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Wheels.23 |
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How best to sell a used car? |
{Wheels.23.1}: McKenzie K. Musick {mckenzie} Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:12:12 CDT (48 lines)
I don't intend to use this post as an ad to attempt to sell a car but to discuss the concept in general. Most of us have at one time or another sold a use car. Some have traded in their car when they purchase another. I believe we can assume that trading in a car is the easiest way to deal with the problem of disposing our current car if we want to buy another. I think it is also the costliest in terms of value received. Hypothetically car dealers always sell near high "blue book" and never give credit for more than low "blue book" for your used car. So if you intend to get rid of a car you own in order to buy another car would you sell it yourself? If so what is the best method to determine your cars worth? There are a number of price guides like NADA, and Kelly Blue Book. These both do a good job of helping you estimate the value of a car ( both used and new ). Once you decide how much you wish to get for your car what do you do? The options include putting a For Sale sign in the window. And either driving it around till you sell it or parking it in a conspicuous place. I believe based on my experience of selling cars and motorcycles that this is worthwhile but would probalby be the slowest way to sell your car. How about an ad in the newspaper? Which paper? The hip weekly with a low circulation or the big statewide paper? I would do neither now that Craigslist is available. Craigslist would be my first choice of places to advertise anything for sale because it costs nothing. If you have a car of special interest like a hybrid ( don't sell it!) I would find the online group of hybrid enthusiasts to list the car for sale even if it costs a little. ( Craigslist is free.) There are of course Corvette websites, VW Diesel sites and etc. What about ebay? Not for me but if you are in a hurry to sell you might use ebay but then you might get as much from a dealer if you trade-in.( The art of negotiation with a dealer would suggest that you secure a best price from the dealer before you introduce your trade in as part of the purchase. Get their best price and ask for what you think your car to be worth.) It is really two seperate negotiations. You have the upper hand because you have the option to walk away. Now I have a conundrum which is the real reason I started this post. I was recently given a 1982 Mercedes 380 4 door sedan. I personally do not believe this car should be allowed on the road. The huge gas engine is a major pollution factory. This car is in very good condition and I am considering parting it out. I have never parted out a car and don't know where to begin. Does anyone have advice?
{Wheels.23.2}: Jil {rabbit} Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:34:28 CDT (9 lines)
I won't sell a used car privately if I can trade it in. Having sold cars privately, I've come to the conclusion that the loss I take from the dealer more than makes up for the aggravation of dealing with the public. As far as parting the car out goes, it depends on your circumstances. You're going to need a place to store the car and eventually you'll have to dispose of what's left. I've always just sold the car whole to someone who wants parts from it.
{Wheels.23.3}: McKenzie K. Musick {mckenzie} Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:55:14 CDT (3 lines)
Thanks Jill, great advice to sell the car whole as a parts car. Mac from Durango CO
{Wheels.23.4}: Jil {rabbit} Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:34:54 CDT (9 lines)
The problem with parting out a car is that you never know what people need. If you have the room and the ability to do so, you can take it down to its core items, store them, and then advertise them for sale. But if you don't have the room, you're going to be left with a hulk that becomes increasingly more difficult to move around as parts come off of it, and when it's finally time to go to the scrapyard you could have a rough time of it. Spoken from experience ...
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