How to sell an unloved Alfa?

[kieranbennett]

I've got a bit of a dilemma....

At the start of 2014 I got a promotion with work which came with a nice, if dull, company car. At the time I was happily driving my 1998 Alfa GTV twin spark every day about 40 miles with absolutely no issues.

With the company car being delivered I decided to keep the Alfa for weekends but having not driven it for nearly 6 months I've realized its just not special enough to keep. I also have a classic camper to keep running and the missus' Clio Sport is a lot faster and more entertaining.

Problem is the car really needs a bit of work and money to make it saleable.

There are several issues;

-Not popular cloth interior
-Last MOT advised slight rust on outer sills - Very annoyed about this as I didn't realize when I got the MOT done. There is a very small amount of surface rust on both jacking points where a jack has scratched the surface. It is not structural in any way.
-Uneven tyre wear resulting in vibration
-Radio display stopped working
-Rusty exhaust tip
-High mileage - 130K
-After market air filter bodge from previous owner
-badly stone chipped

On the positive side it runs beautifully, never let me down in 2 years of driving, has new suspension and wheel bearings (£400 spent on it in July 2014), great color and is a lovely car to drive. This photo was taken a couple of years ago;
Alfa GTV by kieranpbennett, on Flickr

I'm getting married in April so have no time to sort the issues myself and no money. I'd rather not bodge the fixes, ie. I could put some cheap ditchfinders on to sort the tyres but why when somebody else may prefer to put better rubber on...

Do I;

Scrap it for whatever I can get.
Bung it on Ebay for whatever I can get (and deal with all idiots that come with eBay)
Sort the tyres and rust cheaply and put it on here for a few hundred £.

I'm leaning towards eBay but really can't be bothered to deal with the idiots...

Edited by kieranbennett on Tuesday 6th January 14:06

Edited by kieranbennett on Tuesday 6th January 14:12

[kambites]

I'd probably put it on ebay with no reserve and see what it gets to. Would be a shame to scrap it for such trivial things.

[MysteryLemon]

I would probably post a thread about it on a popular car forum in hope that someone might message me an offer



Don't scrap it. You'll get about £130 for it tops.

If it runs as good as you say, a bit of rust and new tyres wont put off a genuine buyer. Stick an add on here (might be free if you signed up ages ago) or stick it on ebay and see what you get for it. I probably wouldn't even sort the tyres if you just want to get rid. The money you spend on a new set of tyres won't come back to you in the sale imo.

If its a good runner with MOT remaining and there arent any underlying problems, you'll easily get £500+. Kinda ropey looking examples seem to start anywhere from £700 upwards on ebay.

Edited by MysteryLemon on Tuesday 6th January 14:10

[IanCress]

I've just sold our MINI that had a few issues on Gumtree. Had a phone call after 4 minutes and had cash in my hand after 2 hours.

The advert was written honestly, listing the faults and it was bought by a mechanic wanting a car for his Wife.

[caiss4]

Post on Alfaowner.com - that's where you are most likely to get interest without having to deal with idiots.

BTW, how can that be '94 on a S-plate?

[Tophatron]

Try an ad on here or somewhere like Retro Rides - it's perfect RR fodder.

[kieranbennett]

caiss4 said:

Post on Alfaowner.com - that's where you are most likely to get interest without having to deal with idiots.

BTW, how can that be '94 on a S-plate?

Doh, yep its actually a '98

Maybe I'll just stick up a couple of honest adds here and Alfa Owner. I'm a bit annoyed with myself as somebody actually knocked on my door offering to buy it about 8 months ago and I turned them down. They left their details but I've lost them

[IanCress]

kieranbennett said:

I'm a bit annoyed with myself as somebody actually knocked on my door offering to buy it about 8 months ago and I turned them down. They left their details but I've lost them

Then print out a FOR SALE sign and stick it in the window. Hopefully they're local and they'll see it.

[P700DEE]

caiss4 said:

Post on Alfaowner.com - that's where you are most likely to get interest without having to deal with idiots.

BTW, how can that be '94 on a S-plate?

Because it's a 98 on an S Plate
Put it on Alfa owner but if you want it gone quick stick it on e-bay. instead of an auction put it on at £900 or best offer. I have found you get offers , mainly silly but its a good way to get your price without so much hassle. They last 30 days too so you can sell when it suits you and only take down when you have the readies in your pocket.

[caiss4]

P700DEE said:

caiss4 said:

Post on Alfaowner.com - that's where you are most likely to get interest without having to deal with idiots.

BTW, how can that be '94 on a S-plate?

Because it's a 98 on an S Plate

Er, clearly