How to sell a used car?

[Cruiser]

We're trying to get rid of our 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. I know that I could trade it in and I'm going to keep that as an option. But I'd rather sell it privately in order to get a little more out of it and also because I would like to take some of the money from it to buy a different vehicle. I already put an ad up on our local Craigslist and have gotten a couple of bites.

But what else should I do to get some more people to see it? How do I ensure that it gets the most looks without spending a bunch of money on ads?

[shinola]

Post it up on autotrader.com as well as cars.com

[wooley12]

Wash, wax, vacume and be real. It's an emotional sell most times.

[Cruiser]

@shinola Both of those sites charge for the ad. $20 for autotrader and $15 for cars.com. I'm not totally opposed to spending a few bucks on this, but I wonder if anyone actually uses either of those sites to buy vehicles.

@wooley Yeah, we went ahead and had it detailed inside and out. It's ready to sell. New tires. Fresh oil. Clean as can be all over. We just need to find a buyer at this point.

[wooley12]

It takes money to make money. Pony up.

[Cruiser]

So you think people actually use those sites when they're looking for a used car? Also, I don't know how they work in terms of how searchable your ad is. I mean, if I buy the basic package ad will my vehicle come in number 50 in the results list for a query since there are so many dealers who buy the premium ad?

[wooley12]

I do. I look. Sold a car once with a sign at the side of the road but that was pre internet. Depends on your street traffic.
Also, tell everyone you meet.

[shinola]

Cruiser, i see your point on the $20 bucks. But reality is your car is worth a pretty decent chunk of change, its not some old crappy thing worth nothing so the $20 is probably worth it. And from personal experience, i frequently check autotrader and at least in my situation have found a few cars im pretty interested in. Besides, unless you did the detailing your self you plopped cash for that.
Honestly though the best advice comes from wooley, if your realistic, honest and price it well it will sell quick. My brother sold a Tacoma in less then 4 hours that way.

[Cruiser]

I tried to price it fairly. The clean retail on it is 25,600 so I asked 22,750 obo. High trade on it is like 21,700 or thereabouts so I figure that I can work some dealer over to get to 21,000 on it if it comes to that. I had just hoped to do it privately so that I could have the flexibility to buy a different vehicle from a private seller instead of a used car dealership.

[El Chupacabra]

Do you need to sell this ASAP? (do you need the $ to buy the replacement vehicle?)

I'll forward your thread + ad to my sister, who really should buy a new(er) vehicle. She's still driving a '96 XJ Cherokee. She's in Dolores, CO.

[Cruiser]

I don't need to sell it ASAP, but we are planning on moving forward pretty quickly. I'd like to get rid of the Pathfinder so that I can buy a used 4 door sedan that will work better as a commuter vehicle. I'd also like to put some cash back into the bank. But yeah, shoot it over to your sister. I'd sell it to my sister if she wanted one. It's a great reliable truck and has been very well maintained.

Here's the CL ad:
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2982154551.html

[Danno]

People do search on cars.com, I know I did. That said, people also use craigslist. And since you live in an area with a very active craigslist, not sure you really need cars.com.

[hutash]

Give CL a few days and see if it sells for the price you want. If no, spend the $20 for autotrader and/or cars.com. If still no sale, rethink your price, or trade it in.

Don't over think this.

[Art Shirk]

Give CL a few days and see if it sells for the price you want.

You talking about me? If you pitch it to my wife as fractional ownership you may be successful.

I use(d) autotrader all the time, as do many people I know. I am sure you would get a lot of vis from there. I just traded in a car because I didn't want to deal with the hassle. Limped that dirty fucker into the dealership on fumes.

[Chainsaw_Willie]

How to sell a used car? like this:

http://www.regretsy.com/2012/04/26/s...m-a-car/carad/

[geomorph]

How to sell a used car? like this:

http://www.regretsy.com/2012/04/26/s...m-a-car/carad/

Jesus tap-dancing-Christ that's funny

[4matic]

Nice ad on Craigslist. I agree with Hutash but I would go one step further and use a Premium ad from Autotrader. The Standard ads just don't have enough info and visibility to get any traction and the premium ad is run till it sells with a money back guarantee if it doesn't. I've sold many cars on Autotrader. It works.

[hutash]

I've be selling cars wrong all these years.

[AltaAndy]

I'm looking at getting a used car and I am looking on autotrader and sorting by "private seller" so yes, your ads will be viewed

[Smoova]

I've sold two on autotrader. Worth the $20 for me.

[warthog]

I bought my Jeep off ClassicCarTrader, which is Autotrader for old stuff. I think that is the way I would go. Gets you visibility nationwide. You might be surprised how many people buy cars sight unseen, and load them onto car carriers. Probably applies to classics more, but if somebody in NE is looking for a rust free 2008 Pathfinder in a certain color, it might make sense for them to fly out and drive it home. CL doesn't get you that kind of exposure.

I bought my Jeep after flying to Charlotte, and driving with a buddy to Myrtle Beach. Handed the guy a bank check, and drove 9 hours home. I never would have done that if it was a CL ad. I knew this guy was legit, he had a ton of pictures up of everything, and he paid to have the ad on there. Something to consider.

[wooley12]

And if someone replies to your ad in broken English and offers to send his agent with a bank check to pick up your car, don't.

[Bobby Stainless]

Pictures sell the car.

Shit. First thing I do with anything on CL is sort out those that have images.

[DasBlunt]

Pictures sell the car.

Shit. First thing I do with anything on CL is sort out those that have images.

I like to leave out info/pics that force people to respond to a good deal.

Nissan Pathfinder for about 20,000USD, huge used inventory right now I imagine. good luck.

[BmillsSkier]

Sold several cars through autotrader and each went in just days. Two to buyers from the opposite coast. It works, pay the $20.

Good luck