Should i fix it and sell it, or sell it as-is

by **delpiero** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:09 pm

I have been trying to sell my Solara which has been sitting under the sun for over 2 months now. The car is in mediocre condition, with high mileage (mostly highway during my college yrs) ... I have it listed as $2500 ... It has 162K miles with a little mods, as 17" motegi rims, near-new condition tires, xenon conversion lights, KYB struts, Eibach springs.

Issues with the car:
- Fender bender related
- missing 2 signal lights
- some scuffs on front bumper
- hood is slighly bent

- bad charcoal canister

- knocking noise coming from maybe rear strut
- ABS light is on (ABS cable pulled while replacing rear strut)

Now, do you think it's worth it to fix all these minus bumper and hood and sell it? or keep trying my luck on CL as-is for $2500. While I am not in need for the money, I just feel bad having it sitting out there and no one driving it for the past 2 months.

Opinions?? Advices??

EDIT:

It's a 1999 SE V6, pearl diamond white.

by **NeFaRiOuS_SLE** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:52 am

You might have better luck repairing some of the mechanical things, especially considering most people don't really want to buy someone else's problems... If I saw that post, I wouldn't buy it... Unless it was the last Solara on earth or had a TRD turbo, TRD supercharger and/or TRD body kit (rare items that us SolaraGuys fight tooth and nail over). Some people might overlook the body since sh!t happens to most of us, unless it affects the ability to drive it properly.

by **delpiero** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:09 am

Thanks for your input. I am considering fixing all mechanical related issues, along with the signal lights, and try my luck in the paper. I don't really feel like letting it go fot $1000, or $2000 ... especially that the car drives strong and shifts smoothly.

by **M_ABILLONES** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:17 am

Other than flipping houses I flip cars too. My advice is fix the exterior first, get rid of any major damages (i.e. scratches, missing lights, etc.). Get it detailed in and out. If there are some mechanical problems fix the ones that matter most! Whatever u spend u can put it on top of the selling price...but don't think that you're going to get all of it back...if you can get half that's great...think about it as breaking even!

by **M_ABILLONES** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:23 am

I recently sold an early 90s 4runner. I got it for free and sold it for $2500 and this thing is close to 200k. All I did was replaced the spark plugs, wires, oil change, radiator flush, tranny flush, got the engine detailed, the interior detailed and the exterior washed...all for $ 250!

by **Dawgz** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:53 am

where are u located?

by **delpiero** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:17 am

M_ABILLONES wrote:I recently sold an early 90s 4runner. I got it for free and sold it for $2500 and this thing is close to 200k. All I did was replaced the spark plugs, wires, oil change, radiator flush, tranny flush, got the engine detailed, the interior detailed and the exterior washed...all for $ 250!

I hear you.

I got offers like $1000 ... I would rather keep it as a second car if that is the selling price. I have had it for over 5 yrs, and I have done all sort of maintenance/preventive maintenance until April/May 08, when I got a second car, and hardly been driving it.

I am very mechanically inclined, and I can do the majority of the maintenance that is past due on the car, I just have no time between my Engineering job and small business.

by **delpiero** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:17 am

Dawgz wrote:where are u located?

I am in West Houston.

by **M_ABILLONES** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:42 am

Yea when you're selling a car privately you get tons of clowns out there doing low ball offers...I used to get calls from people negotiating prices over the phone even b4 they see the car...they base their pricing on the pics online...like i said get your car really clean, fix up most of the problems and i guarantee you'll sell that car!

by **delpiero** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:25 am

Thanks for the suggestion guys. I will see if I can locate the needed parts during this week, and will schedule an appointment with the shop for sometime next week.

by **mazen222** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:25 pm

I say just fix the scratches and bumps on the outside, do a good car wash inside/outside and engine wash, and sell it

good luck

by **Ransom8707** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:36 pm

delpiero wrote:
Dawgz wrote:where are u located?

I am in West Houston.

hmm

i might be interested if you decide selling it
do you have any pics?
im up north in cypress

Should i fix it and sell it, or sell it as-is

Should i fix it and sell it, or sell it as-is

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