Tips on Buying Cars: selling/trading car, smog test, bald tires

Question
I am getting rid of my 2002 Saturn and buying a new car. One dealer I talked to said it wasn't worth more than $250 as a trade in since it would be for parts or scrap (thanks to being a discontinued Saturn). The other dealer I spoke seemed willing to negotiate closer to $1000 but the used car manager had left for the weekend. I plan to go with the second dealer for multiple reasons, but am trying to decide on a backup plan if he too low balls the value of my current car. I am considering asking a friend to help sell my car / store it in the mean time, or maybe donating it. Donation advertisements state that I won't get more than $1000 (but that's better than the $250-500 I half expect from the dealer). As for friend storage/help, I believe I'd have to remove the licence plates to avoid insurance charges while the car is advertised online, but then how can potential buyers test drive it? "In transit trip permits" sound like more hassle than a quick 5min test drive is worth, but I don't want to pay my insurance while waiting for someone to show interest.

Please advise what you think my best course of action is. Pathetic trade in, donation, or patient friends / headache test drives.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Lyn

lol I enjoyed your question ...thanks for a monday morning laugh. Without knowing more about your car its hard to give you great advice so here is some good advice. If you car runs and doesn't have huge dents bald tires, rusted out undercarriage, and smell like cat urine then you should sell it yourself (or friend) NO QUESTION ABOUT IT ...if it doesn't have a branded title and all of the above then the dealers remark about selling it as parts and salvage is probably a lie. (But he has seen it and I haven't)

Any car that runs, drives, is safe (brakes lights horn)and can pass the smog test in your area you should slap up on craigs list for 1,000-1,500 and sold.

If you want to send me a follow up with the make model trim level and a better description or even a picture or two then I will tell you exactly what its probably worth to resell it and as a trade in. my email to send a photo (or 4) too is roadloans@gmail.com and I am in the office all day and expect it to be fairly slow here

Roger
The Car Guy