Why can't I sell this car?

You would have thought that for $800, my cutlass wasn't that bad of a deal. I had to knock it down to $700 a while ago, and now I'm taking $100 off of that. Why can't I sell this berkeleying car?

I paid $100 for a 1984 Cutlass 4-door V6 bad valve seals rusty beater in 1997.

Because you don't think to link a pic and particulars when you say $600 Cutlass on the GRM forum?

I mean... have you ever seen what some of these idiots will drive half-way across the continent to buy?

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

Here's The link to the ad. GRM discount of $200 applies. $600 Canadian is $460 USD, by the way.

In reply to G_Body_Man:

If that was a 2dr body I'd buy it for no other reason than to prove my point in the previous post and then do something silly with it.

Because you said you need the money. Smart shoppers are watching you dropping the price weekly. Why would they call now at $800 if you'll be at $400 in a few more days? Also you said it has frame rust. Would you go look at it? Why not Craigs List? Would you trade for something? I see no mention of that.

My advice is to pull the ad and re-list it in two weeks for $1200 saying you just bought it on a whim but decided you want something else and are open to trades (assuming you are since you were looking for a replacement a while back).

In reply to Junkyard_Dog:

Craigslist isn't that popular in Ontario

I just want to be honest and up-front with the buyers so that they know what they're getting into.

G_Body_Man wrote: I just want to be honest and up-front with the buyers so that they know what they're getting into.

You have zero future selling used cars. Turn in your loud sport coat and oversized cowboy hat and turn off the wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man on your way out.

G_Body_Man wrote: In reply to Junkyard_Dog: Craigslist isn't that popular in Ontario I just want to be honest and up-front with the buyers so that they know what they're getting into.

Are you a jman mechanic?

If not, your opinion of the car means jack. That is the approach I've taken to selling a car. I will describe the car and point out any glaring flaws. After that, it is buyer beware, because truthfully, I don't know if its a wheel bearing or an out of balance wheel causing that vibration until I take it apart, hence why I am selling it. I can make a pretty good guess, but why? I'm not a professional. In your unprofessional opinion, the car is rusty. Let the buyer decide that for themselves.

Not being harsh, just truthful. Otherwise, sell the damn car for $200 and quit yer bitchin

In reply to HiTempguy:

Funny thing, the first thing my mechanic said when he laid eyes on the car was "man, this thing is rusty!"

G_Body_Man wrote: Craigslist isn't that popular in Ontario

Is it still free? Because if it is there is no reason not to use it. Maybe it only gets looked at by one guy, but who is to say that one guy isn't looking for a four door G-body to donk out?

Mostly because it's a high mileage 4 door with a stock smog motor and needs frame work, as mentioned, might make for an OK donk candidate, nobody else really wants them though. It's also in Canada so you're limited to Canada, as no American is going to buy it when he can get the same thing in the states without the border hassle/shakedown.

Might not be an awful idea to get some junkyard quotes, worst case scenario.

What's scrap per ton in Canada these days?

last time i checked. $130CDn/ton

So the car is worth at least $200CAD.

advertising to the wrong place/wrong audience? That box is prime donk material. throw a candy bar logo on it - some 22s and $$$

Junkyard_Dog wrote:

G_Body_Man wrote: Craigslist isn't that popular in Ontario

Is it still free? Because if it is there is no reason not to use it. Maybe it only gets looked at by one guy, but who is to say that one guy isn't looking for a four door G-body to donk out?

Way more people use Kijiji up here than use CL.

But I would plaster it everywhere. Autotrader, CL, and Kijiji.

To G_Body Man, sub $1000 cars are a tough sell. Everybody assumes they will need a E36 M3 ton of work.

Throw up an ad for $1100 with a minimal description and see what happens. People can sense desperation.

That would probably be a $1000 car in Alberta, but only if the out of province inspection were squared away. Ontario cars get looked upon extremely harshly in my experience.

Any local enthusiast forums? I can't believe that the GTA wouldn't have at least one Facebook group of G-body people.

Might also make sense to take better photos; change out your initial lead photo for one of the front of the car.

Take the sunshade out of the windshield when you're shooting into the car, and try to do the 'photo crouch' to photograph the car more on its own level than taking pictures of the hood/trunk lid. Look at how cars are shot in magazines.

Think about what your audience for an $800 G-body wants to know: They don't care what engine it has, or if the paint is original or if it has been crashed or what the trim is. They care if it has an active title, if the AC works, if the interior is worn out, if the tires are good enough that they can drive it to the seedy inspection shop that will green light it despite the rust.

Raise the price $100 every time you list it. It'll sell.

Came here to say scrap it, seems I was beat to it.

You really shouldn't listen to me, since I just sold a 2 month old car for nearly $5,000 less than I paid...

But when I see photos of a winter beater with the hood up, I assume it doesn't run.

When the only interior photo is the dash, I assume the seats are shot.

When the exterior photos are from acute angles, I assume the body is shot.

Regardless, good luck selling

ssswitch hit the nail on the head. More, better pics; and for the text, focus on what the intended audiences' needs/wants are.

Also, the other pics I remember the G-body always looked clean, but make sure everything is clean/clutter free for the pics.

Nothing like an ad where there's snow on the car (in July), and trash in all the footwells. There are a few VW and Volvo ads local to me that have been up for months with the same crappy pics, snow on the ground, car covered in salt, etc.

Bad pics, hood up... You're have a hard time selling it unless it's priced waay under its value

better pics and clean up your language. The less you write the better. Say " 305 V8 Automatic Transmission, Runs great. Enthusiast owned. Lots of recent new parts. Sad to see it go, but am moving soon and can't take it with me. "

Seriously, If someone mentions a frame rail in an add, I'm out. I know you're being honest, but it's better to spring that stuff on the buyer when he is there. Say something like.. " i procured these hard to get replacement frame pieces if they ever were to break. " The perspective buyer will see it as a bonus and not a negative.

I once listed an air cooled VW for sale that had terminal structural rust. Listed it for $300 (what it was worth), and had a long list of what it needed (just being honest).

Not a single call for 4 weeks.

Then I relisted it. I decided I would be completely honest with anyone that asked anything, but it wasn't my job to volunteer the details.

New ad said, "Runs, but needs TLC. $850".

Sold it the next day for $800. When the guy came to inspect, he was looking under the hood, and I noted the rust. He said, "That's no big deal- all these things rust like that".

Being honest is not the same as being silly. You are wasting your time. Write an ad that will begin a conversation with a potential buyer, not one that will run off anyone with an interest.