Selling Advice????

[imported_Ken Rosenzweig]

Does anyone have any advice on getting my Reatta sold?

I've had it on AutoTrader.com since March and had advertised it for a while in the local paper (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). I've gotten limited responses to both of these sources, though I thought on three different occassions that I had the car sold (buyers backed out each time). I also posted the car on this board on 6/24/03 hoping for a buyer.

I'm now thinking of taking the car to auction and trying to sell it there. Has anyone ever tried this?

I really thought that a car as good-looking and rare as a Reatta would sell easily. I think there's a lot of people out there who just don't have a clue what a Reatta is. Every person who has inquired about the car is a current or former owner. Maybe at an auction when the non-Reatta people see the car, they'll be impressed with the look and I'll have some luck.

Any thoughts? Any interest in the car?


-------------6/24/03-----------------
Unfortunately, I need to sell my Reatta. I've owned it for five, largely trouble-free years. I purchased the car in 1998 with 63K miles and now have over 143K miles on it. It's never had a major breakdown of any kind and, until I put it up for sale, I regularly took long weekend road trips in it. It is clean inside and out. ken_rosenzweig@msn.com

It's been on AutoTrader.com since March. The price listed there of $3,499 is very negotiable. The only current issue that I have with the car is the electronic dashboard. About two months ago, it started blinking out occassionally and the "electrical problem" light comes on. It has happened several times and typically only stays out for ten minutes or less. Outside of this, I have no current issues with the car.

I am located near Pittsburgh, PA. If you want to see the car on AutoTrader, search for Reattas in the 15017 area code. There is a picture, although the quality is somewhat poor.

You can contact me at ken_rosenzweig@msn.com

[imported_Reatta4Real]

The Pittsburgh area seems to have a large concentration on Reatta owners. I bought mine from the Pittsburgh area and see Reatta's there more than anywhere else. The thing is getting people to pay that kind of money for a 12-15 year old car with that many miles. I paid top dollar for my '89 Reatta as other people where interested in it who lived out of town. I overpaid considering the year and milage but for the options you get with a Reatta I couldn't pass it up. The car I bought was also on "Yahoo Autos" for a while. There you might be able to attract more attention and your price would still be lower than most of the dealer cars on there now. As far as auctions, expect to take a loss, just look on e-bay and then look up the Kelly Blue Book value of the car, most take a real beating.

[kennyw]

the Kelly Blue Book price is high. In the real world The Reattas just do not bring that much. Only Reattas with less than 100,000 miles bring your asking price, and then only to Reatta lovers. To everyone else it is just a 14 year old car. What would you pay for your car considering the dash and electrical problems would cost over $500 at a dealer to get fixed. Remember the car will not pass most states inspections with those problems showing. A Reatta colector would probably have a spare dash and know how to find the electrical problem. Hoot had a hard time selling his high milage Reatta for $1500. and most everything worked. I have a high milage, 161,000 and EVERYTHING works. The only problem is the clear coat. I would be lucky to have any lookers at $2,000. Just my opinion...................Ken <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...mlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

[imported_Ken Rosenzweig]

I pretty much have resigned myself to the fact that my Reatta won't bring much. I originally advertised it at $3499, but long ago figured that I'd have to take less. I think the Kelley price is $2800-$2900, and at this point I'd probably be willing to accept less than that.

Or I may just end up driving the car until it falls apart or keeping it in my garage for twenty years. In either case, I'll be getting the dash repaired soon.

They didn't sell well in '88-'91, and I guess they still don't.

[Howard]

Here's one thought. Have you ever considered eBay? There is a fee, but you might just luck out. I think the best way to get a car sold on eBay is to take a lot of pictures to show the potential buyers just what they are getting. The eBay community is very large and there maybe a Reatta fan out there. Howard

[imported_electra483]

I'd sell mine right now if I got $2500, and would include some spare parts. I want a classic that needs restoration. Anyone with old iron looking for a trade, email me!

[bigsteviejoe]

How much do dealers offer for trade ins now for the average coupe?

[Barney Eaton]

Review why the buyers back out... maybe they decided it was overprice for the mileage and condition. You might get $3500 if everything was working and it looked really good.

What I often find, a car is hyped as being excellant, then as you talk to the seller, this is wrong and that is wrong etc. Starts you to wondering what is wrong that is not being addressed. While $3500 is not a bad price for a nice Reatta... if it needs a $250 instrument panel, $400 worth of tires, the drivers seat replaced, the rear has been hit slightly, now it is starting to look like a $2500 car.

Lower the price around what you would take and move the car.

[imported_Ken Rosenzweig]

Thanks Barney.

I picked $3499 as a price, giving myself room to come down if someone asked. Who ever pays list for a car? The three different people whom I really thought would buy the car never proposed a lower price; they asked if the $3,499 was negotiable, and I always said yes, but they never actually made offers.

The dash problem ("00" "Error" "Electrical Problem") has developed since the car was last looked at by an prospective owner. At that point, the car didn't have any issues. It still looks very good.

I might just end up keeping it, although at this point I'd really consider taking whatever I can get for it - maybe $2000?

Do you know where I can get a new or good used dash module?

[imported_tstemmer]

Keep it - drive it - enjoy it!

[Reatta1]

Quote:

The dash problem ("00" "Error" "Electrical Problem") has developed since the car was last looked at by an prospective owner. At that point, the car didn't have any issues.


Do you know where I can get a new or good used dash module?

In all probability your dash problem is simply a loose or corroded connection. I had the same problem intermittantly on my 88 and replacing a couple corroded connections and tightening up the rest cured it. $140 at the dealer. If you do need to replace the cluster, there are any number of members on this forum that could fix you up at a much more reasonable price than any dealers would charge.

I'd say don't give it away cheap. It is a marvelous vehicle and undoudtably the best and most comfortable road car I've ever driven. Good luck. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/image...lins/grin.gif" alt="" />