tips for selling a car in the US

Howdy folks

Just over 3 months until the big move, and I'm wondering about the car selling process in the US.

I live in the country (five miles to a grocery store with no neighbors to speak of) so I need to keep my car for as long as possible.  I figure I'll rent a car for the last few days (to get to the airport etc), but I would like to keep that expense to a minimum.

How soon should I go about selling a car that won't be available until a specific date (say 20 Sept)?  What if I wait too long and it doesn't sell?

It's a 2003 VW Jetta wagon - so it's got niche appeal which can be good and bad.

Anyone have experience or ideas to share?

  Holly   

I'd try craigslist and autotrader 1 month before you leave or if you don't need the car, ASAP.  It usually takes less than 2 weeks for me to sell..  Don't try to get the best price, price it a bit less than the competition so you won't have to worry that it won't sell.  Oh and get the car detailed!  Everyone hates a dirty car when they are shopping.

We started advertising on craigslist a month before we left. We put in the ad when the cars were available.
We sold my car right away, even though it was a month before they could have it. However my husband's car (a ford focus) took ages. We didn't sell it till 3 days before we left, as we kept having to take it to the shop to fix unforeseen engine problems.

Since we are moving to London in a couple of weeks, we decided to sell my dh's Corolla.  I listed it on Craigslist Tuesday or Wednesday of last week and we sold it this Monday.  I got about 10 or so interested parties.  The appeal w/our car is that it is a toyota and a fuel-efficient car.  I don't know about Jetta's but if it is along those same lines as the corolla, then I don't think you'll have a problem selling it.  You just have to make sure you list it under one of the largest cities near you.

Also, if you don't want to have to go through the hassle of selling it on your own you can go to CarMax where they will buy your car.  Granted, you might get a bit less than selling it privately but it is an option. 
The DMV website for the state (dept. of motor vehicles) will have clear instructions on what you need to do to sell it on your own.  Not hard.  We just did it for the first time and it wasn't complicated. 

Thanks folks!

I'll definately need to detail it inside and out!  I'm a plant person, so the boot is pretty messy.

I LOVE my Jetta.  It gets 29 mpg.  It's a bummer that I have to sell it, but cest la vie.  I will miss the car, but not the $275 monthly payments, $50 per week to fill it up and $650 per year for insurance. 

I'll post it about a month out and just tell people that I need it until X date.  And that I will meet them at the car rental place, so I have tranportation for the last few days!  Seriously, the closest store is a gas station that is 2 miles away.

Thanks again!
Holly

Life is bittersweet.    Mostly sweet.