best way to sell ?
Discussion
Im needing to sell my '99 996 C4 due to an upcoming move to the US. Now I have spoken to some dealers and they are offering anything from £24-27K. I appreciate that dealers need to make a profit on the car and it seems most have at least £4 grand min if you dont p/x. So Im left with first off trying to sell privately and was wondering whats the best method - Autotrader seems a good start, did think about using specialist sites like this, but a Porsche independant garage recomended trying e-bay !?? anyone got any ideas? Will people buy a c.£30k car privately even though it will have a warranty ?
Very few people will part with £30K to a private seller, the only way you will sell it privatly is to make it much much cheaper than a dealer would ask, if you have something rare or very desirable you might drop lucky, but there are some real messers out there where Porsches are concerned, give the private ad a try in Top Marques and Autotrader but have it in the back of your mind you will probably end up selling to a dealer........remember a dealer is unlikly to honour a bid he gave you 3 or 4 weeks ago, he will want to take anopther look at the Glasses Guide and will pass the book drop on to you.
poorcardealer said:
remember a dealer is unlikly to honour a bid he gave you 3 or 4 weeks ago, he will want to take anopther look at the Glasses Guide and will pass the book drop on to you.
Just had a quick look at November's guide (I'm at home so don't have this month's books here) you're looking at a £600 drop per month plus we've just tipped into another year (to the average buyer your car looks a year older despite only being another month older) so the book drop is likely to be higher.
I'd join the PCGB if you've not already and try and advertise on the forum, you're more likely to find a serious and committed cash-ready buyer than the sort of tyre kickers and test pilots you will get through the trader.
) I may be interested 
snb said:
I appreciate that dealers need to make a profit on the car and it seems most have at least £4 grand min if you dont p/x.
I'm not a car dealer, but quite close to the trade. It always amazes me how people think that used cars should return them roughly what they paid to begin with. They don't consider the enormous costs that dealers have in stocking and preparing cars.
Imagine the costs of buying and selling a 996.
Time!!!
Collection.
Servicing.
Paintwork (they don't look like that with polish).
Depreciation.
Storage.
Margin VAT (selling_price-original_selling_price-(selling price-original buying price*100/117.5)).
Time wasting potentials.
Valeting.
More valeting after time wasting test drivers.
Accountancy.
Business Rates.
Insurance(get a quote for some traders insurance and tell them you're going to trade porkers £10k per annum minimum).
Delivery costs.
Aftersales customer service (ok, you don't always get that).
Warranty liability for 12 months (you've got more rights than you would believe, anyone who knows the law doesn't need an extended warranty, you get it automatically for 12 months).
I tried it commercially once and it's fecking hard work.
You don't buy an expensive holiday then get back and say "now where's my money gone.".
Give these dealers a break, accept that your Porsche costs a fortune to buy, maintain, and SELL. Just enjoy it, if you can't afford it buy a 205 GTi and enjoy that.
PS If anyone wants to moan about depreciation I have an 18 month old X5 4.4 Sport, fully loaded. Book drop since purchase - £17,000. Feel for me.
>> Edited by simonharrod911 on Wednesday 5th January 13:37
rubystone said:
PS If anyone wants to moan about depreciation I have an 18 month old X5 4.4 Sport, fully loaded. Book drop since purchase - £17,000. Feel for me.
Sorry Simon, I just can't feel for you - your fault for buying one
It's not a fault, I was expecting it and buget for it. It's worth it. The feel for me reference was more to provoke reflection rather than a genuine plea for pity.
Go and get the OPC warranty issued - will cost £211 for the inspection and £725 for the warranty (assuming no warranty issues arise). This will make the car a lot easier to sell as it will remove a lot of risk for the potential purchaser. Then advertise on autotrader, ebay, anywhere you can...if the price is below what people can get on a forecourt and there are no tangible benefits from buying from a dealer (i.e. you already have a warranty) then the punters will come to you.
Do yourself a favour and describe the car well, and give good photos - be as open and honest as you can - the real punters will appreciate this and come to you easier.
Do yourself a favour and describe the car well, and give good photos - be as open and honest as you can - the real punters will appreciate this and come to you easier.
silver993tt said:
Funny that, £725 for an OPC warranty in the UK. In Germany it's Euro 750 or around £525 - 30% less. Why?
>> Edited by silver993tt on Wednesday 5th January 14:07
It's the premium we pay for the honour of living in this great country. I've just noticed the weather's shite too.
silver993tt said:
Funny that, £725 for an OPC warranty in the UK. In Germany it's Euro 750 or around £525 - 30% less. Why?
>> Edited by silver993tt on Wednesday 5th January 14:07
More tax I suppose? Apart from that the usual rip-off-britain.
My car will be due a service in August - just about the same time I intend to visit the 'ring - so might just get it serviced on the continent instead and save myself a few ££££s
Thanks for the advice, will definately have to watch those test pilots from autotrader. I see the point about traders needing to make money, id just rather try and get the best deal i can privately first.
NB I ended up getting a replacement engine installed at my own expense until legal proceedings take place (v.v.long and drawn out process)
NB I ended up getting a replacement engine installed at my own expense until legal proceedings take place (v.v.long and drawn out process)
markmullen said:
lots of good stuff
Too much stick directed at the trade, not just on here but in life in general.
People want top money for their swapper and to pay nothing for the new one. How is that ever going to work?
Not really, most people just want a sensible deal which is hard to find at many dealers. It is a UK problem in Europe. I've always had my servicing and repairs done in Germany (3.5 hours from Calais, 1.5 hours from the Ring). The quality is not comparible and the total value for money is significantly better.
Why can the OPCs in Germany offer you a 996 as a courtesy car (without notice) whereas in the UK unless you book one 6 weeks in advance you get nothing. If you manage to get one it's not a Porsche.
Go figure
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