Is Autotrader worth the price?

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by Paul_Heery

Rick,

I know you are being honest about your car in the ad. But, having just read it for the first time, I came away thinking that the car has too many stories. Wrecked, painted, burns oil, brakes from a wrecked car, incorrect CarFax, modifications made by an enthusiast owner, etc. When I am looking at a used car, I want one with no stories.

Couple the above with what seems to be a high asking price, that would cause a lot of people to move on to the next ad.

Agree with the suggestions here. You are being 'too' honest in the ad copy. Those extra details are shared when you start communicating with a potential buyer. Remove all references to wrecked as it is a highly negative word - better word choices are your friend.

[Rick Lee]

Ok, will "sanitize" the ad copy and emphasize the clean Carfax and Autocheck.

[Nate2046]

I've sold 7 or so cars over the last 10 years on Autotrader. Many of those were fairly 'niche' or enthusiast models (NSX, salvage title Integra, RX-7 V-8 conversion, etc) that I thought would have been better or easier sold through the various enthusiast boards. My experience has been that the boards tend to generate tire kickers and dreamers that will wear you out with endless questions (via email, never phone), picture requests, and ludicrous offers. All of this is usually accompanied by them picking apart every last detail of your car and generally lowering your self-esteem in an attempt to steal your car at 40% of the ask

My goal with my Autotrader ads has always been to be very complete but succinct in the description and to price slightly less than anything comparable. I've always gotten 95% or better of my asking price using that strategy and sold it to the first person to come look. I'd rather advertise a car for $39k and sell it in a week for 38.5k then ask $45k and wait 3 months to find the right buyer who'll pay $41k.

I haven't seen your ad but I'm guessing, as others have said, that your price and/or description is hurting you. Maybe it's purely luck but I still think Autotrader is the best way to get in front of the most buyers.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I have never sold a car on Autotrader. Not one.

[wildthing]

If I didn't have the A3 on lease, I'd make an offer sight unseen.

[aschen]

I like the honesty off the ad, it shows integrity. I would be a little irritated if I drove over to see the car and learned of some of these things.


I would like to be honest as well here, your price seems very high to me for a moderate milage, tracked, resprayed, driver 993.

Nothing against the car, and I am certainly not a 993 market guru but the ask seems offputting even as an opener

[stealthn]

Do you have Kijiji in the U.S.? I sell almost everything within 24 hours on it, at no charge....cars, trailers, tech you name it.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by aschen

I like the honesty off the ad, it shows integrity. I would be a little irritated if I drove over to see the car and learned of some of these things.

I was just about to revise the ad and now you have me wondering. What should I cut out? What is enough to whet someone's appetite and not piss them off once we discuss details?

[JavaBrewer]

Be honest Rick, but use different wording. Honesty goes a long way. Matt does a good job outlining the best qualities (and focuses on them) and also the negatives (but does not dwell). I am out of touch with the 993 market but a casual glance says you're a bit high $$ for the reasons stated. I would consider dropping the price, if you are anxious to sell, to near your bottom line. IMO your car is very desirable...something I would pay good money for...but the blue exterior definitely is not a bonus. YMMV.

Yeah yeah get off my lawn.

[Rick Lee]

Wow. You don't like midnight blue metallic on a 993? I've never heard that from anyone. It looks awesome in photos and way better in person.

I pared down the CL and Autotrader ads. I want to keep it pretty thorough on Pelican, since this in an enthusiast crowd. But I may edit a little later tonight.

[EarlyPorsche]

I don't have a ton of research but you are likely priced double what it will sell for. People will call and talk down 5% but not $25000

[Rick Lee]

Uh no, I've been offered $35k several times and told low-mid $40s is more like it. For half of asking price, I'll keep it and sleep in it if I have to.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by Paul_Heery

Rick,

I know you are being honest about your car in the ad. But, having just read it for the first time, I came away thinking that the car has too many stories. Wrecked, painted, burns oil, brakes from a wrecked car, incorrect CarFax, modifications made by an enthusiast owner, etc. When I am looking at a used car, I want one with no stories.

Couple the above with what seems to be a high asking price, that would cause a lot of people to move on to the next ad.

^^ This! Stay honest but sell the sizzle not the steak. She will probably find a buyer at $40k

[wildthing]

I'll buy it at $40k.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by wildthing

I'll buy it at $40k.

See how easy that was...

[aigel]

I do think you want to be within 10% of what you need for the car, otherwise buyers will be afraid they are low balling you and you won't go down that far. I would not expect someone to drop their price by 10k. If you think mid 40s is realistic, I'd ask 49k. And then just stay firm in the negotiations and don't go down 20%.

I am not sure where the 993 market is, but I agree that is NOT a 35k car. North of 40 or keep it. They will never be $30k cars again IMHO.

G

[Scuba Steve]

I've bought from Autotrader before. Granted it was about a year and a half ago, but around here and at the time at least it was more or less a good way to sell a car that was too nice for Craigslist - basically private sellers with about the same year/model that new car dealers had on their used lots.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I pared down the CL and Autotrader ads. I want to keep it pretty thorough on Pelican, since this in an enthusiast crowd. But I may edit a little later tonight.

Consider your description of the upgraded brake calipers. Is it relevant that they came from a WRECKED car, or just that they are an upgrade?

Omit the things that are not relevant and don't add to the happy feeling a buyer gets when reading the ad.

JR

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by aigel

I do think you want to be within 10% of what you need for the car, otherwise buyers will be afraid they are low balling you and you won't go down that far. I would not expect someone to drop their price by 10k. If you think mid 40s is realistic, I'd ask 49k. And then just stay firm in the negotiations and don't go down 20%.

I am not sure where the 993 market is, but I agree that is NOT a 35k car. North of 40 or keep it. They will never be $30k cars again IMHO.

G

Yup. If somebody is asking $50k on what should be a $40k car I don't even bother. There are lots of people with seriously unrealistic expectations of what their car should sell for, especially with the recent 911 bubble. Pricing it much higher than your desired sale price is probably scaring off serious buyers, who think you are smoking crack.. Lower the ask to something realistic.

[asphaltgambler]

Rick, as a semi 'professional' flipper - my experience is that Autotrader and Cars.com represent 90%+ dealers, another 3% are dealers representing as private and very, very few actual private sellers. Further, actual private sellers seem to substantially overprice their vehicles there.

So as buyer, even for personal use, I see these two sites as dealers and go there as a last resort if I can't find what I need. Say what you will but Craigslist and Ebay are the go to for the majority of buyers and sellers. Ebay is global presence. C/L is regional but you can list the same ad in surrounding areas (BTW, C/L states this is against their policy - but I have never had a problem doing it)

Some very good advice has been given here, is the ad needs to be complete, descriptive, to the point with good photo's. I believe you are in sales; mortgage related and as the saying goes ......"To be successful at sales takes a lot of work" - apply that same philosophy to your own sale. You need to cast a wide net, be patient and most importantly be polite.

Lastly price the car to sell. I cannot overstate this especially in the current economic conditions. Pricing the car above the market and then expecting offers and negotiating down to actual value is a losing strategy. I see this all the time in the current residential real-estate market in my area. If you not receiving any real offers with in 2-3 weeks then the ad is poorly written, bad pix, or overpriced...............................sometimes all 3. Sellers trying to wring out all the money is the world for something does nothing for me and I usually just move on even if I'm interested in the vehicle.