[z28dreams]

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