How
to Get More for Your
Car by Selling It Your self
Of course, they can shop
for a similar model elsewhere. But what you're going to do
is sell your used car on the basis of its uniqueness. And
what constitutes uniqueness? The condition of the car is one
thing. In addition, certain accessories will help make a car
unique. Certain after-market items-yes, even special decorative
paint jobs-will appeal to certain buyers. Having the service
records helps make the car unique, as would an evaluation
report performed by a mechanic.
What
matters most to used-car buyers?
For most the condition, the mileage, the horsepower, seating
configuration, and the existence of options such as an AM/FM
radio and air conditioning tend to be deal makers or breakers.
Color and special trim packages tend to become less of a factor
in the used-car market.
The
record of past performance
Another advantage you may have is that your make and model
car will have a performance record. Consumer guides such as
Consumer Reports track owner opinions of reliability, the
frequency of problems and repair costs. If your car has been
rated well in one of the consumer magazines, you have yet
another key selling point.
When
to sell
Given the size and composition of the used-car market, if
your car is priced right and properly prepped (more about
that later), just about any time is the right time to sell.
However, there are probably some selling times to avoid if
you possibly can. For instance, between Thanksgiving and Christmas
people usually have other plans for their money than they
do during the high vacation periods of July and August.
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