Need help with selling car/buying new

[Magic Mike]

Whats up everyone,

I love my car, but after all those trips from the bay to OC, i think she hates me. So I'm in the market to replacing my ride.
Any ideas on how I should sell my car?
'99 honda civic ex, 130,000 miles in good condition minus some cosmetic stuff.
Im researching and I could either sell it to someone or do some trade in at the dealer.

Also I'm looking for any sites to help me pick a new car. I'm honestly thinking hybrid like the Prius but am open to suggestions. I'm not into buying used coz my parents would hate me but purchasing an 08 model is fine.
Any tips on handling negotiations? I hate arguing with these fools, cell phone people i got them in the palm of my hand but car dealers i'm pretty lost :confused:

[ceech]

i'm looking to sell my 2000 mazda miata also. i'm in the same boat as you mike.

[MikeyP]

Whats up everyone,

I love my car, but after all those trips from the bay to OC, i think she hates me. So I'm in the market to replacing my ride.
Any ideas on how I should sell my car?
'99 honda civic ex, 130,000 miles in good condition minus some cosmetic stuff.
Im researching and I could either sell it to someone or do some trade in at the dealer.

Also I'm looking for any sites to help me pick a new car. I'm honestly thinking hybrid like the Prius but am open to suggestions. I'm not into buying used coz my parents would hate me but purchasing an 08 model is fine.
Any tips on handling negotiations? I hate arguing with these fools, cell phone people i got them in the palm of my hand but car dealers i'm pretty lost :confused:

ah yes, i can help with this! Ive dealt with auto sales guys for the past few years. so lemmie give you some tips.

first of all. the market sucks right now, just to let you know. I thought about selling my GTI but i woudl have to take a huge loss.

If you havn't already check what your car is worth on www.kbb.com or edmunds.com. that'll give you a base for negotiations. Rule of thumb on selling old cars is this: If it does hate you, take it to a trusted auto shop for a repair quote. Get the quote, then see what your car is worth on www.kbb.com. if the repair bill is more than the car, sell it. if not, keep it and fix it. again, the market sux now.

Craigslist is your best bet on selling a car nowadays. there are tips to help it sell though. first of all PICTURES!!! take as many as you can. since craigslist only alows you 4, post your best 4, then post a link to a flick'r account where u have more. People dont want artsy fartsy shots of your car, they want to see every little nook and cranny. and it goes without saying to spend the time to make your car look as good as possible before you snap photo's of it.

2nd of all, search filters. Craigslist uses search filters obviously, so at the end of your little blurb abotu your car, put similar makes and models at the bottom exampe:


2002 honda accord
etc
etc
etc

honda toyota mazda civic prius mpg safe fun sporty

get the idea? doing this will make your car pop up in more search fields. Now important things to include about your car in your li'l blurb is not to lie. tell the truth about your car. but mainly people want to know about accidents and maintinance, thats pretty much it. the pictures will speak for themselves.

3rd, pricing. if kbb says your car is worth 13,000. put it under craigslist for 14,875. That looks more appealing to people than just a round number.

now the fun, dealers and trading

1st of all, avoid dealers like the plauge. i'll leave it at that. but if you have to, just know your bare bottom your willing to go on price, and dont start at that or waiver on that. if you have to walk away, do it. they wont let you anyways. stick by your guns.

when dealing with a private party, just be honest. dotn be a car salesman, thats why they come to a private party in the 1st place, to not deal with a car salesman, dig? know your rock bottom price and stick by it. but start high and negotiate to the middle. Every person is different, but honestly private party buyers aren't that hard to work with.

as far as getting a new car. kinda up to what you want. if u want something from a-b that dons't use much gas, sure prius is fine. but again, edmunds/cars.com/or kbb.com are your best research tools. anything japanese or german and you'll be fine.

hope this helps

edit: i've also had people tell me they've had some success with 3rd party sellers. Once you put yoru car on craigslist these people will contact you about helping you sell your car. Their worth looking into, but they do cut a bit off of your sale cause obviously they charge for selling your car. but its a quick and painless way to sell. And update your craigslist listing every 3 days. Keep it on top.

be patient and good luck!

[Magic Mike]

thanks mikeyp! just what i was looking for. Ive tried both craigs and kbb but i will try again. And yes, I need to take the car to the shop very soon, sucks that they're only open during work times so this sat will have to do. as for the market sucking, i'll have to look into that as you said.

[MikeyP]

thanks mikeyp! just what i was looking for. Ive tried both craigs and kbb but i will try again. And yes, I need to take the car to the shop very soon, sucks that they're only open during work times so this sat will have to do. as for the market sucking, i'll have to look into that as you said.

yea man. your best tool to see how bad the market is, is to search for your car on craigslist or kbb or wherever.

my GTI blue booked for like 18,000 in great condition with 35k miles. 2006

a 2008 GTI with 10k miles on it from the dealer was selling for 17,000.

in order to compete with the market, i'd have to take a pretty sizeable loss on the car.

so see what other hondas are going for that ar elike yours, and see if its worth it to sell

[Magic Mike]

if you really want to feel sad about something, i recommend checking how much your car is worth haha.

[MikeyP]

yea man =[ i know how it is

thats why i reccomend that if its cheaper to fix ur car, just do it and hang onto it. market sux, as you can see now

[ceech]

dude, that's awesome advice mikey.
i did the craiglist thang already, and just did the 4 pix. didn't do any of the key words thang. gonna try it again soon.

[MikeyP]

dude, that's awesome advice mikey.
i did the craiglist thang already, and just did the 4 pix. didn't do any of the key words thang. gonna try it again soon.

no problem all.

one thing about the pics. u gotta think about it from a buyer's standpoint. They want to spend the least amount of time on your ad as possible. So if you do make an ad, imbed pictures into craigslist (if there is a way or if u know how) or provide a link to more pics of the car.

i highly suggest that, and so do the auto sales guys i work with.

[deuceboogie]

wow, great advice, thanks mikey.