difficulty pricing my 97 Accord for sale

I have a 97 Accord EX 2-door. 2 years ago the automatic transmission
died and I wasn't ready to spend $1500-$2500 on a car that had 270,000
miles.
The rest of the car is in good condition and I had an attachment to my
Gen-5 Accord, so I decided to keep it in my driveway until I could
make a final decision on what to do with it. I start it every month
and keep is washed and occasionally wax it. I've decided to finally
get rid of it but I don't know what price to ask for or what price to
accept. I live in San Francisco bay area and Edmunds pegs the private
party value of my as $1400, but that assumes that it has a working
automatic transmission and can be driven away the new owner (it needs
to be towed away) The rest of the car is in good shape and I have all
my service records. Some minor dings, paint flaws, but the interior
looks almost new and it has a nice aftermarket alarm and stereo
system. I would think it would be a great car for parts or a mechanics
special. Is my car worth anything or should I just donate it to a
charity? Please help me determine what to price it for.

 

With a blown tranny, you won't get much at all on account of the price of a
new tranny. I'd give you $800. Maybe. And only because CA is a low-rust
location. And only if no collision damage. But with a discount for the
damaged factory wiring (alarm, stereo). On second thought, I'd offer $500.

The problem for you is that Accords are thick on the ground, like leaves in
the fall; most buyers will see your failed transmission and look elsewhere.
Buyers willing to fix the problem will want the car for free because it's a
junker as-is. Tough call for you.

I'd say put 'er up on trader.com for $1,000 and see where it goes. No
bites? Lower the price until she sells. If time is more important to you
than cash, just donate the thing.

 

With a blown tranny, you won't get much at all on account of the price of a
new tranny. I'd give you $800. Maybe. And only because CA is a low-rust
location. And only if no collision damage. But with a discount for the
damaged factory wiring (alarm, stereo). On second thought, I'd offer $500.

The problem for you is that Accords are thick on the ground, like leaves in
the fall; most buyers will see your failed transmission and look elsewhere.
Buyers willing to fix the problem will want the car for free because it's a
junker as-is. Tough call for you.

I'd say put 'er up on trader.com for $1,000 and see where it goes. No
bites? Lower the price until she sells. If time is more important to you
than cash, just donate the thing.

 

you live in the bay area and you've not heard of craigslist? you
haven't searched for "mechanics specials"? you haven't seen the endless
spam from unlicensed dealers saying they'll buy any honda, working or
not???

more likely, you just don't want to deal with the price you've already
been offered, like trade-in when you bought its replacement. face it
dude, unless you fix it, it's not a car, it's a well upholstered chicken
coop. give it to the neighbor kid and let them get a used transmission
and fix it up. or do it yourself. your local pick-n-pull has them
listed for only $130.

 

you live in the bay area and you've not heard of craigslist? you
haven't searched for "mechanics specials"? you haven't seen the endless
spam from unlicensed dealers saying they'll buy any honda, working or
not???

more likely, you just don't want to deal with the price you've already
been offered, like trade-in when you bought its replacement. face it
dude, unless you fix it, it's not a car, it's a well upholstered chicken
coop. give it to the neighbor kid and let them get a used transmission
and fix it up. or do it yourself. your local pick-n-pull has them
listed for only $130.

 

I say go the donation route. Remember, that's a tax deduction. So while it
may not mean $$$ in the OPs pocket today, it will be cash saved come April
15th in the form of a bigger refund or smaller amount owed.

I know laws on auto donations have changed but considering the condition
it's in he might make out. A $500 sale equivalent to a $1500 write-off. If
the write-off is higher than that it's better than what you would
theoretically give for the car.

 

I say go the donation route. Remember, that's a tax deduction. So while it
may not mean $$$ in the OPs pocket today, it will be cash saved come April
15th in the form of a bigger refund or smaller amount owed.

I know laws on auto donations have changed but considering the condition
it's in he might make out. A $500 sale equivalent to a $1500 write-off. If
the write-off is higher than that it's better than what you would
theoretically give for the car.

 

Just trade it to one of the "massage therapists".

Two choices. Put in a transmission from a junked Accord (like you
said) or turn it into a junked Accord. Honestly, this is one of those
"the parts are worth more than the sum total of the parts". Find the
right people and you can probably part it out for $300.

I sold a spare set of alloy Civic wheels with R1s (that were no longer
legal so they had no value) for $60. I'll bet a scrap yard will pay
you $200.
--

- dillon I am not invalid

"You idiots, it's rape, pillage,THEN BURN!!!"
--- chief of the Aggie Vikings

 

Just trade it to one of the "massage therapists".

Two choices. Put in a transmission from a junked Accord (like you
said) or turn it into a junked Accord. Honestly, this is one of those
"the parts are worth more than the sum total of the parts". Find the
right people and you can probably part it out for $300.

I sold a spare set of alloy Civic wheels with R1s (that were no longer
legal so they had no value) for $60. I'll bet a scrap yard will pay
you $200.
--

- dillon I am not invalid

"You idiots, it's rape, pillage,THEN BURN!!!"
--- chief of the Aggie Vikings