Have A Dead But Beloved 1988 Accord...

What to do?

I have a 1988 Honda Accord Coupe who's engine seized nearly a year ago.
I need a new engine and a new transmission, which I could get, rebuilt.
The body is in good condition, but the seats are torn and I also would
be needing new A/C. Also needed would be a new windshield washer arm
thingy that's torn. I have NO MONEY to get it fixed. I HATE to let it
go. My landlord has given me three weeks to do something or he's going
to tow it, because I'm in an apartment complex where you can't store
dead cars, fair enough.

Anyone give me some advice please? Yes I know I'm insane, but please,
just tell me something that will MAKE ME let it go....I love it so
much!!!

--Tazzy Gal, DESPERATE in S. California!!!!!

 

Let it go. The car is 17 years old. Really not worth a new engine +
tranny + A/C + new (used) seats + labor to have them all installed. Plus
whatever has gone from sitting unused for a year. What about possible CA
emissions issues? You're looking at thousands of $$ in repairs that you
don't have, on a 17-year-old car. I, too, loved my old '85 Pontiac, but
it reached the point where putting even another hundred bucks into it
was foolish. For the cost of those repairs you could get a new used car
in good condition.

 

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You are right. It's ridiculous. Here I was, thinking about getting a
loan to have it fixed, when I could take the money and possibly find a
nicer used car. Thanks. When you're hyper-emotional (or insane about
your car), it just takes someone else's words!

 

You could donate it -- some not for profit organizations take dead cars
for parts.
That way you do some good with it and also get to write something off
your taxes next year.

Remco

 

I was there myself. Believe me, I made that Pontiac last way longer than
it should have... The next-to-last straw for me was the day at 0 F that
the electric tailgate window went down but not back up! And then the
brakes were so rusted they couldn't be bled.

Donating is a good idea--now that the IRS has made things more strict
you won't be able to take off as much as you could in years past, but if
someone'll take it at least you'd be spared the towing fee. I got rid of
2 cars last year that way, super easy.
Try http://donateacar.com/ -- they're sort of a clearing house of charities.

 

Anothe possibility is the local fire department. They sometimes need
old cars on which to practice with their "Jaws of Life" rescue
equipment.

 

I've seen those in the AFTER stage. Looks like Godzilla attacked them.
They're ripped right apart.

For those in the Toronto area, there is a fire station on Weston Road just
north of Finch Avenue on the east side. They tear the cars up, then leave
them in their lot, fully visible from Weston Road. It's been a while since
I was by there, but they're probably still at it. I'll see if I can get
pics next time I'm there.

 

Also, those fire department cars are also a very good source for spare
parts if you ask kindly and bring beer.
I've gotten things like perrfectly good distributors, alternators and
starters for the cost of a 6 pack.

 

Let it go it has been good to ,but the cost for repair will be to much.Call
a salvage yard about buying the call from you

 

Thanks, I'll tuck this post away for future reference.