My car hasn't sold and I can't decide what to do

My 2003 VW Jetta (automatic, wagon) didn't sell before I left in September, so I left it in the hands of my family.

My parents are trying to help but for many reasons are finding it a burden. 

What is obvious is that I need to drop the price.  It is KBB etc says it is worth more than I owe on it (my folks paid the note and I will need to pay them back the difference) - but nobodys wants to buy it at that price because there are so many better offers available from dealers.

What I can't decide is how low to take the price.  Of course I want to minimize my loss, but I have NO idea how low to dip without unneccessarily screwing my self over.

Anyone got advice on how to play this? 

Does it make any sense to ship it over here if I'm going to have to take a loss greater than the cost of shipping?

If you ship it over, you are going to have to pay for the shipping plus pay if it needs to be changed at all for UK standards.

How much are you asking for it/where is it located?

(Just curious - I might be looking for a new car soon)

That's part of the problem IME - I don't know how much to ask     Make me an offer 

It's in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

But it is probably is helpful to say that it's been priced at $7900 (what I owe).  CarMax has offered $4000.  Somewhere in between there is where I need to price it (and the closer to 8K the better  )

I'm in roughly the same boat, except I'm trying to sell a two-seater convertible (MX5) in New England during one of the worst Winters ever. Yes. This is going well.

I've told the kid who's handling it for me that I'll take half what I paid a dealer the year before. Still no nibbles.

There are car dealerships that specifically sell good quality used vehicals.  Could you try selling to one of them?

Thanks S_S,  I went to one in Atlanta and my parents went to one in Cincinnati, they  both offered $4000 - half of what I owe.   

Have you tried taking it to a Carmax and seeing what they will give you (or at this point, I guess it would be having your parents take it to a Carmax)?

Have you tried taking it to a Carmax and seeing what they will give you (or at this point, I guess it would be having your parents take it to a Carmax)?

She's said that Carmax has offered half of what she owes:

But it is probably is helpful to say that it's been priced at $7900 (what I owe).  CarMax has offered $4000.  Somewhere in between there is where I need to price it (and the closer to 8K the better  )

I assume that's also what she's referring to when she says she and her parents have visited two separate used car re-sellers.

Hollyberry - the only other option I can think of is eBay - I have no personal experience with listing cars on ebay but have known people who have both bought and sold cars that way.

thanks Meg 

You have my sympathies. We've got our UK car listed here on UKY! We've had a strong nibble from another source, but we're not going to believe anything until we have the cash in hand.

Have you tried Craigslist?

What about Craigslist? I'm currently looking for a car and that's the main site I'm looking on.

It is KBB etc says it is worth more than I owe on it ...

What is KBB? Is that similar to the Blue Book value? I've been looking (as a buyer) for something like 15-20% less than the Blue Book value and have seen a few that I'd consider buying at that price.

KBB=Kelley Blue Book

The problem with KBB values is that there's such a gap between the trade-in, retail and private party values that selling a car that you still owe money on is so much more difficult that selling one you own outright and can afford to take a hit on.    

balmerhon, I really wish we had the cash to buy a second car - we have a N-reg auto GTI and love it!

Hi there,

Selling a car is hard work if you want to acheive the best possible price, and that's at any time, currently with the economic slowdown, ALOT of people are putting off buying a car whilst they 'see' what happens to values over the course of the year.

Ok, thats the bad news..

The 'good news' is... !!!

You selling a VW Jetta, which is in the much more affordable to run catagory in vehicle ownership. With many USA people now realising some of their large cars are generally money pits, they'll be looking to more economical cars. You need to push this aspect of your car in any advertisements you do for it.

I'd also recommend the following

1. Get the car cleaned up as nicely as possible. Take many good quality pictures. Take pics of any dents, scratches, problem areas.

2. Look at making a very comprehensive listing on Ebay, Craigslist, US Auto Trader sites. Put everything you know about the car in the listing - good.. and bad. Get the pictures on there.

3. If at all possible - get a family member to create a 3-5 minute video clip (on their mobile phone ?!) and upload it to You Tube. It'll become a kind of Video Advert / supplement. During the video, make sure the car is clearly shown and started when the engine is cold, show the dials and then the engine running with the bonnet / Hood open, and then quickly move to the exhuast to show theres no black smoke upon start up. After that, highlight points good about the car and of course, any dents scratches or broken bits etc.

4. Mention the reason for sale - you've moved abroad and thats the 'only' reason for sale, did I mention to really PUSH it's economy credentials !? mention it's had a service history, mention it's been reliable and is welcome to any inspections. Mention it's Economy credentials!! ....

5. List it on any VW forums, VW specialist sites etc.

6. By going to car dealerships and car specialist dealers etc - you are trying to sell to the 'trade' and they will give you as little for the car as they can. I know it's becoming a burden on your parents, but see if they'll stick it out for another month or two when they see the plans you have to sell it by including the above.

7. You should' 'hopefully' get a good enough price for it so that you have less to pay the finance company.

8. I have a feeling that as the car is financed, a clause will be that it can't be shipped abroad until it's paid off, please look into that on your agreement. If it can be shipped, you'll probably decide against that when you realise the costs of it - you may as well put those costs to the finance company - I'd estimate around £1000-1500 to ship it in a closed container, I don't think you'll have to pay VAT, but you will pay (i'm pretty sure you will anyway!) have to pay the 10% of Value as Import tax. Then you've got the £250 SVA (single vehicle approval test) fee, and to prepare for that, I'd estimate you'd need £250-500 spent on the car to change various bits to make it UK road legal. So Approx - $2600-3000 ish USD to bring it here.

9. Lastly there is an option I can think of *cough* - but I won't mention it as it's naughty!

Good luck and hope the above (except no. 9!) helps!

Cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

balmerhon, I really wish we had the cash to buy a second car - we have a N-reg auto GTI and love it!

OMG. I loved our car. Loved it! We're looking to get a very used Subaru Outback as our first car here in the US (Glenn needs a wagon-type car for his field work), but when we can afford a second one, I want to look at Golfs again.

What about Craigslist? I'm currently looking for a car and that's the main site I'm looking on.

S, do be careful with Craigslist. We've been looking there, too, and have come across a couple scammers already.

Hi balmerhon,

Just a heads up - when you compare Subaru's take a close look at the fuel economy, Subaru's with the Flat boxer type engine have small capacities like 2 litre but are very very heavy on fuel consumption! me and my bro had a Subaru WRX for about a year and I was shocked at how thirsty it was!

The Subaru outback may have the same type of engine - if it does, add in the fact it'll be not very aero dynamic it'll be even heavier on fuel consumption.

I may be wrong on the above, but as a general rule of thumb, Flat boxer type engines are well known to be thirstier than conventially laid out engines of the same capacity and subaru are well known for using the flat boxer style engines alot.

If you need a 'wagon' type car - I can give a personal recommendation to the BMW Wagons - as I have one ! there's not many of the 5 series from 96-2003 shape (E39) Wagons in the USA, but they are around and have a dedicated following particularly from those types who use them as 'Daily Drivers' and of course as 'workhorses' - I'm not 100% sure if Audi and VW wagons are there - but overall, i'd really recommend German build quality especially if you need the wagon for more heavier duty work!

Scammers exist everywhere - just be on your guard and lookout and you'll easily avoid those idiots!

Cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!