Info on Selling a Used Car
 

Parents want me to sell their used 1999 VW Jetta for them. Has about 130k miles on it. Runs well. From the little research I have done they seem to be going for 4k-6k.

parents are going to give me half of anything over 4k. so i could make a quick grand if everything goes well.

I have never sold a used car before. Whats the best way to go about this?

Should I just put a sign in the window and an add up on cars.com or a similar site?

any information would be appreciated.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

craigs list

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

I used craigslist to sell my last car. Sold it in less that 24 hours after I posted the ad. Got the asking price.

And craigslist is free.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

interesting. i was thinking about craigs list but thought cars.com might be faster. guess i'll go with craigs list first.

did you guys sell locally?

any details on how the sale went down would be helpful. did they drive to you and then take it on a test drive? did they want to bring it to their own mechanic? did you have a carfax report? how did they pay? bank check? cash? personal check?

any info on the best way to list the car on craigs list? lots of pictures?

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

I've been thinking about this, mainly Re : how to maximize value.

Everyone knows when selling a home, you do a lot of cheesy [censored] to pump up the value - clean it up, put in new carpet/drapes, do some landscaping, bake cookies, put cut flowers all over - all that stuff shouldn't really affect the home price at all, but buyers are morons and it does.

So, what kind of stuff can you do for a car?

Obviously get it detailed, maybe spray some new car smell inside.

But are there other things?

Like if I get a $300 paint job so the car looks all new and unscratched is that going to give me like +$1000 in sale value?

Another one would be small repairs that are obvious, like if the wind shield has a small scratch, is it +EV to replace the windshield before selling?

Also a lot of people like to pop the hood and look at the engine even though they have no idea what's going on. I think that cleaning the engine would really impress these people, but I'm not sure how easy that is. (eg. getting caked oil off the engine block)

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

i agree with you cbloom. but in the range i'm selling (about 5k) i'm not going to get a big enough return on anything that has major costs. i will most likely get it washed and detailed. probably wash it myself and get the interior looking nice and smelling good. i think taking good pictures for the add will be a good selling point.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

[ QUOTE ]
Also a lot of people like to pop the hood and look at the engine even though they have no idea what's going on. I think that cleaning the engine would really impress these people, but I'm not sure how easy that is. (eg. getting caked oil off the engine block)

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is a smart move and also quite easy and cheap to do on your own. You just buy some engine grease remover in a spray can, spray down your engine and then use a high pressure hose (such as one at a car wash) and it really does a good job.

=============

A key for those who are buying used cars, check the inside of the door where the door hinge is at. This is a common place where water sits and is a good indicator how well the car was taken care of. Someone who cares about their car (such as myself) will wipe this area and areas like it after any rain.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

I just sold my vehicle. Put ads on craigs list cars.com and autotrader.com

didnt get a single response from craigs list, and cars.com got TONS more responses than autotrader

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

When I sold my car on CL, I just washed it and cleaned it out well. Didn't get it detailed or anything.

It was a 1993 Mitsu Eclipse that was overheating (needed new radiator and thermostat), which I included in the ad. I was only asking $800 at the time. I think they limit you to four pics. I included all the details about the car in the ad. Also was honest about the condition of the exterior (average, some minor dents, scratches, surface rust) and the interior (excellent - no tears or stains on the upholstery).

I made sure I got a copy of everyone's drivers license who test drove it (there was only 1 anyway) and she paid cash.

The one mistake I made was not going to transfer the title with her, should have insisted on it.

Not long after the sale I was getting 2nd notice parking tickets in the mail and I got an impound notice also.

I got all that [censored] cleared up, but it was a pain in the ass. Phone calls, trips to the DMV, paperwork...

If I had to do it again I would insist the transaction take place when the DMV is open and accompany the buyer to the DMV to transfer the title.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

Do people really pay $5K for a car with 130K miles on it?

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

[ QUOTE ]
Do people really pay $5K for a car with 130K miles on it?

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i was as suprised as you are. but the car runs fine. so i guess i understand someone who wants to just get a couple years out of a fun little car to drive. it's leather, v6, and a manual. still runs great.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

Skoob,

Remove the license plate?

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

If it's even somewhat close to needing an oil change, get it done. If they want to take it to their own mechanic, make sure they know it's on their dollar. Be firm with your price. If it's a mechanic the buyer goes to alot, they may "fabricate" a report with problems the car has in order to get you to come down in price. Be prepared to say "No" if it's less money than you're willing to accept, and be patient. Eventually someone will come along and give you full asking price.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

[ QUOTE ]
If they want to take it to their own mechanic, make sure they know it's on their dollar.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was wondering about the logistics of this. Do you just let them drive off with the car? Do you keep some kind of deposit?

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

[ QUOTE ]
Skoob,

Remove the license plate?

[/ QUOTE ]
I didn't. Don't remember if you could see the plate in the pics or not.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

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[ QUOTE ]
If they want to take it to their own mechanic, make sure they know it's on their dollar.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was wondering about the logistics of this. Do you just let them drive off with the car? Do you keep some kind of deposit?

[/ QUOTE ]

Your best bet is to have them make an appointment with their mechanic, then you drive the car and meet the buyer there. This type of thing only takes an hour or so. Actually, the buyer doesn't even have to be there as long as the mechanic bills him and sends him the report.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If they want to take it to their own mechanic, make sure they know it's on their dollar.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was wondering about the logistics of this. Do you just let them drive off with the car? Do you keep some kind of deposit?

[/ QUOTE ]

If you keep the title, they would be stealing the car from you if they don't give it back. Take down their driver's license info (address, etc) before hand, and you probably won't have a problem.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Also a lot of people like to pop the hood and look at the engine even though they have no idea what's going on. I think that cleaning the engine would really impress these people, but I'm not sure how easy that is. (eg. getting caked oil off the engine block)

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is a smart move and also quite easy and cheap to do on your own. You just buy some engine grease remover in a spray can, spray down your engine and then use a high pressure hose (such as one at a car wash) and it really does a good job.

=============

A key for those who are buying used cars, check the inside of the door where the door hinge is at. This is a common place where water sits and is a good indicator how well the car was taken care of. Someone who cares about their car (such as myself) will wipe this area and areas like it after any rain.

[/ QUOTE ]

If the person is smart and sees that the engine block is washed, they'll think that there is leaked oil somewhere.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Also a lot of people like to pop the hood and look at the engine even though they have no idea what's going on. I think that cleaning the engine would really impress these people, but I'm not sure how easy that is. (eg. getting caked oil off the engine block)

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is a smart move and also quite easy and cheap to do on your own. You just buy some engine grease remover in a spray can, spray down your engine and then use a high pressure hose (such as one at a car wash) and it really does a good job.

=============

A key for those who are buying used cars, check the inside of the door where the door hinge is at. This is a common place where water sits and is a good indicator how well the car was taken care of. Someone who cares about their car (such as myself) will wipe this area and areas like it after any rain.

[/ QUOTE ]

If the person is smart and sees that the engine block is washed, they'll think that there is leaked oil somewhere.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is why you should have the car looked at. I wash my engine block once every 6 months. It's just my typical care for my vehicles.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

the car just had an oil change, and a minor tune up because it just had to go in to pass emmisions within the last few weeks. so it is fine on that front.

the engine light is always on in the car. that is something that i'm worried about. I guess i will just tell the buyers it's like a lot of cars with 100k miles, and the light always comes on a day or two after it goes into the shop.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

[ QUOTE ]
the car just had an oil change, and a minor tune up because it just had to go in to pass emmisions within the last few weeks. so it is fine on that front.

the engine light is always on in the car. that is something that i'm worried about. I guess i will just tell the buyers it's like a lot of cars with 100k miles, and the light always comes on a day or two after it goes into the shop.

[/ QUOTE ]

find out how to reset the light and then reset it before a buyer comes to look at it.

Id be REALLY put off if I looked at a car and the guy was like "oh yeah, thats just normal, all cars are like that"

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
the car just had an oil change, and a minor tune up because it just had to go in to pass emmisions within the last few weeks. so it is fine on that front.

the engine light is always on in the car. that is something that i'm worried about. I guess i will just tell the buyers it's like a lot of cars with 100k miles, and the light always comes on a day or two after it goes into the shop.

[/ QUOTE ]

find out how to reset the light and then reset it before a buyer comes to look at it.

Id be REALLY put off if I looked at a car and the guy was like "oh yeah, thats just normal, all cars are like that"

[/ QUOTE ]

I understand. thing is, the light really is always on. it gets reset by the mechanic and then turns on during the drive home. i think it would be worse to have the light turn on during a test drive

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
the car just had an oil change, and a minor tune up because it just had to go in to pass emmisions within the last few weeks. so it is fine on that front.

the engine light is always on in the car. that is something that i'm worried about. I guess i will just tell the buyers it's like a lot of cars with 100k miles, and the light always comes on a day or two after it goes into the shop.

[/ QUOTE ]

find out how to reset the light and then reset it before a buyer comes to look at it.

Id be REALLY put off if I looked at a car and the guy was like "oh yeah, thats just normal, all cars are like that"

[/ QUOTE ]

I understand. thing is, the light really is always on. it gets reset by the mechanic and then turns on during the drive home. i think it would be worse to have the light turn on during a test drive

[/ QUOTE ]

I would really get this fixed - it's probably something minor, but I doubt anyone wants to pay $6K for a car with the CEL light always on. It's definitely a big red flag.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
the car just had an oil change, and a minor tune up because it just had to go in to pass emmisions within the last few weeks. so it is fine on that front.

the engine light is always on in the car. that is something that i'm worried about. I guess i will just tell the buyers it's like a lot of cars with 100k miles, and the light always comes on a day or two after it goes into the shop.

[/ QUOTE ]

find out how to reset the light and then reset it before a buyer comes to look at it.

Id be REALLY put off if I looked at a car and the guy was like "oh yeah, thats just normal, all cars are like that"

[/ QUOTE ]

I understand. thing is, the light really is always on. it gets reset by the mechanic and then turns on during the drive home. i think it would be worse to have the light turn on during a test drive

[/ QUOTE ]

I would really get this fixed - it's probably something minor, but I doubt anyone wants to pay $6K for a car with the CEL light always on. It's definitely a big red flag.

[/ QUOTE ]

Take the bulb out?

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

A few thoughts:

At this selling point you really don't want to spend any money repairing big-ticket things (windshield, etc).

DO:
- have the car sparkling clean - vacuumed, etc
- have ready all records of oil changes and service done to show that you've maintained the car
- have a clean carfax report ready

* ABSOLUTELY get that check engine and any other warning lights turned off. You can go to autozone and they'll run an odbii scanner on it to see what code it's throwing. I imagine having that check engine light on could easily cost you $1000 off the selling price. This is not something you want to explain to the seller.

Think about it this way - the engine is the most important aspect of the car. People know this. How would you feel if you were looking at a used car and that light was on? Would you buy a house if it had a cracked foundation?

Your biggest advantage here is going to be your negotiating skills. Start by knowing what price you want. Make your initial offer a good amount above this. (If you want $6000, I'd start at 7500). When he makes a counteroffer of like 5000, you say, "well, this car is in excellent shape, has all the records accounted for, etc etc." Really take your time... like you don't want to budge. Then, make a TINY offer lower. You want to work your way down in small increments.

It might go something like this: (try to get them to make the first offer):

Them: How about $5000 for the car

You: Well, I had it listed for $7500, and this car is very clean, blah blah #1

Them: Well we can maybe do 5500

You: I don't know, this car ALSO (blah blah #2). Ugh. You know at a dealer you'd pay $8000 for it AND have to pay tax.
I guess I could go $7000

Them: Well, we don't want to spend much more than 5500

You: ...pause...pause..... ok look - I can do 6000, but that's it. Any cheaper than that and I'd rather just sell the car to my cousin for about the same amount.

Them: ok deal!

So main tips:
1 - start high
2 - negotiate down in SMALL increments, let them go up in large increments
3 - don't seem too happy with the final offer, or they'll question if they're being screwed
(also never take their first offer even if it's what you want - if they offer 6000 on the spot negotiate up - not only will you make more but they'll "feel less ripped off")

Hope that helps

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

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the car just had an oil change, and a minor tune up because it just had to go in to pass emmisions within the last few weeks. so it is fine on that front.

the engine light is always on in the car. that is something that i'm worried about. I guess i will just tell the buyers it's like a lot of cars with 100k miles, and the light always comes on a day or two after it goes into the shop.

[/ QUOTE ]

find out how to reset the light and then reset it before a buyer comes to look at it.

Id be REALLY put off if I looked at a car and the guy was like "oh yeah, thats just normal, all cars are like that"

[/ QUOTE ]

I understand. thing is, the light really is always on. it gets reset by the mechanic and then turns on during the drive home. i think it would be worse to have the light turn on during a test drive

[/ QUOTE ]

I would really get this fixed - it's probably something minor, but I doubt anyone wants to pay $6K for a car with the CEL light always on. It's definitely a big red flag.

[/ QUOTE ]

Take the bulb out?

[/ QUOTE ]

85% chance that it's a transmission problem.

14% chance you need a new gas cap.

1% chance everything else.


EDIT: I should note that I'm not a mechanic. But every single car I've owned has had this problem, and that's what I was told each time. Gas cap fixed one of my two tauruses. The rest were tranny codes that would pop up a day or two after they were wiped from the computer.

Re: Info on Selling a Used Car
 

yeah, i'll keep everyone posted. i will call the mechanic that works on the car. but i don't think he can just make it stay off. i think i'm screwed on that one.

i'll be sure to post a report after it's sold.