Selling a Car Help

[blink]

DH and I are  dropping down to a 1-car household. I only drive once every 2 months or so and between our schedules we can car-share, arrange rides, call an Uber, etc. that it doesn't make sense to pay money for an extra parking space  and car insurance. We went to Carmax and they are offering us $3k - about $1,800 less than KBB values my car for a private seller, and $1,000 less than what I'd prefer to take.

I was hoping to split the money between retirement to try and fully fund our IRAs for the year and savings, but at $3k I don't think there will be any left over for savings. This is further complicated because H is going on a trip for 2 weeks on Sunday and I'm at work while he is usually home all day (teacher, so he's off for the summer). August 1st also happens to be when we get charged another month of parking.


Would you take the Carmax offer, or wait it out and try to sell it on your own? 

[Deleted]

We always private sale, so that's what we'd do. We create very good postings, use Cars.com / AutoTrader and screen the prospective buyers firmly before they come visit. We usually sell to the first person who comes to see the car, cash in hand - works out well for us. I think there is a perception that selling your car is difficult / time consuming, but I've never found that to be the case!

Our last vehicle sale, we had a bite within 1 hour of the posting and by 4 hours later, we had signed the title over! It was hyperspeed.

[lys]

We have sold several vehicles private party and come out better. How much is your parking that is due Aug? Is it for work or home? If work - then just pretend you no longer ave the car and begin your 1 car plan now. If for home - then suck it up and pay for Aug then work to have the car sold prior to Sept.

[UnderProtest]

Another vote for using AutoTrader or something like that. Carmax tried to absolutely low ball me on a very sought after car. Even the dealer was going to give me more money. I ended up selling in on AutoTrader for more than either offer.

[marclovesme]

DH has been trying to sell his "fun" car for the last 2 weeks, and the poor response relative to other times he's done this is likely directly attributed to it being a VW even though it's not part of the lawsuit mess. He is probably going to sell it to a dealer that bought another vehicle from us. Is your vehicle affected by anything of this sort?

Start with the above recommended sites - craigslist, cars.com, AutoTrader (we paid $25 for an ad, which is getting views). Also use those sources to check your selling price... KBB is one thing, but if people are undercutting, then perhaps you would be better served to lower the price. As far as those sites go, dealers will also contact you, so it's a good frame of reference.

[compassrose]

We used autotrader and sold it within 48 hours. Take good pictures and don't respond to anyone who wants to buy it sight unseen (tons of scammers).
We also used a pay as you go phone for receiving texts/calls.

[puppylove64]

So you are selling a car worth $4-5k? Yeah definitely craigslist. I bet it sells in under a week. It is the more expensive ones that are harder to sell