Do I keep this old(er) car

[hammer]

Check Engine Light came back

Guess I was hoping the problem was a fluke...got the light again just one week after the mechanic cleared it.

 

[hammer]

Talked with a friend who has a Subaru Legacy wagon with the same problem...tough part for him is that the car has California emissions so the OEM part cost is much more.

Now that I have my new "toy" this car is officially the "learning car" for my son. I still plan on making sure it's driven about once a week. Need to figure out what to do with it before it's up for inspection in November...or sooner if the rear suspension makes it a bit too squirrely for an inexperienced driver.

 

[hammer]

Bump...it's now November and it's time to get it inspected (and let it fail because of the CEL) or donate it. Repair is not an option...been starting to spending more $$ to fix random issues on my 9YO Toyota Highlander, and my son's in no hurry to get his license so he doesn't need a beater car for a while.

Any suggestions on the best place to donate the car to? Looking to get maximum value here...and I want to make sure it goes to a worthy cause.

 

[deadheadskier]

NOT Kars for Kids.

We will not be able to be friends if you contribute in any way possible towards assuring those annoying radio commercials keep playing. That perhaps is the most annoying radio ad ever created.

 

[billski]

NOT Kars for Kids.

We will not be able to be friends if you contribute in any way possible towards assuring those annoying radio commercials keep playing. That perhaps is the most annoying radio ad ever created.

true dat. It actually has forced me to change channels.

 

[WJenness]

true dat. It actually has forced me to change channels.

Me also.

It's been the only ad in recent history where I hear the jingle start and immediately hit another radio button...

I appreciate the concept, but they should have hired a better ad agency.

-w

 

[hammer]

true dat. It actually has forced me to change channels.

+1

Don't worry, that one was already off my list...

 

[Hawkshot99]

Those donation companies can be pretty picky.

My parents wanted to donate my first car when I got a new one. At the time the car was 8 years old. It was a 95' ford escort. # of the "we will take any car" places told us they didn't want it, before we found a place to take it.

 

[snoseek]

Npr?

 

[roark]

I'd probably just get a code reader (harbor frieght has them cheap) and reset the code just prior to inspection.

 

[WJenness]

I'd probably just get a code reader (harbor frieght has them cheap) and reset the code just prior to inspection.

Might work... might not... a lot of times after you reset the code the system will report that it is 'not ready' until it had run through a few warm up / cool down cycles to give an accurate reading.

but worth a shot.

-w

 

[Glenn]

Disconnecting the battery can sometimes reset a CEL. It all depends on how "broken" the part is that's causing the CEL. Sometimes it'll stay away for a bit...others, it'll come back sooner.