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Best way to sell a car/cars?

EliteRetard

EliteRetard

Diamond Member
I've got a few vehicles I need to sell, been using craigslist for nearly a month...refreshing the listing every few days. Not getting a single call or email on any of the 3 vehicles I've posted (yes my info is correct). Been to many dealerships and they all have offered utter s**t as trade in (1/4 worth). Even paid to park them in visible busy areas for a few days, with sale signs painted on the front/back and details posted in the side window.

Nothing to fancy either, $2500, $3500, and $4500.

The lower cost higher mileage vehicles have lots of good new parts in them (new transmission in one) along with the repair receipts/paperwork. They all run good and have been well maintained, though 1 has notable cosmetic issues. I've got them listed at or lower than other local prices (and lower than book values)...what am I doing wrong? Is there another free option to post or are all these sites worthless? Do I have to pay for something somewhere? Is there some kind of used car lot I can look for and put my cars in?

I need to sell at least 2 of these pretty quickly, or find a place to put them...but I want at least a somewhat fair price. My best car has 51K miles on it, I thought it would sell fast even at $5K since retail is over $7K. I'm getting absolutely nothing...I won't take $2K from a dealer.

Any tips/tricks? Thanks in advance.
 
Well Retard, (ha!) what exactly are you trying to sell? I would guess that you're asking too much. I'm in kind of the same boat, as I've got a 7 year old 150k Pontiac that I'm trying to unload, and figuring out what a fair price is kind of tough. NADA, KBB, etc are all ridiculously high (NADA lists dealer retail at $7200), so I'd be thrilled to get 1/2 of that in my case. I can see what your cars would fetch at auction in the NE (based on recent auctions), if that helps you.
 
obviously, location, condition, type of car, mileage and a million other factors play in, but if they aren't moving, your price is too high
 
Also what is the year make and model? I'm not paying $4500 for a Chevy, ford, Saturn, Chrysler, econobox.
 
If you've listed the cars for over a month with no interest, obviously your prices are too high for condition/market/make. And don't include money spent on maintenance/boost your asking price for maintenance done. Doesn't work that way. Maintenance is just that and is money spent without expecting to see a return. And hate to say it, but that trans you spent $$ on is pretty much lost money other than selling the car for what it'll sell for. You certainly cannot expect a premium for your vehicle simply because you had to do a major repair prior to trying to sell it.

On the other hand, lack of maintenance is a case for someone offering a lower price than you want.
 
Got a 2001 Ford Focus SE wagon 138K miles listed at $3500 (willing to negotiate)
4 others listed here all are more expensive except one with 221K miles for $2500
Most expensive is an 03 with 97K miles for $5000, other 2 are $4000 and $4300.
Most of the non wagon Focus' list between $3-4K a few above and below.
Oh and retail prices are regularly around $4800 for these wagons

Mine does have some cosmetic issues, but I feel that's somewhat offset by the recent repair work done before my cross country trip, here's a picture:
3E33Ga3Lc5If5G75Q6caj491aa36b303215b8.jpg


Then my 1997 Mercury Cougar XR7 with 51K miles. Local dealer has one listed for $7990: http://www.tituswillcars.com/car/1MELM62W0TH636475/1996MercuryCougar2dr Cpe XR7

There aren't to many in great condition with low miles like mine, looking online cars with this kind of mileage go for at least $5k. I reduced it to $4500. Not to many similar at any mileage...There's a 99 with 97K miles for $4500, an 01 with 113K miles for $5000 OBO, an 02 with 119K miles for $4500. Heres a pic:
3M63I23L75N45F85H3caled67165d90201a48.jpg


The one I'm sure is "overpriced" is my 1996 Chrysler LHS. I'm listing it for $2500, it has 187K miles...but new transmission, brakes/rotors and its in good shape. Power everything, leather interior, premium sound, climate control etc. I see allot of lower quality vehicles, some not even running, for $2500, and if its not worth that much to anybody else I can keep it. Its worth the least to everyone else but I know it'll last at least another 75K miles. I need at least 1 car, selling the most expensive ones nets me the most money, or sell all 3 and get something newer with low miles. I could keep any 1 of them though... Don't have a good pic of this one yet, but here's the front:
3Id3N93o55I55Na5Kdcaj49a9e96f02ea155b.jpg
 
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Well, that Focus would fetch about $1500 around here.

This one did:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001...2537147?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item416bdd43bb


That Mercury is so old, that I wouldn't even hazard a guess as to what it might be worth, other than to say "not much".

You're just asking too much. I have had great luck on Craigslist selling vehicles, and have had great luck in the past on Ebay. You just have to price them closer to what they're actually worth, or pray that some sucker falls into your lap at the prices that you are asking.
 
You got cars that NOBODY wants and prices so high for them that nobody is willing to pay.

I wouldn't pay more than $2500 for that focus and the other 2 cars....$1.5k. I'm serious.

You're asking Honda/Toyota price for those cars.
 
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Well I'd like the focus but not for $3500. See them all the time for less than $3k and regularly for $2k. Yours would be closer to $2k with the cosmetic damages. The other two you are asking about double what they are really worth.
 
I have a hard time comprehending that...I honestly still think I am asking fair prices based on what I see in this area...perhaps I will drop the prices $500 each and see what happens. I honestly can't imagine them all being worth $2K or less though.

Hell I spent a month shopping before I got the Ford (like a year ago). I couldn't get a good one under $3K from what I've seen (mines all fixed up except the paint scratches/missing hub in the pic). The others are old, but the red Merc is in fantastic condition and has low miles...and the fact that I found a local dealer listing for $8K I figured it'd be worth something. Never gonna be worth $8K but even 25% off would still get them $6K for it. I can't believe it'd be worth less than $4-5K to anybody. Its a sporty luxury car, not a crappy econobox. Even a stripped bare basic Kia with 50K miles would get $5K.

*sigh*

But its gotta be the prices I guess. I figured with negotiation the Merc at 4-4.2K minimum. Ford at 3-3.2K...but perhaps people don't negotiate anymore and are looking for a rate they can just buy. Maybe 1 more week and Ill drop them $500. The green one I still think is worth about $2.5K. Even if that's the one I keep. I just don't see any good quality fuel efficient luxury cars going for that low, especially not with proof of new transmissions etc. Seriously, point me to something with a quality 200+ hp motor, 30+ MPG, leather, power everything, etc. for under $3K that's going to last another 60K+ miles.
 
I might have been a bit too harsh on the pricing. I'd say they are all about $1k over priced really. The cougar is a nice car but it isn't a really desirable car. If it was a 97 4.6l mustang with 51k miles on it in great condition it would be an easy sell at $4500 or more but you have to find somebody that wants a cougar which is a much MUCH smaller group. The dealer asking $8k for one is crazy or just sitting on it hoping an idiot will come along.

May just be my area. Just found an 01 focus zx3 for $1200 and an 03 focus wagon for $2k with some minor cosmetic issues tonight on craigslist.
 
Decent cars, but you are asking prices that a 'all people approved for credit' type car-lot would offer to those unable to buy with cash and with destroyed credit. Unfortunately, the fact you are getting so low interest on CL should give you pause. If you were over-priced, you should still get some offers from people. The fact you are not getting any real responses means either (1) you are way overpriced or (2) there is not much interest.

I would suggest cleaning the cars and taking some more flattering pictures as well.
 
I've had good luck selling cars on Autotrader.com. I just never even look at craigslist because I just assume it's full of scammers.
 
I will add this, I threw my wife's 2006 Solara for a 1000 or so under what dealers were asking. It was in exceptional shape, great mileage, etc. Over 1 week without a call, and the listing was right at bluebook for private sale. I was discouraged, but relented and dropped it 500. I had three calls that night.

First guy that was serious wanted to meet, so we did. Upon looking at it, he liked it, but asked the age old, "Well how firm are you on the price?"

My response was, "Well, I had 3 calls on it as soon as I dropped the price, so I am going to stick with that price for at least a week or so."

He handed me a $100 deposit (far less than 10% of what the car sold for) and we agreed to meet at this credit union where we accepted payment direct from the bank.

Long story short, for whatever reason, craigslisters generally look for the cheapest price with little thought about haggling. Put the amount out there that you realistically think you'll get, and don't budge. It's worked for me twice so far.
 
ExarKun333 said:
Decent cars, but you are asking prices that a 'all people approved for credit' type car-lot would offer to those unable to buy with cash and with destroyed credit. Unfortunately, the fact you are getting so low interest on CL should give you pause. If you were over-priced, you should still get some offers from people. The fact you are not getting any real responses means either (1) you are way overpriced or (2) there is not much interest.

I would suggest cleaning the cars and taking some more flattering pictures as well.
Click to expand...

I've got a 6-7 year old cellphone to take pictures with (its like 640x480 .jpg) and I have no idea how to take "flattering" pictures. I just went for honest shots. Why do you think the cars look dirty? That's right after they were washed/waxed. I guess Ill try to find somebody with a better camera I can borrow (but CL limits the resolution of photos so I didn't think there was any point). How do I take a "flattering" pictures?

I guess Ill drop the prices to the lowest Ill go once I get some better photos...
But seriously whats with this bullshit trend of no haggling nowadays? All kinds of dealers here are doing this crap and so many people think its the greatest shit.

I just went shopping with a friend who just got a 2010 Focus base model not even cruise control with 50k miles AS-IS NO WARRANTY for $11K. He went straight to a no haggle place and despite my pleading with him he went with it because they told him it was the "best" price. Just a year ago I got my sister the exact same car, but an SES model with nearly every option/feature (hell even mood lighting) and 26K miles with the factory warranty for $11.5K. I told him this as well as the sales person and he pretty much said I was shit or the car was shit. Then I showed them a current listing for a 2010 model with at least cruise and 500 miles and full warranty for $13K. He said I made it up or the car was shit. WTF? Showed them a Camry with ~20K miles for $12K. A Civic with 60K for $11K. Obviously those were all made up or shit as well. I was just browsing the net on my old ass phone because I knew it wasn't a fair deal...had I known he was going to just buy something I would have tried harder, done more research or something. Can't believe the stupidity.

The dealer is a no haggle place so whatever they say is the truth...they wouldn't lie. Obviously they have the only good cars anyway, because if it wasn't good enough to be on their lot then it isn't a good car. I told him there was nothing wrong with the car if it was around $9K. The dealer wouldn't even budge $50 and refused to even fill the tank (there was like 1/8th left). My friend was absolutely thrilled to get such a fantastic deal. Didn't do any looking around didn't test drive anything else...just went to the no haggle place and took the one car that they showed him at whatever price they asked and accepted that everything was perfect...despite my efforts to save him money or show him other possibilities.

He actually asked me to trade in my cars to get a lower price if I thought it was such a bad deal, since I needed to get rid of them anyway. I was pretty furious even though it wasn't my money, my car, or my decision. I still can't comprehend it.

I guess maybe its just they way things are now. Perhaps I should lie and cheat about my cars too, maybe its my honesty that's hurting the most. I'd have no problems tricking fools like that. Time to change my descriptions get some fancy photos and scam my way into selling these things. ARG!
 
your focus has more damage than someone that is going to spend 3000+ is willing to put up with. I kind of think that one is your best bet in terms of selling... but it's hard to look past the damage...

the couger is a lost cause unless you find "the exact" person looking for one. who wants a big two door car like that, regardless of miles/condition? not really anyone I know. Your price isn't the problem there, it's your limited market

the chrysler, well, it's a chrysler. not many takers on a big car like that. You are talking a 16 yr old car, that for all intensive purposes, is at 200k miles. a car like that could move, but I think you need to be like <2000 bucks to get it sold...

obviously the way you list them matters, so take some decent pics. and relist

IMHO you have one car that appeals to a fair amount of buyers, but it's a wagon and it's got a reasonable amount of damage. the other two you need to prepare to sit on, or just take what someone is willing to offer, even if it's a low ball from a dealership
 
Zivic said:
your focus has more damage than someone that is going to spend 3000+ is willing to put up with. I kind of think that one is your best bet in terms of selling... but it's hard to look past the damage...

the couger is a lost cause unless you find "the exact" person looking for one. who wants a big two door car like that, regardless of miles/condition? not really anyone I know. Your price isn't the problem there, it's your limited market

the chrysler, well, it's a chrysler. not many takers on a big car like that. You are talking a 16 yr old car, that for all intensive purposes, is at 200k miles. a car like that could move, but I think you need to be like <2000 bucks to get it sold...

obviously the way you list them matters, so take some decent pics. and relist

IMHO you have one car that appeals to a fair amount of buyers, but it's a wagon and it's got a reasonable amount of damage. the other two you need to prepare to sit on, or just take what someone is willing to offer, even if it's a low ball from a dealership
Click to expand...
He actually have 2 serious problems. There is no market for his cars and his prices are too high for them. No demand & high price 😵

He can solve it by: Lowering the price.

If the price is low enough, there are always buyers readily available to pay for it.
 
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