Best way to sell a domestic car

[Scott Douglas]

What do you all suggest for selling a domestic car?
Here's the story. Original owner (female), 2014 Ford Fusion Titanium Hybrid w/125k miles on it. Grey over black. Has some scuffs on two fenders but I haven't seen good enough pictures to say how good/bad they are. They aren't noticeable in the pictures I have seen so they can't be that bad, IMO.
She got another car so wants to sell this one. Lots of the miles are highway miles and she reports that the car gets 43 mpg. It has also been very reliable as it has only needed regular maintenance.
In doing my research in an attempt to help, it looks like the battery maybe coming up on end of life as it is 7 yrs old.
Not many people are going to want to put a new battery in it when it does go bad.
How would you market this car?
It looks like $8500 is about middle market price wise. She'd like to get more for it.
What do you think?

[LWJ]

I have been blowing all sorts of crap out of my garage with Craigslist recently. Yes, there are scammers.

But, lots of people look.


Facebook marketplace seems very popular as well, I just have not had luck there.

[wilnj]

Carvana or Vroom would be the easiest. You could also do KBB instant offer but that will require you to deal with a local dealer which can be hit or miss.

It costs nothing to get a quote from Carvana or Vroom and they won’t harass you after giving you the quote.

The local dealers KBB puts you on with will until you tell them you’re not interested.

[Scott Douglas]

I think the part about dealing with C-list or even auto trader people is just too much for her to deal with.
It also may be that the right ad would get it sold. With good pictures too.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by wilnj

Carvana or Vroom would be the easiest. You could also do KBB instant offer but that will require you to deal with a local dealer which can be hit or miss.

It costs nothing to get a quote from Carvana or Vroom and they won’t harass you after giving you the quote.

The local dealers KBB puts you on with will until you tell them you’re not interested.

Plus Shift, Driveway, and Carmax. Carmax might not require a visit, anymore. She needs to do them all- you never know which one will step up.

[Scott Douglas]

Thanks, I've never heard of Shift or Driveway.

[drcoastline]

CL is a PITA anymore. Facebook Market place. Well written ad, a few good pcs. Disclaimer that you won't answer is it still availalbe or negotiate sight unseen. Person must include a phone number. Do not reply to anyone that does not include a phone number, makes an offer or asks is it still availlabe. Everyone that does include a number is for real. Deal only through FB until comfortable.

[Scott Douglas]

I don't do Facebook but I think she might. Thanks.

[wilnj]

To each their own, but I wouldn’t bother with Facebook for any thing of substantive value. It’s very much like craigslist and the low bar of entry invites a lot of wasted time. Inside of 30 minutes she could probably have offers from Carvana, Vroom and the others like it and then pick the one that gives her the most offer. Another 30 minutes or so once she excepts the offer, uploading documents like ID and a registration card to prove ownership

[Chocaholic]

I’ve had great luck with CL. As stated, you’ll get some scam inquiries (easy to spot and ignore) but any that provide a contact # are generally for real. I’ve sold several cars, motorcycles and boats over the years all without much hassle.

[thingmon]

Givemethevin.com is another one. Haven't used them, but others here may have.

[aigel]

I sell my cheap cars on CL usually. But it sounds like you have a female owner that may not want to deal with the general public and is not experienced in the private sale process. I have had good experience selling to carmax and so have people I sent there when they asked me for advice on selling their vehicle. I sold my MS3 to carmax in 2011 with great success. More than I paid for it privately a couple years earlier!

G

[Scott Douglas]

I've sold a number of cars to carmax myself. She got an on-line quote from them that was a little low. I'm thinking an in person visit might get her more if they can see how clean the car is.

[Norm K]

Dealers are hungry for used cars, Scott, especially clean ones. Consider taking it into a local dealership of the same marque and see what they're willing to offer.

_

[LWJ]

I just tried CarMax with my college kids car. I considered a class action lawsuit. It was (in my case) very much a bait and switch deal.

The car which had been to the mechanic not less than 200 miles ago was diagnosed with a "transmission" issue and had a 1200 deduct from their offer.

I walked. I was / am not happy.

The CarMax offer was stupidly high. So I went to hear them out. It was a ruse.

[Norm K]

It seems like a 'stupidly high" initial offer would more than offset a $1,200 deduct.

_

[Steve Carlton]

It’s a business composed of individuals. Maybe they screwed up and were adjusting. The high number probably wasn’t intended to be bait.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Norm K

Dealers are hungry for used cars, Scott, especially clean ones. Consider taking it into a local dealership of the same marque and see what they're willing to offer.

_

This

[Scott Douglas]

I'll ask her if she's taken it to a Ford dealer to see what they'd offer on it.
Thanks guys.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by LWJ

I just tried CarMax with my college kids car. I considered a class action lawsuit. It was (in my case) very much a bait and switch deal.

The car which had been to the mechanic not less than 200 miles ago was diagnosed with a "transmission" issue and had a 1200 deduct from their offer.

I walked. I was / am not happy.

The CarMax offer was stupidly high. So I went to hear them out. It was a ruse.

The place is big. I highly doubt an estimator would be incentivized to come up with fake mechanical problems to go low-ball people after someone else put out an artificially high estimate online. Its not a used car lot on the corner.