Time To Sell That Car Towards Junkyard
Contact local salvage yards -- Plan to call as many as three local salvage yards or car recycling businesses to gauge interest in your car. Honestly describe what is wrong with it including damages and why it does not run. Even if the car isn't drivable, but still runs it is worth more than a vehicle that does not. Prices among junkyard operators can vary, so obtain multiple quotes.
Make an appointment -- If a salvage yard makes an acceptable offer for your vehicle, then make an appointment to drop it off. If it isn't drivable, the yard may send out a tow truck to take it away. A car that has to be towed will be worth less as it will cost the salvage yard more money to obtain your vehicle. If your car is not drivable, but can be pulled to a salvage yard, then consider doing the job yourself.
A great alternative is the junkyard. Often when a car is totaled and sent to the junkyard, the spare tire is intact. Many have never even been used. So how do you find a great match there?
Find a inspiring old salvage door at your local antique store, salvage yard, thrift store or a yard or estate sale. Any regular passage door will work but the truly great project will have at its nucleus a multi-panel, chipped paint or interestingly detailed salvage door. Be sure the door is "solid core" which means that the entire door is solid wood rather than a "hollow core" which is basically a frame with outer skin of laminated wood and hollow in the center. A hollow core door will not give you places to secure the bench or structural integrity against the elements.
So if you need a spare part and can't seem to find one in your local auto part store, then you would do yourself a favor to check a junk yard where you can get salvage parts. You may have to search several junk my but it sure beats having to order a spare part from a manufacturer as well as make financial sense.
Most aftermarket components are exact, original equipment (OE) specification. In many cases, the manufactures provide the parts to the car manufacturer. In other cases, the components are "multi-fit," which means it is the correct capacity and size for your vehicle, but it will have mounting hardware or attachment points for a range of fitments.
Shop for the Auto Part: There are many sources of getting information about discounted parts for your car. From the car magazines, to the classified section of your local periodical, the auto dealers in your locality and the Internet. But the most reliable one to date is the Internet. This is because you could go online and log onto any of the hundreds of discount auto parts sellers, check out if they have what you need (remember to be specific), see if you are comfortable with their prices and place your order instantly.
2) If you do not have a salvage yard near you, or if you do not want to travel out to one, will the business ship the part to you? Be sure to compare the price of the used part + shipping to the price of a new part to make sure you're making the best decision!
