Donating Car to Charity

[DRILLINDK]

Has any donated their car to a charity before. Would anyone recommend doing this? I have a 2003 Buick Century with 220k miles. Kelly Blue Books suggest selling it for $2200 in Fair condition.

[bjl584]

If your own finances are in order and you don't need the money, then go for it. You will be helping someone and it will make you feel good.

I wouldn't donate a car if:

1) Your own finances weren't in order
2) You owe anything on the car (not sure if they would take it, but that could get messy)
3) The car is plagued with issues and you are just donating it to get rid of it

[lorraineb]

Has any donated their car to a charity before. Would anyone recommend doing this? I have a 2003 Buick Century with 220k miles. Kelly Blue Books suggest selling it for $2200 in Fair condition.

Don't do it. Everyone lose when you donate a car to charity. Most charities farm out the selling of the donated car to a third party and only get a small percentage of of what it sells for. Cars at these auctions usually sell for far below market value because the assumption is that anyone donating is donating a car that is ready to fall apart. You can only claim on your tax form what the car actually sells for so you don't get full credit for what it's worth.

Instead, sell it quickly at below market value for cash, Donate the cash you receive to your favorite charity. The charity gets more money, someone gets a good deal on the car and you get to deduct a lot more on your taxes.