Anyone here ever donated a car to charity?: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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July 24, 2011 7:59 a.m. Racer1ab Reader

My need for "shiny new used thing" is starting up again, and I'm thinking about replacing my aging 1997 Lexus ES300 with a newer P71.

Don't get me wrong, the Lexus has been an awesome daily, but she suffers the slings and arrows of a rather hard life. She's been backed into, brushed into the wall of a parking garage, and still been trouble-free for tens of thousands of miles.

Currently, she's got 207k miles on her, and needs a timing belt, trans service, and power steering service as well as a tuneup, and I can't bring myself to put more money into her.

Of course, I don't really think it would be worth putting the car up on here, and I don't even want to start with craigslist, so I started looking into possibly donating the car.

My favorite so far is this: http://www.goodnewsmountaineergarage.com/?nav=home

I love the idea of these guys fixing up the car and it being provided to someone who really needs help, and the fact that apparently it can help me out too with taxes. If they can use the car for charity, apparently you get the fair market value for the car, instead of what it sells for at auction.

Anyone have any experience with this? I know charity is it's own reward, but it would be awfully nice if it gives me a break from Uncle Sam for a year too.
July 24, 2011 8:28 a.m. KATYB HalfDork

i have given a few of my cars to someone from church. never been able to write the car off i always was at my maximum way befpre that.
July 24, 2011 8:41 a.m. Racer1ab Reader

Guess that gives me another question for my accountant buddy as well. If I'm already getting a refund, does this work in my favor or would selling it be more prudent?

I wanna send a few emails to the donation folks, as it's still my favorite option for this thing.

If it was sporty or cool, I'd offer it up here in a heartbeat.
July 24, 2011 9:12 a.m. alfadriver SuperDork

I did some time ago, but the rules did change. I looked into it with our 164 a year ago, and found out that the full deduction can not happen until the car is further sold at that price. Basically, the IRS is requiring "proof" of worth.

In terms of what is more prudent, remember that you need to know if you are getting a tax credit (directly takes $$ off taxes) or a deduction on your income (up to 35% reduction of taxes).

Selling a car for $2000 may be better than donating it for $4500.
July 24, 2011 9:15 a.m. Luke SuperDork

alfadriver wrote:

I looked into it with our 164

That's a horrible thing to do to an already struggling family.
July 24, 2011 9:40 a.m. patgizz SuperDork

alfadriver wrote:

.

Selling a car for $500 may be better than donating it for $4500.

fixed. my uncle donated a $1200 truck and it netted him about $50 back on his refund because the charity offed it for a quick $500
July 24, 2011 9:42 a.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork

Racer1ab wrote:

My favorite so far is this: http://www.goodnewsmountaineergarage.com/?nav=home

Cool concept. I like that.
July 24, 2011 9:55 a.m. Racer1ab Reader

In reply to patgizz:

I get that, but that's the cool thing about this program...IF they can use your car to give to a needy family...apparently you get fair market value for it.

If it's too far gone, then yeah, it goes to auction and the new IRS laws apply, you get credit for whatever it sells for.

I think I may just ride out there this week and let them look the car over and see if they could use it vs. selling it at auction.
July 24, 2011 1:56 p.m. Travis_K SuperDork

Most donation cars go to pick and pull here, so IMO if it's still a useable car it's better to sell it elsewhere. If it's a place that actually works on them to sell then that's different though.
July 24, 2011 2:32 p.m. triumph5 SuperDork

DILYSI Dave wrote:

Racer1ab wrote:

My favorite so far is this: http://www.goodnewsmountaineergarage.com/?nav=home

Cool concept. I like that.

If they operate or are related to the Good news Garage in Vt., they do excellent work, and only donate a sound, reliable, good running car to a needy family--after they have fixed it. The ones that can't be fixed and are sold at auction or scrap, simply add $$ to them for parts for the good ones.

Yes, spend some time with your accountant to see what is the best way to go, or you could simply chalk it up as junk, donate it, and whatever you get, you get.

Or, donate to a tech school to help the students learn on a luxury car they normally would never learn on.??
July 24, 2011 3:25 p.m. xd Reader

triumph5 wrote:

DILYSI Dave wrote:

Racer1ab wrote:

My favorite so far is this: http://www.goodnewsmountaineergarage.com/?nav=home

Cool concept. I like that.

Or, donate to a tech school to help the students learn on a luxury car they normally would never learn on.??

/ I have donated cars to my old school. Hell I have even just bought cars for my school. Back in the day you could donate say 500 to the school and have them buy the car from you for 500. I don't think its legal anymore to do it that way. Really if your going to donate a car to a school it dosnt have to run or even have all the body panels
July 24, 2011 3:28 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

I did it once, years ago before the rules tightened up on the amount of deduction. The car wasn't worth that much anyway, so the big thing for me was the convenience - I didn't have to deal with the hassle of trying to sell the car, they just showed up with a flatbed and hauled it away.
July 24, 2011 5:18 p.m. Racer1ab Reader

Great idea with the tech school, I hadn't even thought of that!