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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsRecommendations for Selling a Used Car
Any thoughts on selling a used car?
We have a surplus car now that my daughter is away at college and it is time to pare down. 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid with very low mileage so it should be an easy sale these days.
I am looking for a good middle ground wholesaler. I don't want to get ripped off by the dealerships but neither do I want to deal with a private sale with the issues surrounding time, security and payment. I just want a moderately fair price and to have someone take it off my hands.
There seem to be lots of options like Carmax, Vroom, Carvana, etc. Ultimately, I will likely try several and take the best offer.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience or recommendations.
jmbar2
(4,832 posts)The car buying services offered so little that it wasn't worth it. Not anywhere near what the local ads showed.
I looked into a local car auction - I'd take my chance there to get a better price. But have never done it before, so interested in other thoughts.
Mine's a Ford Econoline van that would appeal to those looking for a camper. Unfortunately, since doing the research, the transmission sprung a huge leak, so it's garaged for the time being.
genxlib
(5,506 posts)But I am hoping that the scramble for used cars will level the playing field and make it a sellers market. Especially with it being a hybrid in a time of high gas prices.
The good thing is that they will mostly make offers on line so it is a low-level of commitment to see if I need to try something more difficult.
thanks for the input.
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)donating it? Local charities, nonprofits, etc are set up to resell it.
(No, not to the Kars for Kids jingle. Never that.)
MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)genxlib
(5,506 posts)Especially if the whole process does not net as much as I thought it should be worth.
Typically, I like to spread out my charitable giving but that would be putting basically all of my 2022 charitable eggs in one basket. Not horrible but not my typical goal.
MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)I would use the ones you listed, as I looked at all of them. But Carmax seemed to be the easiest.
genxlib
(5,506 posts)Do you know if they were making any offers based on completely online info? Or do they still have the 'drive-it-in-we-have-to-see-it' model.
MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)they will give you an online quote (after answering a few questions). You then make an appointment and drive it in. They are pretty quick about it too.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)sdfernando
(4,896 posts)He tried Carmax & Carvana but they were pretty low. He had 16K in mind. Tried Autotrader but that was all a few calls from used car sales. Craigslist was no better. He cleaned up really well, put a sign on it and parked it on a fairly busy intersection. Sold it in 3 days for $15,750.00. So that is what I would recommend.
genxlib
(5,506 posts)Especially when it comes to insuring payment. Do you know if he did it by cashiers check?
MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)especially during a pandemic is a real concern.
You will probably be greatly surprised at how much a low-mileage car can get right now.
sdfernando
(4,896 posts)Yes, they are selling cars for a premium right now, but they aren't paying a premium to get inventory.
MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)I am very happy to sell in a few minutes and not deal all the issues. There's a value to that.
Great if you have the time to deal with it, go on test drives with strangers, etc.
sdfernando
(4,896 posts)My friends example took a total of 3 days, 5 phone calls, 1 bank trip...and he got 5K over what the dealers were offering.
sdfernando
(4,896 posts)went to the bank with him as well to deposit it.
MissB
(15,800 posts)It was a 2015 with low miles. I bought it in 2018. I sold it last year to Carmax for almost what I paid for it.
(Mercedes tho)
mitch96
(13,817 posts)Lo milage 3 year old Prius on a lease. carvana gave me best price. About 2k over the turn value/buy out. Carvana can come pick up the car at your house or do to their "showroom". It's more like an office and a nice person did the paper work. ZERO pressure. Here's the car, here is the check thankyouverymuch... done...
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