I've only scrapped 2 cars, so need some help. Where would you be on a 95 Taurus? Runs but knocks. I can get for $400. Doesn't seem like a great deal, but I WANT to scrap a car. Any advice.
I've only scrapped 2 cars, so need some help. Where would you be on a 95 Taurus? Runs but knocks. I can get for $400. Doesn't seem like a great deal, but I WANT to scrap a car. Any advice.
All depends on what your local yard is paying. Find out what the curb weight is first of all, then make sure it still has the "essentials", (catalytic converter, battery, alloy wheels, etc...) also depends on how hard you want to work for it, you CAN sell parts off it for more than scrap value but its not going to be a quick buck, takes lots of time and space parting them out. But you can make some on this deal just scrapping it (at least with the prices per ton around me) as long as you dont have to travel to far to get it.
Last edited by Dermestid; 05-04-2014 at 09:01 PM.
There is $$ to be made at $400 if it has all the basics...if you can get it for less even better.
Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesaler
Certified Zip-Tie Mechanic
"Give them enough so they can do something with it, but not too much that they won't do nothing."
I wouldnt go more than 350, Depending on the local price of scrap, should turn a few buck on it. Too old to slang parts off it, and it would have to be COMPLETE ! If the battery, cat or anything else is gone walk away.
Alvord iron and salvage
3rd generation scrapper and dam proud of it
What are you getting paid per ton?
I would buy it all day at 400
Just my .02- DON'T overpay for a car.. just because you REALLY REALLY want to scrap one. I wouldn't pay $400 for a Taurus.. and I get $220/ton
Just wait for one you can get at $200.. and any mistakes you make.. will be less amplified on something at $200. I have a philosophy when buying cars: Somewhere along the line you have worked for that $400 bucks.. you can either work your tail off AGAIN to make that $400 back.. or you can just pass and sit home and count the $400.
Remember: You have already worked for that money once.. try not to have to work for it twice- unless you can make more and the difference makes it worth the time you will spend!
I'm so into scrapping.. When my Steel Toe Boots Wear out, I cut the Steel out of them and recycle the Toe!
I don't know the scrap car business but I do know a couple things. You have the power when you are prepared to walk away from a deal.
Also a quote from a wise man that was passed on to me. "Profit begins when you buy not when you sell" Mike
Last edited by miked; 05-05-2014 at 08:47 AM.
"Profit begins when you buy NOT when you sell." {quote passed down to me from a wise man}
Now go beat the copper out of something, Miked
at 200 a ton you should get 300$. it weighs about 3k. Then add the goodies. Then subtract the selling price. Is it worth it now?
I would not pay more than 275, even not knowing what you are getting per ton. Or like Sledge says, stay home and count your money!
Last edited by SuperDave; 05-05-2014 at 01:24 PM.
95 Taurus should scale for about 3000#
Scale here right now is $180 a ton (going to $170.00 next week)
So scale would only pay $270.00
50/50 chance it has aluminum rims/wheels >> extra $48.00 in pocket if it does
Battery $10.00
Back Cat VERY Hard to cut off because of the strengthening bracket welded at the bend >> allow extra time and an extra blade
That said >> Most I would pay would be $300.00 this week and $250.00 next week
that car will weight #3250, the pair of cats that really arn't that bad to get off are $80 if orig. and less then half of them have aluminum rims.
#3250 minus the the weight of cats, battery say #3200
1.6 (tons) x your price ($220/ton here) = $352 + $90 (cats and batt) = $442 ($500 if it has aluminum rims) <-(and thats if your getting $220/ton)
in the end I would not pay $400, because your gambling to get your money back let alone profit. I would pay $300, at least $50 just for towing it to the yard and then anything you can get off of it is an even better day.
I stayed away. Was looking like a break even deal. Thanks for advice.
At 400 I would jump on it in a heartbeat if the only thing wrong was a bad engine, $300 for a junk yard motor and a couple days work it would be back on craigslist as a good runner.
My fortune cookie said:
You discover treasures where others see nothing unusual.
Yeah man you should have bought it at 400 i would have hell i give 450 for them sometimes.I do this for a living well now i have been repoing but have done junks for years for a living the repoing is just a different pace and i love junking cars.If you do what you love then you will never work a day in your life.
If it had aluminum wheels,battery,alt and both cats then it was well worth the 400
Even if you broke even at $400 it would have been a free education on scrapping a car and getting your feet wet, since it was going to be your first one.
I really like KZ's answer on this one. I love the forum but hands on experience can not be replaced and it allows you to recognize what others are talking about on the forum. I have not scraped a car or anything large but I have spent much more on single load of material to scrap because of the forum education and my personal experience.
If not this time then perhaps in the future take a chance you can afford, if you can't afford it go smaller for now. Mike.
Hopefully this response will not being read with an angry tone.. as it is not intended to sound that way: I agree that hands on is a mother of a teacher.. but why put yourself behind the 8-ball unnecessarily? He can get the education he is seeking on a $200 car.. in as much.. as he can a $400 car.. and if he makes some mistakes.. he still has a prayer of getting all of his $ back at $200. I wholly believe that buying this car at this price ($400) would be the first mistake he would make. Too add insult to injury.. he'd have to work his tail off to get that $400 back being new to doing them. I think he made a good decision by 1. Asking for advice and 2. Walking away from the deal.
I agree Sledge...cheaper is better and if this car or another one can be had for less that would be great. I know around here though it's tough to find very many cars for less then $400 so you just hope that it's still there after you take a little time to research how popular the parts are.
No negative read on my part. I bow to those who are experienced at car scraping. Perhaps I should say once you put up your money you pay very close attention to the details and squeeze out the profit. I do agree that starting out with a cheaper car makes sense and only what you can afford to risk should be pursued at least until you have the experience. Mike
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