Tips to help sell your gas-guzzling SUV

Anne — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:14:53 +0000

It seems like everyone is running around in a panic trying to unload their SUVs these days. Maybe not our readers, many of whom have to carry around more than 5. Smartmoney recently published an article offering 5 essential tips to help sell your Seqouia.

It seems that trading in your Pathfinder might not be a viable option anymore, so if you are downsizing, this list is chock full of good advice.

In fact, gas crunch notwithstanding, I see this list as great advice for selling any car, in any financial climate:

1. Be Your Own Salesperson

Owners almost always get a better price for their car when they sell it on their own vs. trading it in, says Robyn Eckard, a spokeswoman for Kelley Blue Book. This is especially true when it comes to SUVs. Dealers already have a hard time getting rid of the used SUVs clogging up their lots. In fact, the market is so bad that some dealerships won’t even accept SUVs as trade-ins anymore, says Eckard. Even if a dealer is willing to take an SUV trade-in, they’ll likely offer the owner a price quote that’s well below market value in an effort to preserve their own profit margins.

2. Price It Right

The fact that used-SUV prices are falling fast is not lost on potential buyers. So when selling an SUV, make sure to check its current value on Kelley Blue Book’s web site. (Prices are updated every Thursday.) Then visit a site like AutoTrader.com to see what other local sellers are asking for. Just be aware that many people who list their vehicles don’t actually need to sell them. These folks often ask for a relatively high price and only part with their trucks if and when they get what they want. For owners desperate to sell their SUV quickly, consider pricing it $100 to $200 less than the cheapest comparable car in the region, says Howard Polirer, industry relations director for AutoTrader.com.

3. Advertise Online

Sixty one percent of used-car buyers start their search online, according to AutoTrader.com. So it’s critical that you list your SUV on a web site like AutoTrader.com, Carsdirect.com, Cars.com, or eBay Motors (EBAY: 28.45, -0.20, -0.69%). By reaching millions of potential buyers, web sites like these allow individual sellers to compete directly with dealerships. Since an owner doesn’t have overhead costs to worry about, he could list his SUV for less than a dealer, making his vehicle look like a bargain. And if you throw in free car shipping — a technique dealers often employ — you might be surprised at how many additional offers you get.

4. Provide Plenty of Details

To help your ad gain more traction, include as many details about your SUV as possible. Autotrader.com recommends posting at least 25 pictures that highlight the vehicle’s best features, including shots of the cargo space, fold-down seats and its general condition. And as you should with any car listing, include photos of any scratches or dings, as well as the odometer showing the SUV’s mileage.

5. Build Credibility

Finally, work on building credibility with prospective buyers. Provide them with all maintenance records and a Carfax Vehicle History Report. The vehicle history report, which costs $25, details factors that every buyer should know, including whether or not the SUV was ever in a serious accident or flood. Also, consider paying an independent mechanic to inspect the car (it should cost about $150) so buyers feel confident they aren’t getting a lemon.

One last piece of advice: Don’t get so caught up with the price at the pump that you’re willing to sell your SUV at any price. Make sure to ask for enough to cover any outstanding auto loans and the cost of acquiring a new car. If that’s not feasible, it might make more sense to keep your existing vehicle and find ways to drive it more efficiently.

The Minivan Wars: My Odyssey

Robert — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:17:42 +0000

In my last two installments of this series, I tried to bring you both sides of the Minivan Wars and introduce you to real moms who loved their minivans and moms who wouldn’t drive a minivan if they could at all avoid it. I learned a lot from these moms but I was still torn as to what car to buy for my family of six.

Ultimately my crew made the decision for me.They were fed up with the status quo and it was either a minivan or a big old Partridge Family bus, for us. I went quietly, no fight left. Four months of driving an Acura MDX with my four children, and groceries on everyone’s laps (no room for groceries when the double stroller is in the back) had taken the fight out of me. We worked with an excellent broker and placed an order for our very own minivan. We got the Honda Odyssey Touring in black, with the black interior. It looks either sleek, goth, or like Shamu sans white stripe, depending on your perspective.

I will say this, since driving a minivan my life has gotten considerably easier. Cushy almost. I could get used to this! Some of my favorite features thus far:

The Doors and Liftgate. It’s hot here and I worried about a black on black vehicle. It’s never been a problem, partly because of the ability to open up the car from a hundred yards away.
The Space: No more "Quit touching/crowding me!" screams from the back seat. I have all four kids sitting with noone next to them. The double stroller is still in the back of the car. Along with the groceries. There’s room for it all.
The Versatility: My husband has removed the seats twice now. All that stuff in the garage waiting to go to storage? Gone. The mountain of things for Goodwill? Spreading cheer to those in need as we speak. These things tended to pile up and knowing it would take two or three trips in the MDX was enough to put it off till next weekend.
The DVD system we have not used: I’m glad it’s there but I am also glad that my kids have not asked to watch it yet. In the crowded MDX tv was like a sedative, dosed out at every trip in order to keep the masses silent. In the Odyssey we actually listen to (XM) radio. And converse. How novel!

Do I love my minivan? Well despite the convenience, I can’t say I love it – yet. It’s getting there but a part of me misses driving a vehicle with major horsepower and a complete disregard for where to put a sippy cup. Which is why I already have my sights on something else in place of the MDX. I

If I had not had a fourth child, I doubt I would have taken the plunge. I would have stuck to an SUV or more eco friendly car for transporting the family. But now that I have it, I have to admit, there’s worse things in the world than being a Minivan Driving Mom!