I’ve been suggested Carvana, and I may end up going that way if it is indeed the simplest route.

I’m driving an older car, it’s in many ways in very good condition, but the head gasket is starting to go. It hasn’t gotten bad yet (no coolant in the oil… yet) and could be fixed, but the cost to fix is about three times the value of the vehicle. It’s got relatively low mileage for it’s age and I’ve barely driven it anywhere during the time that I’ve owned it.

I don’t expect to get much for it, maybe a $400-$700 bucks, but I really don’t know the best way to go around it.

Like 15 years ago I would have just listed it with pertinent info on condition and photos on Craigslist. I’m not so sure Craigslist is so viable now.

Thanks for any help you can give me, Lemmy!

  • venusaur@lemmy.world
    8·
    2 months ago

    What make and model? If it’s a Honda or Toyota you will have better luck selling. Carvana probably won’t buy your car. Craigslist or FB might be your best options. Just be transparent about what needs to be fixed and highlight the positives like low mileage, any other preventative maintenance you may have done or will do (e.g. cheap things like new oil, air filters, belts and plugs if you have tools) Maybe you could even put a For Sale sign on it.

    You might try some head gasket fix like seafoam, but that’ll be on your conscience for the next buyer.

    Good luck!

  • whodatdair@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    5·
    2 months ago

    See if Carmax will make you an offer. If it’s not bad enough to be blowing blue smoke and the coolant is clean, you may by able to sneak it by an underpaid intake tech.

    If you do use CL or FB marketplace, don’t offload it without a word of warning please. People are struggling right now and the ones buying $400 cars are doing so because they can’t afford anything else. Carvana and Carmax are giant corporations so no moral issues with offloading on them.

    • Snot Flickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zoneOPEnglish
      8·
      2 months ago

      Oh no, it has to have a warning. It would be way messed up to sell it without them knowing the history and condition.

      I honestly would feel bad even trying to sneak it past an underpaid tech.

      I’d rather just get what I can from it for being honest. No one else needs to suffer so I can profit.

      Thanks for the call out on that though, that stuff is important.

  • zlatiah@lemmy.world
    2·
    2 months ago

    I don’t think this is good advice by any means, but I dropped my previous car at a car dealership for $500. They only were able to give me $500 because 1) it was an ex-police car and they apparently couldn’t sell it under normal circumstances, and 2) the car was pretty beaten up and probably have to be scrapped for parts.

    This information is 2-3 years old so maybe things have changed… but back then I believe car dealerships would be willing to take a car for at least $500, since they can probably make a profit by auctioning the car or scrapping it for parts that way. So if I really just want to get rid of something, it’s not a bad option. However, most second-hand cars are worth way more than that, especially if I’m willing to put in a bit of effort, so… take this information as you will. I agree with the other comments that a used car can go for much higher if I’m willing to try.

  • AA5B@lemmy.world
    2·
    2 months ago

    I’ll disagree here and suggest a car dealer if you’re buying a new car. While they generally are the worst deal, they also seem to have a floor. For a car with little to no value, I’ve always gotten $2k, even if no one else would give me that. Of course buyer beware and all that, you may be losing that $2k somewhere else in the negotiation