Le car est mort.

[ironphoenix]

Well, the old '94 Volvo has finally passed away peacefully in its sleep, after more than 15 years and almost 350 000 km. It's fixable, but the cost of fixing it is considerably greater than the car's residual value.

We will likely want to replace it with a less thirsty car; my inclination is to get something like a 4-year-old Mazda 3 with automatic transmission (at soul_diaspora's request!).

I have a few requests for y'all:

• Recommended ways of getting rid of the old car, preferably receiving some cash for it.
• Recommended sources for a vehicle, and/or for specific kinds of vehicle.
• Recommended mechanics etc. to check out prospective vehicles.

What does the great LJ brain trust have for us?

Comments

[maltesewarrior.livejournal.com]

Before taking it to a scrap yard, you may see if there are any local or state non-profits that would accept it. In Wisconsin, we have a non-profit called "Rawhide Ranch" that is a program for at-risk teens. They take your old junker and teach street kids how to fix cars by fixing up the car you donate. Then the ranch sells it. They keep the cash, which helps with overhead at the program, and they send you a receipt of sale which you can deduct from you taxes at the end of the year. So, I don't know if you have anything like that in Canada, or if your tax system works similarly, but it might be worth looking for.

As far as small, reliable, gas-friendly used vehicles, my recommendations would be:

Honda Civic
Honda Accord (4 cyl)
Nissan Sentra
Toyota Celica
Toyota Corolla
Chevy Prizm (same car as the Corolla, rebadged, lower residual value)
Infiniti G20


Good luck! :)