Selling: Autotrader vs. Cars.com vs. eBay vs. *?

BoxsterCharlie · 06-18-04, 03:37

Ok, I've had my Boxster listed on Autotrader now for 5 days and haven't had a call.

My price is on par with other cars, and I have a link to a web page I built with tons of pictures. So far, only about a dozen people have visited this site.

I can only conclude that the Autotrader ad isn't getting many hits in the first place. A convertible for sale in June? C'mon!

So what's next? I've done cars.com before, I guess they are OK. What about eBay? I guess they will lst you for $40 and they seem to pretty much acknowledge (wink, wink) that no one actually closes the auction there, but it is just another ad service.

Any ideas or suggestions for other online sites?

bet993 · 06-18-04, 09:29

I would suggest the classifieds on Rennlist, Porsche Pete's Boxster Board and the PCA classifieds (will also come out in Panorama). You will have to be a paying member of Rennlist and PCA (both ads are free with a membership).

I sold my 993 through rennlist and my former Boxster through the PCA ad. FWIW I had a much more difficult time selling the Boxster than the 993 and the Boxster had a lot more options and a factory warranty when I sold it. The shear number of Boxsters available and the fact a major revision is coming soon will problably slow the process somewhat. Patience will be the key on this car as Porsche buyers never need the car.

Consignment is also a possibility with some of the Porsche speciality sellers. Good luck. Just curious but what are the specs on your car? Oh yeah what are you going to replace it with?

blackcaraddict · 06-18-04, 10:02

Quote:

Originally posted by BoxsterCharlie
Ok, I've had my Boxster listed on Autotrader now for 5 days and haven't had a call.

My price is on par with other cars, and I have a link to a web page I built with tons of pictures. So far, only about a dozen people have visited this site.

I can only conclude that the Autotrader ad isn't getting many hits in the first place. A convertible for sale in June? C'mon!

So what's next? I've done cars.com before, I guess they are OK. What about eBay? I guess they will lst you for $40 and they seem to pretty much acknowledge (wink, wink) that no one actually closes the auction there, but it is just another ad service.

Any ideas or suggestions for other online sites?

Locally, put it in the want advertiser. I sold my Cobra in two weeks through them...

BoxsterCharlie · 06-18-04, 11:56

Thanks Brian, blackcaraddict,

I have mine up on PPBB, but I wonder how much that really gets. I am with the PCA, but I'm not sure I can wait for the monthly to cycle.

I'm selling the car and moving to California. Once I get settled (which includes getting a job, LOL), I want to get an 996 Coupe. Fortunately, I don't HAVE to sell the car, so I might be driving it instead. (Route 1, what a bummer, eh?)

-Charlie

My car

medic · 06-18-04, 12:15

Highway one is a fun ride - especially in teh summer since it stays light out for a long time.

I did it in a Mitsubishi sadan unfortunatly, but I ran into more then a few Porsches, Lambos, and other fun cars out there. Just watch out for the sleaper towns - there's not a lot of places for the police to hide, but there are a few and it'd put a real sucky end to a nice drive.

Have you looked at just the local paper - I know it's old school, but when I started to look for a used car for my GF, the paper is where I went first before any online sites. Plus, if the person is local, you're more likely to close the sale sooner.

bet993 · 06-18-04, 12:22

Good looking car.

Couple of ideas. Include the option codes and/or a picture of the option code sticker located on the underside of the front trunk lid. You may even decode them and indicate what options are on the car. For example I know from owning one that the sports package includes the wind screen/blocker and if I remember right the Hi/Fi option and a couple of other things.

If the car is accident free I would indicate that on the web site also and stress the no accidents and/or paint work. I would also stress the the one owner all books/records and maintenance in any classified ad also as there are many Porsche buyers who will put a premium on this. I saw mentioned stored during winter I would indicate that the car has never been driven in the winter or on salty roads if that is the case. DE or track events? If not indicate that.

I would indicate it is available for a prepurchase inspection at the buyers expense at any time. If you have done preventive maintenance indicate that. In email responses to inquiries I worked up a very detailed explanation including all information on the car (even comments like no RMS leak if that is the case).

The good thing about the PCA classifieds is it shows up on the web immediately. Its free so it can't hurt. I found the PCA site great because many Porsche owners looking for a new car immediately go there. I sold my Boxster to an individual that had many Porsches and was looking for more modern car than his old '78 911.

samhian · 06-18-04, 12:35

I sold a car on Ebay in less than a day. I was given a fair offer via email and after I agreed to the price and received a downpayment through PayPal I ended the auction. I think its a great place to buy or sell cars, but for something like a Porsche (high end car), you might have a problem getting what you want for it. Check out Yahoo, as well. That's were I bought the car that I sold.

BoxsterCharlie · 06-20-04, 02:17

Wow, Brian, that was a great list--thanks!

It took some time, but I got everything you said done and uploaded to the web page. I also put an ad in the PCA mart.

Tonight I'm going to look into placing an ad in eBay or cars.com. I'm going to get started early and often here instead of waiting for the phone to ring. I have a way to track the source of hits to my web page, so it will be interesting to see how they compare.

SergC · 06-20-04, 03:51

Charlie,if the car has been entered to any car show, could also help some,reference to Autopia as reference to the car condition.

Serg

bet993 · 06-21-04, 07:54

Great additions to the web site. For a knowledgeable Porsche buyer your additions are fantastic. If I was in the market for a Boxster your information would tell me you were a knowledgeable owner that treats the car appropriately. This goes a long way in my mind when buying from an individual.

BoxsterCharlie · 06-21-04, 04:03

Thanks again, Brian. And Serge, I put "Concours winner" right in the title line of my eBay listing.

I opted for eBay instead of cars.com because eBay lets you really take charge of your own ad with HTML and not get shoehorned into tiny images and standardized format.

We'll see how it goes...I'll keep you guys posted.
Here is the link if you're curious. It really looks just like my page, which is a good thing!

eBay listing