How much do you spend on fixing up a car for resale?

October 6, 2008 12:36 PM

Now that I have an actual garage, I'm selling my long suffering street-parking car and getting a nicer one. What types of things should be fixed up before selling it, and which will cost more to fix than I'll get back? Now with bonus Los Angeles specific subquestion!

I moved into my new place about a year ago (which has an actual garage) and it's time to sell my poor old car and get a new one. My old car is a 99 Corolla... but since I walk much of the time, it only has 20,000 miles on it. A 99 Corolla generally wouldn't have a very good resale value, but these moderately old Toyota's just keep going and going and going and it has so few miles on it that somebody is going to want it.

My question is how much money do I spend fixing it up to get it ready for sale? Since it was parked on the street or in a "carport" for so long there are a lot of little nicks and imperfections on it. What is cost effectve? Just cleaning it up really well? The passenger side-mirror is also busted. I'm assuming that, on the other hand, should be fixed before selling. What's the best way of addressing scratches that can't be buffed out by hand and is it cost effective to do if I'm selling the car?

In other words, how do you determine whether you'll get more additional money from the sale than you'll spend on fixing it? To completely fix it up would be thousands of dollars as it would require a new paint job. Obviously that can't be cost effective. So where is the line?

BONUS LOS ANGELES SUBQUESTION: Does anyone have a recommendation for a bodyshop in the Fairfax district or West Hollywood area and environs where I can get the things I do fix done? The body shop I usually use is very expensive but the car was under warranty until this year, so I didn't care.

posted by Justinian to grab bag (7 comments total)

Look up the value of your car at Kelly Blue Book. I'd chose the Private Party value. Once you've entered in all the relevant information about your car, you'll be given three estimated values based on the condition. Excellent, Good and Fair. Each of these conditions will be explained. You should be able to use this to determine if you would get a good return on any repairs made to the car.
posted by studentbaker at 1:25 PM on October 6, 2008

I wouldn't bother with a fresh paint job or anything. Clean, have it waxed and buffed and such, clean the interior really nicely and kill detail it if there are any stains.

If there are any oil leaks, that's a big deal that will keep me from buying. Aside from that, check eBay, craigslist and KBB and see what similar cars are going for, but your mileage needs to be emphasized like crazy.
posted by disillusioned at 3:00 PM on October 6, 2008

Spend $150 have a detail shop wash, wax and detail the car, or do it yourself. You'll make that back X2.
posted by COD at 3:18 PM on October 6, 2008

Perhaps I'm underestimating what a good wash, wax, and detail can accomplish. The car was parked outside in Los Angeles for 7-8 years. That was like sitting in sand blaster. Not to mention all the nicks and bumps from people opening their doors into it every day and so forth.

But since everybody seems to agree I'll get the mirror fixed and then see what a good wax and buff can do. Perhaps more of the scratches will come out than I anticipate!
posted by Justinian at 4:59 PM on October 6, 2008

Never underestimate the value of curb appeal. People tend to buy on emotions, using logic to justify their feelings. Make it as pretty as possible and take care of oil leaks (as disillusioned said) and small cosmetic imperfections. Some 'new car smell' fragrance could help, too.

A clean car gives the impression of a well-maintained car. It 'helps' the buyer feel confident in his/her choice.
posted by trinity8-director at 5:38 PM on October 6, 2008

All right, you have convinced me. There are no oil leaks or anything of the sort. All the problems are cosmetic except the broken passenger side mirror which I'll get fixed. And then I'll make it look as good as a car sitting in a sand blaster for 8 years can look.
posted by Justinian at 6:46 PM on October 6, 2008

After the before mentioned detail work, you might want to check the trade-in value at Carmax. They recently treated my gf very well; I was impressed.
posted by starscream at 9:11 PM on October 6, 2008