How do you sell a car?

[disneysteve]

When i think back to pre-Internet days, I am amazed at how much less information was at my fingertips.

We are often explaining this to our daughter who has never known a pre-Internet world.

I can honestly say that not a week goes by when I don't discover some new resource on the net that either saves me money, teaches me something, entertains me or helps out in some other definite way, all for free (well, for the cost of Internet access).

[Gruntina]

With all this access to unlimited knowlege on the internet... makes me wonder what the world will be like 10 years from now!

[MonkeyMama]

Interesting question on the plates. In Cali they just stay with the car. I wouldn't even know.

But the advice to go to DMV is probaby wise. We donated a car and got some traffic/illegal parking tickets for it months later. But if make copies of everything. If you fill out the info on the pink slip and make copies it is a good defense if they don't actually take it to the DMV. Though actually going with them is probably best.

I have run many cars we were looking at to mechanics. But like I said in general most people were pretty loose. If we said let me keep your car for a day so I can get it checked out and no one cared. We always found it a little weird. I guess people are trusting in general (Sellers). In your case you may want to go along. Just what feels comfortable to you.

[RideTheSpiral]

Just sold my car on craigslist last week. Got a call 2 days after posting.

[ithaca]

I've sold 2 cars myself over the past 2 years. Both times I tried Craigslist and placing ads in local newspapers and messageboards, but both times the buyer just saw the car parked out front with the For Sale sign in the window.

[moneybags]

We always sell our old cars. The latest was our old minivan. We listed it on craigslist. I arrange for interested buyers to come to my house. Since DH works late all the time, I was usually the one showing the car to the people. I let them test drive it on their own, don't get their licence, etc. Quite frankly, if they are a criminal, I don't want DH or me to be in the car with them. Take the car & leave us out of it. Also, the cars we are selling are not what I would expect someone to come steal. We like to get paid in cash.

Also, we have never done this, buy my brother gets his car detailed, including getting the engine washed. He insists this increases the value of his car (at least in selling it). I think if I had to do it again with the last van, I would have definitely cleaned the engine. Everyone opens the hood, whether they know anything or not. I think the engine cleaning may be around $100 (not positive).

[Aleta]

Our DVM in Florida only reccommends that we go with the person and do the exchange in front of the notary. How can they notarize a signature that they don't have anything to compare it to?

If ever in doubt, go in person, remove the plate, and except cash.

[SnoopyCool]

I would definitely go to the DMV with the person, to make sure I'm no longer associated with the car.

[moneymatters]

Just the thread I've been looking for. Thanks for bringing this subject up, disneysteve, because I really needed it. Since everyone has been telling me to sell my car privately, it's actually good to hear from people who've had some experience selling cars. What I've read so far is real good stuff because I thought it would be a major hassle to sell a car privately.

I found some helpful tips on the following sites as well:
How to sell a car
How to Sell a Car | eHow.com

Hope these can help you in some way as well.

[BCHGRL]

I've only done it once. I thought I would trade it in, but then a coworker told me about a family in need so I only asked what I thought I would get for it as a trade in (2500 for a 98 Honda Accord w/150K miles). I took it to his place of work to see it. I wrote up a bill of sale. They provided cash. I provided the title which they take to the DMV to register. Since my husband was working, they drove me home. The car was leaking oil so I was sure to make sure the bill of sale said "as is" but I was completely honest with them about the oil leak. I heard that they spent $500 to fix it and it has been running well ever since. Of course, the stay-at-home wife uses it to drive 5 miles to the grocery and back and I drive 100 miles round trip to work every day.

Oh and we did get a notary.

[Exile]

How I sold my cars

I sold two cars to a company called Carmax. I think they have several stores throughout the U.S. I received a lot more than I expected with one vehicle, a Saturn, but not quite what I expected for my other car, a Toyota. But on the balance, it was a positive experience.