Best way to sell your car?

Arnie · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 7:14 am Post subject: Best way to sell your car?

I been thinking of selling my car lately but what the best way? I own a 2001 Honda Civc but do you get ripped off when you trade your car in at a dealership? I don't know if I want to go the route of trying to selling the car privately, I just want to sell it and get a new car as quickly as possible. Any advice would be appreciated! Have anyone tried selling their car through Carmax? They have a program to buy cars outright --LINK TO SITE

Exick · Site Staff Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 15880

The quickest way is to trade it in. You won't necessarily get ripped off, but you definitely will get less for it from a dealership than you would if you tried to sell it on your own. If you're looking to get the most for it, try the Pennysaver and craigslist.
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Flight#24 · Star Player Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 7979

How much are you selling it for, how is the condition, and is the car salvaged, whats the millage? Specification of the car? EX, DX...

You might want to post it in Autotrader.com (this has nothing to do with trading), AND cars.com. Also post it in the local newspaper or those pennysavers. If you give your customers a good deal, it should sell with in a matter of days.

Phil · Retired Joined: 03 Aug 2001 Posts: 10007

You should sell it privately Arnie. Your Honda would go in a flash as it's perhaps the most desireable used car out there. I'll bet you get offers here for it.

A dealer and the internet folks are dealers are always going to give you less and by at least $500.

Here's Edmunds, they can help finding a price.

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2001/honda/civic/index.html?mktcat=used&kw=2001+honda+civic&mktid=ga324295

If you want an easy sale don't discount putting it on Ebay

http://motors.search.ebay.com/2001-honda-civic_Cars-Trucks_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR40QQsacatZ6001QQsamcmZ6001

I sold a 1998 34 foot 5th wheel trailer delux with 3 pop-outs last year and got $21,500. I got two dealer offers for $16,000 and 17,500.

It's easier than you might think.

Mike@LG · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:01 am Post subject:

If you don't want to handle the costs of eBay, go with Craigslist.com.

Very easy to put up pictures, lay out a complete description of the car.
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DuncanIdaho · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:32 pm Post subject:

I put my '88 Camaro up on Craigslist last year and got multiple offers within hours, and sold it a couple days later.

Money$hot! · Star Player Joined: 18 Dec 2002 Posts: 5911

Arnie, no disrespect to Exick, but never trade-in your car at a dealership. The chances are you will get ripped off BADLY. Dealers depend on financing and trade-in's to make a large chunk of their front end profit. Unless you really can't deal with selling your car to a private party and are willing to pay thousands (in reduced selling price) to have a dealer handle all the work for you should you ever consider a dealer. One easy way to find out how badly dealers jack you is to get a free quote by taking your car down to a Carmax (carmax.com), and comparing it to private party sales prices at Autotrader.com.

If you're not in a hurry to sell your car, sell it privately. Like Mike said, Craigslist is the cheapest way to go (free) and has tons of users. You should get a good response. Phil mentioned using Edmunds to help determine a price, I agree. Edmunds has great tools for such a thing. Also check Autotrader.com for similar "asking prices" from private parties (dealers asking prices will be inflated). If you want to list on Autotrader.com. It does have a tiered pricing structure that isn't cheap, but also will get you good exposure. Still try Criagslist first (once again b/c it's free). Finally Ebaymotors works well, but is more complicated with the sales model and there tends to be more weirdos on Ebay (for some reason).

Good luck.

ArrOhBee · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:48 pm Post subject:

post it on lg.net!

milage? auto or stick? color? model?
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Arnie · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:56 pm Post subject:

I might try posting in one of those sites you guys mention in the near future!

Its a 2001 Silver Honda Civic 4-door. The mileage is 67,000.

Mike@LG · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 8:50 pm Post subject:

btw, highly recommend taking detailed pictures. Odometer reading. Cleanliness of interior. Dash. Seats. 1/4, side, adn 3/4 shots... and any potential scratches, etc.

Easier to make the sale when the buyer thinks you're very honest.
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hig · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 9:24 pm Post subject:

999 · Franchise Player Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 20267

Arnie.... use the pennysaver ..... TRUST ME......

Laker_Town · Retired Number Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Posts: 25604

NEVER do TRADE IN!!!

ArrOhBee · Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 3:01 pm Post subject:

LakerLanny · Retired Number Joined: 24 Oct 2001 Posts: 47676

I have always had good luck with the Auto Trader.

Key is being realistic on your price.
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Socks · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:40 am Post subject:

Craigslist. Stuck my '96 Corolla up there and had lots of emails within minutes. They're often not the most qualified of leads and you'll have to do a good amount of leg work in following up with people, answering questions and scheduling times to meet people to show them the car. If you're willing to put in the time, you should get multiple offers where you can choose the best one.

Exick · Site Staff Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 15880