My son is moving to Switzerland. Advice on selling a car?

Porchdog · 03-19-2018, 05:32 AM

My son has been travelling to Switzerland (and occasionally Ireland) for work since August. He has been granted a long term work visa, so he is going to relocate there for a year.

He leaves in two weeks. This isn't unexpected, but he has been overseas almost constantly, so it's a bit of a "bug out". He's living in a furnished apartment so he doesn't have a lot of belongings to store. He is planning to take two or three large bags and that's it.

He does need to sell his car. I originally bought the car from a teacher we know. I drove it a while. When he went to school in Florida I let him take it there for a couple years. When he got the job in Missouri I gave it to him.

If he was closer I would just bring it home and sell it for him. Instead, we priced it for a quick sale. I know that manual transmissions can be hard to sell - does anyone have any tips besides pricing?

https://springfield.craigslist.org/cto/d/2005-pontiac-vibe/6535470047.html

Any tips on an international relocation would also be appreciated. His employer has good experience with overseas postings and my brother has already given tax advice.

jhynesrockmtn · 03-19-2018, 06:16 AM

I'd throw the Toyota relationship in there and document a bit more of the specs and which are Toyota derived. Looks like a good deal for someone.

Good luck to your Son, that's exciting. One of our daughters and her husband are moving to Japan for 4 years in July so they are busy doing research on places to live, what to take, etc.

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

When my daughter and her husband were moving to Japan, they took both their cars to CarMax and got pretty fair money for them. They were newer cars though.
Good luck to your son, and Jerry, good luck to your daughter and son-in-law. My daughter surprised me last night when she said she'd stay in Japan, if they could, she likes it so much.

Porchdog · 03-19-2018, 07:56 AM

I figured that Carmax wouldn't be interested in that age/mileage. I figured that with the right price it shouldn't be to tough to sell in two weeks. Someone is going to get a deal - that car has been bulletproof.

He is going to add in the Toyota Matrix connection and a photo of the engine. The big "VVT-i" on the engine cover should help reinforce the Toyota connection.

He's pretty well set for living over there - he has been there most weeks since August. The company provides an apartment and a car and he's walking distance from his job site. He has already gotten to tour a bit of Europe, he's looking forward to visiting more.

It seems to me to be a great opportunity for a young single guy. I'm jealous.

His mother and I will be visiting.

jhynesrockmtn · 03-20-2018, 09:10 AM

Quote:

He's pretty well set for living over there - he has been there most weeks since August. The company provides an apartment and a car and he's walking distance from his job site. He has already gotten to tour a bit of Europe, he's looking forward to visiting more.

It seems to me to be a great opportunity for a young single guy. I'm jealous.

His mother and I will be visiting.

It is a great opportunity! I was in Stockholm very briefly for work many years ago. I'd love to spend more time there. One thing he may want to look at is his tax situation and reporting. I don't know what kind of income he has and I'm no tax expert but if he's not well informed on the tax consequences of working as an ex-pat he should maybe spend a bit of time with a CPA who knows this area.

Porchdog · 03-20-2018, 09:25 AM

My brother is Human Resources Director for a fortune 500 company with manufacturing plants all over the world. He briefed my son on how to manage the income/tax issues with the two countries before he started travelling.

Fortunately the sons employer does this as a matter of course and they are well set up.

Thanks for the heads up!

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

My sister's son moved from San Francisco to Switzerland(to Morges I believe). He is originally from the UK and is working there with his family. If you want to pm me with your son's name I can give a heads up to him if you like about his future move.
Cheers,
Guy

aigel · aigel's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porchdog

I figured that Carmax wouldn't be interested in that age/mileage. I figured that with the right price it shouldn't be to tough to sell in two weeks. Someone is going to get a deal - that car has been bulletproof.

Doesn't strike me as a great deal at 3k, honestly, with that mileage. 2k will move it!

Give Carmax a try as you get closer to the deadline. They give you an estimate that is good for 7 days. You may be surprised. Their older stuff goes to auction. Buddy of mine unloaded a bunch of cars recently for family and offers weren't as bad as you'd think, especially considering time and hassle investment selling on CL.

G

matthewb0051 · matthewb0051's Garage

The ad needs a bit on how much longer state inspection is valid. That is a huge seller if it has a long period remaining.

I agree with aigel, $2k is more like it if he is motivated to sell. I picked up a similar year Audi A4 with 120k miles for $2k.

matthewb0051 · matthewb0051's Garage

On advice:

make sure you carry cash when driving. In some locations you pay your speeding fine on the spot. (personal experience from Austria)

Cajundaddy · Cajundaddy's Garage

Good luck to your son! One of my daughters spent 2 years in France and loved it.

As to the car... good pics, sell the sizzle not the steak. Wholesale NADA is around $1800, Carmax will give you $800. Price it at $2400 and move it quickly. The ideal buyer for this is a student who can drive a stick. Those are like unicorns these days so take the hit and move on.

Porchdog · 03-20-2018, 08:11 PM

He sold it today for $2500. He's happy.

I had told him to drop the price $500. every 3 days - he didn't get the chance.

He said the buyer told him it was the first car he saw that was nicer than advertised.

He already got a ticket and got to pay cash - a group went to Munich for Octoberfest. They had to pass through a slice of Austria and didn't know that they had to buy a pass, so they got pulled over and he was fined for not having the pass.

Thanks Guys!

Qanter · 03-21-2018, 05:08 AM

In order to sell the car quickly you will have to reduce the price. But maybe you can sell it, and then send your son money?