Selling nearly-new car

Selling nearly-new car

Author
Discussion

Ken_Code

Original Poster:

1,566 posts

9 months

Thursday 28th March
quotequote all
I bought a Lotus Emira new last year, and while I love it, it’s just not getting used, so I may as well sell it on.

It’s as-new, with only 1,000 miles on it; what are people’s thoughts on the best way to sell it to maximise what I get?

It’s not got to go quickly, and has no finance on it.

Obvious choices are private sale, asking a local dealership to list it for me or asking Lotus to.

Any other sensible avenues to follow?

LightningBlue

568 posts

48 months

Thursday 28th March
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Might sound daft but could you use it more? Wouldn’t get me out of a car like that!

Discombobulate

5,107 posts

193 months

Thursday 28th March
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You will take a big hit Ken. Trade bids will start with a 6 if you are lucky...
But worth asking specialist car dealers like 555 who don't have one at present.

Panamax

5,047 posts

41 months

Thursday 28th March
quotequote all
Ken_Code said:
It’s not got to go quickly,
I think you'll be stuck with a car you don't want unless you knuckle down and get it shifted. It'll probably never be worth more than it is today, barely used and with plenty of warranty left to run. I reckon you should be able to find a "new" buyer who'll be delighted to pay a bit less than the "new" price.

Proper blitz of private for sale adds should see it gone pretty swiftly at this time of year. If you've still got it on 1st June you'll know it's time to slash the price. IMO if you go anywhere near dealers or traders you'll take a real beating on depreciation.

Ken_Code

Original Poster:

1,566 posts

9 months

Thursday 28th March
quotequote all
LightningBlue said:
Might sound daft but could you use it more? Wouldn’t get me out of a car like that!
It’s at my second home, next to a GR Yaris that I rarely get to use either, and I’ve also got a Range Rover for general use and a McLaren 650s too.

I’m never going to get enough use to justify keeping it.

weewhiskydram

16 posts

8 months

Thursday 28th March
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Ken_Code said:
It’s at my second home, next to a GR Yaris that I rarely get to use either, and I’ve also got a Range Rover for general use and a McLaren 650s too.

I’m never going to get enough use to justify keeping it.
Nice garage!

Ken_Code

Original Poster:

1,566 posts

9 months

Thursday 28th March
quotequote all
weewhiskydram said:
Nice garage!
If it was all in the one garage it’d be great; it’s the 300 mile distance between them that’s the problem.

jfdi

1,137 posts

182 months

Thursday 28th March
quotequote all
Ken_Code said:
If it was all in the one garage it’d be great; it’s the 300 mile distance between them that’s the problem.
Swap the cars around, no reason other than to drive to the second home in one car then drive back in another. See, they're all now getting plenty of use. rofl

Summit_Detailing

2,007 posts

200 months

Thursday 28th March
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I'd pop it on Collecting Cars, or Motorway.

Cheers,

Chris

WillB

220 posts

268 months

Thursday 28th March
quotequote all
Hi Ken,

If you drop me a PM with the details (colour/spec) I'll see if I can get any trade bids on it.

Will

soad

33,441 posts

183 months

Thursday 28th March
quotequote all
Not sure how many private buyers can afford one, unless it’s cheap enough. Even then, be prepared to be messed about?

keo

2,235 posts

177 months

Thursday 28th March
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If you sell it to trade you will get ripped off. Best way would be to sell private.

Earthdweller

14,350 posts

133 months

Thursday 28th March
quotequote all
Shame you’re thinking of selling it, but you’ll likely lose a fortune whatever way you do it

I have a 2 seater convertible that has sat in the garage for 5 months and I’ve just paid the insurance for it today so I can see your point but mine is worth a fraction of your Emira so I’ve not much tied up in it

But hopefully it WILL stop raining soon!


Ken_Code

Original Poster:

1,566 posts

9 months

Thursday 28th March
quotequote all
WillB said:
Hi Ken,

If you drop me a PM with the details (colour/spec) I'll see if I can get any trade bids on it.

Will
Have done, thanks.

EastStand

167 posts

89 months

Thursday 28th March
quotequote all
Emira is probably a tough sell at the moment unless you put an eye catching price on it.

Over 90 on AT and a lot of them have been up for ages.

SFTWend

1,033 posts

82 months

Friday 29th March
quotequote all
Have a read of the last few pages of the 'Discounted stock Emiras' thread in the Emira section of Pistonheads.

Unfortunately it will be difficult to sell for a good price at the moment. Lotus appear to be dumping lots of cancelled orders and/or staff cars onto the market. The trade don't seem to want any more and private buyers are waiting expecting prices to start with a 5 soon.

Whilst a private sale should achieve more, and the car has comfort of manufacturer warranty, most buyers want finance and px facilities at this level, plus comfort of buying from a reputable source.

Jk89

71 posts

9 months

Friday 29th March
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I remember when most in your situation would advertise a car 10-15% over WBAC or similar.

Most private sellers want dealer prices or more these days.

992 private sale prices are higher than OPC.

r3g

3,750 posts

31 months

Saturday 6th April
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Can see you taking a £40k bath on this if they are £90k new. Your only option is a dealer, realistically. The pool of people with £50k+ cash sitting in their account or via a bank loan is approximately 2 people and those have got to be wanting an Emira. Everyone else will need finance, which you can't provide.

Also selling something so new raises the red flags for many people that there's something wrong with it, like it's been back to the dealier umpteen times to resolve issues but not getting anywhere and not you just want shut and it to be somebody else's problem (obvs not in your case, but does happen a lot).

Chamon_Lee

3,898 posts

154 months

Saturday 6th April
quotequote all
Jk89 said:
I remember when most in your situation would advertise a car 10-15% over WBAC or similar.

Most private sellers want dealer prices or more these days.

992 private sale prices are higher than OPC.
This.
Honestly I’d love to be drinking what they are. Ignorance must be bliss

Jk89

71 posts

9 months

Sunday 7th April
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Half of the cars at dealers at the minute aren’t their cars. They are selling them for commission for people in OP’s situation.

I have a £75k cash budget and I’d love to do a deal privately. Looking for a m3/4 xdrive ultimate pack or 992 and private prices are the higher than main dealer.

So frustrated with used prices I’m considering a new M2.

Went to look at a 23 m3 on sat and the dealer said “order new, it’s cheaper at 4.9%”. So frustrating to hear when you’re buying cash.

Giveaway that many cars don’t belong to the dealers is that they are SORN.