Value of car.
April 2, 2022 11:05 AM Subscribe
I wanted $1000 for my 2011 Hyundai. My neighbor, just offered me $800 cash.
Should I take it? Midwest (due to the terms of the settlement, sorry that's all I can tell you) and truthfully I start up once a week since I got the new one in Oct (it is doing a weird thing with the clutch where it goes down and sticks and I have to pull it back up with my left foot). My original plan was to drive the Hyundai around town and keep the miles off the new car. Mechanics say nothing is wrong, which makes no sense whatsoever. I'm not willing to put any more money into this car.
Shall I cut my loses and take the $800? Edmunds says $339-$1450. I thought cars were hard to come by during the pandemic and such.
If it matters, she is kind of annoying and has corrected me several times in front of others. So, I don't even like her.
Should I take it? Midwest (due to the terms of the settlement, sorry that's all I can tell you) and truthfully I start up once a week since I got the new one in Oct (it is doing a weird thing with the clutch where it goes down and sticks and I have to pull it back up with my left foot). My original plan was to drive the Hyundai around town and keep the miles off the new car. Mechanics say nothing is wrong, which makes no sense whatsoever. I'm not willing to put any more money into this car.
Shall I cut my loses and take the $800? Edmunds says $339-$1450. I thought cars were hard to come by during the pandemic and such.
If it matters, she is kind of annoying and has corrected me several times in front of others. So, I don't even like her.
Yes and be thankful that you don’t have to hassle with finding a buyer. You can stop paying insurance on two cars, too, which is nice.
posted by griseus at 11:13 AM on April 2, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by griseus at 11:13 AM on April 2, 2022 [11 favorites]
Take it with the stipulation that you are selling the car as is, and don't want to hear about any future problems she might have with the car.
posted by MelissaSimon at 11:30 AM on April 2, 2022 [23 favorites]
posted by MelissaSimon at 11:30 AM on April 2, 2022 [23 favorites]
What's your time worth? To me, not having to deal with Craigslist weirdos and flakes over $200 is worth it, provided you are confident she won't come complaining to you if your as-is car breaks down a week after she buys it.
A sticking clutch that you have to fiddle around with while driving sounds like a safety hazard that should be addressed and the cost of doing so could easily hit $600 so $800 isn't outlandish.
posted by Candleman at 11:32 AM on April 2, 2022 [6 favorites]
A sticking clutch that you have to fiddle around with while driving sounds like a safety hazard that should be addressed and the cost of doing so could easily hit $600 so $800 isn't outlandish.
posted by Candleman at 11:32 AM on April 2, 2022 [6 favorites]
If she already knows about the clutch thing, then take the 800
posted by rd45 at 11:43 AM on April 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by rd45 at 11:43 AM on April 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
I thought cars were hard to come by during the pandemic and such.
What you’d think of as “blue-chip” cars, vehicles people would buy as their one and only, reliable, car are in short supply.
Craigslist is still fully stocked with cars with odd and mysterious faults.
posted by hwyengr at 1:18 PM on April 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
What you’d think of as “blue-chip” cars, vehicles people would buy as their one and only, reliable, car are in short supply.
Craigslist is still fully stocked with cars with odd and mysterious faults.
posted by hwyengr at 1:18 PM on April 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
As MelissaSimon says: "Take it with the stipulation that you are selling the car as is", you should absolutely put this in writing in the bill of sale, get it signed by the buyer, and take only cash in payment.
posted by anadem at 1:59 PM on April 2, 2022 [17 favorites]
posted by anadem at 1:59 PM on April 2, 2022 [17 favorites]
Used cars are at a premium right now. If you need the money more than the time, tell them you are really looking for 1,000 and see what they say.
posted by theora55 at 2:24 PM on April 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 2:24 PM on April 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
If it matters, she is kind of annoying and has corrected me several times in front of others. So, I don't even like her.
It kind of doesn't matter unless you think she might make this a problem further down the line. However if you think she's doing this annoying thing because she's trying to get a $1000 car for $800, you don't have to sell it to her, or to anyone.
For me, my calculations would be like Candleman's: I'd pay good money to have this situation DONE. But you may draw that line in a different place. Edmunds has a bunch of different settings where you can report on the condition of your car, and it's you're close to the price for the condition of your car AND there's some fiddly clutch thing, I'd really want to be rid of it. My suggestion is ask for 9 and take 8 or settle for no less than $850 and take yourself out for a nice meal when you're done with this annoying person.
posted by jessamyn at 2:33 PM on April 2, 2022 [4 favorites]
It kind of doesn't matter unless you think she might make this a problem further down the line. However if you think she's doing this annoying thing because she's trying to get a $1000 car for $800, you don't have to sell it to her, or to anyone.
For me, my calculations would be like Candleman's: I'd pay good money to have this situation DONE. But you may draw that line in a different place. Edmunds has a bunch of different settings where you can report on the condition of your car, and it's you're close to the price for the condition of your car AND there's some fiddly clutch thing, I'd really want to be rid of it. My suggestion is ask for 9 and take 8 or settle for no less than $850 and take yourself out for a nice meal when you're done with this annoying person.
posted by jessamyn at 2:33 PM on April 2, 2022 [4 favorites]
I prefer to sell cars to people I don't know, so that would come up. If this person has a chance to be annoying about the car in the future, I might find another buyer.
Just as an FYI, my local Craigslist doesn't have a single car that runs and was made after 2000 for less than 1500. I recently sold an absolute rust bucket with a major (disclosed) problem for 2500 in less than 8 hours. The only thing is that the manual is going to make the potential market a lot smaller.
posted by rockindata at 2:47 PM on April 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
Just as an FYI, my local Craigslist doesn't have a single car that runs and was made after 2000 for less than 1500. I recently sold an absolute rust bucket with a major (disclosed) problem for 2500 in less than 8 hours. The only thing is that the manual is going to make the potential market a lot smaller.
posted by rockindata at 2:47 PM on April 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
This is going to be a nightmare. She will buy it, and will bother you about every single thing that ever goes wrong with it. It will drive you nuts.
Sell it on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace to someone you don't know, who seems like they have some idea of what they're doing (so not someone who's desperate for a running car and thinks this is the answer to their prayers). You'll get more money and won't have to worry.
posted by Slinga at 2:53 PM on April 2, 2022 [17 favorites]
Sell it on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace to someone you don't know, who seems like they have some idea of what they're doing (so not someone who's desperate for a running car and thinks this is the answer to their prayers). You'll get more money and won't have to worry.
posted by Slinga at 2:53 PM on April 2, 2022 [17 favorites]
I thought cars were hard to come by during the pandemic and such.
If they are local to you, check both Carmax and Carvana's websites to get a rough quote of what they'd pay. My car of a similar vintage is very beat up and both companies offered me more online than I expected. I don't know if that would have held once they saw it in person but it was a useful indicator of potential value.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 2:59 PM on April 2, 2022
If they are local to you, check both Carmax and Carvana's websites to get a rough quote of what they'd pay. My car of a similar vintage is very beat up and both companies offered me more online than I expected. I don't know if that would have held once they saw it in person but it was a useful indicator of potential value.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 2:59 PM on April 2, 2022
I completely agree with those who suggest you sell to someone you do not know. You do not want to potentially be bothered with this person down the line. Also, my family just sold a car to a dealership and had a very simple, easy experience and received a nice amount. We did not want to deal with meeting strangers. Perhaps that might be an option for you?
posted by fies at 3:04 PM on April 2, 2022
posted by fies at 3:04 PM on April 2, 2022
Sell it to the closest Hyundai / Kia dealer. Their mechanics, if anyone, can find what's wrong (possibly something hanging up the mechanical linkage from the sounds of it) and fix it before they resell it.
The neighbor will complain to you about every problem with the car, and possibly ask for some money back, whether they bought it 'as is' or not.
posted by TimHare at 3:21 PM on April 2, 2022 [7 favorites]
The neighbor will complain to you about every problem with the car, and possibly ask for some money back, whether they bought it 'as is' or not.
posted by TimHare at 3:21 PM on April 2, 2022 [7 favorites]
Don’t haggle with your neighbor. Especially if you like them.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 4:52 PM on April 2, 2022
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 4:52 PM on April 2, 2022
"If it matters, she is kind of annoying and has corrected me several times in front of others. So, I don't even like her."
Yeah that matters; I wouldn't do anything involving money with this neighbor. Or anything involving potlucks, snacks, christmas cards, anything. Play 2 local dealers against each other, or CarMax/Carvana/the local "we pay more than CarMax" guys. It'd be one day of driving around getting trade-in offers, and then you can trade it in and be done with it.
(And for what its worth, your neighbor's not your accountant or your priest; if they say "oh I would've paid $xxxx your line is "Oh, the local Hyundai dealer gave me $xxxx+200, welp, gotta run!"
posted by adekllny at 4:55 PM on April 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
Yeah that matters; I wouldn't do anything involving money with this neighbor. Or anything involving potlucks, snacks, christmas cards, anything. Play 2 local dealers against each other, or CarMax/Carvana/the local "we pay more than CarMax" guys. It'd be one day of driving around getting trade-in offers, and then you can trade it in and be done with it.
(And for what its worth, your neighbor's not your accountant or your priest; if they say "oh I would've paid $xxxx your line is "Oh, the local Hyundai dealer gave me $xxxx+200, welp, gotta run!"
posted by adekllny at 4:55 PM on April 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Indeed, I like her not at all, Geckwoistmeinauto.
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 5:10 PM on April 2, 2022
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 5:10 PM on April 2, 2022
Response by poster: Here's something: She knocks on my door (I had said come between x and y) and says, I texted you that I was outside already (put people on the defensive much?). I look at my phone. No text. Later, on the laptop, I notice she has texted me in FB text. I told her, you know that's the worst possible way to reach me. (I am gonna get rid of vile FB soon). She shrugs. Later hub is walking the dog, says to me, She won't change, you know. (He should know better than anyone!)
Why am I even talking to this person who is playing these games?
Very well, I shall write her a polite "text". Thank you for your interest and your kind offer, but I am unable to accept your offer at this time.
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 5:22 PM on April 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
Why am I even talking to this person who is playing these games?
Very well, I shall write her a polite "text". Thank you for your interest and your kind offer, but I am unable to accept your offer at this time.
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 5:22 PM on April 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
Never sell a car to someone you know or will be having contact with in the future. No matter how good it is any flaw will be your fault.
posted by ptm at 7:20 PM on April 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by ptm at 7:20 PM on April 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
If you don't like her, tell her you are firm at $1,000. If she takes it, good. If she doesn't that is good too. If she takes it and later starts to complain, tell her to F off. You don't like her. Best result is her not talking to you ever again. If she ever gives you even the mildest dig about the car, tell her you don't want to hear about it. As is means as is. (Sell it as is). I would take her $1,000 but nothing less from her. And only take cash from her. No check, no anything but small unmarked bills.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 12:17 AM on April 3, 2022
posted by JohnnyGunn at 12:17 AM on April 3, 2022
If she's an acquaintance and the car breaks down in the next, say, 2 years, she will be pissed at you and may shit-talk you to your mutual acquaintances. Avoiding that scenario has tremendous value.
Personally I would never sell a car to a known person, because you cannot predict when a car will fail, and if it fails "too soon" - even if SHE caused it to fail - you will certainly be blamed. She even kinda sounds like the type who might mount a vendetta and go out of her way to cause problems in your life when the car fails. I mean... even her own husband is trying to warn you!
I don't want to be slandered by name for the next 20 years as "the person who sold me a shitty car that broke down immediately." I always deal with strangers for big-ticket purchases for this exact reason.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:19 AM on April 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
Personally I would never sell a car to a known person, because you cannot predict when a car will fail, and if it fails "too soon" - even if SHE caused it to fail - you will certainly be blamed. She even kinda sounds like the type who might mount a vendetta and go out of her way to cause problems in your life when the car fails. I mean... even her own husband is trying to warn you!
I don't want to be slandered by name for the next 20 years as "the person who sold me a shitty car that broke down immediately." I always deal with strangers for big-ticket purchases for this exact reason.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:19 AM on April 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
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