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Great news – we finally sold our Jetta through Craigslist!
We bought a family car last year and we've been debating since then over which car to sell.
My husband is too attached to his car, so the Jetta was chosen.
Selling Our Car on Craigslist
Before we put up the ad on Craigslist, we did some prep work to get the most out of the sale.
Take It to a Mechanic
I know it can seem like a waste of time and energey to pay some money into a car you're selling, but if you're looking to get top dollar for your car, you have to put a little something into it.
Make sure your is in great running condition. Any sign that the car has problems, even minor ones, can be enough to turn off buyers.
The Jetta was in great shape, but to reassure those interested we got an oil change and tune-up done before listing it.
It's all in the Details
If you haven't already go ahead and remove all of your junk from the car. Not only will it look much more presentable, you'll also help get rid of excess weight which could be lowering your car's mileage.
We also had it professionally cleaned. (I couldn't believe how much garbage had piled up!)
You can also do it yourself if you prefer to cut down on costs, just make sure it's a thorough job. You want those pictures to pop.
Listing on Craigslist
Besides including the essential information about your car (year, make model, condition, and mileage), you want to make sure you highlight your car's best feature.
Is it great on gas? Is it spacious enough for a family of four? Is it fun to drive?
Be Smart with Price
Tools like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds can help you get a ballpark idea for a reasonable price.
If you're still stumped, check out other sellers on Craigslist to get a better picture on what is the current market for your car.
Sell It with Photos
Speaking of pictures, you won't have buyers come over for a test drive if you have bad pictures.
Wait for a bright and clear day and snap some photos.
Make sure you take pictures of the car at different angles,both interior and exterior so potential drivers get a good idea of the car's condition.
Filter Out the Noise
You can get a lot of inquiries so be firm about expectations. I told all that we were looking to sell and it was firm come first serve.
Some buyers wanted to negotiate over the phone, but I told them that I would only do it in person since I knew I had priced it fairly. (I did that so they could't lower it even more when they came over for a test drive.)
Cash Buyer Found
it took just over a week, but my VW is now with a new family. A sweet couple came, test drove the car, and made a cash offer.
We happily accepted it and I hope the Jetta continues to run for years and serve them as well as it has done for us.
Plans for the Money
Once everything has cleared from the bank accounts, some of the money will definitely be thrown at the student loan.
And the rest? We're still deciding on which one of of our other goals needs some more funding.
Thoughts on Selling Your Car Quickly on Craigslist
I'd like to get your thoughts on selling cars. How many of you have sold your car on Craigslist? How did it go?