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dan79brooklyn dan79brooklyn is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Okayama, Japan
Posts: 1,342
Side Hustle: Selling a 1987 W124 and other JDM Cars

While living in Japan (12 years) I was exposed to many parts of the JDM car related scene and sales system.

Now that I'm back in the USA (Vermont) for the next 6 months to a year, I decided to venture into the Japanese car auction and exportation business more seriously.

I have some general car selling experience and knowledge about what cars might be worth buying, and some partners to invest $$.

The first car we bought was a 1995 Mitsubishi Minicab Kei Truck:



While waiting for it to ship out, I came across some news about States cracking down on Kei Class registrations, so I deviated from looking at Kei cars to the interesting subgroup of European cars, which were specified Left Hand Drive.
I bought this super low Km example of a W124...A 1987 300E(2.6) Automatic with a blue cloth interior.

Here's a recent picture in Western Massachusetts.



But before the Benz got here our Mitsubishi arrived from Japan.

I drove it up to VT where it got a ton of interest and could have sold by just driving it around town with a FOR SALE sign ! But, I think some cross-posting on Facebook Marketplace in a local group resulted in the sale. And just enough profit to keep at it...

I found some more partners and bought four more cars: a Honda ACTY Kei Truck, Subaru Sambar Van, Subaru SVX and a Mitsubishi Diesel SUV.

The Honda is about to arrive so now is the crunch time to sell both cars...

Back to the Benz...Where is the best place to list the car?
I've done Craigslist and Facebook marketplace.
It's not special enough for BAT and Cars and Bids wanted a no reserve auction.
Ebay? Lower the price ? We're trying to get $11,000 or best near offer.

Cars.com and the like seem to only deal in 'new-used'.

What's the 'Pelican' of the W124 scene in the USA?

Anyways thanks for reading about my side hustle.
I also work part time, and take care of my 8 year old son.

I am REALLY enjoying driving the Benz at the moment but hoping to SELL it sooner than later..

Any leads or tips appreciated.

Happy Summer !
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