Is my Lexus with a bad transmission worth anything or should I scrap/donate?

Posted by loongbuuny67G@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 22 comments

I really don’t know anything about cars so I need some advice here. I have a 2009 GX470 that is in pretty rough condition and I’m trying to figure out if I should sell it for cheap to someone who might want it as a project car, or if it’s better to just scrap it/donate it.

The biggest issue is the transmission (jerking and lagging when accelerating, literally sounds like gunshots firings), which is why I’m not sure it’s even worth selling. On top of that, it has around 280,000 miles on it from years as a family car and A LOT of road trips. The paint is chipping, interior is worn, etc. Just a well used car that hasn’t been super well maintained, unfortunately. It was in one accident that damaged the front bumper (fixed) around 7 years ago.

My brother says it’s a popular overlanding vehicle but given how old it is and how much work it needs, I’m not sure anyone would want to take it on as a project.

I was only going to ask like $500 for it but not sure it’s even worth that much. Any insight is much appreciated.

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Alarmed-Extension289@reddit

In my youth I bought more non-running cars than running. People are always willing to take the chance and repair it if the the interior/exterior are in good shape.

Non operational trucks will always have a market ESPECIALLY if their 4wd, your brothers right it's got value.

A 2009 GX470 could easily bring in $1500 but I'm guessing you can get a $1k easily. I see them off-roading here in SoCal all lifted. Just be honest and have all your paperwork in order that's how you sell a car fast. You'll likely get some car flippers that want it for re-sale but stand firm at $1k.

Whack-a-Moole@reddit

Call a junkyard and find out what they will give you. Many will come pick it up. Now you have a baseline value for when you are deciding how much Facebook/Craigslist BS you want to put up with.

loongbuuny67G@reddit (OP)

Good idea, will fox

XtraChrisP@reddit

Granted, everything worked, and the car looked and drove great, but I sold my 06 IS350 with 374k miles on it for $4300. Didn't even list a price. Listed it as "make offer after you drive it."

Mean_Farmer4616@reddit

If you list it for $2500 you'll get blown up and easily get somebody to give you at least 2k cash by the weekend

omac_dj@reddit

i promise you can get at least 1k for it, car has a big aftermarket following so i wouldn’t be surprised if u can get a little more. definitely more than scrap value

Steelrod_lopez@reddit

Someone will scoop it for something. That motor is a good swapper and those make great off road rigs with some work. Hell if I had the space I’d offer a couple grand prolly.

EhRanders@reddit

We’ll never have the space. I paved an extra 700 sq ft when I redid my driveway 5 years ago. Bought me 2 years and now I’m moving more even shitboxes to prevent asphalt dips from the ones I’m not actively wrenching on.

Snapdragon354@reddit

Use carbrain Online and sell it no hassle, they come pick it up and write you a check onsite. I done it and had a good experience myself.

g2gfmx@reddit

How is the engine?

No issues, to my knowledge.

The gx470 is a pretty valuable vehicle, even at high miles. Look up how much they go for in your area. It might be worthwhile to spend on fixing the vehicle before you sell it

outline8668@reddit

I would put it on marketplace for 1k be honest in the ad. Because of what kind of vehicle it is I don't think you will have trouble unloading it.

FanLevel4115@reddit

This. Lots of gear heads will spend some labour to slap in a used gearbox then have some fun with it.

Outside_Breakfast_39@reddit

this is the way

RelationNo9374@reddit

You’ll get $2k on marketplace if you clean it and present it well

Old_Confidence3290@reddit

Ask for at least a thousand, maybe 2. Everybody wants to buy for less than the listed price. Be honest in your ad but don't say more than you really know. Unless you are an automotive technician, you don't know what is wrong with it. Just say that it jerks when accelerating. Someone will want it.

ThirdSunRising@reddit

Get a quote from a junkyard. That’s your minimum bid if someone wants to buy it.

Put it up on Craigslist as is for $1k. You’ll get a taker. Someone might enjoy the project or maybe just drive it into the ground. A thousand bucks in your pocket and someone got into a project car for cheap, everyone wins.

questfornewlearning@reddit

Donate to a high school or college auto mechanics program and you will get a tax receipt.

slammed430@reddit

For 500 I would assume someone would come get it fairly quickly. Could probably get more?

on_Jah_Jahmen@reddit

Sell it for 1k, a trans swap is roughly 3-5k itself.

boringcarenthusiast@reddit

People love the GX platform and that 4.7L 2UZ motor. It's definitely worth $500 if it has a clean frame with minimal rust, even with a rough transmission. If it runs and can drive down the road, a GX enthusiast will save it- disclose the issue and list it for $3k.