I'd like to introduce the concept of recycling automobiles. It is not for everone. Hard numbers on the value and impact of recycling vehicles are difficult to produce. Areas of impact are personal economic and emotion as well. The process of recycing a vehicle can create a community of local mechanics and parts houses. I have found buying parts online is often more economic than purchasing them from brick and morter businesses. Whether recycling a vehicle is the right thing for you is for you to determine.
I want to be clear, vehicle recycling is not vehicle restoration. In most cases vehicle recycling is a deep maintenance cycle. Vehicle restoration is almost pornographic in nature; trying to make a vehicle "perfect." Vehicle recycling keeps a car out of the salvage yard by fixing the next most important issue. Paint and heavily modified engines are not a priority in my recycling projects.
Recycling a vehicle can be exasperating on several levels. Sooner or later the vehicle recycler will encounter various urban myths concerning vehicles. It will be a mini odyessy through truths, superstitions and outdated mentalities. This is not an endeavor for double-minded persons. Everyone is different and it is OK to have different approaches to vehicles. We also have limits of things we can accept. I did not start off where I am now. We mature by progression of ideas, knowledge and experience. It has not always been a smooth ride (pun intended).
A Reason for Recycling a Vehcle, Setbacks:
One reason I like recycled vehicles is I live in Harris County, Texas. Harris County is second highest in insurance cost to Los Angeles County in California. High insurance rates are directly related to accident rates. Any Houstonian will tell you how bad Houston traffic is, road construction and Houston drivers are... Setbacks happen. You can not get away from every bad driver, or coastal storm.
When a tree limb fell out of my largest elm onto my Camry I was shocked at the violence the 1-1/2" limb rendered. It went through the windshield in several places and pounded the dashboard. It also damaged the hood and drivers side fender.
The light damage from a minor fender bender was $1,700.00 on my Ram Van.
The wreck of my '97 Accord was catostrophic. The car was totalled. Fortunately all safety features worked on the then 21 year old car. I really liked that car, especially the sun roof...
Even with these setbacks I believe the financial damage was minimized by using recycled vehicles. People argue that trucks are safer in accidents but statistically that is not true. It may be that a small car is more likely to be totaled. I also believe larger vehicles are more easily seen and may be involved in fewer accidents...another blog...
Other things motivate me. Some may have different reasons. Hard times have been a factor for Dottie and me. Our chosen lifestyle as a single income family and homeschooling our children are factors. I am irked by the rapid depreciation and mandatory full coverage insurance of new vehicles. Monthly payments bother me. The truth is if I could have afforded those things I would have done it. In a heartbeat I would have bought brand new vehicles, over and over again. I did not get here by my own virtue or conviction. So when it came time to replace the totaled '97 Accord, I knew I would recycle another vehicle. At the time I had the means to break out of recycling vehicles, and I was tempted.
Now over a month into the COVID-19 layoff I am so grateful I held to recycling the 2006 Acura MDX.
There are discomforts and inconveniences that come with vehicle recycling, but over the years I have gotten more comfortable with the process.
Some of the vehicles I have recycled are...
I eventually gave the Camry to our oldest son. He used it a year and gave it back to me when he joined the Marines. I sold the Camry for $500.00 to someone I wanted to help out in 2014.
I gave the '92 Chevy away in 2017. That was a fun project! The '97 Accord was totaled November of 2018. We still have the van.
Of all my so-called "investments," only my 401K plan has been beaten as badly as my vehicles. Kind of makes me wonder... We all know cars and trucks are not investments, but they are somewhat necessary in many urban settings.
Thanks for reading.
MSM
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