Tips on selling my car?

[KingstonU]

Any general advice / tips & tricks on selling a car?

It's just a simple cheap econobox that that still runs fine and I'm hoping to get ~$2,000 for it. Mechanic told me not to accept anything below $1,700 at the very minimum. This will be in the Toronto area.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[MiataNC]

1. Clean/Detail - No matter how bad the paint or interior is, you will get more money if the car looks like you do your best to keep it clean.

2. Don't undersell - Don't underestimate the value of a solid running car. Shop your local area and see what people are asking for cars similar to yours (year built, miles, condition, etc.), and then price yours accordingly.

3. Focus on the positive attributes when you write your ad. - Be honest about the condition of the car, but don't beat down the value by pointing out everything wrong with it. Wait until prospective buyers ask questions to reveal any faults.

 

[NutBucket]

I think Miata nailed all the important points.

 

[olds]

I point out the faults. I don't want to waste the potential buyers or my time. If he has to drive over here then sees something that's a no go for him, I just wasted both our time.

 

[cyclistca]

I used Craigslist and this site to figure out how much to price the truck that I'm selling in Vancouver.

http://www.vmrcanada.com/

 

[Vdubchaos]

Take it to Carmax see what they offer you, other than that...good luck dealing with people on Craiglist....that can be an adventure. Make sure you keep it away from your house....

 

[Jimzz]

Yep when selling this is what I do...

1: Clean it really well, inside and out.

2: Top off all the fluids and do any very basic/cheap repairs.

3: Make sure to take a lot of pictures. Not just 3-4, I mean like 8-15. Post the best 4 or so up and when e-mailed send the others.

4: Be honest with what may and/or is needed to repair. Are the tires starting to get low? has it even had any body work? etc... I can find it out when I see it but if I waste my time coming to you and I catch you in 1 lie, anything else you say is worthless to me.

But yea post it for a couple hundred more than you are asking like $2200-2400 and see what happens.

 

[nace186]

Add bikini model to photos you post.

 

[KingstonU]

Do I take off and keep the license plates after it's sold?

 

[Thump553]

Do I take off and keep the license plates after it's sold?

Depends on the law where you live-check your local DMV website, or if you have many spare hours, give them a call or visit. In my state you take the plates off and turn them into the DMV or go to the DMV and have the plates transferred to your new car. If you skip the DMV process you'll continue to pay property taxes on the car you sold.

BTW MiataNC's tips were great-especially the cleaning one. Even an old beater should be spotless when sell it-you'll get more and it will sell a lot faster.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Do I take off and keep the license plates after it's sold?

Here in CA the plates stay with the car. Check with your DMV on how to do the transfer.

 

[Vincent]

Gather any repair/maintenance records you have to show potential buyers.

 

[kitatech]

Any general advice / tips & tricks on selling a car?

It's just a simple cheap econobox that that still runs fine and I'm hoping to get ~$2,000 for it. Mechanic told me not to accept anything below $1,700 at the very minimum. This will be in the Toronto area.

Any advice appreciated.

Can you post a pic of the car? Perhaps then we can offer more specific advice...pix you post for sale should be BIG, SHARP, CLEAR...

Otherwise you've been given the generally accepted preps...I'd add the standard...
4 matched tires + good spare,
polished finish,
Fabrezed interior,
clean engine bay and trunk,
fresh oil and coolant,
new wiperblades,
polished/clear headlights and taillights that have no cracks,

...and anything else that would stick out that isn't too expensive to replace/repair that would turn away buyers at the get-go...

Another suggestion...make arrangements with a mechanic to have the car brought there for a buyer who didn't have one but wants the car inspected...

 

[KingstonU]

Thanks for all the tips.

Last thing I guess is currently the trunk lock does not work. It's about $80-$100 to get a new lock (but it means you would need to carry around 2 keys). It can still be opened but only through reaching in from the back seat :/

I don't really want to bother replacing it but will it make a big difference on getting it sold? I don't care if it means dropping the price by $200. I just want it sold quickly.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Gather any repair/maintenance records you have to show potential buyers.

I would almost say that no maintenance history is better than spotty history. I know I'm horrible about keeping receipts for things like oil changes and repairs but I do have them done right when they are due.

clean engine bay and trunk

I would definitely not clean the engine bay. Some buyers can be put off by this because they think you have something to hide (like oil or other fluid leaks). If the engine is in good working order and not leaking a little dirt isn't going to put off anyone who knows anything at all about cars.

I also wouldn't bother changing the oil or coolant unless it is a service that is currently due. Nor would I use deodorizers on the interior. What smells like roses to you might smell like ass to someone else. Unless your car reeks of smoke or BO I would just steam clean the carpets and give it a thorough cleaning. Same with the exterior. Clean the paint and give it a good polish/wax.

 

[kitatech]

I would almost say that no maintenance history is better than spotty history. I know I'm horrible about keeping receipts for things like oil changes and repairs but I do have them done right when they are due.



I would definitely not clean the engine bay. Some buyers can be put off by this because they think you have something to hide (like oil or other fluid leaks). If the engine is in good working order and not leaking a little dirt isn't going to put off anyone who knows anything at all about cars.

I also wouldn't bother changing the oil or coolant unless it is a service that is currently due. Nor would I use deodorizers on the interior. What smells like roses to you might smell like ass to someone else. Unless your car reeks of smoke or BO I would just steam clean the carpets and give it a thorough cleaning. Same with the exterior. Clean the paint and give it a good polish/wax.

I agree.... I wouldn't expect a cheap car to have a sparkling clean engine...but...a car that looks cared for is what I have looked for in each of the dozen used cars I've owned...

 

[Thump553]

I also agree with what JulesMaximus posted. Changing fluids, etc. unnecessary and a sparkling clean engine bay would be a red flag to me that could easily cause me to walk based on that alone.

As far as the trunk lock goes, just tell them about it when they come. No one seriously expects a $2000 car to be perfect and that's a fairly minor problem. The buyer will likely be energetic and change the fluids, wipers and take care of minor deferred repairs like that.