Ok so I'm thinking of selling my Element but I don't know where to begin. I know which sites to post ads on but from there I'm clueless. Sales tax, transfering title, reg. etc...if someone could point me in the right direction.
Best place to post IMO - AutoTrader.com. The ad also goes into NADA, MSN, Edmunds, Cars.com and a few others so great coverage. I sold my Lexus RX 2 months ago and another couple cars that way. Got lot of responses. I think it was $45 until it sold, something like that - I only had the ad online for 4 days as it sold on the 2nd day. Transfer title - can't say for CT - but typically just signing the back of your title and it's up to the new owner. Sales tax - their resp too. There are downsides to selling yourself - dealing with people and the risk they may have a problem shortly after and give you grief. Make sure you have a contract signed. Google auto sales contracts for samples. Make sure it includes "sold as is". I'm sure you'll get a lot of feedback on this topic here.
Another good place to post ads is Craigslist. I just recently went thru a private sale of our old Mazda here in CA. I found the car buying tips webpage to be helpful: Sell used cars guide, how to sell a used car, used car prices They have a bill of sale form you can use. Other places have similar forms you can down load as well. This one requires MS Excel. One of the main points in the form states that the buyer is buying the car AS IS. That means the seller is not responsible for the car after it has been purchased. It is also good to write up a receipt of purchase stating what the seller received from buyer (cash, check, etc) -- being very detailed. And also a write up from buyer promising all check(s) will go thru. Yes it is riskier and a bit of hassle to do a private sale. But I didn't have any problems with the 2 transactions so far with strangers. Maybe someone else more experienced can chime in.
1.) Agree on price. 2.) Go to buyer's bank or credit union with the buyer. 3.) At the bank or credit union, sign over the title to the buyer (on the back of the title) and the buyer can have it notarized on-site. 4.) Have the buyer provide you with a cashier's check while you're at the bank or credit union with them. 5.) Write up a bill of sale. Simple is ok. "I, Richie Rich, sold my Ferrari in "as is" condition to Jon Doe on X/X/2009. Doing it this way ensures that everything is done properly...and most importantly, you receive a check from the buyer that you know is good. Good luck!
Prior to buying my Prius, I sold a utility trailer and my SUV on Craigslist. It was my first venture onto Craigslist. I was pretty cautious: I created a e-mail account exclusively for the Craigslist ads, I specified certified funds or cash, I arranged meeting locations other than my house, & test drives were supervised. Both the trailer and the SUV sold in about a week, I got cash from both parties, & no problems. I would still be careful, but I would use Craigslist again. --TK
TKY-Did you use KBB for your value? I've noticed Elements going for pretty rediculous prices even with high mileage on cars.com
Thanks for the info everyone, I'll start looking into everything. If anyone has anything else let me know. One last thing; What if I still owe on it? Can't exactly sign over the title when I don't have it.
Frogpond1, I used a combination of KBB, Black Book, & Edmunds.com. I gave some weight to economic conditions and what effect C4C might have on trying to sell a Dodge Durango RT in late May-early June. There were pages and pages (maybe hundreds of Durangos for sale) on Graigslist, in my area, and Auto Trader so I was skeptical of my chances to sell. I figured it would never sell for full retail value because non of the price sources seemed to adjust for the economy. I priced it to sell in a depressed market, which was lower than recommended retail, but higher than trade-in value. Good luck. --TK
