Conscientous way of letting go of a lemon...
Discussion
Right, here's the deal...
I have a car that has a problem. It doesn't make it undriveable and is not something many people are ever going to spot, but driving the car regularly not being aware of it will lead to coolant loss, overheating and engine damage.
I bought the car as a private sale, and paid on the high side to start with. For all intenets and purposes the car looks like a tidy example. I've spent hundreds recently trying to solve the issue, but it turns out the most financially economical solution is a straight engine swap. I've lost all enthusiasm and faith in the car, and wouldn't be able to afford to fund an engine swap this year and my gut feeling is I don't want to invest anymore in this car,despite the fact once a new engine is in place it would be a very good example that could be an extremely reliable second, fun car for as long as I wanted it.
I'm a very straight-up conscientous person but obviously a big part of me is very frustrated for buying a problematic vehicle and for throwing a lot of money at it with no improvement. I wouldn't want to sell it on, knowing it will cause someone else problems, even if this is possibly what happened to me but a part ofme does want to at least try and recoup some of my initial outlay in terms of purchase price.
It's a tough call as far as I can see, the obvious thing is to declare everything on an e-bay ad and accept it will go for peanuts.Can anyone suggest another way, that might get me a bit better return on it without too much bad conscience.Was wondering if it could go to a "sold as seen" auction or something which detaches me directly from the sale.
Thoughts please... finding it hard to make the right call on this one...
I have a car that has a problem. It doesn't make it undriveable and is not something many people are ever going to spot, but driving the car regularly not being aware of it will lead to coolant loss, overheating and engine damage.
I bought the car as a private sale, and paid on the high side to start with. For all intenets and purposes the car looks like a tidy example. I've spent hundreds recently trying to solve the issue, but it turns out the most financially economical solution is a straight engine swap. I've lost all enthusiasm and faith in the car, and wouldn't be able to afford to fund an engine swap this year and my gut feeling is I don't want to invest anymore in this car,despite the fact once a new engine is in place it would be a very good example that could be an extremely reliable second, fun car for as long as I wanted it.
I'm a very straight-up conscientous person but obviously a big part of me is very frustrated for buying a problematic vehicle and for throwing a lot of money at it with no improvement. I wouldn't want to sell it on, knowing it will cause someone else problems, even if this is possibly what happened to me but a part ofme does want to at least try and recoup some of my initial outlay in terms of purchase price.
It's a tough call as far as I can see, the obvious thing is to declare everything on an e-bay ad and accept it will go for peanuts.Can anyone suggest another way, that might get me a bit better return on it without too much bad conscience.Was wondering if it could go to a "sold as seen" auction or something which detaches me directly from the sale.
Thoughts please... finding it hard to make the right call on this one...
Six Fiend said:
What car, problem and value?
Such info may lead to some good ideas...
OK - 1.8 MX5Such info may lead to some good ideas...
Minor head gasket failure, but has an incorrect head fitted to the engine - has been in the hands of a bodgemaster at some point.
Value - I paid £1800 in April minus £250 I recouped from a hardtop. Spent in the region of £7-800 on it this year. Further repairs needed £700-1000.
WBAC valuation £850
vrsmxtb said:
Six Fiend said:
What car, problem and value?
Such info may lead to some good ideas...
OK - 1.8 MX5Such info may lead to some good ideas...
Minor head gasket failure, but has an incorrect head fitted to the engine - has been in the hands of a bodgemaster at some point.
Value - I paid £1800 in April minus £250 I recouped from a hardtop. Spent in the region of £7-800 on it this year. Further repairs needed £700-1000.
WBAC valuation £850
theironduke said:
Ebay? honest description...
The right person might see the potential in it I suppose, a competent mechanic would probably be able to fix it for a fraction of the price I'm looking at. Annoying that going into Autumn/Winter is hardly prime MX5 territory, project vehicle or perfect runner...
freenote said:
Or maybe put it on an owners club with honest description. They'll know what they're getting themselves into.
I did exactly this with a supercharged MX5 I had via an MX5 forum. Sold it for half of what I paid with an honest description and no offers. It gave the opportunity for a fellow enthusiast with more time and skill than me the opportunity of a bargain, me the knowledge that the car would be enjoyed and no guilt. Sold the same day.list it on an owners forum, if the body is tidy it will sell as these people would know someone with a spare engine!
Failing that Ebay spares or repair! sold my last track day MR2 on there within 2 hours of listing it, Suspect head gasket fault, turned out the guy just wanted a good shell and was getting rid of the engine and box anyway!
I only got half its retail price but what was I going to do with a broken car clutering up my drive?
Cut your losses and move on
Failing that Ebay spares or repair! sold my last track day MR2 on there within 2 hours of listing it, Suspect head gasket fault, turned out the guy just wanted a good shell and was getting rid of the engine and box anyway!
I only got half its retail price but what was I going to do with a broken car clutering up my drive?
Cut your losses and move on
Try www.wewantanycar.com - when I was selling my 1-series, WWAC offered me £2k above WBAC's offer, which put it just under (by about £300) the private sale value I was looking at getting.
Otherwise, a trade-in or stick it on Gumtree and let some mouthbreather take it.
Otherwise, a trade-in or stick it on Gumtree and let some mouthbreather take it.
sebhaque said:
Try www.wewantanycar.com - when I was selling my 1-series, WWAC offered me £2k above WBAC's offer, which put it just under (by about £300) the private sale value I was looking at getting.
Otherwise, a trade-in or stick it on Gumtree and let some mouthbreather take it.
I just done a quote with both WBAC & WWAC and there was a 2k difference also, WWAC being the higher of the two Otherwise, a trade-in or stick it on Gumtree and let some mouthbreather take it.
Hmmm
I would be in the same dilemma as you. I would want maximum return with a clear conscience. If you offloaded to the trade then some other person would eventually kop for it and tread the path you have.
I would consider breaking, it as often the sum of the parts is worth more than the whole. As others have suggested, post it on the bay with a full description. You will get some cash back.
I would be in the same dilemma as you. I would want maximum return with a clear conscience. If you offloaded to the trade then some other person would eventually kop for it and tread the path you have.
I would consider breaking, it as often the sum of the parts is worth more than the whole. As others have suggested, post it on the bay with a full description. You will get some cash back.
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