Selling 987 Bosxter S - selling advice

[udat]

Hi all,

I have a 2005 Boxster S that I am considering upgrading (probably to a newer Boxster) and I thought I would sell it privately to maximise my budget for the new car.

I've never sold a car privately before, always trading-in at a dealer, and so I thought I'd check your collective wisdom, if there any services that you think are clearly better than others for selling (e.g. Pistonheads classifieds/Autotrader/Ebay motors) and any other pitfalls to be aware of?

My preferred transaction is online bank transfer, which should prevent any payment worries.

cheers!

[dunc_sx]

I usually try Pistonheads for a week or two then add autotrader into the mix after that if required. I've never used eBay yet for a car.

I always buy and sell in bank transfers, when buying I transfer the money when collecting the car and it goes through instantly. That's the safest way imo, if required a deposit can be transferred prior to this.

When selling I've had people transfer the full amount to me (up to £20k) days before collecting the car - I must have a trusting face but would never do this if buying myself!

Hope this helps,

Dunc.

[udat]

Thanks guys - I didn't actually realise I could list the car for free on PH with my long and lurky membership! I will try that first

[Mogsmex]

Ive had really good success with PH in the past, last one was a Boxster on here last year gone in 24 hours

and as above when it's free you cant go wrong

[Koln-RS]

Selling privately can be good for seller and buyer, and worth trying PH initially.

Few simple rules:
- Prepare the car to a very high standard throughout - worth a decent valet
- Remove anything superfluous, inc some 'aftermarket' options
- Most buyers want an original, unmolested, cared for example
- Take plenty of really good quality pics in a nice setting, that flatters the car
- Have all the history, invoices, documentation, etc, neatly filed for any buyer to check
- Make sure the ad is really well worded to describe the car positively but honestly (avoid clichés)
- Price it sensibly, somewhere between trade and retail

Remember, people buy the seller, and most genuine buyers are a pleasure to deal with. Just be very cautious of anyone who comes across as dodgy or asks you to take the car to them.

Edited by Koln-RS on Monday 30th July 13:53

[udat]

Koln-RS said:

Selling privately can be good for seller and buyer, and worth trying PH initially.

Few simple rules:
- Prepare the car to a very high standard throughout - worth a decent valet
- Remove anything superfluous, inc some 'aftermarket' options
- Most buyers want an original, unmolested, cared for example
- Take plenty of really good quality pics in a nice setting, that flatters the car
- Have all the history, invoices, documentation, etc, neatly filed for any buyer to check
- Make sure the ad is really well worded to describe the car positively but honestly (avoid clichés)
- Price it sensibly, somewhere between trade and retail

Remember, people buy the seller, and most genuine buyers are a pleasure to deal with. Just be very cautious of anyone who comes across as dodgy or asks you to take the car to them.

Edited by Koln-RS on Monday 30th July 13:53

That's all solid advice, thanks. Will definitely take note. Need to think of a flattering location within the boring flatness of Cambridgeshire. That would be simple if people like the backdrop of endless roadworks on the A14.

[ooid]

I've advertised my 986 2.7 last summer on here, ebay, AT and boxa.net. In 2 months, a few people looked at it really, and one definite buyer just decided not to go ahead at the end. It was priced quite realistic, I also did not have time and I WBAC'ed it, a bit lower than my original sale price as the car condition was quite clean and good. I think it's a bit luck, spec and timing, there are so many of these cars available now potential buyers have loads of options and potential big porsche bills might scare them.

[Cabsi]

I can recommend Tootle. I used it to help my daughter sell her Mini. Very simple and secure process that costs the seller nothing. We had 3 garages biding against each other and we achieved £300 more than WBAC, and £700 more than the px price. You don't release the car until the funds are in your account, and you won't get any tyre kickers.

Haven't tried it on a Porsche, but I'll certainly be trying it on mine when the time comes to move on.

[Chris Type R]

Cabsi said:

I can recommend Tootle. I used it to help my daughter sell her Mini. Very simple and secure process that costs the seller nothing. We had 3 garages biding against each other and we achieved £300 more than WBAC, and £700 more than the px price. You don't release the car until the funds are in your account, and you won't get any tyre kickers.

Haven't tried it on a Porsche, but I'll certainly be trying it on mine when the time comes to move on.

Tootle looks interesting, but from the POV of the OP, this might apply:

tootle faq said:

Are there age or mileage restrictions for selling my car on Tootle?
We can provide an immediate offer for cars of any age and with any mileage. If you want to take advantage of bids from multiple buyers, your car must be less than 10 years old and have less than 120,000 miles on the clock.

[LordGrover]

udat said:

Thanks guys - I didn't actually realise I could list the car for free on PH with my long and lurky membership! I will try that first

I'm not sure it's 'automatic', I think you'll need to request it.

[Heaveho]

Think you may need 40 posts to be able to sell on Boxanet.

[Chubbyross]

Are you a member of PCGB? I placed a post on the club forum when I was selling my Boxster 987 S. I received a couple of replies via PM and the car was sold to a lovely genuine buyer a week later. No tyre kickers, no hassle at all.

As has been stated above, make sure the car is spotless, where possible, and be completely honest about any faults. Be firm with potential time wasters and don’t enter into any haggling if you believe the car to be a good buy. I set a realistic price when selling mine and refused to accept any lower offers. The chap who bought my car was delighted with it and emails occasionally to let me know how he’s getting on.

When it comes to the viewing make sure there are other people around and you don’t meet somewhere remote. Try to get as many details about the potential buyer up front before you meet. Regarding bank transfers, whether buying or selling, I try to arrange a single one Pound transfer before meeting. This ensures that the bank details are set up beforehand and can be completed immediately if the transaction goes through.

Good luck with the sale. You certainly have the weather on your side!

[udat]

Chubbyross said:

Are you a member of PCGB? I placed a post on the club forum when I was selling my Boxster 987 S. I received a couple of replies via PM and the car was sold to a lovely genuine buyer a week later. No tyre kickers, no hassle at all.

I'm not. Considering my predeliction for Porsches I probably should be!

Chubbyross said:

Good luck with the sale. You certainly have the weather on your side!

I washed and valeted the car yesterday, so naturally it rained almost immediately.

Thank you to everyone in the thread for the advice. The advert is here if anyone is interested:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[g7jhp]

I've found that doing a summary of all the bills and service history (in a spreadsheet) that can be backed up by paperwork and service stamps helps to make it easier for potential buyers to see the care it's had and shows me an enthusiast owner.

I can then send the spreadsheet to potential buyers without having to send original paperwork.

Helps my car OCD.