Selling a car in 2022
August 11, 2022 11:05 AM Subscribe
I am considering selling my car soon; but it's been a LOOONG time since I've sold a car, and this car has more value than any I've sold in the past (about $15k). What do I need to know? I'm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, if that helps and I am a woman.
It's a 2017 honda fit with roughly 35,000 miles. I'm selling it because frankly I'm flat broke, can't afford maintenance of it, so there isn't really any major problems.
There are two minor problems, the windshield has a low crack on the passenger side - probably from temperature/defrosting. Unfortunately its just too long to repair. The other is the passenger side mirror is cracked/smashed in the corner. 3/4 is viewable though. (I backed into a protrusion on a dumpster).
It badly needs an oil change.
It was in an accident in 2019, but was repaired at the dealership.
It's been beat up a bit; I'd say its OVERALL in good shape, but I have moved several times in that little go cart, and has some signs, like worn mat. I also tend to eat on the go, and I swear its sometimes impossible to get all the crumbs, no matter the vacuum (but I've learned the slime trick to getting in fine cracks on say, the dashboard).
It's a manual transmission. I have a strong preference for manual, but I don't know how that is going to impact selling it.
I think my biggest fear is that I will be scammed or my car stolen. It just seems like this is rampant these days. Back when I last sold a car, it was where you give someone the keys and they test drove it and came back after a few miles on it. But being in Milwaukee where car thefts have been crazy has me extra concerned that a showing/sale would be particularly vulnerable to theft.
I'm not sure how to take payment for something like this either and especially not get ripped off. Nor what I should be expecting in forms of payment and how best to protect myself. This is particularly important because I *AM* so broke and that is why I am looking to sell it. It will get me some much needed breathing room to get a few things in my life in order so I'm not constantly scrambling to survive and can actually get out of the life hole I'm in.
Are there any other scams I should be worried about?
And where do I list it? Facebook marketplace? Craigslist?
A couple other hurdles that I'm not sure how to navigate - my registration is expired as of June. I am about to have my car insurance lapse for non-payment (literally tonight).
I also owe the city an embarrassing amount of money in unpaid parking tickets (about $1400); will that impede the sale of the car? It's been towed for this recently.
I purchased this car new and paid in cash so it's fully mine.
I am a woman, and I know that makes selling more difficult. I don't have a male friend who's close by to help me sell it, but I do have a female friend I can probably have come with me so I won't be meeting a stranger alone.
And preemptively, no I don't have the funds to take care of the repairs, overdue maintenance, insurance or registration. Even now, its sitting in a tow lot for the second time this month and I'll have to figure out who I can borrow money from to bail it out to sell it because that is where I'm at. (Fortunately I'm in a fairly walkable part of town and already regularly walk to get groceries just for fitness).
It's a 2017 honda fit with roughly 35,000 miles. I'm selling it because frankly I'm flat broke, can't afford maintenance of it, so there isn't really any major problems.
There are two minor problems, the windshield has a low crack on the passenger side - probably from temperature/defrosting. Unfortunately its just too long to repair. The other is the passenger side mirror is cracked/smashed in the corner. 3/4 is viewable though. (I backed into a protrusion on a dumpster).
It badly needs an oil change.
It was in an accident in 2019, but was repaired at the dealership.
It's been beat up a bit; I'd say its OVERALL in good shape, but I have moved several times in that little go cart, and has some signs, like worn mat. I also tend to eat on the go, and I swear its sometimes impossible to get all the crumbs, no matter the vacuum (but I've learned the slime trick to getting in fine cracks on say, the dashboard).
It's a manual transmission. I have a strong preference for manual, but I don't know how that is going to impact selling it.
I think my biggest fear is that I will be scammed or my car stolen. It just seems like this is rampant these days. Back when I last sold a car, it was where you give someone the keys and they test drove it and came back after a few miles on it. But being in Milwaukee where car thefts have been crazy has me extra concerned that a showing/sale would be particularly vulnerable to theft.
I'm not sure how to take payment for something like this either and especially not get ripped off. Nor what I should be expecting in forms of payment and how best to protect myself. This is particularly important because I *AM* so broke and that is why I am looking to sell it. It will get me some much needed breathing room to get a few things in my life in order so I'm not constantly scrambling to survive and can actually get out of the life hole I'm in.
Are there any other scams I should be worried about?
And where do I list it? Facebook marketplace? Craigslist?
A couple other hurdles that I'm not sure how to navigate - my registration is expired as of June. I am about to have my car insurance lapse for non-payment (literally tonight).
I also owe the city an embarrassing amount of money in unpaid parking tickets (about $1400); will that impede the sale of the car? It's been towed for this recently.
I purchased this car new and paid in cash so it's fully mine.
I am a woman, and I know that makes selling more difficult. I don't have a male friend who's close by to help me sell it, but I do have a female friend I can probably have come with me so I won't be meeting a stranger alone.
And preemptively, no I don't have the funds to take care of the repairs, overdue maintenance, insurance or registration. Even now, its sitting in a tow lot for the second time this month and I'll have to figure out who I can borrow money from to bail it out to sell it because that is where I'm at. (Fortunately I'm in a fairly walkable part of town and already regularly walk to get groceries just for fitness).
You may not get top dollar, but you might consider Carmax (on preview-jinx!). There is no bargaining, they just take a look at the car and give you a report and an offer. We did this with my dad's car when he could no longer use it, and feel we got a fair deal, and heard from others who used it and felt the same. You could avoid a lot of the worries you listed with this type of sale, and they should also be able to help you with whatever issues need to be cleared up with it before they buy it.
posted by Glinn at 11:13 AM on August 11, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Glinn at 11:13 AM on August 11, 2022 [3 favorites]
1) Make sure you have the title and it shows the vehicle as free and clear.
2) For completely hassle-free, see if your dealer wants to buy it back (obviously they'll low-ball you, but sometimes, that's what you get for convenience). They know the history, they know what they did to it, so they technically have the maintenance history. And they will take $$$$ off for rough shape, but they can remedy a lot of that as they have the resources. And obviously, they need to low-ball you because they need to make money.
3) You can definitely try Carvana or Carmax or similar used car places.
4) If you want to maximize the $$$ you get from it, you will probably need to risk showing it to multiple people, and possibly waste a bit of time.
posted by kschang at 11:14 AM on August 11, 2022
2) For completely hassle-free, see if your dealer wants to buy it back (obviously they'll low-ball you, but sometimes, that's what you get for convenience). They know the history, they know what they did to it, so they technically have the maintenance history. And they will take $$$$ off for rough shape, but they can remedy a lot of that as they have the resources. And obviously, they need to low-ball you because they need to make money.
3) You can definitely try Carvana or Carmax or similar used car places.
4) If you want to maximize the $$$ you get from it, you will probably need to risk showing it to multiple people, and possibly waste a bit of time.
posted by kschang at 11:14 AM on August 11, 2022
You may not get top dollar, but you might consider Carmax (on preview-jinx!). There is no bargaining, they just take a look at the car and give you a report and an offer. We did this with my dad's car when he could no longer use it, and feel we got a fair deal, and heard from others who used it and felt the same. You could avoid a lot of the worries you listed with this type of sale, and they should also be able to help you with whatever issues need to be cleared up with it before they buy it.
A few years ago I used Carmax to sell a vehicle for exactly this reason. I got slightly less than I would have selling it myself (but surprisingly close), and didn't have to deal with all of the hassle of dealing with everyone who wants you to hold it for them but then doesn't show, or doesn't show up with the money, or wants to give you a personal check from their mother's account, or whatever.
posted by Dip Flash at 11:52 AM on August 11, 2022 [6 favorites]
A few years ago I used Carmax to sell a vehicle for exactly this reason. I got slightly less than I would have selling it myself (but surprisingly close), and didn't have to deal with all of the hassle of dealing with everyone who wants you to hold it for them but then doesn't show, or doesn't show up with the money, or wants to give you a personal check from their mother's account, or whatever.
posted by Dip Flash at 11:52 AM on August 11, 2022 [6 favorites]
+1 if you have a Carmax. They give you an estimate that is no-haggle. It's just their price. And you can accept or walk away without pressure. We sold 2 cars to Carmax and it was super easy. We got more than expected too. One needed a bunch of mechanical work (it was towed to the lot!) and we still got $1500 when we expected maybe $500. ETA we bought a car there too and it was easy.
posted by Crystalinne at 12:14 PM on August 11, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Crystalinne at 12:14 PM on August 11, 2022 [3 favorites]
Nthing taking it to CarMax. We are selling two cars right now, lucked out with a friend of a friend looking for exactly what we were selling, we're going to meet at the bank while they get a cashier's check and we will sit down there and do all the DMV paperwork.
If the other one doesn't sell in the next couple days we will go to CarMax. Yeah, we probably COULD get another thousand for it if we sold it ourselves, but for the time and risk it takes to do this with a stranger? I'll leave that money on the table, it's okay.
posted by Lyn Never at 12:15 PM on August 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
If the other one doesn't sell in the next couple days we will go to CarMax. Yeah, we probably COULD get another thousand for it if we sold it ourselves, but for the time and risk it takes to do this with a stranger? I'll leave that money on the table, it's okay.
posted by Lyn Never at 12:15 PM on August 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
Also on the CarMax bandwagon. I know the way to get the best price is to do a private sale, but I didn't have to worry about scammers, how to handle thousands of dollars in a transaction, etc etc etc. I was happy with the price they gave me and the whole deal took maybe an hour? Way worth it in convenience.
posted by sarajane at 12:18 PM on August 11, 2022
posted by sarajane at 12:18 PM on August 11, 2022
All good advice.
If you are going the route of a private sale, there are only a few 100% guaranteed ways you can accept funds.
- Go to the buyer's bank with them and accept a cashier's check from the bank teller.
- If the buyer is paying cash, go to your bank with them and deposit the cash (to make sure there are no counterfeit bills) before you hand over the keys.
All other methods carry a risk. They might bring a fake cashier check, their personal check might bounce, there could be counterfeit bills, or they might revert online transactions.
posted by WizKid at 12:46 PM on August 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you are going the route of a private sale, there are only a few 100% guaranteed ways you can accept funds.
- Go to the buyer's bank with them and accept a cashier's check from the bank teller.
- If the buyer is paying cash, go to your bank with them and deposit the cash (to make sure there are no counterfeit bills) before you hand over the keys.
All other methods carry a risk. They might bring a fake cashier check, their personal check might bounce, there could be counterfeit bills, or they might revert online transactions.
posted by WizKid at 12:46 PM on August 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
Carmax once again. Late last year they gave me far far far more money for my car than i expected. I was able to put a very significant downpayment on the loan for my next car, using the Carmax money alone. The process was quick and easy, but i think that was due in large part to there being no loan left on the car.
At the very least you can get a quote online from Carmax and use that as you shop it around elsewhere.
posted by armoir from antproof case at 3:09 PM on August 11, 2022
At the very least you can get a quote online from Carmax and use that as you shop it around elsewhere.
posted by armoir from antproof case at 3:09 PM on August 11, 2022
Also, my car had several dings and scratches outside. Two very small dents. CarMax could not have cared less.
posted by armoir from antproof case at 3:10 PM on August 11, 2022
posted by armoir from antproof case at 3:10 PM on August 11, 2022
I am amazed how many Carmax fans there are here! I too was VERY PLEASED with my experience of selling my car via Carmax. Extremely painless, certainly not top dollar, but I was in and out in not much more than an hour with a fair price. I doubt I would BUY a car from Carmax, as they seem to command absolute top dollar for their car sales, but I would certainly consider selling to carmax in the future.
posted by jcworth at 3:51 PM on August 11, 2022
posted by jcworth at 3:51 PM on August 11, 2022
Wow, wish I had thought about carmax when I sold my old car last year!
Just a word of advice - listing my car on Craigslist was horrible. So many scams, so many no shows, it was a huge hassle. My mechanic told me he often sells cars on Craigslist, but to deal with the scammers, he parks the car in a particular location and tells interested buyers that it'll be there on a particular day during a particular time window. If people want to buy it they have to take a picture of the car and send it to him, so it's clear that they're local. Theft was maybe less of a concern for him as he's a kind of beefy guy.
To try to deal with the theft issue, I told people I'd only accept cash and the transaction had to take place outside our local police station.
It didn't turn out to be necessary, as I got so fed up with the scams that I ended up donating it to charity.
posted by jasper411 at 4:02 PM on August 11, 2022 [2 favorites]
Just a word of advice - listing my car on Craigslist was horrible. So many scams, so many no shows, it was a huge hassle. My mechanic told me he often sells cars on Craigslist, but to deal with the scammers, he parks the car in a particular location and tells interested buyers that it'll be there on a particular day during a particular time window. If people want to buy it they have to take a picture of the car and send it to him, so it's clear that they're local. Theft was maybe less of a concern for him as he's a kind of beefy guy.
To try to deal with the theft issue, I told people I'd only accept cash and the transaction had to take place outside our local police station.
It didn't turn out to be necessary, as I got so fed up with the scams that I ended up donating it to charity.
posted by jasper411 at 4:02 PM on August 11, 2022 [2 favorites]
I guess I should also advocate trying the "tell your friends!" method first. I put a couple of posts up on facebook in the weeks leading up to being ready to sell, and I did get interest in particular from several friends with kids who need cars, and I felt good about the condition of ours for that purpose. That wasn't who we ended up selling to, but still selling to someone you know a little bit is way less fraught than dealing with strangers.
We also parked one on the street with a for sale sign and got a couple of neighborhood queries.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:04 PM on August 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
We also parked one on the street with a for sale sign and got a couple of neighborhood queries.
posted by Lyn Never at 5:04 PM on August 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
Carmax. My car is lovely with very low mileage (lower than yours) but has a lot of body damage that a craigslist buyer wouldn't accept. It's a 2012 Mazda3 with manual transmission and Carmax's online estimated offer is $10K. It takes two minutes to put in the info about your car and they'll give you a number.
It does need to be running and registered but I've sold them a car before and it's so easy. I'm getting rid of it and giving myself a ~$10,000 birthday present next week. :)
Also, the car is filthy because I've gone years without driving it. I'm thinking about getting it detailed but I'm going to call them and ask if that makes a difference.
posted by bendy at 11:37 PM on August 11, 2022
It does need to be running and registered but I've sold them a car before and it's so easy. I'm getting rid of it and giving myself a ~$10,000 birthday present next week. :)
Also, the car is filthy because I've gone years without driving it. I'm thinking about getting it detailed but I'm going to call them and ask if that makes a difference.
posted by bendy at 11:37 PM on August 11, 2022
If you have a AAA membership, they have a car buying program that's very seamless and easy. I love AAA. I didn't check with Carmax but I did get a quote on Carvana and I received about $1k more from AAA than what Carvana offered. AAA is also great when purchasing either a new or used vehicle. Absolutely worth the membership for those two perks.
posted by shornco at 3:54 AM on August 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by shornco at 3:54 AM on August 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
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They will take beat up cars because they can sell them off to other places, so don't worry that your car isn't ready to sell on a lot. That's fine, they don't care.
These quotes are good for a week or so but generally won't change within a short time frame if you have to get a new one. The number the offer is great as backstop for the lowest price you should accept from an individual AND give you an idea of how much hassle you should put up with on your own to try to get a higher amount - in your case with insurance going away, it might almost be worth getting an online quote now and if it seems reasonable, just driving over to Waukesha today to get the check.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 11:11 AM on August 11, 2022 [5 favorites]