Ask the f-list: Virginia vehicle donations?

[geekchick]

The HOA is planning on towing my old Protege on Sunday unless it's inspected and the tags are renewed by then; seeing as how the car doesn't actually start at the moment, I don't think that's going to happen. Sadly, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that the best approach is either to donate it or scrap it because the cost of a storage unit plus whatever it's going to cost to get it repaired is going to be more than the car is worth at this point. Does anyone have experience donating a non-running car? Would you recommend any particular organization? I don't need the write-off since I don't itemize, but it was my first car of my own and I'd prefer it go to someone who could use the money from parting it out or whatever. *sniff* For that matter, if any of y'all think you want a 1996 Protege for parts or a project (it needs serious engine work at a minimum), let me know and you're welcome to it.

Comments

[geekchick]

I've put a reservation on a storage unit over in Chantilly, and I think I'm going to try to move the car over there for a month and get some breathing room while we decide what to do with it. The HOA gave 72 hours, starting at some random time during the day on Thursday. Not terribly helpful, and I'm kinda thinking "Y'all can DIAF.". :-P A temporary storage space gives a little more time to figure out if it should be donated or fixed.

[rdhdsnippet.livejournal.com]

Probably the best idea if you're interested in getting it fixed at all.

I donated my Tercel to Melwood as well - it was marginally running but not well. If I had a running car to get rid of again I would donate it to Vehicles for Change in a heartbeat.

[madbodger.livejournal.com]

You can stash it in one of my backyards for a bit if you like.

[geekchick]

Oooh. Really? That would be pretty great, although I suspect the towing from here to there will come close to the price of the storage unit. ;)

[madbodger.livejournal.com]

Yeah, unless you have towing insurance or AAA Plus or somesuch.

[geekchick]

I don't, sadly. I've still got to tow it over to storage though, plus $129/month for the unit and wondering if they're going to be twitchy about the fact that the gas tank hasn't been drained. If you're going to be around tomorrow, I may try and take you up on your quite generous offer.

[madbodger.livejournal.com]

I'll be around. Either at the old house or the new one, in which case I should have my cell phone with me.

[geekchick]

Awesomesauce. I thought I had your number in my phone or my gmail, but I can't seem to find it. =( Could you text it to me (on my userinfo page) or email it to me again?