GS300 2007 - Sell or Scrap?

[LexusGS300-07]

When I first got my lexus I was working in a rural area with non-existant public transport.

I have since moved to the city and public transport is just everywhere, and driving to work is costly, the road tax to just own the car as well as the premium for on street parking just doesn't seem to justify me keeping the vehicle anymore - because of that I stopped driving it for a few months, over the winter I travelled for a few months to a sunnier place and returned to the tyre being flat, I assumed it was deflated so bought a car powered inflator, which in turn made me realise the tyre actually has a puncture. The next time I tried to turn the car on it just refused to do so, I couldn't even open the door with the key - I am assuming the Battery neds jumping?

 

All this seems like effort to me, tyre replacement + finding a Battery jumper, plus theres 2 visible scratch areas, one on the rear left bumper and one above the right rim due to some really cool hit and runs (city living). I feel getting the car to a resellable state might end up being an over investment?

With that said It seems a waste to scrap, the car has 43k miles total, perfect service history (except for last year as I have not driven it in months) but I'm thinking this is the most economical choice? It's costing about £1.3k a year just to stay parked legally!

If the advice is to sell it, can you advise me on how to best tackle this in terms of min/maxing.

[johnatg]

Definitely sell it - it must be much too good to scrap. If you want minimum fuss and no risk you could try carconverter.co.uk

I think most of the 'cash for your car' type people won't quote for cars over 15 years old but carconverter say any age.

Or there's Autotrader but then you've got potentially quite a lot of hassle (crooks, people not turning up, time wasters, bouncing cheques or bank drafts, etc)

Or send it straight to auction - BCA etc.

Better all round if it has a MoT  (but don't worry about any other tarting up - you're unlikely to recoup the cost)!

The Battery should just need jumping and you may be able to get the tyre fixed at low cost (borrow a pump?)

[Linas.P]

Not sure why would you consider scrapping it? 

Scrap money would be £400 if you lucky (probably less if they come to pick it up). Selling it even with faults would be 2-3 times that. If you would spend little bit of money to "recommission the car", fitting new Battery, fixing puncture in the tyre, taking it to local car wash to do mini-valet, you may get even more. £2000 for running GS300 is really cheap and that is already 5 times what you would get scrapping it.

How to do it - facebook market place or eBay probably would be easiest for cars with problems. Autotrader would get more attention, but people there would expect car to be driving and good shape. Also you can just put your details into selling section on this forum.

[LenT]

On 2/4/2024 at 3:00 PM, LexusGS300-07 said:

With that said It seems a waste to scrap

It certainly does!  

The defects sound relatively minor, the mileage is low (too low, some might say, for a make that rewards being driven) and the service history is reassuring.

I would be inclined to replace the punctured tyre (match the one on the same axle), replace the Battery and do as much renovation work on the interior and exterior as you can.  If you can do it yourself, then it’s mainly only time that you’re investing - and first impressions count!

If you think it will pass, then get an MOT.  You can check many obvious fails yourself - bulbs, washer level, blowing exhaust and such like.  As for selling it, I’d follow Linas’ advice as above.

[LenT]

6 hours ago, LenT said:

As for selling it, I’d follow Linas’ advice as above.

I did add that depending on which part of Greater London you live in, it’s worth looking at the local paper as well.