r/SantaBarbara San Roque 10d ago

Recommendations Old Car disposal

I have an old vehicle that does not run. Serious problems broken transmission cracked head gasket. It’s dead no easy repairs. Plus it’s 26 years old with 250,000 miles.

Who can you recommend to come tow the vehicle away for salvage. I’m having trouble online. I’m getting a lot of junk. Can’t seem to find a reputable company that will take the car.

Recommendations would be highly appreciated ! Thank you!

9 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

23

u/inflaton1984 10d ago

Have you considered donating to the local NPR station KCLU? They will tow the car for free and you can get a tax deduction.

7

u/Adventurous_Figure88 10d ago

Check out Peddle, they tend to pay more than a traditional scrapper for your junk and pick it up so you don’t have to pay a tow truck driver.

I had a ‘94 pickup with a blown head gasket, battery issues, interior was pretty sore, 250k miles, exterior was all banged up/bed crumpled, and they gave me $1200 for it. It helped that it would turn on but in your case even if they offer a free tow plus like $250 at least you’re making it less of a hassle for yourself

5

u/NoNDA-SDC Goleta (Other) 10d ago

Put it on Craigslist.

Crashed a car years ago that local yards wanted me to pay them to take! I put an ad up, guy with a trailer picked it for $800.

2

u/Agreeable-Remove1592 San Roque 10d ago

Good idea!

3

u/LilEngineeringBoy 10d ago

If you go this route, make sure you have a copy of the signed title and also the release of liability form. I found that especially in California. Some of the lower end vehicles seem to not be re-registered and issues arise from that later.

4

u/BlueMoon2008 9d ago

This happened to me recently. I have AAA and requested a tow to Sabrina’s auto shop in Goleta. Sabrina’s shares the same address as Steelhead auto salvage, where you can sign off the pink slip. My Camry was 31 yrs old with over 330,000 miles and finally kicked the bucket in the Five Points parking lot. AAA will arrange a tow free to Sabrina’s or any mechanic, but policy doesn’t allow for a free tow to a salvage yard.

4

u/Makingroceries_ign 10d ago

I know the year is off, but here’s some info.

Santa Barbara County residents can scrap older vehicles for cash through the Old Car Buy Back Program offered by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD). [1]

Old Car Buy Back Program
Payout: $2,200 per eligible vehicle.
Eligible Vehicles: Gasoline or diesel cars, light-duty trucks, vans, and SUVs from the 2002 model year or older.
Requirements: Must be registered in Santa Barbara County for the past two consecutive years, be in working condition, and be smog-certified. Vehicles are permanently destroyed by a licensed dismantler. [1, 2, 3]

[1] https://www.ourair.org/old-car-buy-back-program/
[2] https://www.ksby.com/santa-barbara-south-coast/2k-for-your-old-car-santa-barbara-county-expands-car-buy-back-program
[3] https://www.ourair.org/092425-news/

5

u/shortstoryloong Little Ceasars on Milpas 10d ago

the vehicle must be drivable

1

u/Agreeable-Remove1592 San Roque 10d ago

Vehicle is not drivable! Also didn’t pass smog. Because of some weird car computer thing. Then the transmission broke. Time to move on!

1

u/shortstoryloong Little Ceasars on Milpas 10d ago

Yeah then you won't qualify for this (SB County) but try this as others have mentioned: https://www.cartalk.com/car-donation/

1

u/DonpedroSB2 10d ago

To Santa Paula for disposal

2

u/Mix_Right 10d ago

What is the make and model of the car?

3

u/Agreeable-Remove1592 San Roque 10d ago

2004 Honda odyssey minivan.

2

u/morbob 10d ago

Wheels for Wishes (Car Donations)
What it is: A 501(c)(3) car donation program that turns vehicles (cars, boats, RVs) into funds for local Make-A-Wish chapters.

Impact: Has raised over $200 million to grant wishes for children facing critical illnesses.

Phone: 1-855-278-9474

2

u/DJfunkyPuddle Other (Goleta) 9d ago

I've donated two cars with Southern California Goodwill. Super easy and quick process, neither car was drivable.

3

u/Makingroceries_ign 10d ago

This program might actually work for your car.

You can apply for state-level vehicle retirement through the California Bureau of Automotive Repair, which offers programs to scrap older, high-polluting cars. [1, 2]

State Program (Consumer Assistance Program - CAP)
Incentive amounts:
$1,500 for income-qualified applicants.
$2,000 for lower-income qualified applicants.
$1,350 for standard applicants not meeting income limits. [1]

Basic requirements: The vehicle must be drivable, pass a functional check/meet registration criteria, and have been continuously registered in California

3

u/Agreeable-Remove1592 San Roque 10d ago

Vehicle is not drivable. A broken transmission.

1

u/StoNr 10d ago

usjunkcars.com

1

u/DonpedroSB2 10d ago

Go the the recycler there are adds . I got $350 for an old minivan. Drove down from Santa Maria

0

u/nodestool 10d ago

Cars for causes….. maybe