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Prepping Your Used Vehicle for Sale

19 messages,  Last post on May 02, 2008 at 1:24 PM

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#11 of 19 Re: what to "fix" before selling [esteeze] by jipster

Apr 12, 2007 (1:24 pm)

Replying to: esteeze (Apr 12, 2007 12:35 pm)
Don't know why normal wear items should be new or near new... unless your vehicle is near mint condition. If they don't "need" replacing I wouldnt worry about it.
  
If the tread on your tires is getting noticeable low, I may replace those.

#12 of 19 Re: what to "fix" before selling [jipster] by esteeze

Apr 12, 2007 (1:42 pm)

Replying to: jipster (Apr 12, 2007 1:24 pm)
I guess to me it seems like more of an "ethical" thing than anything else; here's my thought process on the subject:
 
If I trade a vehicle into a dealer, I don't think I give a flip about the wear items... since the selling entity (whether it is the same said dealer, or some other organization) will go through a prep process where they put these new or near-new wear items on the vehicle.
 
With a private party sale, you are selling a vehicle to an individual, who will then turn around and personally put the vehicle in service (potentially, with their family members as passengers, and so forth). It seems reasonable to put forth that the seller has some sort of responsibility to ensure that the wear items are in good shape, at least more so that with a trade-in situation.

#13 of 19 Re: what to "fix" before selling [esteeze] by joel0622

Apr 12, 2007 (4:33 pm)

Replying to: esteeze (Apr 12, 2007 1:42 pm)
With a private party sale, you are selling a vehicle to an individual, who will then turn around and personally put the vehicle in service (potentially, with their family members as passengers, and so forth).
 
If its good enough to put your family in it as it sits then surley it is good enough for a family you have not even met yet.
 
Meaning, if the car is servicable enough right now for you to drive every day then the wear items should be fine.

#14 of 19 Re: what to "fix" before selling [esteeze] by jipster

Apr 12, 2007 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: esteeze (Apr 12, 2007 1:42 pm)
You should do what you feel comfortable with. But, I think as long as you give full disclosure on the vehicle's condition, then ethically you are fine.
 
No, I certainly wouldn't want to sell an unsafe vehicle, reguardless if I disclosed all of it's mechanical problems.
But, I'm guessing your 03 Honda is in pretty good condition with all the components you mentioned. If you've followed your owners manual and kept up with service and inspection requirements, then buyer will be in good shape.

#15 of 19 Should I replace the tires? by hondalibrarian

May 02, 2008 (5:41 am)

I have a 2004 Odyssey with just 30,000 miles that I am planning to sell (or possibly trade). It still has the original tires, so they are nearly ready to be replaced. Will it be worth the expense to replace the tires before I sell or trade (that is, am I Iikely to get a higher enough price to justify the expense), or am I better off just pricing the vehicle to reflect the condition of the tires and let the new owner get what he/she wants?

#16 of 19 Re: Should I replace the tires? [hondalibrarian] by esteeze

May 02, 2008 (6:22 am)

Replying to: hondalibrarian (May 02, 2008 5:41 am)
If you are going to sell it privately, you will probably want to have the vehicle in as good a shape as you can get it in (to increase it's appeal to a potential buyer); that includes having good tires.
 
If you plan to trade it in, I would leave the old tires on... they won't affect your trade value much to make it worth your expense of buying new tires.

#17 of 19 Re: Should I replace the tires? [hondalibrarian] by jipster

May 02, 2008 (7:12 am)

Replying to: hondalibrarian (May 02, 2008 5:41 am)
Well... how much tread do the tires have left on them? Unless, they are noticeable worn, I'd just keep them.
 
On the other hand, you've got a low mileage Odyssey. If everything else is in really good condition, I'd spring for new tires.

#18 of 19 Re: Should I replace the tires? [hondalibrarian] by euphonium

May 02, 2008 (9:59 am)

Replying to: hondalibrarian (May 02, 2008 5:41 am)
When the tread on the factory tires is still in the "SAFE" depth, sell it as is because the buyer may want to install the tire of HIS choice.
 
Because you NEVER get a 2nd chance of a First impression. Have your Honda professionally detailed & that process includes making the SAFE factory tires look attractive.

#19 of 19 Re: Should I replace the tires? [euphonium] by fezo

May 02, 2008 (1:24 pm)

Replying to: euphonium (May 02, 2008 9:59 am)
Very good idea. Nothing like a good detail to make the car look irresistible.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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