Car sitting unused for 14 months. Scrap it? Sell the parts? WWYD?

Debthree

Odd question but I'd like the opinion of those who know more about cars than I do (that would be all of you I think).

My husband passed away 13 months ago. Since then his car has sat unused in the driveway. Part of me didn't know what to do with it and a big part of me (as well as the kids) didn't want his beloved car to be anywhere but outside the door. But now I've got to do something. I have now learned to drive and have my own car as I found the Galaxy too daunting to learn to drive in.

I don't think it's worth much at this stage. It's a 2001 Petrol Ford Galaxy. I have to say it was running perfectly until last used in December 2011. The only trouble it ever gave us was a wiper issue - before he passed away the wiper motor packed up and he had just sourced the parts which I have here, still boxed - these parts were very difficult to source and cost a few hundred euro.

So I have the car itself sitting idle which, at the very least, probably needs a new battery (though I haven't tried to charge the battery that's in it); it needs wiper motor and linkage fitted; and also in the car are other little bits and pieces still in boxes that he (coincidentally) bought the last day he drove it in late December '11.

I need to do something as it's been sitting outside for more than a year and it's starting to hurt more than anything. What would you do? Scrap the car and sell the parts? Where would I sell those? The linkage alone is in a large box about 4 foot long and heavy. Not really suitable for Ebay-ing it. Try to get it going and sell as is? Get it going and have the wiper repaired by an auto electrician and then sell it? I'm not sure I have the energy or motivation to invest much time in this.

Stheno

Op firstly I'm very sorry for your loss.

One other option for you could be to put it up on donedeal with the detail above about the car, and see if someone could take it off you?

luketitz

First and foremost, sorry for your loss. It's a harrowing tale which reminds me of a a dear friend's similar predicament.

I'd recommend taking a few pics and sticking it up on adverts.ie, describing the minor faults as you have done above.

You should have it gone in no time, if the price is right.

Have a look at what similar models of the same age are going for, and drop it by a couple of hundred quid.

Best of luck with the sale, I hope it also plays a significant in you grieving process.

Debthree

Thanks Stheno. That's an option. Should I at least try to get it going first before doing that though?

Debthree

Thank you luketitz. Yes, it's all very grim to be honest. My youngest who is 8 (7 when her Dad passed away) begged me not to move the car as it's the car he drove her to school in every day. That's one of the reasons I just couldn't do anything about it until now. But then more time moved on and now it's just sitting there gathering dust and I need to deal with it. Thank you.

Stheno

Debthree wrote: »

Thanks Stheno. That's an option. Should I at least try to get it going first before doing that though?

You can try starting it anyway I'd a car that sat laid up for a year and started first time, you might need to put in a new battery though.

I'd not put a huge effort into it tbh if I were you.

Jordan5372

Firstly, i am sorry for your loss.

You said you didn't have much energy or motivation to get it going. I am sure a few lads nearby on here would come down and get it going for you and even help you sell it.
If there is nothing mechanically wrong with it i see no reason to scrap it. I would take some pictures and put them on adverts.ie

Should get close to 500 as is if you donedeal it, probably no harm to confirm it still starts and runs. If you're in cork I could do that if you don't have jump leads.

As with others, very sorry for your loss too.

Fitting the parts etc won't enhance the sale price tbh so there's no point, the next owner will be delighted they're there though.

corktina

I'd put the parts on Ebay seperately perhaps....

ronaneire

Hi and sorry to hear about your loss. Where abouts are you? If you were close I wouldn't mind lending a hand to get it started for you.

goz83

Update your location. Let us know where you are.

Someone here will help you. If you are near me, I am willing to help you out with the advert. I can take the snaps and get it up on a few websites for you. I have jump leads, so can check if she runs fine, which i'm sure it does if it did in December 2011. Sell the parts with it and don't get them fitted. You'll get more in the sale than you will scrapping.

Debthree

Thank you so much for your replies guys. I really appreciate the feedback and advice. I'm in Cork by the way.

Stheno

RoverJames wrote: »

Should get close to 500 as is if you donedeal it, probably no harm to confirm it still starts and runs. If you're in cork I could do that if you don't have jump leads.

As with others, very sorry for your loss too.

Fitting the parts etc won't enhance the sale price tbh so there's no point, the next owner will be delighted they're there though.

Debthree wrote: »

Thank you so much for your replies guys. I really appreciate the feedback and advice. I'm in Cork by the way.

Take RJ (we use shorthand here for the regulars, it's Rover James, think grumpy old men and you're spot on) up on his very kind offer to help you get it going, if you are comfortable with that.

He'll have loads of advice to share with you too, to help you along the road of selling the car, and moving on.

It will be tough not having the old wagon out in the drive, and it will be hard for your children, but it's a step forward, and part of the grieving process, awful as it is. I think you are being very brave in taking this step and have nothing but admiration for you, I can't imagine how tough this past 13 months and the present are for you.

RoundyMooney

I'm in East Cork if that's of any help, or if someone else can't get to you.

unkel

Debthree, I'm very sorry for your loss

What's lifting me up here is the suggestions and offers of very decent people here on boards. Take them up on their offers and report back here how it worked out

BeardyGit

Fair play to the Cork lads for jumping in with offers of assistance, and I'm sorry to hear of your loss as a family.

On a side note, kids associate cars with happy times and the importance to them of the owners, based on their shared experiences. If your daughter sees the Galaxy as a reminder, kind of a comforter, something to trigger a clear memory of her Dad, maybe picking up something like this, just for her, as a kind of memento might help her accept that the car itself needs to be moved on now:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/FORD-GALAXY-1995-GREY-METALLIC-NEW-1-43-SCALE-MODEL-/130582307876?pt=UK_ToysGames_DiecastVehicles_DiecastVehicles_JN&hash=item1e674fe424

I know from my own experience in dealing with other kids who've lost parents at an early age that it's the visual cues that are important at times - there's often lots of upset when memory fades naturally. A model of her Dad's car sitting nearby might help with that.

Anyway, take the lads (RJ etc) up on their offers to help and they'll have you sorted in no time.

Guy:Incognito

Depending on what your looking for for it I might have a taker. My cousin needs to change his vectra for something in the mpv direction to accomdate his disabled daughter.with being out of work hes after something cheap id say . A bit of a fixer upper that we can do the work on ourselves would be ideal.

Debthree

Oh my goodness, I can't thank you all enough. I never expected such kindness and support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

BeardyGit (lol), that is such a fantastic idea about the model car. I never ever thought of that. Yes, the car holds wonderful memories. Our previous car gave us endless trouble and hassle so when we got the Galaxy we were thrilled and the three kids (two of them are 18 and 16 now so hardly kids anymore but our youngest is 8) had a seat of their own and loved it! It was also great for camping trips, not to mention the fact that my husband was a musician so could fit all his music gear in the boot with no problems.

I would be absolutely delighted to take you up on your offer RoverJames if and when you have the time. And thank you ronaneire, goz83 and Roundy too for offering to look at it. I'd be delighted with any help.

Guy:Incognito, that sounds good and I'd be happy to talk more about this, if we can get the car going (lol!). I will say though that the wiper motor issue is apparently a godawful job. Tracking the parts was a nightmare but obviously he got them in the end so I have those but from what I remember Diarmuid being told, fitting them is a real pain. Just saying this so you'd know up front that it's a messy task.

Stheno

Debthree wrote: »

Oh my goodness, I can't thank you all enough. I never expected such kindness and support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

BeardyGit (lol), that is such a fantastic idea about the model car. I never ever thought of that. Yes, the car holds wonderful memories. Our previous car gave us endless trouble and hassle so when we got the Galaxy we were thrilled and the three kids (two of them are 18 and 16 now so hardly kids anymore but our youngest is 8) had a seat of their own and loved it! It was also great for camping trips, not to mention the fact that my husband was a musician so could fit all his music gear in the boot with no problems.

I would be absolutely delighted to take you up on your offer RoverJames if and when you have the time. And thank you ronaneire, goz83 and Roundy too for offering to look at it. I'd be delighted with any help.

Guy:Incognito, that sounds good and I'd be happy to talk more about this, if we can get the car going (lol!). I will say though that the wiper motor issue is apparently a godawful job. Tracking the parts was a nightmare but obviously he got them in the end so I have those but from what I remember Diarmuid being told, fitting them is a real pain. Just saying this so you'd know up front that it's a messy task.

You know, this post is just such a fantastic endorsement of this forum. Someone who's never been here before posts with a genuine issue, and every poster on this thread has tried to offer advice, or help.

End result, someone who has suffered a dreadful loss, is going to be able to move on with the help of people on this forum, with help given willingly and without thought, and a way to help her children remember their dad.

We might have our scraps, personality differences, and one upmanship, but when it comes down to it, this is a pretty decent forum, with very decent people, and this thread is the epitome of it, and makes me proud to contribute in my own small way, and to be part of a community who will make an effort not only to be civil and suggest ways to help the OP, but to offer real help, and take time out to make sure the OP is able to address her issue. I've gotten loads of help and learned loads on here, seen this happen with people helping others out, but this thread has really made me proud to be part of this forum.

Well done guys

WildWater

Debthree very sorry for your loss.

Just a thought along the lines of the Beardygits suggestion. Why not take some of what you get for the car to buy something special for your youngest that you feel her dad would have wanted her to have. You mentioned that your husband was a musician so what about a nice guitar or something along that line.

Best wishes

_Kaiser_

Debthree: First off (and most importantly) I'm very sorry for your and your family's loss. I hope the guys here can help you all get through it in a small way anyway.

Stheno wrote: »

You know, this post is just such a fantastic endorsement of this forum. Someone who's never been here before posts with a genuine issue, and every poster on this thread has tried to offer advice, or help.

End result, someone who has suffered a dreadful loss, is going to be able to move on with the help of people on this forum, with help given willingly and without thought, and a way to help her children remember their dad.

We might have our scraps, personality differences, and one upmanship, but when it comes down to it, this is a pretty decent forum, with very decent people, and this thread is the epitome of it, and makes me proud to contribute in my own small way, and to be part of a community who will make an effort not only to be civil and suggest ways to help the OP, but to offer real help, and take time out to make sure the OP is able to address her issue. I've gotten loads of help and learned loads on here, seen this happen with people helping others out, but this thread has really made me proud to be part of this forum.

Well done guys

I can't agree more with this. Despite some of the bickering, trolling and occasional muppetry that goes on in this forum, it's actually genuinely heartwarming (not a term I use often) to see posters pull together like this to help this lady out.

As Stheno said - Well done guys!