Anyone tried to sell a car lately

[MakiSupaStar]

Holy hell. Blue book is nothing now. There is a new blue book and even then no one is buying cars. I'm trying to get rid of my Volvo. I'm about 2.500 below blue book right now and still no bites. Anyone struggling too?

[bongomania]

Try to sell anything costly these days. :shrug:

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Pfft, I work at a Toyota dealership. I'm not in sales, but one thing I can tell you is they sure ain't selling cars like they use too.

There are the people who are scared to spend the money right now, and for good reason. Then there are the people who would like to buy a car, but by today's standards can't get the loan.

[Jiggybass]

Trying to sell my car. 3 months and still nothing. going for really cheap too.

[Joe Gress]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Try to sell anything costly these days. :shrug:

Yeah.

[MakiSupaStar]

At this rate the way things are going, I might be trading my car for your Korg.

[Rusty Chainsaw]

Well, I'm trying to buy a car right now, and, despite this recession, I still can't find anything I actually want to drive in my price range ($2k).

[HollowBassman]

I spent several months trying to sell my Jeep for less than blue book. No luck!

[NJL]

Originally Posted by Rusty Chainsaw

Well, I'm trying to buy a car right now, and, despite this recession, I still can't find anything I actually want to drive in my price range ($2k).

well, at least you're being smart and buying used.

i would love to sell my Xterra, but it's the only thing i'm upside down on.. can't get rid of it yet.. but then again, who would buy it???? it get horrible MPG..

i need to sell my Roscoe.. Jive and Gard have always tried to talk me out of it, but i guess it's a blessing that no one would buy it right now due to the economy.. i don't even want to sell it.. it's a bass for life (any Roscoe is)..

[NJL]

i'd really like to buy another used motorcycle right now, but that would be dumb of me..

[Mike N]

Originally Posted by Rusty Chainsaw

Well, I'm trying to buy a car right now, and, despite this recession, I still can't find anything I actually want to drive in my price range ($2k).

I don't know how NJ is, but here in western NY $2000 wont get you much other than rusted junk.

[fo shizzle]

Car guy here......... I'll try to clear up some stuff for ya'll.

Maki, it damn sure ain't your imagination. When this really got cranked up 6-7 months ago the value of everybody's car started falling. There were actually 2 waves in this tsunami. About 14 months ago big trucks started getting killed ($4+ a gallon gas). When gas prices receded the value of the trucks didn't go back up because everybody knows gas will eventually head back up. The fact is there are so many cars in the marketplace that the value of ALL of them is depressed. Unless you car is rare or perfect with no miles, you're screwed.

Those of us in the business aren't immune either. I bought a 2006 Passat for my wife last year for $15K. That was slightly less than trade in value for the car. Today that car is worth $10K and I'm "tipped" $2K in it.

But, to the point I started to make here.......... DO NOT use "Blue Book" as anything more than a guide. NOBODY in the car business uses any of the online sources. At our store (BMW, Jaguar, Rover, Porsche) we use a combination of Black book, real-time auction site reports (Manheim), and calls to local dealers we work with to determine trade value for your car. The difference between what you think your car is worth and what it IS worth can be dramatic, and it sets everybody up for disappointment. That's not to say there's not people out there to screw you..... there are. Just be aware that this situation exists.

[Rusty Chainsaw]

Originally Posted by Mike N

I don't know how NJ is, but here in western NY $2000 wont get you much other than rusted junk.

I've seen a few decent vehicles, but (probably because they are the few good ones floating on a sea of rusted crap) they sell before I can get to them! Off car shopping in a bit anyway, hopefully I'll find something half-decent.

I haven't been in the US long enough to qualify for an auto loan - I have no credit history. I'm aware I could probably get financed, but I'm not bending over and taking it where the sun don't shine from a finance company (with 40% or so APR) over a car.

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by fo shizzle

Car guy here......... I'll try to clear up some stuff for ya'll.

Maki, it damn sure ain't your imagination. When this really got cranked up 6-7 months ago the value of everybody's car started falling. There were actually 2 waves in this tsunami. About 14 months ago big trucks started getting killed ($4+ a gallon gas). When gas prices receded the value of the trucks didn't go back up because everybody knows gas will eventually head back up. The fact is there are so many cars in the marketplace that the value of ALL of them is depressed. Unless you car is rare or perfect with no miles, you're screwed.

Those of us in the business aren't immune either. I bought a 2006 Passat for my wife last year for $15K. That was slightly less than trade in value for the car. Today that car is worth $10K and I'm "tipped" $2K in it.

But, to the point I started to make here.......... DO NOT use "Blue Book" as anything more than a guide. NOBODY in the car business uses any of the online sources. At our store (BMW, Jaguar, Rover, Porsche) we use a combination of Black book, real-time auction site reports (Manheim), and calls to local dealers we work with to determine trade value for your car. The difference between what you think your car is worth and what it IS worth can be dramatic, and it sets everybody up for disappointment. That's not to say there's not people out there to screw you..... there are. Just be aware that this situation exists.

Yeah I understand the auction sites. My dad retired a vp for a well known car company. I've actually had access to those auctions in the past. I based my price on the auction value, what I owe, and what the dealers are selling them for (I'm a good 2,500 less than their asking price). I'm just amazed at how few peope are in the market. The only calls I've gotten are from the broker scammers. Now I'm doubly screwed. We're selling because we're able to jump back into the employee lease plan, and our new car has already arrived. Ugh. I just hope I can break even on this car.

[txbasschik]

OMG, its so depressing!

I need to have a blown head gasket replaced in the Isuzu. I figured I'd try and sell my Dad's old Crown Vic, and my Mom's old Grand Marquis. If I can get $1,300 for the two of them, I can fix the nice, 6 cyl, functional and fun Rodeo. And have some left to do some maintenance on the Blazer, too! (Another 6-er.)

And then the economic crash came. And now the emission standards are going to go WAY up. No one wants these big old cars. They don't even want parts for them. I can get something for salvage, but not enough for me to be able to fix the Isuzu.

We have one vehicle that runs well, one good vehicle that needs fixed, and two old behemoths that need more work than they're worth. Sigh. Maybe I should just bite the bullet, salvage the big ol' cars, and get the rest of the Isuzu repair money from savings. I NEED a reliable car! I am taking as many gigs as possible, and trying to find a part-time day job. GOT to get rid of those bad cars so I can have one good one!

Cherie

[txbasschik]

Originally Posted by fo shizzle

Car guy here......... I'll try to clear up some stuff for ya'll.

Maki, it damn sure ain't your imagination. When this really got cranked up 6-7 months ago the value of everybody's car started falling. There were actually 2 waves in this tsunami. About 14 months ago big trucks started getting killed ($4+ a gallon gas). When gas prices receded the value of the trucks didn't go back up because everybody knows gas will eventually head back up. The fact is there are so many cars in the marketplace that the value of ALL of them is depressed. Unless you car is rare or perfect with no miles, you're screwed.

Those of us in the business aren't immune either. I bought a 2006 Passat for my wife last year for $15K. That was slightly less than trade in value for the car. Today that car is worth $10K and I'm "tipped" $2K in it.

But, to the point I started to make here.......... DO NOT use "Blue Book" as anything more than a guide. NOBODY in the car business uses any of the online sources. At our store (BMW, Jaguar, Rover, Porsche) we use a combination of Black book, real-time auction site reports (Manheim), and calls to local dealers we work with to determine trade value for your car. The difference between what you think your car is worth and what it IS worth can be dramatic, and it sets everybody up for disappointment. That's not to say there's not people out there to screw you..... there are. Just be aware that this situation exists.

Well, it sure sounds like I need to go salvage the old Crown Vic and the Gran Marquis.

They're fuel-injected...the Vic's a V8 and the Marquis's a V6, but its a big "old lady" car. The Vic was Dad's. Was going to give it to my son, but he doesn't want it. Mom gave the Marquis to me, but too late for me to be able to sell it. If she'd done like I wanted to and sold it last spring, before gas went up...but NOOOO.

They both need window motors all the way around, the Crown Vic's overdrive is dead, the Marquis is having electrical problems and there's a recall on it, and you know...they're big and ugly and no one wants them. I sure don't. They're worth *nothing* on a trade-in, and I can't get anything for them trying to sell them myself.

Sigh. Reduce, reuse, recycle, salvage the danged ugly old cars. Unless you or someone else has another suggestion?

Cherie

[tplyons]

Yep, KBB helped me buy my 2007 Chevy HHR for $2000 less than it was worth six months ago. But it's also making it very difficult to sell my El Camino.

[Jamz]

I was thinking of trying to sell my old car after I got my new one, but I've been seeing how hard it is to sell So I just gave the thing away to a buddy of mine.

[fo shizzle]

Originally Posted by txbasschik

Well, it sure sounds like I need to go salvage the old Crown Vic and the Gran Marquis.

They're fuel-injected...the Vic's a V8 and the Marquis's a V6, but its a big "old lady" car. The Vic was Dad's. Was going to give it to my son, but he doesn't want it. Mom gave the Marquis to me, but too late for me to be able to sell it. If she'd done like I wanted to and sold it last spring, before gas went up...but NOOOO.

They both need window motors all the way around, the Crown Vic's overdrive is dead, the Marquis is having electrical problems and there's a recall on it, and you know...they're big and ugly and no one wants them. I sure don't. They're worth *nothing* on a trade-in, and I can't get anything for them trying to sell them myself.

Sigh. Reduce, reuse, recycle, salvage the danged ugly old cars. Unless you or someone else has another suggestion?

Cherie

Cherie,

You may have hit upon the solution. Cars like these are often worth more "parted out". Hit up a local salvage yard.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by txbasschik

Well, it sure sounds like I need to go salvage the old Crown Vic and the Gran Marquis.

They both need window motors all the way around, the Crown Vic's overdrive is dead, the Marquis is having electrical problems and there's a recall on it, and you know...they're big and ugly and no one wants them. I sure don't. They're worth *nothing* on a trade-in, and I can't get anything for them trying to sell them myself.

Sigh. Reduce, reuse, recycle, salvage the danged ugly old cars. Unless you or someone else has another suggestion?

Cherie

You're right on target. Drive the big cars and do the minimum repair required to use them. If the OD problem is fixable (bad switch or something) that would be a good idea, and you could fix the driver's window. Those motors are available in a lot of wrecking yards.

I think folks are often much too eager to get rid of a car with low gas mileage, and they forget that if gas, oil and insurance are all you're paying for - and you have no car payment - then you can afford to burn a fair amount of gas. You are stuck with three cars (one with a blown head gasket) that all get poor mileage, but enjoy the low(er) gas prices while they last.

Back in 1979 when the first gas crunch hit, I was selling cars and we had lots of people trading good, serviceable cars to buy VW diesels that got 40+ MPG. But in the process, they gained car payments. Money-wise most of them would have been much better off to keep their old car, buy the gas and not make car payments.

Of course, it's different when you're just trying to pay for a repair and you don't have car payments on ANYthing. I personally would do a DIY repair on the Isuzu with the head gasket (although the head probably needs machined, that wouldn't be too expensive) and drive it, provided it has no other significant problems. I'd say overall - pick one car, make it work and use it.

You might be able to sell seats or other interior parts out of these cars on Craigslist or Ebay if other folks are fixing their cars....or maybe just use Craigslist and sell the entire cars for parts. You wouldn't get much, but that's better than beaching them in the yard.