Overhaulin'

how easy is it to scrap a car and sell the parts on ebay?

my car died, engine they think, and the scrap yard is offering $600. I'm technically minded (engineering student) and i have lots of ebay experience. do you guys think it would be worth it to scrap it out myself? (looking for $2400, instead of just $600). i think the demand is high, 94 toyota 4runner, but my theory is the fact that it's toyota makes it high-demand.

Public Comments

1. Really depends on the car and the demand for its parts. hard to say without more info.
2. I believe that parting it, would be the best way to go. You can always get more money parting out a car or truck than scraping it. I'm not sure if you will be able to get $2400, but you can get a lot more than just $600. Ebay Motors is probably the most effective way to sale the parts. Also try advertising the parts in a local trader paper.
3. When you think about it...you dont have alot to part out. Rear end, transmission, transfer case is about it, along with body and interior panels, which are available for pick-up at most salvage yards. Most peices are not worth more than a few hundred dollars a peice at most. As a techically minded person, I would look for an engine from the scrap yard, instead of putting your vehicle in one. If its a 22r 4-cyl the swap is childs-play and motors are cheap. Figure, fix it up for $600, sell it for $3,000 and there you have your $2400.
4. Indeed, this is one of those situations where the parts are worth more than the whole. HOWEVER, the biggest hurdle you will have to overcome is not only how to ship the bigger and / or heavier components but the cost of the shipping! If prospective buyers consider the total cost of the componet(s) including the shipping, they may be able to find the part(s) they need locally for less. This being the case, your best bet is to sell the parts on Craiglsist. Craigslist, for the most part, is for larger and/or heavier items that are cumbersome or cost prohibitive to ship/mail. The only problem with Craigslist is that your potential market is limited to your general geographic area whereas eBay has a wordwide market. With Craiglsist, however, you don't have to worry about packaging and shipping. The buyers will show up at your home to pick up the parts. So, what i would suggest is that for smaller, lighter components, go the ebay route. For the heavier and/or larger components go the Craigslist route.