So my car got repo’d recently. It’ll be about $3k to get it back. I can come up with that money quick enough.

    But overall, keeping the car means at least $1200 in monthly bills between the note, insurance, rising gas, and parking in Miami.

    My car loan balance is just under $15k. My 2019 Mazda is in pretty decent shape. Some cosmetic issues but I just got an oil change days before this, and I got new tires 5 months ago. Jiffy lube tech even said my car mileage was impressive for the year. Still I understand the sale of the vehicle will be well below market ($5k at worst?)

    I’m debating whether to let the car go to auction and I cover the remaining fees. Whatever those fees may be.

    I’m truly overwhelmed with the cost of everything, especially living in Miami. I’ve read some other threads and will consult a bankruptcy lawyer soon enough too. But I wanted to see if you all might be able to provide some insight on the effects of essentially letting this car go.

    I’ve other debts I need to tend to in order to improve my credit already. And I understand this will be horrible for my credit but I don’t NEED a car at the moment. My work is walking distance from home and I live in a walkable area of Miami. Public transport isn’t great but is available and taking Ubers to other places would be like $300-$500 a month. I’ll be moving in with my boyfriend in September which will alleviate more of my expenses and allow me to pay down debts even more aggressively.

    How soon could I recover from a situation like this? Please don’t be mean. I, like many Americans, have struggling between lay offs and rising costs. I’m looking for objective advice.

    I’m trying to make the most clear headed decision with consideration of my long term goals.

    Car Repo’d & Cant Keep Up tbh
    byu/Fair-Heron9938 inpersonalfinance



    Posted by Fair-Heron9938

    4 Comments

    1. robot_ankles on

      If you allow the car to be repo’d, here’s what happens:

      The car goes to auction where it’s sold off for pennies on the dollar. Probably enough to cover the fees and stuff, but very little proceeds will actually be applied to the loan.

      Now, you owe the loan amount on a car you no longer have. Since there’s no collateral for the loan, the bank might ‘call the loan’ and expect to be paid back in full immediately. When you don’t, they’ll sue you in court, win and then your wages will be garnished.

    2. Happy_Series7628 on

      Letting your car get auctioned off is probably your worst option. You’ll still owe the balance of your loan + auction-related fees – auction price. I would get your car back then figure out your best way forward.

    3. RandyFunRuiner on

      Do you know what the cost of the repo and auction fees will be? And what’s your monthly income/budget?

    4. > I can come up with that money quick enough.

      So why not get the car back and sell it on your own?

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