04-15-2007, 05:20 PM
That is a tough one. In your favor you have the new components and the fact it's an Acura. (Sweet ride, btw, that is one of my favorite Integras.) Against you is that it's a used car plus the body dings. I have found that kbb is an "okay" yardstick of value, if not a bit optimistic. Also, and this gonna be tough to hear, but due to the body dings you mentioned, I'd evaluate the vehicle's condition as fair (at least in my own mind) vs. fair to good. What you might not consider MAJOR damage is up to interpretation.
I have found it helpful to look apples-to-apples at cars.com and see how private parties are pricing the same (incl equipment) car, then price yours at the LOWER end of that. Kinda' like selling a book or CD on Amazon...if there are a lot of the same thing to choose from, most people will choose the cheapest. And in this price point, you're looking at buyers who cannot afford to spend much on a vehicle but do need dependable transportation. (That's where you can highlight the fact that you've already fixed the major components to the tune of xxx dollars the buyer WON'T have to spend, so this is a huuuge selling point in your favor; and it helps also that you have all the maintenance records.)
Secondarily you might be able to sell it to a parent buying it for their h.s. or college kid. You should try to post ads that reach these kids, you might have a better chance of getting more for it. These old Integras make great tuner cars for some kids. I call them "Hot Wheels."
All that said, if cars like yours (including the body dings) are listed by private parties at $4500, then I'd price it at, say, $4200 obo. That obo being very important. Used cars are a buyer's market b/c it's so easy to get into a new car these days...so that hurts you plus the fact that the used car market is flooded from same.
If you decide to sell it at a dealer or trade it, you might also consider going to CarMax and getting an appraisal. I have personally found (and read of others) that their offers beat the dealers. And you don't have to buy a car there for them to buy yours.
To maxmize your dollars: if your state allows it (and I want to say you live in KS so yeah, it does), the used car selling price can offset some of the sales tax on your new car...but the transaction needs to take place at the dealer (if you're a KS resident). Easy enough if you have your new car deal worked out...just agree on a price for xyz car and tell the dealer you'll consummate the deal when you have a buyer for your used car, then bring the buyer into the dealer and do the transaction there. It's called an "in and out trade." I've done it twice and it saved me about $3000 or so in taxes, plus the extra money I got from my private buyer that a dealer would've only given me wholesale. It's a little more work, but the savings can add up. (Note: make sure you're not charged twice for a "doc fee" as some dealers will try to do this.)
Example: Your new car is $25k. You sold your old car for $4k at the dealer either via "in and out trade" or traditional trade. You now pay sales tax on $21k instead of $25k. 7.5% tax on $25k is 1875; on $21k it's 1575. You just netted yourself another $300.
Or simply trade in your car at the dealer you're getting your new car from and be done with it. Figure the offset in sales tax...and if it's the same or nearly the same as the add'l $ you'd get selling it yourself, then it's worth avoiding the hassle of selling the car yourself.
Good luck, and enjoy your new car! What are you thinking of getting?
EDIT: OOPS, sorry, thought you were in KS!
I have found it helpful to look apples-to-apples at cars.com and see how private parties are pricing the same (incl equipment) car, then price yours at the LOWER end of that. Kinda' like selling a book or CD on Amazon...if there are a lot of the same thing to choose from, most people will choose the cheapest. And in this price point, you're looking at buyers who cannot afford to spend much on a vehicle but do need dependable transportation. (That's where you can highlight the fact that you've already fixed the major components to the tune of xxx dollars the buyer WON'T have to spend, so this is a huuuge selling point in your favor; and it helps also that you have all the maintenance records.)
Secondarily you might be able to sell it to a parent buying it for their h.s. or college kid. You should try to post ads that reach these kids, you might have a better chance of getting more for it. These old Integras make great tuner cars for some kids. I call them "Hot Wheels."
All that said, if cars like yours (including the body dings) are listed by private parties at $4500, then I'd price it at, say, $4200 obo. That obo being very important. Used cars are a buyer's market b/c it's so easy to get into a new car these days...so that hurts you plus the fact that the used car market is flooded from same.
If you decide to sell it at a dealer or trade it, you might also consider going to CarMax and getting an appraisal. I have personally found (and read of others) that their offers beat the dealers. And you don't have to buy a car there for them to buy yours.
To maxmize your dollars: if your state allows it (and I want to say you live in KS so yeah, it does), the used car selling price can offset some of the sales tax on your new car...but the transaction needs to take place at the dealer (if you're a KS resident). Easy enough if you have your new car deal worked out...just agree on a price for xyz car and tell the dealer you'll consummate the deal when you have a buyer for your used car, then bring the buyer into the dealer and do the transaction there. It's called an "in and out trade." I've done it twice and it saved me about $3000 or so in taxes, plus the extra money I got from my private buyer that a dealer would've only given me wholesale. It's a little more work, but the savings can add up. (Note: make sure you're not charged twice for a "doc fee" as some dealers will try to do this.)
Example: Your new car is $25k. You sold your old car for $4k at the dealer either via "in and out trade" or traditional trade. You now pay sales tax on $21k instead of $25k. 7.5% tax on $25k is 1875; on $21k it's 1575. You just netted yourself another $300.
Or simply trade in your car at the dealer you're getting your new car from and be done with it. Figure the offset in sales tax...and if it's the same or nearly the same as the add'l $ you'd get selling it yourself, then it's worth avoiding the hassle of selling the car yourself.
Good luck, and enjoy your new car! What are you thinking of getting?
EDIT: OOPS, sorry, thought you were in KS!