how much they’re going to care about its issues. I can see them ignoring the chirpy belts and occasional rattle; it's the bright yellow check engine light that worries me.

Am I missing any other options? Am I crazy for thinking I deserve any money for an aging, troubled truck?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Junking cars without title?

The Confessor — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 07:54:31 -0800

Junking two non-working vehicles sans titles or other proof of ownership on the North Shore in Massachusetts. If you have a quick answer, you probably don't need to read the The deadbeat subject of this AskMe question is in jail now, hopefully for a long time.

My next task is to sever any remaining ties binding my landlord to this shady character, any excuse this shady character might have to show his ugly face on the property.

Chief among these are two 'junker' vehicles without title malingering on my landlord's property. I'd love to see them towed away, but as far as I can tell, junkyards will not accept vehicles absent titles.

Does anyone here know of a way out of this quandary?

Guidance for buying an auto part at a junkyard

matildaben — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 11:14:06 -0800

Should I get a car part at a junkyard/salvage yard/auto recycler, and how do I go about it? I need a side mirror assembly for a 1998 Nissan Sentra. Should I get it at a junkyard? I already asked my mechanic if they had a specific junkyard they worked with, and they told me to call around from the yellow pages and ask everyone if they had the part. I live in Seattle, and from the yellow pages, it appears that most salvage yards are in the outlying industrial areas. Would it be worth it to drive over 30 minutes each way just to save $50-$100? Are junkyards scary? Should I bring a male friend with me if I go to one? Any other tips and techniques to make the transaction quick and painless and economical? I've already looked on Car Talk but their guide was not very helpful.

Finding an auto part

hodyoaten — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 12:43:34 -0800

How can I get a replacement hood (with the right color) for my 1995 Honda Accord? By "hood" I'm talking about that big flap that opens and closes over the engine. The one I have got caved in by a tree limb last year and it just needs to be replaced. The issues:

(1) I'm aware I can go to a junkyard. However I live 100 miles away from a big city and have no idea how to conduct this goose chase in the most efficient and successful way possible. These places seem to get lots of phone calls and I'm guessing if they're swamped they're just going to say they don't have it to get me off the phone.

(2) I need some way to figure out part interchangeability between model years: i.e. if a 1996 or 1994 Accord hood will work.

So what's the ideal way to search for this part? Is there a junkyard parts network online where I can do it over the Internets? I don't mind paying extra as long as it's not like double rate.

how to junk a car

|n$eCur3 — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 11:18:38 -0800

In California, what are the steps that I should take to sell my totaled car to a dismantler? I want rid myself of all liability for the vehicle and get as much money as possible for the parts. I was rear ended last week and my car was determined to be a total loss. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the other driver had good insurance. I was able to financially recoup my loss without penalty to my own insurance.

But, I have a totalled vehicle in my driveway that I am required to junk.

My questions are:

1. Do I need to register my car as a salvaged vehicle before I sell it to a junk yard?

2. Do I need to give the dismantlers a title to the car?

3. How do I know how much my car is worth to a dismantler (I was rear ended so the engine is entirely intact)?

4. Since the vehicle is still intact and drivable, how can I rid myself of all liability in case they decide to joy ride?

Any horror stories or other general pieces of advice are welcome.

How to abandon a vehicle

chef_boyardee — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 19:46:09 -0800

What's a smart way to get rid of a vehicle in the US? Short story is I'm 1000 miles from home in Denver with a 10-year old high-mileage vehicle that might have a cracked engine block (probably not, but I want to prepare for the worst). If it comes to that, I figure abandoning it is dumb since towing & disposal bills could come around later to bite me. So should I tow to a junkyard? And will they pay me, or will I pay them? And do I have to have the title sent up here to get any of this done? Obviously I'd want to be on the plane home ASAP.

Should I sell my car to a junkyard?

rkent — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 15:59:22 -0800

Do I want to sell my car to a salvage yard? If so, how do I do it? Long story short, my car presently needs enough repairs that it would cost more than the car's value, once labor is factored in, to fix it. I would be fine with this situation, except that I have to move across the country and don't trust it to make the 3000 mile trip. So I think my options are 1) sell it to a private party with the skills to save labor costs by fixing it himself, or 2) sell it for parts.

I know nothing about the latter option, and would only prefer it because I imagine it would be faster and simpler than trying to peddle a whole crappy car online, in the paper, etc. I have no illusions that I'm going to make a boatload of money either way, but what's a realistic amount at salvage? A few hundred? What else do I need to be concerned with? How do I find a "good" salvage yard, if there's even a distinction?