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I have a 1995 Toyota Tercel (4 speed Manual) with 170K miles. The exterior is in good shape. The interior has some sun dammage and tears on some of the seats. The car ran great up until two weeks ago when the clutch gave out. The engine starts up fine and runs great but putting the car into gear and driving away is not likely. Probably needs to be towed away.
Checking craig's list I see 95 tercel listed for anything from $2,500 (working fine) to $400 for cars with no engines.
How would you approach the pricing and sale of this car? I don't want to just give it away, but realzie it wouln't command a lot of money either. I've never dealt with trying to sell a car that can't be driven away. Figure it could be a good deal for a mechanic to do the work themselves and resell as a cheap commuter car. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
I've given away several cars that could be driven away. I would feel uncomfortable asking for money, for a car that might be worth nothing. I put the word out among acquaintances, and honestly state what is or could be wrong with it, and give it to someone who can get the work done without paying shop labor, who seems to be genuinely needy, and not just looking for something they can turn into drug money. It's comforting to believe in Karma, even it it doesn't exist.
A clutch job on a 95 Tercel is about $600 including parts. I would base the selling price on the condition of the car assuming it ran and drove fine then deduct the repair cost. From experience that car is most likely not worth more than $1200-$1500 running so.......
A clutch job on a 95 Tercel is about $600 including parts. I would base the selling price on the condition of the car assuming it ran and drove fine then deduct the repair cost. From experience that car is most likely not worth more than $1200-$1500 running so.......
I think this is the right approach to take. The value of the car at retail in excellent shape and fully functioning is between $2,500-$2,900 in NC. This car obviously has issues. I would probably price it at $1,750 do to the condition of the interior and then knock off another $500 for the clutch for an asking price of $1,250, but would take as low as $750 for it.
A 16 year old base-model car, sold by a stranger (ie, buyer doesn't know vehicle's history), with a poor interior and "obvious" issues, that can't be test-driven, and needs an expensive/labor-intensive repair, is virtually worthless. An asking price of $1200 would be laughable.
I'd call the salvage services for the best price, or price it around $100-200 if you actually need/want to sell it quickly. If you want to get meaningful money for it, get the clutch fixed, then sell it.
I think this is the right approach to take. The value of the car at retail in excellent shape and fully functioning is between $2,500-$2,900 in NC. This car obviously has issues. I would probably price it at $1,750 do to the condition of the interior and then knock off another $500 for the clutch for an asking price of $1,250, but would take as low as $750 for it.
^^^This.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thegonagle
A 16 year old base-model car, sold by a stranger (ie, buyer doesn't know vehicle's history), with a poor interior and "obvious" issues, that can't be test-driven, and needs an expensive/labor-intensive repair, is virtually worthless. An asking price of $1200 would be laughable.
I'd call the salvage services for the best price, or price it around $100-200 if you actually need/want to sell it quickly. If you want to get meaningful money for it, get the clutch fixed, then sell it.
^^^Not this.
It's always worth asking for more than it's worth. The only person that suffers is the seller, who may need to drop the price.
Note that I said if you want to sell it quickly. A shade-tree who makes a little on the side fixing cars isn't going to be interested at that price, and somebody who wishes to purchase a working vehicle won't be interested, either.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I'd say as is $600, with new clutch done $1,500.
Bluebook doesn't really apply on a vehicle that old, it may be the value, but
people willing to buy something that old with that many miles are looking for
something under $1,000.
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