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The repairs will be more than the car is worth

Tiny
EELLIOTT777
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 SATURN SL1
  • 99,000 MILES
Our 1997 Saturn SL1 blew a head gasket and needs a new radiator. The retail repair cost is approximately $2,000.00. We are not having it repaired. It has 99k miles with brand new tires. I don’t want it hauled for salvage for just $200. A mechanic could repair the car relatively cheaply and resell it.

Question: How do I approach or locate a mechanic interested in doing the repair wholesale for himself for resale who would give me more than $200.00 salvage for it? I’m in the Washington, DC area. Or, is this not realistic to think a mechanic would be interested in this?
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 4:37 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Just to add to this one you dont have oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil?Did you over heat the engine real bad?Its not common for the head gaskets to blow on those single overhead cam engine S model saturns. The heads do crack without even over heating them because of poor casting of the head.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 6:20 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Honestly you can only sell a car for what its worth and with a blown head gasket or possibly cracked head and bad radiator it isnt worth much since the repair bill comes close to or exceeds the value of the car if it didnt have those issues.I was only trying to get all the facts from you if it has a cracked head its worth even less. Especially if there is oil in the coolant from a cracked head because you would have to replace a lot more parts and more labor. Without all the facts how iam supposed to answer your question?This is the internet correct?I cant see what your talking about I have to only go by what you tell me correct?So if I dont get enough info to answer someones question then I have to ask additional questions correct?So based on your info without you answering any additional questions.I would say put a add on craigs list for 500 and hope for the best. If you got close to 500 you would be doing real good. But again the repairs could come close to the value of the car or exceed it. If I was going to buy the car to flip it I wouldnt give you much based on what I said. Thinking that just because someone bought it to flip you should get more for it is like saying that persons time isnt worth anything.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
EELLIOTT777
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
No coolant in the oil or vice versa. Head is not cracked. Needs head gasket and radiator.
Question: How do I approach or locate a mechanic interested in doing the repair wholesale for himself for resale who would give me more than $200.00 salvage for it? I’m in the Washington, DC area. Or, is this not realistic to think a mechanic would be interested in this?
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 8:26 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I thought I just answered your question pretty well even people that buy cars to flip and the car doesnt need major engine work they get the cars as cheap as possible. You cant expect someone to pay you a lot of money then lay out a lot of money in parts and spend a lot of time fixing it and then break even or just make a little money. How much do you want to get out of the car?
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 8:34 PM
Tiny
EELLIOTT777
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
My daughter overheated the car, but once these repairs are made, the car is in very good condition, otherwise. The blue book on this car is 2,000 in fair condition. My logic is that the retail repair is 2,000 but that if a mechanic invested his time and parts without markup, he could still make a good profit if he gave me $500.00. The salvage rate around here is lucky to be 200. So, since its my daughter's car and she's struggling through college, I was trying to help her get more for her car. But I don't know how to find mechanics who want to do this anymore? Is it realistic to try and how could I possibly locate them?
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 8:54 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I understand what your saying like I already said put a ad on www. Craigslist. Org for say 700.00 obo list the details and see who bites and if they talk you down to 500.00 then you got what you wanted. Thats your best to reach the most people. If I was in your area I might have even been intrested in the car. So try that and please post back how it went. You could also list it in your local paper as well.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 9:08 PM

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