Advice on selling a car (Jag not a Mog)

[Orkney]

Long story short, the parents are doing the sell up and move abroad thing.

The old man has a rather nice Jag he's asked me to attempt to sell for him.
(not trying to sell it here - merely seek opinions on the best way to do so)

1998 4.0 Soveriegn LWB, fully loaded.

He bought it from the main dealer as it was one of thier cars - demonstrator then the managers, bought at 18 months old IIRC and he paid 30k - wasnt too bad as it was a shade over 46 new.

Its got a full Jag service history, think its about 60k miles from new - but only 16k on the new jag fitted engine they put in a few years ago.

The log book says 3 owners - 1st jag dealer, 2nd the family business, 3rd the OM when he retired.

Its a pretty mint example, maybe the odd tiny cosmetic needed, exhaust needs looking at (think one of the boxes has a duff baffle) and will get that sorted soon.

Anyway wondering whats the best way to sell? Ive looked at ebay to get some idea of the price , they are about for 5k,
Parkers guide says expect to pay £6400 from a dealer or £5900 private good (without adjusting for the extras and mileage).
Thats some depreciation ! but as the olds wernt planning to move abroad it was always intended to keep the car and drive it into the ground so to speak.

Its been a long time since i sold a car, so a bit out of touch with the best venue. A bit sceptical of ebay, even though they do shift a good volume, but wondering if auto trader might be better?

Any advice much appreciated, would like to get the best price i can for him , but if reducing the price means a quicker sale then that might be an acceptable compromise.

[d_harris]

Depends on the timescale you have. If you have 2 months or so stick it onto the autotrader and the local ad rag for about 10% more than you reckon its worth and decide with your dad what the absolute minimum you will take is (then don't let them bargain you down that much!)

When you get it to a fortnight or so left stick it onto ebay with a low/middle start price (1.5k maybe?) and a buy it now of the price you previously advertised it as. Don't say that you need an urgent sale with either as that implies you are desperate to get rid.

the "only getting rid of as the folks are moving abroad" is a perfectly good reason to put onto ebay and make sure you advertise it as thoroughly as possible.

Just my 2p's worth. Can't guarantee it will work best in your paticular situation but its the way I would do it with with this car (also, have you seen what a dealer might give you for it??)

[rayofleamington]

I've used Autotrader quite a few times and think it's good. However so much trade has now shifted to ebay that less people look at autotrader.
For a posh car, I'd leave ebay to a last resort - it can be a lot of hassle as there are a few dreamers and scammers.
It is still worth to try the local papers too. A lot of people don't want to travel far to look at a car - and still a lot of people don't use tinternet, so this can bring surprising results.

The other option - depending where they are moving... Is to take the car with them! If it's Europe then it should be pretty easy. If they really don't want to drive it a few thousand miles across Europe, then you can hire a student to drive it (e.g. in Uni vacation period) - they get a road trip holiday in a posh car, and it can work out a fair bit cheaper than paying a shipping company. The dowside of admitting to wanting a quick sale is less £££'s

As for reducing the price to get a quick sale - that usually works. However rather than reduce the ad price, you could state 'quick sale preffered' in the advert - then people know to haggle you down to sort the deal quickly.

[chickenjohn]

Do a search for a Jaguar club website or message board and advertise it on there as it sounds like a decent well cared for car that has been looked after. It might even be worth joining the club and advertising in the club mag.

Obvious things, wash and clean interior and polish the car (and wheels) before prospective viewers come and have a look (surprising how many people don't!), get 12 months MOT on it and get all supporting paperwork together as the history is vital on a prestige car.

[Orkney]

Thanks for the advice Guys, all taken on board. have opted for start off on ebay classified ad @ top money. (shame is it shows as an item in my seed shop )
Dont even have any pics on there yet but have gone to town somewhat on the description.
After thinking about it somewhat i reckon its not a bad purchase for anyone given all the provenance of it, so went into creative sales mode to come up with a listing thats a bit different (allbeit a bit long winded).
Just sent the link to a mate who pointed out that i had it listed as a LHD so thats remedied now.
Only put it on last nights and it got 5 watchers by this morning even listed as a LHD so fingers crossed.
theres no rush.
Critiques welcome
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0141951242

[chickenjohn]

I see you sell chilli seeds and lettuce seeds. My lettuces have done very well this year outside, but I'm having a lot of greenfly problems with my Chilli plants (indoors on sunny kitchen window ledge). I've tried sprays, soap solution and now aphidolites natural predators.

any tips??

BTW, I think Ebay is not the best place to sell such a nice car- one of the magazines would be better, or as I said Jaguar drivers club.

cheers
John

[Orkney]

John, ebay was just the first try if you like - haven't sold a car for so long have lost touch, also never sold a prestige type vehicle so its testing the water really.
Give it a couple of weeks chancing it on ebay then maybe hit the clubs etc es you suggested.
As for the greenfly lord knows, too cold for them in general here, have some ornamental chillis if you want some just PM me and will send you some. Grow very compactly - the types you find as unusual houseplants or silly money in the garden centres. Still darned hot things to eat though.
Think about starting to sow some winter lettuce now, also spring onions and raddish and you'll not go short of fresh winter salad

[chickenjohn]

Winter Salad?? Do they have to be protected from frosts? I've grown radishes with some success (not all the plants developed in the root area- perhaps too close together?/ not thinned?) Tried spring onions but none came up

That sounds great idea though having my own salad stuff through the winter. Your seed prices look pretty good. I might have to order some seeds from you- I'm a recent joiner to Ebay and so have no history yet. Name is Funkychickenjohn on ebay (I think). Do you have polytunnels?

Good luck with the car sale, the ad looks great, just needs a selection of good photos. Whats the 0-60 on the Jag?

[Orkney]

Winter salad – onions can survive outside but better with a cloche – ideally if you’ve a greenhouse once the toms & cues etc are over fill it to capacity with salad – tey do really well.
All of my seeds grow – possible you had a bad or old lot.

The book says 0-60 7.9 top end 145mph, I’d pretty much guess its actually just sub 7 seconds from experience and certainly does more than that top end (on an autobahn of course) You don’t need it all, but lovely to have the mid range grunt on tap for very safe overtaking ie you don’t have to wind it up and anticipate.

[chickenjohn]

The seeds were from s supermarket, not from you! But I could be placing an order very soon! (as long as you don't mind the odd question).

[Orkney]

Well dont go buying them on fleabay - just PM me what you need - they get enough money as it is !

Car seems to be doing well, 10 watchers, couple of questions, not bad for 30 odd hours. Its getting quite interesting really.

[Orkney]

Update on the car sale !!! Think it might be sold !
Got a phone call from a very nice get last night - basically its just what he's been looking for - offered a deposit to hold the car until he could view next weekend. As long as the description full payment in cash.
Gave him the old mans number and they chatted, the chap rang me back to say thanks and he'll be going next saturday.
So the jags into the dealer on monday to get the problem silencer box replaced and fingers crossed it should be going to a good home soon.

Must confess forgot what fun it can be selling on ebay - selling low value shop items day to day really is quite droll. Going to have a look around and see what else i can list now just for the fun of it
Did suggest to the old man that it might be worth a shot putting his house on there but some people are coming back for a second look today.

[wibble_puppy]

hi orkney,

i love your write-up on ebay, good going hope you get top dollar and a loving home for the old banger. and the car. (ho de ho)

mmmmmm salads..... chillies.......... mmmmmmmmm

loving the off-topic-ness of this thread

[Orkney]

Its called creative marketing that is and seems to have done the job.
Guess ultimately though its worth the top dollar and if i were looking for one thats the one I'd want mechaincally/history wise.

I hate chillis !!! not nice dealing with the hottest you can get, quite dangerous in fact if your not careful. Wouldnt do them at all except the customer demand is there. Nearly ended up in hospital once- blew some dust out of a little dish - bang, couldnt see couldnt breath, forgot I'd used the bowl for some naga seeds - being hit by the dust was like a concentrated attack of pepper spray - not nice at all.
I do know someone who handled them without gloves - went to the loo and well you can guess the rest, yup dangerous things indeed !

[chickenjohn]

-snip-
loving the off-topic-ness of this thread

we are on the off-topic section! ;-)

[wibble_puppy]

i know - great innit!

[Orkney]

Quick update !!!
The car sold on Saturday morning - top money + a little bit more believe it or not !!! First to see bought !!!
The listing was a resounding success so thanks to all who chipped in and gave me directions in which to ponder the best way to try it.
The old man is over the moon, the new owner also, & to complete the happy tale I got a nice drink for my trouble too which was never asked for nor expected.

Literally could have sold it 3 times over, even seriously contemplating upping the price with 3 people all clammering for it. End of the day that would have been underhand & less than gentlemanly so stuck with the original price until all 3 had had the opportunity to view.

Think the time spent going overboard on the listing / description was the main factor, seemed to stand out from the rest and grab peoples attention.
If only i could find one of those to sell a month wouldn't have to work for a living !

Anyway cheers all (says me happily having just cracked the first beer from the crate i bought at the shop on my proceeds )
couldnt have been a better conclusion to it

[wibble_puppy]

nice one! well done orkney

[chickenjohn]

Yes, good result, well advertised, it did sound like a top car, credit to your parents for looking after it so well.

[Orkney]

Yes, good result, well advertised, it did sound like a top car, credit to your parents for looking after it so well.

Ah well the credit for that goes to the OM's deep pockets (with long arms if your reading Bill )
Would call it being had over by the dealer personally over the years.
Mothers car well thats a different story - lovely thing a suzuki vitara v6 - ridiculous low miles, FDSH AND GOES LIKE STINK ! looks the part from 10ft, till you see the dings and cosmetics caused by ferrying brothers sprogs about. Shame really, would have could have had it for nothing but no way could justify that sort of MPG tax & insurance, just no point for my needs.
Going to have to try selling that in a few weeks once thier moving date is settled (oh they also sold house this weekend too so things happening quickly).
Did a value check on it and its worth more than it is as stands if you needed one. It depreciated a lot worst than the jag thats for sure.
Bless the Mog for zip depreciation I say and damn shame never got one 20 years ago