cshep

Can anyone provide me with advice on the best way to go about selling my bird? I have had the car for 7 years now (it was a gift from my father). Unfortunately, I do not know very much about cars in general, and I don't know what it is worth. If anyone could help I would really appreciate it!

DETAILS:
-Just under 140,000 miles
-V6 3.1 Liter
-Automatic, RWD
-Air Conditioning
-Power Steering
-AM/FM Stereo & CD Player
-Tilt Wheel, Alloy Wheels

This car was my primary vehicle up until a few weeks ago (when I purchased a used car that gets better gas mileage). It runs and is reliable, but has some issues. The check engine light occasionally comes on. A diagnostic test flagged the EGR valve, but I replaced that about 2 years ago. The technician mentioned that the computer may need to be reset (I don't know anything about this stuff). Also, the car leaks a small amount of oil (which may also be the reason for the check engine light ?). There is minor body damage to the front driver's side panel and the hatchback motor does not work. The fabric on the back seat and driver's seat has frayed from sun exposure, but there are now covers on the two front seats (and I place a blanket over the back seat for protection). Both headlight motors have been replaced.

I have been asking $1950 (or best offer), but have not gotten any takers. Can anybody tell me why? (By the way, I am located in Oregon if that makes a difference).

NC01TA

You wrote an excellent description for us here so I would take the same information and start an ebay auction. State the good things about the car along with the negative. The car sounds pretty rough and you may be asking too much. I would set a 'reserve' price but make it realistic or you will waste your money. Ebay charges about $40 (the last time I sold a car for my neighbor) plus about $30 more if it sells. Take a look at 'completed' auctions to get an idea what these cars actually sell for. Your ebay auction will be seen by everyone in Oregon, Washington, etc and if the price is right, no one will mind driving a few hundred miles to pick it up. That really expands your coverage. Look how sellers write the auctions and the payment options. It is easy to do. Just be honest in your description. If the engine is about to die, don't screw someone. If you feel it is a good reliable DD for someone, then great! Again, I may be 'out of it' but I think your $1950 price is too high for a 'reserve'. Good luck!!

cshep

Thank you so much for your advice! I am asking $1950 because I am hoping for $1500 . I will look into Ebay (although I must admit that I am hesitant...I have heard a lot of warnings about potential scammers). I should probably set the reserve for $1500 then? Thanks again for your reply!

Captainofiron

iTrader: (1)

Yea I agree Ebay and maybe put the car in the paper of a close by big city.

Also how the heck do you have so many post?? I saw the number of post you have and I nearly fell out of my chair

SweeTbone

iTrader: (8)

I sold my 89 Formula 350 on eBay. Not a real big market for it around here. Just make sure that the buyer pays for and arranges shipping and you should be set.

As for the post count, LOL.

EchoMirage

iTrader: (3)

You can also try sites like cars.com and autotrader.com. I tried selling a few vehicles through there. Cars.com is I think $30 for a pic add, with free unlimited renewals. With autotrader, you have to pay each time your add expires. Also, clean it up, park it in a safe, busy lot off the main drag and put a for sale sign in it. I wound up selling my truck that way after paying $200 worth of online adds with hardly a bite.

NC01TA

You are quite correct about potential scammers but they usually look at high end cars well over $10,000 or so. To be on the safe side, ask for a $250 non-refundable deposit through Paypal and complete your transaction at your local bank. Not a bad idea to verify payment, have title notarized while there, etc.. Personal checks are a bad idea unless you keep the title until payment clears. In that price range, they can easily bring cash or a certified bank check, mandatory if sale is completed during non-banking hours. Look for 'watermarks' on certified checks but I wouldn't worry too much about it in your price range. Again, good luck with it.
I almost forgot to answer your question about the $1500 reserve. If you just can't take less than that, then let that be the reserve. If you can live with $1000, or $1200 let that be the reserve. Someone may bid higher.

cshep

Good question regarding the posts...I registered as a user on the day I posted this thread. How I have been credited with over 4 billion posts is beyond me!

Captainofiron

iTrader: (1)

crazyness

cshep

I also just noticed that I am marked as a "Tech Senior Member"...what does that mean?

Silver02TA

iTrader: (6)

"606,352,287.09 posts per day"

it means get a frickin life

j/k.. funny **** there.

Formula_X

My father bought a 1991 Camaro RS with the 305 V8 for $2,000 in great shape with 80K miles last year. I have seen many V8 Camaros go for $1,600 - $3,000 when he was shopping around a year or so ago. Because of the prices I see the V8 going for, I think that you are asking too much for a V6 powered one. To check, I just ran your exact car through Kelley Blue Book and they have it valued at $1,230

About your post count .... sounds like to me the mods are playing around or something lmao!

joshtownsend

iTrader: (16)

I think that you are going to fine that most people will want a v8....Not to many people will buy it just to buy it becuse they need a car.. The majority of them are going to buy them because A) they wanted one back then and could need get one b) Wants a sports car for a daily driver, which is why they want a V8 and C)there were something like 100000000 ever made.. so you have to be lower than alot of them...but good luck "TECH Senior Member" if that is your real name....

cshep

Thanks to everyone that provided advice! I placed an ad in the local newspaper as suggested, and received a call the next day. After checking out the car, taking it for a test drive, and hearing about all of its issues/problems, the guy offerred me $1350. Based on everything that I learned from all of you, I accepted. Thanks again for everything!

Christina

Captainofiron

iTrader: (1)

Nice job.

I dont have the guts to sell any of my cars, I would miss them too much, lol

NC01TA

Excellent!! That's the equivalent of selling it for over $1400 on ebay (with the fees). You did real well.

Formula_X

Awesome! You got more than it's value, very good

Now save up that money and get an LS1 Fbody

87formy

What's sad is I sold a 1990 toyota corolla with over 200,000 miles(but with a used engine in it with under 50), a 5 year old paint job which wasn't too bad(color change including jambs/mirrors/bumpers/engine bay), and it had some other new crap on it as well like the exhaust and stuff...anyways...sold it for 2500 and a 1990 firebird can only get you 1300...wtf bastards and their liking jap cars, oh well, I made out well

SuperSport4life

iTrader: (7)

Toyotas are reliable cars and stuff but 2500 omg there is deff a sucker born everyday!

Formula_X

Whoa you DEFINITELY made out like a bandit on that one!