Perhaps you’ve had your car for a long time and it doesn’t look as pristine or exciting as it used to. Alternatively, you may have read about a VW Syncro that was converted into a home on wheels. So what should you do with your car – modify it or sell it? Give it to someone or have it scrapped? In this article, we’ll come up with a host of helpful suggestions to help you make the best possible decision.

Assess Its Value

First of all, research the current market for similar models and see how much they’re going for. If you added some extra features or upgrades after you bought your car, factor this into the price.

A professional appraiser would know what to look for and will have a good understanding of current car prices. In turn, you can make an informed decision as to the future of your car. Should you decide to sell it, you’ll be able to request a reasonable asking price. This will protect it from being on the market for too long (if the price is too high) or from you accepting less money than it’s worth.

Sell Your Car For Cash

There are many ways to do this, and each has its different pros and cons. If you sell the car yourself you’ll be communicating directly with potential buyers. It’s possible to use websites such as Craigslist or eBay to serve your purposes. Once you’ve got your car out there, you’ll need to be prepared to negotiate over the price.

There are also companies that specialize in buying people’s cars for cash. For instance, you may be a resident of the federal state of New Jersey, USA. The people who get cash for junk cars in NJ can do so with clean title, salvage title, without title, or title with a lien. Whether they have car registration or not, expired registration or no license plate, they can use these companies to get a free quote for a guaranteed highest offer.

Trade It In

This is a good option if you want to visit a dealer and use your old car to get an upgrade. You can end up driving a newer model by offsetting the price against the value of your old car. Once again you need to do some market research beforehand, to make sure you get a fair price for your old vehicle.

Don’t feel tied to only visiting one dealer. Instead, speak to several to see what offers they come up with. Their offers can be negotiated, so don’t feel they have to be set in stone. If you agree to trade in your vehicle, read the small print before doing so. This way you’ll know exactly what’s occurring, rather than regretting your actions afterward.

Keep Your Current Vehicle

It’s important to consider whether your current car fits in with your finances and daily lifestyle. Whilst it may appear boring and old, it may still be serving its purpose. You wouldn’t want to sell it and discover that a new car was beyond your budget or not as suitable for your purposes (e.g. off-road driving, safety, storage, or passenger capacity).

You should sit down and calculate the insurance costs, fuel bills, and more for your current car. Is it cheap to maintain or does it have expensive and unusual parts that need replacement? Before you replace it with something new, make a direct comparison of the key criteria. This will protect you from making an expensive mistake that you later regret.

trade your old car

Customize It With Repairs Or Mods

There may be some changes or additions that could breathe new life into your old car. In turn, you could fall in love with it once again and extend its use. How about making your car more unusual or unique, or making alterations that better match your pastimes and lifestyle?

If you go online you’ll discover that you have many exciting possibilities, ranging from performance upgrades to interior enhancements. Some potential considerations include:

  • replacing the engine
  • making major bodywork changes
  • changing the bumpers
  • adding a spoiler

Whilst these things will cost you money, it may be cheaper than you buying another car. Finally, make sure any changes are made by a professional mechanic. This way you’ll be able to ensure your car is as safe and effective – or more – than it was before.

Donate It To Charity

It may be that money’s not the issue, and that your car has lots of life still left in it. If you don’t want it anymore, why not choose an environmentally friendly option? There are many charities and organizations that may be willing to take your car off your hands. If they come and collect it things couldn’t be easier or more convenient.

It’s important to research the charity so you know your car will be put to good use or given to someone who really needs it. Go online to read reviews, or speak to someone who’s had dealings with them in the past. If you’re keen to give your vehicle away but can’t find a suitable organization, why not give it to a friend, family member, or colleague? They may be grateful for your kindness and are in major need of transport right now.

Put It To New Use

Rather than disposing of your car, you could adapt it for work purposes. Perhaps you can take some seats out and add storage, shelves, or racks. You may need to involve an electrician for some modifications, or check the car can take the weight of all you’ll be transporting.

You could also make money with your car, using it as a side hustle. Two major examples include using it as a taxi or delivering takeouts to people.
As you can see, there are lots of things to think about before you change cars. You need to assess your budget – and current and future needs. In turn, you’ll either replace your car or use it for several more years.