Anybody ever sell their old cars to services like Cars For Cash?

[Hmongkeysauce]

I have an older 1995 Honda Civic that I want to get rid of since it's just taking space on the driveway. It's still driveable and has about 260K miles, but I don't want to go through the trouble of selling it to a private party since I'll have to get another smog chec(I'm in the state of CA) and then deal with multiple offers. I called a few junk yards and Cars 4 Cash service and it looks like I'll be able to get about 80% of what I may get from a private party without having to get a smog check (and possibly repair). Anybody went through something similar and have any experience they want to share? TIA.

 

[phucheneh]

Why do you have to pass emissions? Can you not just sell it as-is and let the new owner worry about emissions when they go to transfer the registration?

Hard to judge the car without seeing it, but general rule:

Runs and drives: $500 minimum
Looks decent (paint's all there, no smashed body panels or broken lights/trim, interior is clean): double down
A/C works: add about $500

I would even go a little higher for the 'Honda tax,' but 260 is quite a bit. If it were under 200k and the car looked presentable and drove well, I'd bet you could get 2k.

What kinda payout are you looking at for this 'cars 4 cash'? Is that a state-sponsored program? Around here, you'd be lucky if a junkyard gave you a couple hundred.

 

[Hmongkeysauce]

Unfortunately, state of CA requires a smog check certificate within the last 90 days for my car if not selling to a relative. I'm pretty positive it won't pass smog check and around here, the smog check alone goes around $75. Add on repairs and it might already be $150 before even selling the car. It runs and drives and still have all parts in tact, no broken mirrors, locks, etc. Paint is wearing off since it's an old car but only on the hood. KBB values it at around $1.1K in fair condition, which is the rating I agree with. I don't expect to get near KBB value but anything around $700 would already be a good sale in my book. I received an offer for $650 from a dealer from those Cars 4 Cash type service.

 

[waggy]

I did my 2000 ford windstar. it had a bad trans,major oil leak and o2 sensors. it had 186k miles on it (which i put in 140k).

i called up a number and they came out and gave me $500 cash and towed it away.

 

[phucheneh]

Unfortunately, state of CA requires a smog check certificate within the last 90 days for my car if not selling to a relative. I'm pretty positive it won't pass smog check and around here, the smog check alone goes around $75. Add on repairs and it might already be $150 before even selling the car. It runs and drives and still have all parts in tact, no broken mirrors, locks, etc. Paint is wearing off since it's an old car but only on the hood. KBB values it at around $1.1K in fair condition, which is the rating I agree with. I don't expect to get near KBB value but anything around $700 would already be a good sale in my book. I received an offer for $650 from a dealer from those Cars 4 Cash type service.

If it's running right, even with paint peeling (just no rust or body damage), I think you'd get 1000-1500 around here.

I'd also bet I could get it to pass a sniffer for next to nothing. New plugs, cap/rotor if they're terrible, oil change. Make sure there are no vacuum leaks or any other obvious issues that can be cheaply remedied. Total cost: <50 bucks.

Hammer it down the interstate for a good ten mile or so on your way to the smog place. Test it. It'll probably pass. If it doesn't...there are some tricks.

But I can understand not wanting to put forth the effort if it's just, say 650 vs $1000...although 350 is a decent chunk of change to me, considering I'd have well under a day invested in it.

 

[Hmongkeysauce]

If it's running right, even with paint peeling (just no rust or body damage), I think you'd get 1000-1500 around here.

I'd also bet I could get it to pass a sniffer for next to nothing. New plugs, cap/rotor if they're terrible, oil change. Make sure there are no vacuum leaks or any other obvious issues that can be cheaply remedied. Total cost: <50 bucks.

Hammer it down the interstate for a good ten mile or so on your way to the smog place. Test it. It'll probably pass. If it doesn't...there are some tricks.

But I can understand not wanting to put forth the effort if it's just, say 650 vs $1000...although 350 is a decent chunk of change to me, considering I'd have well under a day invested in it.

I would definitely like to pocket that $350 but the last experience I had selling a car to private party was not pleasant. Not sure if I want to go through that again.

 

[phucheneh]

Find equivalent vehicles on craigslist. Price yours slightly cheaper. Cash only, serious buyers, no tire kickers. Tell everyone that they're first in line at the moment, but you've got others waiting on their yes/no.

Cheap imports are easy to move, in my experience.

 

[manimal]

hondas are too easy to sell. Even rusty some guy will be like ZOMG EK HATCH gsr swap zomg

 

[BUTCH1]

Smog check?, move to FL, no inspection whatsoever, I love it..

 

[jaedaliu]

$75 for a smog check?! Holy cow, that's expensive even for a smog only shop. I guess it depends on where you live, but call around, you can probably get it cheaper. I remember paying $25 - 30 for a standard smog with electronic documentation fee.

I'd suggest taking it to carmax too to get a price for the running car. If simplicity is the big thing, sell it for the $650. And if you REALLY want it gone with no hassle, you can sell it to a junkyard that will send a tow truck to your place to grab the vehicle.

 

[Hmongkeysauce]

$75 for a smog check?! Holy cow, that's expensive even for a smog only shop. I guess it depends on where you live, but call around, you can probably get it cheaper. I remember paying $25 - 30 for a standard smog with electronic documentation fee.

I'd suggest taking it to carmax too to get a price for the running car. If simplicity is the big thing, sell it for the $650. And if you REALLY want it gone with no hassle, you can sell it to a junkyard that will send a tow truck to your place to grab the vehicle.

I thought $75 was a lot too but I called a few places around me and they all gave me the same amount, +- a couple of dollars. I haven't thought about carmax yet but I'll definitely try that out before selling to a junkyard. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[NutBucket]

Just to be complete: According to CA Law, the seller is responsible for providing a recent smog certificate.

That said, is the car currently registered? If not have you been registering it as non-op? Just things to think about as far as how best to get rid of it. I'd ask for more details myself but my wife would kill me 😛

 

[Hmongkeysauce]

Just to be complete: According to CA Law, the seller is responsible for providing a recent smog certificate.

That said, is the car currently registered? If not have you been registering it as non-op? Just things to think about as far as how best to get rid of it. I'd ask for more details myself but my wife would kill me 😛

The registration is up to date and was not registered as non-op. In fact, it expires in Aug 2013. CA law actually goes one step furthe:

The inspection is not required on a transfer if a biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).

It's been more than 90 days since the last smog check. 🙁