First, let me clarify, I LOVE MY CAR. It's a 2005 that I got at the very end of June. I get average 48mpg (it's hilly here).

But it looks like I will be leaving the country for an extended period, anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. 6 months is a low estimate, most likely at least 8 and if things work out... So my questions are this:

If I'm just going for 6-8 months, is it worthwhile to keep paying the car loan and insurance in order to keep it road-ready and just leave it with mom to drive around? Or should I just sell it and free myself of the worry and expense? (And of course, when I return I'd be able to get an even newer-and-better model!

If I'm going to sell it, does anyone have any hints on how to do it? I live pretty rural so there won't be a lot of people around here looking to buy an almost-new car, especially one that's a little "different". I would think that in the right place, being hybrid would be a benefit, but I'll still have to compete with new cars, since mine is only 5 months old (also I have a long commute so I've been racking up miles faster than normal.) I know all the rules about selling a car in general (detail it, lots of pictures, etc) but I wonder if there's something special for hybrids that would make it sell easier.

I'm specifically not mentioning any details about the car because I don't want anything thinking I'm just looking for free advertising. I'm just looking for advice from fellow hybrid owners on how to proceed. Also commiseration on having to give up my lovely vehicle.

Finally, if I sell my car in the same year that I bought it, I assume I will still get the tax deduction? Otherwise I might be able to wait until January.

Thanks for any advice -- Rebecca

I can't answer many of the other questions, from lack of experience to not having enough info and not wanting to give you bad advice. But this one, I can answer without hesitation. No. You can't buy and sell the car and get the deduction. The IRS website is extremely clear on this.

First 4WD Hypermiler

Have you read the FEH FAQ?

Live in Michigan? Let it be known in Michigan Roll Call

Read My Automotive Blog at Rich Rambles

It is difficult to offer advice without more info - certainly would not want to steer you in the wrong direction. However if I were in your position, these are the things I'd consider:

• On keeping or not, I'd look at a couple things. How long do I plan to own the car? For me, if I resolved in my mind to own the car for 10 years, a 6-8 month break would not be unreasonable (I need to pay it off one way or the other, right?). If 6 months turns into 2 years, that's another story (for me). I think it would depend on the risk of that happening, or the temptation to replace the car after 3 years. Cars only depreciate. Paying on a car for 3 years and only driving it 2 is essentially throwing one years worth of payments out the window.
• Also need to look at if I can get out of the car. How much did I put down? How long is my loan? Buying cars with zero down payment on a 60+ month loan puts a lot risk on getting out of it in the first 1-2 years of ownership. The car essentially depreciates faster than you can pay it off. If you owe more than it's worth, you may loose money getting out of it. Now, Hybrids seem to be doing very will on the open market so that risk may be low. Also, if it were me, I'd see what 2006 hybrids were selling for in your area. If your sell price is close to a new version, that may hurt your chances.
• On selling, I've never done it so I can only restate things I've read here. You certainly have typical outlets - web sites, newspaper, etc. Lots of places on-line to sell your car. Folks looking for a hybrid seem to be more willing to travel to see it, so your remote location may not be so bad.

Good Luck!

*** Retired after 65,000 outstanding miles ***

Why don't you call your car insurance provider and explain the situation? I am sure they will understand and can put your account on hold for 6 months instead of losing you as a customer.

I've done a lot of extended business trips. They ranged from 2 weeks to 2 years. If you liked the vehicle and planned on keeping it many years - or to have one like it - then it's cheaper to keep it.

You insurer will allow you to stop and restart your insurance, or even do a special rate for coverage on a parked vehicle (inside a home garage it's covered by home insurance). DO NOT let anyone drive it if you tell your insurance company it's not being driven...

Change the oil, wax it, put a battery tender on it and turn off the insurance. You'd lose more to sell it and then later buy another.

Where are you going, what will you be using for transportation? I've shipped vehicles between North/South America, and Europe. My company would pay for a rental car - or pay mileage. For longer trips they paid for or subsidised the cost of shipping a vehicle.

If you do decide to sell it - then list it on e-Bay for exposure. But being same year and high miles - you're going to take a bath on it. Especially now that gas is going back down...

Definitely to the first part. As for the second, it's not really a "special rate", it's just that you'll drop all coverages except comprehensive. You don't need liability coverages or collision coverage if your car is inside a covered building.

Now, if you happened to be parking it for six months on the street outside your parent's house, you would probably still want uninsured motorist coverage (in case someone ran into your parked car, but then just drove away).

Homeowners insurance does NOT cover cars inside a garage.

Allstate does, or at least my policy/agent does. If you have coverage on the car - then any claims will go to that policy first - but with no other coverage it is covered just like any other "contents" of your home. Talk to your agent to be sure.

The vast majority of homeowner's policies in the US use form "HO-3", which specifically does not cover motor vehicles. For just one example, check out http://www.mcgrathinsurancegroup.com/home/ and click on the link on the left called "Property not Covered".

Discussing the question with your agent or company is certainly the best advice, but the most likely answer will be "it's not covered."

Robert, is your auto insurance with Allstate as well? That might explain the overlap.

(Coincidentally, this topic happens to be on the next actuarial exam I will be taking.)

Both with Allstate - and I caleld to make sure that coverage hadn't changed before I replied.

I think it's also going to depend on what coverage you have for the contents of your home. There may be some home insurance (probably is), that only protects the house, and not any contents. I've insured the contents ever since I came home (about 15 years ago) to a home that had absolutely nothing it in. Since they took every stitch of clothes, every dish, - my neighbors just thought I had moved without telling them.

I believe you also need to notify your homeowners insurance agent if your house is going to be vacant.

That brings up the thought about making your house look lived in while you're gone. Set your TV and a radio and lights on timers to make it look like you're still at home while you're on this 6 to 8 month trip. Make sure someone picks up papers and mail. Either stop your trash service or invite your neighbors to use your can so that it is seen at the street occasionally. Make sure your yard is watered and mowed. If you leave your car in the driveway - then have someone move it every 2 or 3 weeks (turn it around, or move it forward...).

I've done this before - I took off insurance & plates for 6 months while I was away. But it took up space in my mom's garage, and of course she couldn't drive it anywhere. We learned about the battery tender then. But now I think I'm going to be gone for two years, and I can't imagine wanting the concern of thinking about an unused car back home for that long, all along making car payments. I'd just as soon sell it, pay off the loan, and buy another when I return. It might cost me more $$ that way, but less headache I think.

I will be waiting until January to sell - and I think I might already have a potential buyer. I'm heading to the middle east and then Turkey, and don't really want to bring a car along. well, I wouldn't mind having it along, but I don't think it's financially feasible because I'd have to pay for it myself.

Thanks for all the advice... R.