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

OK... how would i know if it has a 'Flat boxer' type engine?!

KBB=Kelley Blue Book

 

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

Yes, we've seen a fair few. And we've also had a hearty chuckle over some of the ads, too - some are pure comedy. But overall, I HATE CAR SHOPPING. 

Thanks folks!  Thanks DtM, I'll give your post a close read tomorrow when I'm not half asleep.

It's on Craigslist, and in the front yard with a sign on it.  The problem is the price.  My parents mechanic says that people are buying $2000-$4000 cars right now, but it IS a VW and should attract the loyal VWers and so MAYBE a bit more???

There have been a few nibbles but everybody baulks at the price.  I need to take a hit, but I can't decide how much of a reduction I should start off with.  People keep asking me what I'm willing to sell if for (uh, $7850?)  - but I'm having trouble deciding where to start.  

Do I drop in down in increments?  Do I go straight for the middle ground?

 i'd really recommend German build quality

Cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!
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German cars are not recommended in the US because of their reputation for repairs.
Consumers Reports have continually downed them in the last 10 years.

do you have a price marked with "or best offer"? why not say $6K or best offer?

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

Ha!  I'm also in a similar predicament with a paid-for 2003 KIA Spectra.  It's not exactly bikini season around here, but the weather could change any day now... 

OK... how would i know if it has a 'Flat boxer' type engine?!

You really need to research any car you intend to buy!  If you read up on the model, you'll find out what type of engine it has! 

Yes, we've seen a fair few. And we've also had a hearty chuckle over some of the ads, too - some are pure comedy. But overall, I HATE CAR SHOPPING. 

We were unbelievably lucky and managed to finally sell one of our cars just before departure.  Some of the craigslist responses were comedy gold.  My absolute favorite was a high school kid who made an offer of less than half of the asking price (which was already a really good deal) and then tacked on "maybe I could get you a little more if my parents will advance my allowance."   

We ended up selling it through cars.com.

You really need to research any car you intend to buy!  If you read up on the model, you'll find out what type of engine it has! 

True. That's DH's dept though! I have looked at Outback sales adverts but haven't seen that exact terminology used. Will have to look again!

Hiya

Jim - German cars, all of them enjoy their biggest markets.. in North America. When the car is in warranty, they're pretty much like any other car and repairs are covered. When out of warranty, the USA has plenty of specialist's capable of repairing them with ease and at decent prices. The predominantly 99% American 2 other car forums I goto attest that repairs are just as easy to do as say a domestic car brand models.

However, I do understand that the german brands are more slightly more 'status' orientated than say here in the UK and as such, tend to attract more affluent buyers - and as such, general pricing for maintenance is correspondingly higher - just the way of the world really! if you can get away with charging more, then you do exactly that!

The 'trend' of overall car league tables do show German brands often lower down than you'd think, Mercedes for a good while have been panned in the build quality stakes compared from their reputation a few years prior of solid bomb proof fit and build, however, when compared with other cars overall, there's no doubt, the German brands outshine many of the others in more areas.

there is always an air of personal preference when it comes to comparing brands/products and i'm as guilty as anyone else when it comes to supporting ones I've liked and not liked.

My choice is also based on seeing first hand in various crashes (all NOT my fault!) how a BMW ends up and how a Peugeot 406, Vauxhall Corsa and a Ford Mondeo end up at low/medium speed impacts.

I know in which car I'd rather be.

Balmerhon - Yep, you're better half will probably be able to pickup on if the Subaru Outback model you're looking at has that type of engine. I'm not trying to dissuade you - well ok, yes I am a bit!! - but I think you'd find a better performing vehicle for similar money - certainly in the fuel economy stakes, if its got a convential engine style/layout.

As per usual, reading up on suitable material to help decide what car you can and should go for (even if it is an Outback!) is best place to start, and then making up a shortlist should follow!

Good luck !

cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

It's on Craigslist, and in the front yard with a sign on it. 

Not trying to be silly, but do your parents drive it or just leave it parked in the yard? Obviously you want as many people seeing the sign on it as possible. I ended up selling mine to someone at work when she saw it parked in the parking lot. I even had it listed on the work intra-web and she didn't notice it until she saw the sign.

I think it's really up to you how much you want to take a hit. Some people really enjoy the haggle, so figure out a price that you're comfortable with, list it higher, and hopefully haggle it down no lower than your comfort price. You don't want to screw yourself and only you really know how low you're willing to go!

Dennis,
Maybe you said that but parts for German cars are so much higher than other cars in the US.

I've had two new Mercedes and they both required repair in the first 6 months.

I would still like another Mercedes although I understand the BMW is better.

The cost of both brands is about 50% higher than comparable cars.

Later.........

Jim

Balmerhon - Yep, you're better half will probably be able to pickup on if the Subaru Outback model you're looking at has that type of engine. I'm not trying to dissuade you - well ok, yes I am a bit!! - but I think you'd find a better performing vehicle for similar money - certainly in the fuel economy stakes, if its got a convential engine style/layout.

As per usual, reading up on suitable material to help decide what car you can and should go for (even if it is an Outback!) is best place to start, and then making up a shortlist should follow!

Good luck !

cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Well, initial investigations show that BMW wagons are thin on the ground here. And definitely not in our price range.

We'll keep looking.

And to the OP... I agree with Bmore's post... get the word out *everywhere*!

If you need a 'wagon' type car - I can give a personal recommendation to the BMW Wagons

Hahaha!  I bet you can!

Carl

p.s. I've seen pics of Dennis' car; it's exceptionally nice and very well taken care of.

only you really know how low you're willing to go!

I wish I did!  But I don't and that's my problem.  The fact that I have to take a loss on this is really hard for me to digest.  I guess I just start with a price and work my way down from there - advertise as far and wide as I can and hope for the best!   

Shipping it over here would mean that I have to pay off the entire amount anyway, plus the shipping costs so that option is out.

 Thanks folks