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

[YO's Mom]

Does it have power sliding side doors? Your ad doesn't say, and that is a feature a lot of minivan buyers are looking for. Have you done anything to it recently - new tires? New brakes? Anything to show you are keeping it up? I would include that in the ad. And, I think the price is too high. I got my '04 Chrysler T&C platinum edition (leather, power everything, DVD - all the bells and whistles) with similar miles for more than $1500 less than you are asking. The pics look great - obviously it is clean and in good condition, but people shopping for a used minivan are looking for a bargain. Everything decent under $5K around here gets snapped up.

 

[Lewisc]

Most buyers aren't going to be comfortable offering you a price 1500-2000 below your asking price. You're asking $6400. A person who expects to pay $4500-$5000 knows he won't be able to make a deal with you.

You might want to consider keeping the van.

 

[TaraPA]

Anything that is priced right will sell, regardless of the make or model. I think people are totally overanalyzing why your van isn't selling. Price it better and it will be gone a lot faster .

This!

 

[herdtoDisney]

Not to jump on ya, OP but I looked at the ad and thought around $5000 also. I think it's a bit overpriced. It looks like a nice clean van, I think if it was priced a bit less, it would sell.

 

[jodifla]

Yes, I wouldn't pay over 5 thousand for a 9 year old car.

 

[tar heel]

I think it's too expensive, at least it would be here. I'm driving a very high mileage Grand Caravan - runs fine but has a broken a/c. It's been 90s here for several days, and I was looking on Craig's List to see what I could get -- turns out I can get a lot for $5,000-$6,000. For example, there's a 2005 Grand Caravan near me with 64,000 miles priced at $5,500.

 

[tar heel]

We bought a used Camry through a private sale in January. We expected and got a price about 20% lower than what the dealers were charging and also weren't subjected to any dealer junk fees. Camrys hold their value very well (unlike my van and yours), and we would have looked seriously at new vehicles before paying the dealer price. Interestingly, we found two cars in our area that met all our criteria and actually went with the more expensive ($500) one b/c we didn't care for the other seller. They were the same model year and color -- what are odds!!!

 

[ekatiel]

This may seem like a no-brainer suggestion, but you might want to make sure the word "minivan" is listed in the title on the ads. At least on Craigslist, if someone is searching, they are likely to type in "minivan", not "Pontiac Montana". So, you might want to change the title to "Pontiac Montana Minivan". That way it comes up easily when people search for it. --Katie

 

[hsmamato2]

we always buy used,and I wouldn't pay that much for a vehicle of that age,with those miles- I don't care what features it has,it's an old car with a lot of miles.
I'd pay no more than in the low 4's for a car like that,if even that.last year my sis bought a used van with about those miles,in good shape for 2900.00- I think we're average car buyer types.....You have to understand your price is too close to something else,that may cost a little more,but with lower miles and is newer....you have to give someone a deal to take an old car IMHnce you hit a certain price point,I'd prefer to spend a bit more upfront for something newer,and hopefully more reliable.....lower your price or go to carmax!

 

[phorsenuf]

I have to agree, that car is way over-priced. It needs to come down at least $2,000. That's too much for a 9 year old car with high mileage.
I just got rid of my 2003 Dodge Caravan with 94K miles. We didn't even bother trying to sell it because it really isn't worth a whole lot. We just used it as a trade instead.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

I can tell you why this isn't selling....You live in MI, LOL. SE MI nonetheless. No one around here buys used, and if the do, definitely not 9 years old. The most I keep a car is 3 years (more like 18mos-2year) and no I don't work for the Big 3, LOL.

There was a place in Pontiac we took our 96 Grand Prix when we moved back to Michigan and sold it. They offered way more then any dealership or private buyer because they ship them down south where there was more of a used car market.

Good Luck. We're getting ready to sell our 2005 Malibu within the next month.

 

[neatokimmo]

OP I just want to share that I have been used van shopping. So far my best deal is a 2005 Caravan fully loaded (but not leather) for 5K with 77,000 miles on it. The dealer put brand new tires on and it has had an inspection and a tune up.

 

[mom2rtk]

OP I just want to share that I have been used van shopping. So far my best deal is a 2005 Caravan fully loaded (but not leather) for 5K with 77,000 miles on it. The dealer put brand new tires on and it has had an inspection and a tune up.

But that's a Caravan. RUN. Don't walk. The OTHER way. Seriously. We are on our 3rd one. Yes, we're slow learners. Don't do it.

 

[disneymom2003]

Sorry but it is a mini van. I bought a new Tahoe 10 years ago. Then vans were considered "MOM" cars. I can get $10,000 to $12, 000 for it right now (excellent condition). SUV"S are "in". Mini vans are not. Good luck to you.

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

SOLD!

 

[mom2rtk]

SOLD!

YEAH! Congrats! Did you have to come down in price?

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

not much!

 

[mom2rtk]

not much!

That's awesome! I thought about your thread as we have been searching for a used car for our son. I continue to see really high prices on used cars. Now, we're not looking to get him a mini-van...... but with fewer used cars in the marketplace (thanks to Cash for Clunkers) and few people able to afford new car prices.......... they're all really high.

I'm not surprised you sold it. Even if it is a "nerdy" car according to the prior poster. And I mean that in the nicest possible way. After all, I drive one myself! We can't all be cool....

 

[cvjw]

Sorry but it is a mini van. I bought a new Tahoe 10 years ago. Then vans were considered "MOM" cars. I can get $10,000 to $12, 000 for it right now (excellent condition). SUV"S are "in". Mini vans are not. Good luck to you.

Used mini-vans that are Hondas and Toyotas are getting top dollar where I live - the supply is small and the demand is high!