Why can't I sell my mini-van? Suggestions?

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Ugh...so frustrating! Our van is the lowest priced/nicest/lowest miles compared to the competition (2003 Pontiac Montana)...and still NO calls in this week! I thought for sure if we priced it right it would sell!? We put it on both craigslist and autotrader. Any suggestions?

 

[java]

How much is it listed for?

Looking on Edmunds the cons for that van are these

Cons

Weak offset crash test scores, cheap interior materials, unrefined powertrain character.

oh and I wouldn't buy a Pontiac but that's just me.

 

[maciec]

take it to Carmax if you have one. They will buy it from you at KBB value.

 

[seashoreCM]

The price is still too high.

 

[SandrA9810]

Check to see if any are selling on eBay motors. That'll give you an idea if people are actually buying and at what price.

If there's other's listed on craigslist, check to see how many times that person has made a duplicate post, to see how long they've been sitting on it for. Even if it's a bargain price, if people don't want them, you're going to be waiting a while.

 

[ORDisneyfans]

I parked my Honda Odyssey by a popular kids gymnastics place and sold it in two days! On the street with a nice sign including the price. Don't even bother to post for sale w/o a price and pics. I would check Edmunds.com for the most accurate pricing in your area.

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

thanks for the tips!!

 

[cassandrap83]

Probably because it is the crappiest van made in recent years.

No offense, just saying.

 

[ssawka]

With the price of gas, people are also looking to downsize to a smaller vehicle.

I agree with PP, take it to CarMax if you have one. They will give you a fair offer (somewhere between wholesale and private sale) and it will take very little effort on your part.

 

[Floridagal23]

I took my car to carmax - just show up, have them check it out (takes 30 minutes or so) and they will give you a written offer good for one week. When you go back to sell the car, it takes maybe 10 minutes for you to sign the paperwork and get the check. So much easier than dealing with a private buyer and I got just under blue book.

 

[KristenF]

With the price of gas, people are also looking to downsize to a smaller vehicle.

agreed but disagree. Those of us with multiple children cannot drive a car that have at least 4 extra seats. I have three, and frequently have the niece and/or nephew. cant shove 4 kids in a focus! Minivan is a must.


But that mini van wouldnt even make my top list less it was DIRT cheap. pp is right.

 

[JB2K]

Ugh...so frustrating! Our van is the lowest priced/nicest/lowest miles compared to the competition (2003 Pontiac Montana)...and still NO calls in this week! I thought for sure if we priced it right it would sell!? We put it on both craigslist and autotrader. Any suggestions?

Several reasons "why":

• The Montana was phased-out in 2006, meaning the vehicle has been largely forgotten by the car-buying public.
  
• The Pontiac brand was eliminated (along with Saturn and Hummer) last year as part of GM's restructuring -- even though it's a GM product, consumers are still skittish with "dead" brands.
  
• In the era of $3-something gas prices, people are wanting vehciles that get 30-something MPG. According to fuel economy.gov , yours gets 20-something MPG.

 

[distech0]

It is nearly 9 models years old.

 

[phorsenuf]

How much are you selling it for?

 

[momxx5]

Year, and years ago.....when selling DS's car we were having trouble selling it or even finding anyone interested.

Then I decided that we needed to "list" it in a bigger market. We lived in a pretty good size city so we changed and listed in the next larger city (25 minutes away). We had tons of calls coming in daily.

So I would check around and list it in as many areas as you can and in as many places.....check out the social services want ads bulletin board, local thrift paper, car papers, newspapers, craigslist, local used car dealers.

Is it possible to park it for the weekend in a visible area with a for sale sign in it? That is what many people do around here. Older vans in fair condition usually get sold for cash from the large growing Hispancic population.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[PatMcDuck]

We sold one of our minivans quickly, because the next town over has a community that has many large families.... they often need minivans as a result. This is similar to the tip about parking it near the gymnastics facility.

I had a Pontiac Montana for many years ("Monty") and liked it, still had the original (running fine) engine when we got rid of it. We donated that one for the tax deduction.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The other problem.... it is much harder to get loans for this type of purchase then it used to be. Banks are skittish about 'for sale by owner' car deals.

 

[ssawka]

agreed but disagree. Those of us with multiple children cannot drive a car that have at least 4 extra seats. I have three, and frequently have the niece and/or nephew. cant shove 4 kids in a focus! Minivan is a must.


But that mini van wouldnt even make my top list less it was DIRT cheap. pp is right.

Yes, but there are smaller alternatives. The Mazda 5 and the Kia Rondo are just two examples. We have a Mazda 5 and although it is much smaller than a traditional min-van, it offers seating for 6. Granted it would have to be children in the back seat.

 

[herdtoDisney]

Several reasons "why":

• The Montana was phased-out in 2006, meaning the vehicle has been largely forgotten by the car-buying public.
  
• The Pontiac brand was eliminated (along with Saturn and Hummer) last year as part of GM's restructuring -- even though it's a GM product, consumers are still skittish with "dead" brands.
  
• In the era of $3-something gas prices, people are wanting vehciles that get 30-something MPG. According to fuel economy.gov , yours gets 20-something MPG.

People looking for family haulers aren't looking for 30mpg, because it doesn't exist for that (other than a brand new Highlander Hybrid which is 31 mpg). I'd love a vehicle that gets 30+ but there isn't any used options if you need seven seatbelts.

I am actually looking for a vehicle right now for my family, and would be interested in a vehicle such as the OP's, but then, my dh is a GM fan and we know that the montana is a Venture twin, so parts are easily available. I agree that a lot of people probably don't realize that.

I agree with the pp's who suggested parking it somewhere with a sign in the window, and pricing it well. I drive daily past a guy who does this with vans similar (that age) and they go fast.

 

[java]

Older vans in fair condition usually get sold for cash from the large growing Hispancic population.

Good luck and keep us posted.

My Hispanic husband bought me a new VW bug
I guess he missed the memo on buying an older used van.