DH's 1996 Subaru Legacy with nearly 200K miles on it has a leaky headgasket. The dealership wants around $2000 to fix it and we're wondering if it's worthwhile to do so. The rest of the car is in pretty good shape, considering its age and mileage. If it's not worth it to fix it, has anyone donated a car to a charity and knows a legit one? I've done a bit of googling, but I can't tell real from dicey. Thanks for any advice on the subject.
Sara
I donated a car to the National Kidney Foundation. It was easy and efficient. I believe that the tax laws related to car donation have changed or are in the process of changing, so be sure to check into that.
Katherine in Omaha
My dad's old car was donated to a local volunteer fire department. They used it to practice using their specialty tools to cut, pry, or grid their way in to save trapped occupants. Dad got a tax break, and the firemen got several afternoons of practice.
Becky A.
Many years ago, I gave my car to a local school where they taught automechanics. The idea was that the student's time was not really a charge, and they were getting real hands on experience. When fixed, it was up to the school to see if it was worthwhile selling.
We donated one of our cars to the local high school with an auto dept. Got the tax break, and they got a car to learn on. We donated another one to Volunteers of America. There is someone in this area advertizing for donations, claiming they sell them to low-income families after fixing, at very low prices - therefore your tax break can be at fair market value (blue book) as opposed to whatever the agency resells it at.
ellice
Can't help you there
Your local NPR station may accept it. American Cancer Society is legit as well.
C
Given the mileage, I would say that it really isn't worth the $2000. However, you could probably find a junk dealer that would sell you the manifold and you could attempt to replace the head gasket yourself - I did this with my WAY long ago ex's car. You need WD-40 to loosen the old head gasket, and remove the one that you will be replacing it with....you also need patience. Of course, I didn't have, and still don't have patience, so I snapped his off....we had to take the manifold off and work on it in the apartment, but in the end the dang car ran!
Kidney, cancer, heart...all those used to take car donations. We donated DHs old Geo to one, but I can't remember which one it was - was over 6 years ago.
From
They also have a list of charities > DH's 1996 Subaru Legacy with nearly 200K miles on it has a leaky
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