Best places to sell a car quick in Austin or Round Rock? (Cedar Park: credit, buy)

[the_grimace]

I am moving in just 11 days, and I need to sell my car quick. It is an older car and I can't keep up with the body repairs on it, plus I hardly use it anyway. It has super low mileage (60k) and the engine is great, but the body and different parts keep falling apart.

I own the car outright, are there are dealers or services that will buy the car quick from me in exchange for cash? Kelley blue book value is $3000 for trade in price, and it needs $1300 in repairs. I would be happy to get at least $2000 for it, but of course more would be nice.

[tweez]

CarMax, Craigslist, or Green Sheet are probably going to be your quickest options.

[Idlewile]

Carmax makes it easy.

[JH6]

Carmax usually gives a decent amount.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by JH6

Carmax usually gives a decent amount.

Wasn't aware CarMax bought clunkers.

[Spacepup]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

Wasn't aware CarMax bought clunkers.

They buy any car. The ones that don't meet their quality standards they sell on the dealer-to-dealer market.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by Spacepup

They buy any car. The ones that don't meet their quality standards they sell on the dealer-to-dealer market.

Doesn't sound like he's going to get much money that way...wholesale minus damage/repair costs...sounds like a pretty low number for CarMax to deal with.

[the_grimace]

Carmax was a no go. They said it's simply too old and the body damage (it's rusty from many winters up north - I originally lived in the north). It's a 2002 though, I didn't think that was THAT old.... plus that mileage, so low!

I've tried some of those places that come to you, look at your car, and make an offer. (like Cash for Cars.com) They also offer towing and completing all the paperwork. Called about 5 of them and they are only offering $200-350. One offered a $500 tax credit. That seems ridiculous to me, the engine alone in the car could probably sell for $600 minimum, not to count any other parts they could salvage. (It has a new battery, new tires, upgraded radio, freshly repaired AC, great other internal parts, etc) None would go higher than $350 though. I didn't want to sell it privately due to the hassle, but man, at least give me a $1000 for it. The car runs great, it's just the body that has needed maintenance repairs once a year or so.

[mark311]

Originally Posted by the_grimace

Carmax was a no go. They said it's simply too old and the body damage (it's rusty from many winters up north - I originally lived in the north). It's a 2002 though, I didn't think that was THAT old.... plus that mileage, so low!

I imagine that it would easily sell on Craigslist pretty quickly especially if it's something like a Honda or Toyota or even a Hyundai as their turn-around started in about 2000. If it's an older Chevy Cavalier or Ford Escort then you might have more trouble. With so many students in town, a lot of people are looking for sub $1500 good running vehicles especially economical imports. There used to be a "Help You Sell" type place in Cedar Park that you could park it at that would handle everything for you and take a $300 cut, but I don't think it's still in business.

Just remember to do a VTR-346 form immediately since you'll probably be leaving the plates on it for the next owner. Good luck.

[Don in Austin]

Originally Posted by the_grimace

Carmax was a no go. They said it's simply too old and the body damage (it's rusty from many winters up north - I originally lived in the north). It's a 2002 though, I didn't think that was THAT old.... plus that mileage, so low!

I've tried some of those places that come to you, look at your car, and make an offer. (like Cash for Cars.com) They also offer towing and completing all the paperwork. Called about 5 of them and they are only offering $200-350. One offered a $500 tax credit. That seems ridiculous to me, the engine alone in the car could probably sell for $600 minimum, not to count any other parts they could salvage. (It has a new battery, new tires, upgraded radio, freshly repaired AC, great other internal parts, etc) None would go higher than $350 though. I didn't want to sell it privately due to the hassle, but man, at least give me a $1000 for it. The car runs great, it's just the body that has needed maintenance repairs once a year or so.

When you sell a car what you have spent on parts you put in it is not really relevant. A car eaten up by salt has very little market value here.

You can add up all the money you spent on parts for it, but a salvage yard will only ever sell a few of those parts chances are, and the salvage yard has to factor in their overhead and still make a profit.

Don in Austin