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Price of Car?

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  • #1

    Price of Car?

    So I am hopefully getting ready to sell my car, but I am having trouble deciding on a price.

    It is a 2006 Chevy Cobalt, with 170k miles on it. KBB says it's worth $3,500ish.

    BUT the engine is getting replaced, and the engine only had 84k miles on it...

    KKB says that mileage is worth $5,500.

    So which do I go with? Do I meet somewhere in the middle?

    I was hoping to get around $3,800 for it. But I didn't realize that the lower mileage is worth so much. So should I ask higher? Or does it not matter how many miles the engine has?

    Besides replacing the engine, many other things have gotten replaced, thermostat, windshield, fuel pump, etc. And all the recalls are taken care of. It hasn't ever been in any accidents, and I've been the only owner.

    I've never sold a car before, so the experience is new to me. Help!
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  • #2
    I'd list it for at least $4,000 and be sure to note on the advert that the engine was replaced and only has 48,000, as well as the overall mileage. This should justify the higher KBB price. You may also want to look at prices offered for the same or similar model years from local dealers. Because you'll want to price lower than them, depending on condition and/or proof of maintenance.

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    • #3
      You picked a bad time to try to sell a Cobalt. All the recalls issues have placed a black cloud over those cars.

      I'd check Auto Trader and see what others (private sellers and dealers) within 150 miles of you are selling similar cars for. That way you won't price yourself too high or low.

      I'd say it's worth somewhere in between a 170K mile car and a 84K mile car. The engine only has 84K miles on it, but the rest of the car has 170K miles on it. $4000 to $4500 is probably about right.
      Brian

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      • #4
        It is a bad time to sell a cobalt. But I'm hoping I won't have too much trouble. They are pretty popular around here, and it is a nice little car. I love it and miss it.

        Looking on auto trader, Cobalts with 75k to 150k miles are going for around $6k to $9k! Over priced I am sure, because they are at dealers. But wow! I'd be happy with $3k. lol.

        So does $4k sound like a good starting price?

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        • #5
          Why are you looking to sell it? I know most people get to a point where they get "tired" of a car, but with a new engine you could probably get another 80k miles out of it with typical repairs and maintenance.

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          • #6
            JoeP it's not an option. The car has got to go.

            I've already purchased a replacement. (a down grade)

            I am tired of all the recalls with the Cobalt, and I want to get out of the sinking ship while I can still sell it and make some money.

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            • #7
              The car should be listed as having 170k miles.

              You can put in the description that the engine has been replaced and has 84k. That's probably not going to add a whole lot of value on a car with high miles, maybe a couple hundred over what the value of the car is with 170k on it.

              In general, people expect things to be in decent shape and to function, so things like replacing the fuel pump and thermostat, windshield, don't really add any value. Brand new tires, maybe, but the rest of it is kind of expected to be functional and in one piece if you're trying to sell for market value.

              You're definitely picking the worst possible time to sell that car; it may as well be the modern Ford Pinto. You should also provide copies to the new owner of all the repair orders for the recall repair work that was done to it.
              History will judge the complicit.

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              • #8
                UA_guy that was what I was kind of expecting.

                The car is valued at $3.5k at it's "real" mileage. So I think I will list for $4k and see if I get any bites. Honestly like I said my only goal is to get $3k, which would break me even with the repair cost, and what is left on my "new" car's loan. Any more is just extra.

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                • #9
                  Service Unavailable
                  http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/local/lakeshore/2014/04/07/cobalt-selling-despite-recall/7436135/


                  According to this article, Cobalt's are still selling fine. So who knows. I just want it gone.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Originally posted by klarose View Post
                    http://www.wzzm13.com/story/news/loc...ecall/7436135/

                    According to this article, Cobalt's are still selling fine. So who knows. I just want it gone.
                    If you REALLY want it gone, have you considered donating it? Lots of places in town look for car donations. You may stand to benefit when it comes time to file taxes.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by JoeP View Post
                      If you REALLY want it gone, have you considered donating it? Lots of places in town look for car donations. You may stand to benefit when it comes time to file taxes.
                      I'm lower income, and don't pay enough taxes where it would be any benefit. I couldn't even itemize this year, just got the standard deduction.

                      I'm not too worried about selling it.

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