Selling My Car - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

greyeyes · 08-19-2004, 07:01 PM

OK, I'm really new to this. I have no idea how to sell my car or what goes into doing just this. I was thinking of listing my car on Autotrader but I'm not exactly sure how reliable a place this is to sell a ford taurus '02 (I would think people would look for more exotic cars in a magazine like that). I live in the city so I have access to, whatever people in the city have access to when selling cars. I also have a digital camera (which I do know will help alot). Could anyone give me some pointers on this topic whereas I have no clue what I am doing. Thanks a whole lot!

merkerguitars · 08-19-2004, 10:43 PM

Autotrader isn't bad at all...my friend listed his car in Autotrader last week (2003 dodge stratus) and he's already gotten some calls about it...we are hoping to sell it this week. List it in autotrader, hang up flyers.....and don't be too high on a price.

bullmoose · 08-20-2004, 06:40 AM

I have used both Auto Trader and the local newspaper. I have usually gotten a better and quicker response out of the newspaper. The ad usually comes out the next day, versus waiting up to a week sometimes for the Autotrader. They also have a weekly rate that is pretty reasonable. If you are not in a hurry, the Autotrader would probably work about as well.

If you have the time, really clean up the car inside and out. Get a bottle of touch up paint for the little chips and dings. If you dont have the time or inclination to do the work yourself, take it to a detail shop and spend the money to have it detailed. It will sell faster and you will get a better price for the car if it really looks as though you kept it that nice, whether you did or not.

Be sure and put as much information as possible in the ad. Miles, color, transmission (manual or auto), engine size, any significant options (sunroof, leather seats, ect.), and something to make them feel warm and fuzzy in advance about the car, like: Original owner, well maintained, never damaged, excellent condition. Be sure and put the price in the ad.

All this information will eliminate a lot of phone calls from people who dont like the color, or may be looking for a car with less miles, or a better price. At the same time it will get the casual ad reader excited if it sounds just like what they have been looking for.

Check the NADA website and plug in all your information on the car. Get an average retail price for your car and price yours a few hundred dollars under average retail. Average retail is about what a used car dealer will charge, and you need to be a little under that.

Tell the people who call, that you will accept a reasonable offer, but that you are in no hurry to sell. You may get a lot of calls from people who buy and sell cars. They will make you a ridiculous offer if they think you are desperate for cash. They will try and haggle with you over the phone without even seeing it. Dont wast time with them.

Good luck.

bullmoose · 08-20-2004, 07:07 AM

Check out www.nada.com for pricing

troit · 08-20-2004, 07:10 AM

Another great site to find out what your car is worth:

www.kbb.com
(Kelly's Blue Book)

Gabbyness · 08-20-2004, 11:20 AM

Yep, I would definitely suggest the Blue Book. Quote that Blue Book and people will know you have your crap together, so to speak

08-19-2004, 07:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
greyeyes ham on rye would be nice Location: I don't even know anymore	Selling My Car OK, I'm really new to this. I have no idea how to sell my car or what goes into doing just this. I was thinking of listing my car on Autotrader but I'm not exactly sure how reliable a place this is to sell a ford taurus '02 (I would think people would look for more exotic cars in a magazine like that). I live in the city so I have access to, whatever people in the city have access to when selling cars. I also have a digital camera (which I do know will help alot). Could anyone give me some pointers on this topic whereas I have no clue what I am doing. Thanks a whole lot! __________________ I'm kind of jealous of the life I'm supposedly leading. - Zach Braff

08-19-2004, 10:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Autotrader isn't bad at all...my friend listed his car in Autotrader last week (2003 dodge stratus) and he's already gotten some calls about it...we are hoping to sell it this week. List it in autotrader, hang up flyers.....and don't be too high on a price. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

08-20-2004, 06:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
bullmoose Wookie Location: Howdy from Oklahoma	I have used both Auto Trader and the local newspaper. I have usually gotten a better and quicker response out of the newspaper. The ad usually comes out the next day, versus waiting up to a week sometimes for the Autotrader. They also have a weekly rate that is pretty reasonable. If you are not in a hurry, the Autotrader would probably work about as well. If you have the time, really clean up the car inside and out. Get a bottle of touch up paint for the little chips and dings. If you dont have the time or inclination to do the work yourself, take it to a detail shop and spend the money to have it detailed. It will sell faster and you will get a better price for the car if it really looks as though you kept it that nice, whether you did or not. Be sure and put as much information as possible in the ad. Miles, color, transmission (manual or auto), engine size, any significant options (sunroof, leather seats, ect.), and something to make them feel warm and fuzzy in advance about the car, like: Original owner, well maintained, never damaged, excellent condition. Be sure and put the price in the ad. All this information will eliminate a lot of phone calls from people who dont like the color, or may be looking for a car with less miles, or a better price. At the same time it will get the casual ad reader excited if it sounds just like what they have been looking for. Check the NADA website and plug in all your information on the car. Get an average retail price for your car and price yours a few hundred dollars under average retail. Average retail is about what a used car dealer will charge, and you need to be a little under that. Tell the people who call, that you will accept a reasonable offer, but that you are in no hurry to sell. You may get a lot of calls from people who buy and sell cars. They will make you a ridiculous offer if they think you are desperate for cash. They will try and haggle with you over the phone without even seeing it. Dont wast time with them. Good luck. __________________ Rehab is for quitters.

08-20-2004, 07:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
bullmoose Wookie Location: Howdy from Oklahoma	Check out www.nada.com for pricing __________________ Rehab is for quitters.

08-20-2004, 07:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
troit Transfer Agent Location: NYC	Another great site to find out what your car is worth: www.kbb.com (Kelly's Blue Book) __________________ I've yet to dephile myself...

08-20-2004, 11:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
Gabbyness Chicken scratch. Location: Japan!!!	Yep, I would definitely suggest the Blue Book. Quote that Blue Book and people will know you have your crap together, so to speak