GF selling Avalon with problems: trade-in, sell privately, or fix-n-sell

[tofergregg]

My girlfriend has a 1996 Toyota Avalon XLS (90k miles) that needs some pretty hefty work (exhaust system, struts, and a door is dented from a parking-lot hit and run). Currently it sounds like a Maserati (and that's not a good thing). The repairs will probably be close to $3k.

She made a deal on a new car (Hyundai Elantra) and then mentioned her trade-in. They offered her $1500. She thinks that's crazy, because a 1996 Avalon in good condition could get $5-7000.

So...should she just trade it in and avoid the hassles of fixing/selling but take a hit, or should she try to sell it without fixing it, or should she just have it fixed and then sell it? Thanks!

-Tofer

[CDub LXi]

They offered her so low a price because they won't make all that much off it either. They'll most likely wholesale it off their lot for $2500-3000 if they're lucky... and the'd better be damn lucky.

Exhaust system needin replacement? What part? You can buy a used muffler off ebay for pretty cheap I'd think and then take it to a muffler shop and have them weld up new catback piping.. you'd be under $200.

Struts? Go with Midas specials... You'd be looking at around $300 for a full set of struts. If you don't know how to install.. maybe another $100-150 to install.

The damage is the only costly part.... is it JUST the door? Junkyard time. Get a Maaco paint job on it.

With these repairs I estimate $1500 in repair... and you could probably sell the car for $4k.

If it were me.. I'd try selling the car for $3000 obo as is.

[skewe]

take some pics and we can give u a ball park figure.

how bad is the dent?

what part of the exhause?

struts, i think u can swing by without changing it cos not many people will know that the strut needs replacement till they ride the car for a long time or have taken a ride in another avalon.

u can always go to www.kbb.com and www.edmunds.com for price/value

[BLUEMEANIE]

they offered my bro-in-law $100usd for his 98 intrepid with a decent amount of problems ... he ended up getting +/-$1500 in the end. You gotta haggle with them on that too.

[tofergregg]

Thanks for the tips -- I'll see about getting pictures. If she gets $3k for it, I'm sure she'd be happy. Cheers!

-Tofer

[ocb_dave_ocb]

If you are interested in a Trade... i've got a 95' Geo Tracker in Good condition with pics...
4x4 convertible