Joined Jun 2010
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Forum Thread
Where to Sell a used car
August 5, 2021 at
08:27 AM
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Autos
Thread Details
Last Edited by alMac August 6, 2021 at 09:44 AM
Hello -
Can you suggest possible best ways to sell an excellent 2017 Mercedes Benz GLC - where I would get better price and somewhat safer transaction? The car is in excellent condition and has less mileage.
I suppose this could be a generic how and best ways to sell used car as well.
P.S. Posting here, but if there is a better forum, please move this thread to it. Thanks!
Can you suggest possible best ways to sell an excellent 2017 Mercedes Benz GLC - where I would get better price and somewhat safer transaction? The car is in excellent condition and has less mileage.
I suppose this could be a generic how and best ways to sell used car as well.
P.S. Posting here, but if there is a better forum, please move this thread to it. Thanks!
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I almost sold my mother's SUV to Carmax, the offer was pretty decent at the time (granny car so not many miles for age).
The best overall route IMHO if you're willing to deal with some BS and also the time it will take is private party through FB Marketplace. Yes, you'll get yahoos that are "interested" and you never hear back from (happens with ALL marketplace items not just cars) and yes it might take some time, but the platform is the best for the price (free) and its reach. I sold my MINI a few years ago on FBM; I spent 2 days detailing it after the dealer would only give me $500 trade in (10 years, 200k miles but otherwise in great shape). Took great photos by a lake, etc, gave a full background on it - to show I'm a real person basically.
Wound up selling it for $2500 but it did take about a month, and I had to drop it off at the guy's place [fortunately wound up being an atty who was buying it for his daughter, so they were legit people].
That's the only personal experience I've had with an actual sale - all other cars I have traded in. In CT when you trade in, you also save sales tax on the value of the trade in, which could be consequential - 6.35% (CT sales tax) on $10k is $635....... you'd have to account for that when considering what you could get PP, provided you're interested in another car. As a matter of fact, when I wanted to upgrade that car (2016 CRV) I was considering a 2018 Pilot (3rd row) and was particularly interested in one sold at a CarRite (similar to Carmax). I got there, they were offering $11k for my car, the Pilot they had had like 25k miles and the back end looked like someone used it to haul stuff around (plastic scuffed up). I bailed out of there and went to a dealer I'd bought from several times in the past that was offering another Pilot for ~$1500 more than Carmax, but lower miles (17k) and overall better shape; they wound up giving me $15k for the CRV plus $500 for being an existing customer.... the better car wound up being a much better deal.
It is not a gain since almost all used cars go down in value. Many states collect sales tax from the buyer when registering the car in my experience.
As to the seller reporting the sale on a form to the state, that is more to officially take the car out of your name on the state's records so you have no liability for its use and they can track down the real owner if need be, though it could be used for sale's tax purposes as well if for whatever reason the new owner does not register it in the required number of days though I doubt most state DMVs are that aggressive or organized.
Dealers are generally on the lower end as they themselves need to make money on the flip. Same with Carmax, Vroom, Carvana, WeBuyAnyCar etc.....Are one of these better than others?
Shahhere
Dealers are generally on the lower end as they themselves need to make money on the flip. Same with Carmax, Vroom, Carvana, WeBuyAnyCar etc.....Are one of these better than others?
Shahhere
I almost sold my mother's SUV to Carmax, the offer was pretty decent at the time (granny car so not many miles for age).
The best overall route IMHO if you're willing to deal with some BS and also the time it will take is private party through FB Marketplace. Yes, you'll get yahoos that are "interested" and you never hear back from (happens with ALL marketplace items not just cars) and yes it might take some time, but the platform is the best for the price (free) and its reach. I sold my MINI a few years ago on FBM; I spent 2 days detailing it after the dealer would only give me $500 trade in (10 years, 200k miles but otherwise in great shape). Took great photos by a lake, etc, gave a full background on it - to show I'm a real person basically.
Wound up selling it for $2500 but it did take about a month, and I had to drop it off at the guy's place [fortunately wound up being an atty who was buying it for his daughter, so they were legit people].
That's the only personal experience I've had with an actual sale - all other cars I have traded in. In CT when you trade in, you also save sales tax on the value of the trade in, which could be consequential - 6.35% (CT sales tax) on $10k is $635....... you'd have to account for that when considering what you could get PP, provided you're interested in another car. As a matter of fact, when I wanted to upgrade that car (2016 CRV) I was considering a 2018 Pilot (3rd row) and was particularly interested in one sold at a CarRite (similar to Carmax). I got there, they were offering $11k for my car, the Pilot they had had like 25k miles and the back end looked like someone used it to haul stuff around (plastic scuffed up). I bailed out of there and went to a dealer I'd bought from several times in the past that was offering another Pilot for ~$1500 more than Carmax, but lower miles (17k) and overall better shape; they wound up giving me $15k for the CRV plus $500 for being an existing customer.... the better car wound up being a much better deal.
Lucky cuz in CA it is taxable on the price of the car before trade. No sale tax discount from a car trade in. Crazy huh
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I sold my preowned 06 Prius privately for much more after the fact that CarMax lowballed me by 60%. Was expecting 30%.
Took me 2-3 weeks to sell the Prius. Lots of buyer lowballed me just cuz. I ignored them and responded to those who put more effort than lazy bums to meet me at the safest location. The buyer test drove it and bought it the next day without taking it to the mechanics.
It generally a hassle to do so privately but in the case with the Prius of mine it was worth it. Thanks be to God.
I sold my preowned 06 Prius privately for much more after the fact that CarMax lowballed me by 60%. Was expecting 30%.
Took me 2-3 weeks to sell the Prius. Lots of buyer lowballed me just cuz. I ignored them and responded to those who put more effort than lazy bums to meet me at the safest location. The buyer test drove it and bought it the next day without taking it to the mechanics.
It generally a hassle to do so privately but in the case with the Prius of mine it was worth it. Thanks be to God.
If I may ask where did you list your car and how did you accept the payment?
Not looking to sell but to get gauge of what I should sell for...$4000? $5000?
Shahhere
If I may ask where did you list your car and how did you accept the payment?
Sure. Craigslist, cash and cashier check.
The best part was the fact that the buyer was respectful. He wasn't screwing me over with me on the value of the car nor was being shady. He didn't even bother to ask me to meet half way which was good. Heck he has a Prius already but said he needs another one for his partner since his partner car was totaled right before I posted the ads.
His story wasn't bothering me at all and wasn't in a hurry. Nevertheless I got what I asked for.
bottom line: screen those who interested, plan accordingly during busy hours, be street smart when selling car and knows your history about the generation of the car, common problems and such as your leverage to negotiate.
AND BE HONEST. Save you and buyer LOTS of time and trouble. no body likes to buy and sell privately to the unknowns.