What Boston Renters Should Do With an Old Car Before Moving Apartments

Boston’s an amazing cultural hub with great restaurants, the Freedom Trail, and stunning fall colors. But it’s also a pricey place to live with limited parking options. If you’re planning to switch to a new apartment in Beantown, you’ll need to decide whether your old car should make the move with you, too.

Yes, you can save money by keeping an old car rather than upgrading to a new one. You’ll want to weigh practical concerns, though, like parking availability and costs. Keep reading to learn what Boston renters should do with an old car before moving apartments.

Know the Cost of Vehicle Storage

If your old car can get you across town, driving it to your new place is an option. Just be sure your car can withstand city traffic or highway cruising so your move goes as smoothly as possible.

On the other hand, a less reliable car might be a candidate for vehicle storage. You’ll want to research storage options that fit in your budget while offering a convenient location. For longer leases within walkable Boston, you may not need your car as often, meaning storage costs could really add up.

If your car won’t always start or is prone to stalling, plan on securing transportation to get it to the storage location, too. Factor in this expense as you map out your moving budget.

When you’re busy moving for a new job or simply to get more space, you don’t want to be stuck worrying about an old car. Paying to tow, repair, or store it could be too much to handle.

Look at the Parking Situation

Some apartments have designated parking spots, so you might be able to park your car easily. You may need to pay extra for this option, however, and in a place like Boston, the monthly fee could be steep.

If your new apartment doesn’t provide designated parking spots, you may find yourself circling the block looking for a parking spot every day. Evaluate the street parking situation throughout the day near your new place. If you don’t see many openings, that could be a problem.

In situations where parking is limited or unavailable, it could be wise to sell your old car to avoid the burden of parking it. Further, if you have a larger vehicle, tight spaces may not be doable. And when it gets snowy in the winter months, you may need to move your car.

Public transit might be the more convenient choice, especially if your new place is near a commuter rail station. Add up the costs for monthly or yearly passes and compare them to the cost to maintain and keep your car.

Estimate Your Car’s Value

Parting ways with an old car can make sense in bustling cities like Boston. But you should understand its value before trying to sell it. You’ll need to consider how much mileage it has and the level of wear and tear before arriving at a reasonable price.

Additionally, the make and model of your car will impact its value. Car brands with strong reputations can hold their value better. And knowledgeable buyers will want to invest in a brand with trusted reliability.

Does your old car have damage from an accident or general wear and tear? If so, you may face expensive repairs. And that can make selling your car the right choice.

In some instances, you may need to go a step further if your car can’t even start. Working with a salvage buyer, you can sell your car based on the value of its scrap metal and parts. Check junk car sale prices to understand what you can expect.

Whether you’re selling a functional car or looking into salvage options, it’s always smart to compare options. Collect a few quotes. And if someone is going to have your vehicle inspected, be clear on whether the results of the inspection will change the quoted offer.

Make a Sale

If selling emerges as the best decision, make sure your car is ready before handing it over to someone else. After all, you don’t want to leave valuables or other important items in your vehicle.

Thoroughly inspect your trunk, seat pockets, and glove compartment. Remove all documents with personal identifying information. But keep the owner’s manual handy so the new owner can access it.

Get the certificate of title, registration information, and bill of sale. Collect maintenance records, too, so your car’s new owner can know what has been replaced or repaired. Make sure you have warranty documents, if applicable, and a vehicle history report.

Loop in salvage buyers to any significant problems with your car. They may need to tow it or jump-start it to get it to their salvage yard.