Help with selling a car privately

Spilchy · 12-13-06, 08:23

I am selling my 1996 Honda Civic DX. She's getting her last detail on Saturday in preparation for pictures and the sale on my town's local website. I'm writing the ad this weekend.

What is the protocol if a stranger off the street wants to buy my car but wants a mechanic to look at it? Do I take it to their mechanic? Am I present while he looks at it? Does the mechanic come to my house to look at it? Do I take it to my local Firestone who currently does work on my car?

I've never sold a car to the public as I've traded a couple in when I got new cars.

Anyone in Jersey want an "around the town" second car?! 45,000 pampered miles, immaculate interior, meticulously mechanically maintained!

Has some exterior issues

Thanks.

busyguy · 12-13-06, 08:34

Hmm. How much do you want?

I've sold MANY a cars. From my experiences...

Most people buying a car that old wont expect a mechanic to check it out...well, unless your asking top dollar.

First you have them look at the car and make sure they want it.(i usually dont do this at my own home, but to each his own...if they buy it, your address in on the pink anyways) IF THEY ARE SERIOUS, i don't mind letting their mechanic look at it. I stick around during the inspection though... IF they dont allow that, tell them to F off. Furtermore, i ask for MONEY for allowing them to do this. Depending on what your time is worth, charge them a set amount for wasting your gas and time. IF they buy the car, this amount is fully refunded. IF the mechanic finds something they dont like, you just saved them a lot of money they didn't want to spend, and you keep the money for wasted time...capeeech?

Cleaning Fool · 12-13-06, 08:50

Its a Honda, you should have no problem selling it. Someone will test drive it, pop the hood and then buy it

David703 · 12-14-06, 07:39

I've sold many cars privately over the years.. The standard protocol is whatever you are willing to do for a buyer. I personally will allow them to take it to a mechanic that is very local to me. 5 or 10 mintues away. Also, you NEVER let the car out of your site. YOU bring it to the mechanic and they drive with you or meet you there. Allow them a test drive of course, with you. When you sell your car here in NJ, make sure that you take your license plates off and NEVER allow them to use them to drive home.

I'm sure others here would love to hear a price and see some pics. What part of NJ are you from?

Spilchy · 12-14-06, 08:42

Thanks for the info guys.

My father said get the money in my hands, drive it to their house with them, take off the plates, remove the insurance and registration and then sign over the title.

I'm in Essex County.

The car is a real gem mechanically. I changed the oil every 3 months regardless of miles. I changed the timing belt and water pump after 8 years even when it only had 35K miles. I recently had the coolant and brake fluid changed (brakes cleaned), tune up, new fuel filter, new oygen sensor, and fuel injection system cleaned. I changed the air filter twice a year too. I get about 25 miles a gallon in the city and 31 on the highway. It's NEVER burned a drop of oil or failed to start on the first try even in freezing cold. I never let the gas gauge drop below a 1/4 of a tank for fear of picking up sediment.

It was only driven around town, first owned by my grandmother who putted to the market and back. I took it on the highway for a year to go to school. It is always warmed up before driving. Given the little engine, I *never* beat on it. In fact, I never let anyone in my family drive it! I really pampered the car.

It will need new tires. I found nice Kumhos at TireRack for $35 a piece. It is due for the automatic transmission flush (last one I got at the Honda dealer). The guys at Firestone said it was still nice and clean but I'd do it anyway. I *think* the muffler may be going. That's about it.

The exterior has some dings and the 13" steel wheels could be replaced (I found ones for$45 a piece online). The paint is crazing on the hood, but you have to really inspect it. Its been like this for a few years but I wax it monthly so it is has been fine. Interior is MINT as is the trunk. People marvel at the overall condition.

It is stripped of any option. It has auto, AC, AM/FM, dual airbags - THAT'S IT! But that means there is nothing to break like power locks and windows or a leaky sunroof, etc... I still have the window sticker, manuals and every service record.

I'll miss the little guy!

tyoung · 12-14-06, 08:58

I also have sold a few cars through Recyler or local paper ad. One guy did want his mechanic to look at it. He was only about 15 minutes away, so I met him at his mechanic with my truck. The guy bought me breakfast while we waited, took maybe 30 minutes. The truck had some issues, which I had told him about and the mechanic confirmed. My price was fair, and he bought it.

Danase · 12-14-06, 08:59

I wouldn't think you would need to drive to their house afterwards with them. I would just get the money, get the plates, sign over the title and let them go. Really no reason to go with them.

busyguy · 12-14-06, 04:30

ok..so how much?

Spilchy · 12-14-06, 05:08

I'm asking $4,850.00 based on KBB for Good condition. Someone just needs to sink a few hundred dollars into it over the next few months for tires and other small odds and ends that aren't critical.

Setec Astronomy · 12-14-06, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danase

I wouldn't think you would need to drive to their house afterwards with them. I would just get the money, get the plates, sign over the title and let them go. Really no reason to go with them.

You can't do that here, once you sign over the title, the vehicle needs to be registered and insured before it can be driven on the street.

ChrisNJ · 12-15-06, 07:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

You can't do that here, once you sign over the title, the vehicle needs to be registered and insured before it can be driven on the street.

yep. If you're really nice and trust the person, you can let them drive it w/ your plates on it. They can get temp. insurance to cover them, you just have to hope they dont rob a bank on the way home

I've done that, and when I bought my M, the guy let me drive it back from VA on his plates. From a buyers pov, take the car to the local honda dealer and have them do a 10000 point inspection or whatever they do. You can do it at their expense, then take that cost from the sale price, etc. THere's a lot of ways to do it. Selling private party is the way to go, but its a royal pita.