Wrecked OTM, need ideas

[cwisenheimer]

My teenage son had a fender bender today. Most important, nobody was injured in any way, thank goodness. He was clipped in the right rear by a pickup and I'm pretty sure his car ('98 Olds Intrigue) is totaled. We only had liability on it anyway, but the damage includes the rear door, the door jamb, the fender, bumper cover, taillight, and trunk lid. In addtion, the right rear suspension is bent so the car isn't drivable.

Before the accident, it was a pretty decent car: 140K miles, leather interior, power everything, mechanically solid. The only real problems were the electronic HVAC control was wonky and the rear windows wouldn't go down. The real shame is we put new tires on it yesterday -- Doh!

So, my question is what to do with it? Proper repair would cost more than the car is worth (~$1500 value) but it's rebuildable by somebody who could do the work. It's also good for parts. I'd like to see him get at least some amount of money back out of it, but I need ideas on the best way to do that. Call a salvage yard (which one)? Put it on craigslist? Donate it and write off the value? Please post your ideas. Also, if anybody wants it, speak up.

[Sharpie]

Glad to hear everyone is okay. I think it would be hard to part out, due to finding the people that need what is still good on the car. I'd try Craiglist and see if anyone wants it as is.

[Titus]

If he was clipped and didn't do the clipping, that would imply it wasn't his fault. If so, the other guy's insurance should take car of it regardless of the level of insurance you were carrying.

Donate it and write off the value?

Unfortunately, the laws changed around this a few years ago. While you used to be able to assign a value to it for the tax write off, now you get a receipt only after the charity has sold the car, and write off the amount it sold for. Based on the last time I went to the local charity auctions, I would guess that amount to be pretty low ($250 - $500 range).

[cwisenheimer]

If he was clipped and didn't do the clipping, that would imply it wasn't his fault. If so, the other guy's insurance should take car of it regardless of the level of insurance you were carrying.

Well, he was clipped, yes, but he also pulled away from a stop sign crossing a thru street with no stop, so no joy there.

Unfortunately, the laws changed around this a few years ago. While you used to be able to assign a value to it for the tax write off, now you get a receipt only after the charity has sold the car, and write off the amount it sold for. Based on the last time I went to the local charity auctions, I would guess that amount to be pretty low ($250 - $500 range).

Good to know. Probably best just to sell it outright.

I'll try craigslist but does anybody have any particular recommendations on a salvage yard? If not, I guess we'll just go down the list in the Yellow Pages.

[OZMDD]

You might try Greenleaf Auto Recycling on Jefferson.

Not an answer to your question, but I have a very nice, safe Yaris for sale. :)

[sammm]

I have a very nice, safe Yaris for sale. :)

Selling the Yaris and buying Thomas' NC?

[OZMDD]

Selling the Yaris and buying Thomas' NC?

That's the plan.

[trickyrix]

Swap the Intrigue's motor into a willing Fiero...