Thank goodness for your donation program. I do not have the band width to figure out how to sell my own car.
Here is my story about why I am donating my Volvo S60 to NPR:
I have been driving this car since July 2017. Commuting to and from Richmond (McGuire VAMC), driving to Capon Springs Resort, taking vacations, driving to see family and friends and many life events! Since Mar 2020 I have been able to work remotely from my home, so my driving miles, like many folks, was greatly reduced. I drove approx 11K miles in 2022. I kept up with all scheduled maintenance and have the records.
I was driving from Charlottesville to New Hampshire for a brief ski vacation Feb 12, 2023 evening. I have driven this route many times over the 20 years I have lived in Virginia to visit family and friends in NH. Just past Harrisburg PA on Rte 81 my beloved 2012 Volvo S60 started running roughly; what I learned was misfiring, initially going up the hills. For those who have not driven 81 through PA from Harrisburg to Scranton, it is pretty remote and hilly (the Poconos). It was dark, after 6PM. I had never had a car do this before, so wasn't quite sure. I am not sure when the check engine light came on... the exits were to remote areas. I finally got to Hazelton and pulled off looking for a dealer or hotel since it was Sunday evening. I found a hotel and asked if they could recommend a car repair shop as there was not a Volvo dealer near. OH yes and watched the halftime show and second half of the Super Bowl.
The next morning, I drove to a local shop and asked for help - they tested my car and said I needed new spark plugs, maybe it was bad gasoline. They said they could repair it so I sat reading a book (Dinners with Ruth!) in their office. 3 hours later, they came in and said they also needed to replace coils and informed me of the fees. Oh yes to put fuel cleaner into my gas tank. Autozone was across the street.
Well, I decided to drive back to Virginia and not to NH because I wasn't clear that my car would safely make the rest of the drive. I got home, stopped by Autozone for more fuel cleaner, and they ran the codes for my check engine light. I kept waiting for the check engine light to clear as the fuel cleaner worked it's way through the engine.
Unfortunately, I needed to get back to work and my favorite repair shop did not have an appointment for another week. The bad news - the cylinder 4 was not functioning. BTW I had never had an oil leak or any other indication!!!
So do I replace the engine for $6000-8,000 or do I purchase a new to me car? I started shopping around and was so frustrated with the prices and availability - do I get another Volvo? (I miss Edgecombs - they were a local car repair and Volvo resale family-owned business)
Anyway, I ask around looked around and found a 2020 car to replace my car. Luckily, I am working full time and was saving money for my son's wedding.
NO trade in value for my Volvo! But there are new parts in this Volvo - spark plugs, coils, fuel pump. It only has 107,000 miles. The car is in good shape, new fuel pump etc.
Thank goodness for your donation program. I do not have the band width to figure out how to sell my own car.
Ruth donated a 2012 Volvo S60 to WVTF through the Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program.
Thank you, Ruth!