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Engine blown in old car - just hand keys to mechanic? (1 Viewer)

pats3in4

pats3in4

Footballguy
I've never dealt with this situation before so I was wondering what's the normal thing to do...

My 1997 Toyota 4Runner's engine seized today. I had it towed to my mechanic and he confirmed this. He said a rebuilt engine would run about $2000. Per Edmunds, the car is worth about $2100 on a trade-in, worth possibly $2600 on a private sale, and that's assuming a working engine.

So I'm looking to get a new car, but what do I do with the 4Runner? Do I simply give it to the mechanic? Or is there a market for a 4Runner body in which I can move the car quickly? I guess I could always get the rebuilt engine and try to sell it for some small margin above the cost of the engine, but that seems like a headache and no guarantee to recoup sunk costs.

I like to squeeze what little money I can out of this situation, but honestly don't have the energy. What's the normal thing people do in this situation? I'm guessing just hand over the keys, right?

 
Sell it with a blown engine

You're probably going to spend 2-3k on a new engine, so it's not worth it but someone out there will be looking for parts

 
What type of condition is the rest of the vehicle in? tires, breaks, etc.?

If you really like the vehicle it might be worth putting the money into... You still need to find a replacement, pay sales taxes, registration, etc. One nice thing about the older car is cheaper taxes & insurance...

 
At the worst you can probably sell it for scrap for $200-400 I would think.

I wouldn't just hand over the keys. Had a mechanic talk me into that when I was younger and was pretty mad when I found out later that it was worth at least $400 just for scrap. Was the last time I used that shady mechanic.

 
GroveDiesel said:
At the worst you can probably sell it for scrap for $200-400 I would think.

I wouldn't just hand over the keys. Had a mechanic talk me into that when I was younger and was pretty mad when I found out later that it was worth at least $400 just for scrap. Was the last time I used that shady mechanic.
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guy saved you the time and hassle of taking it to the scrap heap.. that's worth something.

 
Dentist said:
GroveDiesel said:
At the worst you can probably sell it for scrap for $200-400 I would think.

I wouldn't just hand over the keys. Had a mechanic talk me into that when I was younger and was pretty mad when I found out later that it was worth at least $400 just for scrap. Was the last time I used that shady mechanic.
Click to expand...
guy saved you the time and hassle of taking it to the scrap heap.. that's worth something.
Click to expand...
There's no hassle. Most of them you call them up, they send a tow truck, pay you cash, and tow it away.

 
DropKick said:
What type of condition is the rest of the vehicle in? tires, breaks, etc.?

If you really like the vehicle it might be worth putting the money into... You still need to find a replacement, pay sales taxes, registration, etc. One nice thing about the older car is cheaper taxes & insurance...
Click to expand...
The radiator is starting to show hairline cracking and it's just a matter of time before that needs to be replaced before it blows on the road as well. I got quoted $450 for that so that's a cost coming soon if I rebuild the engine. There are other minor problems the mechanic pointed out in the past that he said can wait for now, but not wait forever, so that's even more costs down the road. Tires are in good shape, about 20K miles old. Rear brakes were replaced a year ago.

I like the car, but factoring in the above issues, I think it's time to move on. 17+ years is a good run with one car.

 
GroveDiesel said:
Dentist said:
GroveDiesel said:
At the worst you can probably sell it for scrap for $200-400 I would think.

I wouldn't just hand over the keys. Had a mechanic talk me into that when I was younger and was pretty mad when I found out later that it was worth at least $400 just for scrap. Was the last time I used that shady mechanic.
Click to expand...
guy saved you the time and hassle of taking it to the scrap heap.. that's worth something.
Click to expand...
There's no hassle. Most of them you call them up, they send a tow truck, pay you cash, and tow it away.
Click to expand...
This is the answer I was hoping to hear: There are guys who will buy it for scrap and make it relatively painless. I think I'll start with my mechanic, seeing if he wants it for parts.

 
If it was at your house...I would take extensive photos and list it on ebay, start auction at $1.

Since it is at mechanics, he won't be storing it for you for free. That means a tow to your house ($100?). Not sure if you have a good place to store it there. I bet it goes for $500 - $800 ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-4Runner-Limited-Sport-Utility-4-Door-1996-toyota-4-runner-for-parts-/151482895575?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2345158cd7&item=151482895575&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-4Runner-SR5-Sport-Utility-4-Door-1995-toyota-4-runner-sr-5-sport-utility-4-door-3-0-l-no-/231397986176?forcerrptr=true&hash=item35e0650f80&item=231397986176&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-4Runner-SR5-1998-toyota-4-runner-3-4-litre-4-x-4-2-5-inch-daystar-lift-bad-xmsn-can-hear-run-/131390996410?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1e97837fba&item=131390996410&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-4Runner-SR5-Sport-Utility-4-Door-1991-toyota-4-runner-sr-5-sport-utility-4-door-3-0-l-no-/231408425626?forcerrptr=true&hash=item35e1045a9a&item=231408425626&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-4Runner-SUV-1998-toyota-4-runner-no-reserve-/311264221451?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4878cb190b&item=311264221451&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

 
oh yeah man just get it towed and ebay or classified ads that sucker someone will buy it as aparts car and at least you will get something for it instead of just giving it away take that to the bank bromigo

 
I had a 99 chevy blazer that eventually needed more in repairs to get it running than it was worth. Listed it on craigslist and got 350 cash for it within a few days. Plus the guy came and took it away for me. Scrap places were only offering 250.

 
I don't know where you live or what your budget is, but you are going to pay 2K in taxes on a new car of any decent value in California..plus higher insurance and ongoing registration fees, etc. Might be better off replacing the engine from an economics standpoint.

 
You're right in thinking 17 years is a good run. At this point, unless you yourself are a mechanic, it's time to move on.

 
playin4beer said:
Scrap prices are way down right now... better off to "craigslist" it as a mechanics special...
Click to expand...
Gone are the days when you could "junk" your car for cash. Now it's about donations for tax purposes or selling on Craigslist. The tranny in my 2000 Trooper gave out in November. It cost me $2400 to repair so that I would have a ride while shopping for a replacement. Initially I posted it on Craigslist for $3K- and have gotten nibbles- but wound up holding onto it for "now" so the Mrs has a 4x4 for all this snow. At this point, just getting my $$ back would be fine by me.

 
glock said:
playin4beer said:
Scrap prices are way down right now... better off to "craigslist" it as a mechanics special...
Click to expand...
Gone are the days when you could "junk" your car for cash. Now it's about donations for tax purposes or selling on Craigslist. The tranny in my 2000 Trooper gave out in November. It cost me $2400 to repair so that I would have a ride while shopping for a replacement. Initially I posted it on Craigslist for $3K- and have gotten nibbles- but wound up holding onto it for "now" so the Mrs has a 4x4 for all this snow. At this point, just getting my $$ back would be fine by me.
Click to expand...
We are paying an average of $150-$250 per car right now, depending on the year and size...

Scrap prices seem to follow gas prices...

 
Did you flip it over to work on it? I did this with my lawnmower and had the same issue. The fix was pretty easy, though. Just give it to my neighbor and he'll fix it in about a day. Good luck. :thumbup:

 
It becomes a question of amortizing the cost over time when trying to figure out fix vs replace. Was faced w/ a similar situation on a transmission on an older vehicle. If the rebuilt "new" one gives me 2 years, it was a good deal in terms of vehicle cost/maintenance. If it doesn't I chose poorly. I trust my mechanic (who is also my guy who finds my vehicles) and he said it was worth the gamble. Got a 12 month warranty on the transmission, so that hedges my risk somewhat.

If you're 4 Runner is otherwise in good shape, it may be worth replacing the engine. At the end of the day, a working vehicle's "blue book value" isn't an accurate measure of actual value. Replacement cost is.

 
Thanks for the advice to sell even with the seized engine, everyone.

So I called my mechanic and asked him if he knew anyone who wanted to buy it for parts. He said he'd call around and get back to me later in the day. That afternoon he called me with a buyer, an amount higher than I had hoped and we closed the deal today. I gave my mechanic a commission and that was that. Very happy how painless it was.

 
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