I am selling my Eclipse and I have about 7 people who want to come to my house and see it. Do I let them take it for a test drive? Never sold a car on my own before so any advice would be appreciated. The car is heavily modded and would hate for some joy rider ripping the clutch apart and doing 7000rpm dumps. Should I just take them for a ride? What else do I need to sell it beyond the title?

 

I wouldn't buy a car I couldn't drive first. That said, I think it is generally OK with a highly modded car for you to do the driving first. When you have a firm commitment and see the cash, you might be obliged to let the buyer drive the car to seal the deal.

I wouldn't lose a sale over the drive question, especially with a modded car but you can expect to get alot of lookie-lou's with this kind of car and prequalifying in some way is probably smart.

 

You drive it first and explain all of the mods, then if they seem legit, let them drive it with you in the car.

Kirk

 

I have sold a lot of cars in my time. From experience, I know that NO ONE is going to buy a car without driving it first. As someone else suggested, you should drive the vehicle first, and only when you are 100% comfortable with the individual should you let them drive it. One way of eliminating ( at least some) joy riders from inquiring about your car is in the way you position your ad. I usually add the line "Serious inquiries only" to my ads. Also, when I get a call from a potential buyer, I usually tell them that I will need some ID from them, perhaps their drivers license or car insurance just for verification of who they are. I have never had someone who has been offended by my requests before.
Sorry for the long winded response, however if you truly want to sell your car, bottom line is you're gonna have to let someone drive it!!
Asif

 

Thanks guys, now do I need anything beyond the title? Are there any documents I need to fill out with the DMV?

 

Unless things are different in the US, there is nothing more you need to fill out at the DMV. You sign the bill of sale which the new buyer then takes to his registry office. In most cases, thats all he/she needs to register the vehicle in their name.
Hope that helps
Asif

 

First of all I never meet people at my house to sell a car. Meet them at them local grocery store or gas station. I've had some real weirdos try and scope out my house and garage. Never again.
Ensure you get a cashiers check for the purchase. I had someone try and give me a bogus personal check once. There are bogus cashiers check out there as well. If you had the person accompany you to the bank to cash it, prior to taking possession of the car, that would alleviate any financial fears.
I have no problem letting a person take it for a ride. But I ride with them. Otherwise they could drive down and have the key copied and steal the car later. If they get a little over ambitious with the test drive, let them know. 7000 RPM clutch dumps are not required to evaluate the mechanical stability of the car, regardless of how modded the car is. Straight-line braking, reasonable acceleration runs and a couple of trips across the railroad tracks to check for rattles.
Once you sell the car, be sure and send in the section of the title that removes any liability from you to the DMV. They buyer is required to re-register the car.

 

Dan,

make that 8 interested parties... i will be up to test drive (abuse) it tomorrow! What is the your highest attained top speed?

Beyond your title, you may want to get your green card out

-John Rocker.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Scot
[B]Dan,

make that 8 interested parties... i will be up to test drive (abuse) it tomorrow! What is the your highest attained top speed?

 

Dan,

it is nice to see that IBM has finally allowed you the time to fixed your Alvatar thing.... good looking little dog!!!!!!

Ya find a typhoon yet? If someone would buy my stupid Type R, I think I will try and get that ty in texas.

Scot