For those who sold a car privately

[kdibattista]

How long did it take to sell? Now, I know there are a ton of variables that go into it but I'm just curious what your timeframe was.

Thanks... as always!!!

 

[elliemae1192]

Sold a 1996 Yukon about a year ago and it went pretty quickly. I think around two weeks. In the process of selling a 2005 PT Cruiser and it's been a month and no nibbles. REALLY hoping to sell it soon.

 

[Meriweather]

we've sold quite a few "older" cars over the years. They always seem to go in under 2 weeks.

 

[ducklite]

One day. Technically two weeks, only because I had to send a check to pay it off and wait for the title before the new owner could pick it up from me.

Great transaction, and he called to say his daughter LOVES it!

(I priced it a bit below book value for private sale, then knocked a bit more off because it was a special gift to his daughter who is going away to college--they lost their home during Katrina last year, and I figured that money might make a much bigger differene to them than me. Plus he's a firefighter, DH is an EMT, it's a brotherhood thing. )

Anne

 

[kerrynic78]

We just sold my Ford Escape in about 2 1/2 weeks.

 

[MI mom of 3]

I wish ours had gone as well as the other posters. We just sold a conversion van and it took us almost a year!

 

[happybratpack]

I sold the Mustang a couple months ago for the adoption. I had it listed for about 3 weeks, lots of inquiries but nobody actually showing up to look at it. I ended up going to Carmax w/ it - they gave me almost what I was asking for it anyway so I sold it to them and got a check the same day. I was really surprised, I thought for sure they'd lowball me.

BTW - the majority of interest I had came from craigslist.org. My paid ads rec'd NO calls.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[goofygirl]

About 4 weeks- put an ad in the local paper plus posted on Craigslist.

 

[stevenpensacola]

We sold our 03 Honda Odyssey EX in ONE DAY!!!

Ran an ad in the local paper....received a call the first morning the ad ran....made appointment for them to see it that afternoon. They drove it, said we'll take it....did not even dicker over the price.

Sold for $16500.

Most the local dealer would give in trade was $13K. Sure was sweet going back in there to get the new car.

 

[ducklite]

Kim,

Not that you asked, but a few things that I think will help move it quicker...

1. Make sure it's SPOTLESS inside and out. Shampoo the carpet, shine the dash, Windex every window squeaky clean. Clean the exterior and give it a really good waxing.

2. Get the oil changed if it's got more than 2000 miles on it.

3. Gather up all the service records.

4. If the car hasn't been smoked in, say so in the ad. this is really important to some people.

Anne

 

[Chris2597]

Also, be sure that the Title is actually changed into the buyers name. We just bought DD her first car. We changed the title a few days after purchase and asked what would happen if we hadnt....we were told that if an accident occured the persons name on the title would be held accountable as well as the driver.....even if the car had been sold...so it is very important to make sure that you dont just sign the title over, but that it is actually taken out of your name.

 

[themepark]

I sold my 10 yr old Nissan Quest mini-van in about 2 weeks. Made a $1000 more on selling it myself than I would have gotten at CarMax.

 

[kdibattista]

Thanks everyone