One of my coworkers is buying a new car to replace his currently broken manual '03 Saab 9-3 that has 200,000 km. The clutch is not working. The car is currently sitting at a shop, not being worked on. The mechanic looked at it, and nothing obvious is wrong with it without going into major labour charges (opening clutch/transmission). The Subaru dealer that he's buying the new car from is not offering a trade, even without knowing that the clutch is dead. The mechanic at the shop wants the car for free, because he's inspected it, and it's been sitting on his lot for two weeks now. That strikes me as a bit of a cash grab. However, I'm wondering if it's going to be worth it for him to get it towed to a junkyard instead, given that the mechanic may charge him something.

What do you guys think? How much value is there in a broken car like this?

A non-working clutch doesn't give me the impression of a car being completely worthless. Worst case scenario, it might need a transmission if the clutch/flywheel/cable isn't to blame. Otherwise, I'd say the mechanic is trying to screw your coworker out of a car.

What BV said. At that mileage the Ecotec is practically just breaking in. As long as there's nothing else major wrong with the car it's worth fixing. It should be worth a couple of thousand as is.

Other issues:

The gas gauge doesn't work

Engine coolant leaks

Engine needs tuneup (power is obviously reduced)

Interior fan sounds like s---

Keyless entry remotes no longer work

He has no interest in fixing the car. He's just looking to get the most value out of it.

Donate it to a charity that takes cars. They will have somebody tow it for free, somebody will fix it up and sell it and when they do, he will get a receipt for the amount the car sold for.

Donate it to a charity that takes cars. They will have somebody tow it for free, somebody will fix it up and sell it and when they do, he will get a receipt for the amount the car sold for.

That's what I suggested. However, if it's worth a couple of thousand, than he'll lose out on a lot of cash by doing it that way, as you only make back about 12% on tax reciepts.

He's been offered $800 by a junkyard... is that fair?

I would say that's fair in the condition it's in. I would NOT give it to that mechanic... he will fix it and flip it, he's counting on your coworker to not do research. $800 is a nice boost to a downpayment on something new.

Ship it back to Saab as a donation.... I hear they are hard up these days