Is Autotrader worth the price?

[Rick Lee]

I've had my 993 on Autotrader for three weeks and have not gotten a single inquiry about it. I've gotten more views on Pelican than on eBay and the only serious inquiries have been through Pelican. I have run into some Porsche guys who had never heard of Pelican, so I figured Autotrader would be a good way to reach those guys, as well as some of the European market.

I got an email from a guy who works at Autotrader, asking me how my ad was working out for me. I replied that it was a total waste of money so far. He called today to discuss and tried to upsell me to their $250 ultimate or whatever package, said my current ad was getting buried at the bottom of the last page.

When I do a search for 95-98 993s, I put a price range of $35-60k, which weeds out the turbos and S'es and then 37 results appear. I don't think 37 is too many ads to scroll through, particularly when each one has a thumbnail photo showing the color. This Autotrader rep. claims I'll get 93% more views and my car will sell quickly with this package. I'm very skeptical. Should I do it?

[javadog]

I think Autotrader is useless. Any time I have used it to buy a car, I have to wade through endless old ads for cars that are already sold. I use Cars.com, now, for looking for cars to buy.

I've sold all of my Porsches through Pelican and PCA.

JR

[porsche4life]

Pelican, PCA, and sadly Craigslist will bring your biggest pools of buyers.

[legion]

I sold my 951 in '08 through Autotrader to a buyer in Austin. I didn't pay for a "premium" listing.

I also listed on Pelican, but the ad kept getting pushed off the front page (there were a lot of 944s for sale at the time), and at best I sent a few people pictures and never heard from them again.

This was also back before 99% of the responses on Autotrader were scams. I listed my RX-8 on Autotrader last year and got tons of scam responses. I ended up selling it to CarMax for what I could get.

I think that overall, there are just so many avenues for selling a car online that it is hard to get it in front of a buyer looking for your car.

[Cajundaddy]

Pelican, PCA, CL, and Car Gurus. A clean ad with great pics and a well researched price will bring buyers. The days for paid Autotrader ads are pretty much over methinks.

FYI: This weekend I saw a 993 C4S in black, original paint, no accidents, 34k miles, $60k

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

This Autotrader rep. claims I'll get 93% more views and my car will sell quickly with this package. I'm very skeptical. Should I do it?

I've never minded scrolling through all the ads on AutoTrader.
If yours is what I'm looking for, I'll find it.
Sounds like you're being pumped.

[Halm]

I have sold several cars over the last 2-3 years on Autotrader. Never had to use any of their premium services.

[MrAlien]

I have never liked autotrader, I have sold several porsche over the last couple years, ebayed a few of them but had problems with dead beat bidders, craigslist always results in calls (why not its free) but I think I have had the best luck with PCA

[Rick Lee]

Do you have to be a PCA member to list there? I let mine lapse a while back, as the local PCA is pretty lame.

[javadog]

As far as I know, yes. But, I have had more luck with Pelican.

JR

[Neilk]

Can you send me a link to your ad? Co-worker was looking for a 993.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Neilk

Can you send me a link to your ad? Co-worker was looking for a 993.

FS: 1996 993 C2 super clean

[aigel]

Your ad is seen, no doubt. But at your price you may be testing the market. It may be too high?

I put my Sequoia on the local CL and getting zilch, figured I'll try Autotrader = same result. This tells me I need to drop the price by at least a grand, which is almost 20%. It isn't costing me anything in my driveway, so I'll wait for the first weekend to pass and if there is still no bites, then relist at dropped price.

Georg

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by aigel

Your ad is seen, no doubt. But at your price you may be testing the market. It may be too high?

Ok, but it's an OBO price and I will take offers. I'd like to get the emails and phone calls to have discussions, but don't want to throw out a low price for a quick sale.

[porsche4life]

I'm not up on the 993 market, but my guess is that the price is just too high, especially since its had paint. Doesn't matter if it was painted by the baby jesus and blessed by the pope, paint is paint, and it scares away TONS of buyers. Top dollar cars have to be box stock, just as they rolled off the showroom floor.

But I know you aren't desperate to sell, so wait long enough and someone will come along with the money and buy it.


OBO only works to an extent. Most people will haggle within a price range, but if they feel the price is way too high, they ignore it all together.

[HHI944]

I listed my Lotus on auto trader a few days ago.....all I've gotten so far is scammers that want to sell me marketing services for the car...not amused.

[Jay Auskin]

Originally Posted by HHI944

I listed my Lotus on auto trader a few days ago.....all I've gotten so far is scammers that want to sell me marketing services for the car...not amused.

That was my experience with a Benz I sold. Mostly scammers via text message.

[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.

[recycled sixtie]

I sold my Boxster on Autotrader. I tried to list on kijiji but they said it was listed too cheap ly and was not realistically priced. They rejected it! It needed motor work and Autotrader accepted it no problem with the declaration that it needed motor work.

As the above member says perhaps it is listed for too high a price. If you say you will look at offers you should have more interest. Everything sells for a price. Patience and realistic pricing is key.

Guy

[Eric Coffey]

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.

My sentiments as well.

I think a large reason for the stagnation is due to your (descriptively) honest approach unfortunately. Remember, you are competing with shady used car dealers and curb-stoners that are representing competing vehicles as "unmolested" and "cleanest in the country" etc. to get people on the hook (with no mention of any issues the car might have). Your 993 could easily pass for an "unmolested" example, but you have chosen to do the right thing and disclose the car's history.

However, I would focus on capturing some initial interest first, then explaining things in more detail once you have a dialog going with a potential buyer. Phrases like "track wreck", "poked a hole in the stock bumper", and "making 5th and reverse slap into each other" are going to turn away a lot of folks. Maybe try keeping the ad short and sweet, saving the "gory details" for those who express genuine interest.

It probably isn't going to help your cause to pay for any "premium" marketing for the car either. The reality is that your bottom line is likely going to suffer in order to move it (just my $.02).

Great car though. I've ridden in it and driven it. Anyone considering a 993 should take a closer look.