Selling non-running vehicle..

wolffeathers · #1 07/10/12, 08:47 AM

We had a Ford Explorer that the mechanic couldn't figure out how to fix and we didn't have money to take it elsewhere(we had replaced it already). So on a whim I threw it on Craigslist for $400. I had people sending multiple emails within minutes of eachother wanting to be the one to come get it. I believe the thing was gone in just a few hours. Someone jumped in their truck and pretty much said they were on their way. Never asked for the title or any paperwork. I honestly thought I went high on the price, but the sheer amount of response I got made me wonder.

What in the world are they doing to make money off of this deal? In the past we've called scrap yards directly for other vehicles and were offered $150. Are they parting these vehicles out and then selling what's left? Is there that much profit margine left in a non-running vehicle for someone to come and haul them off?

I was just curious. It was driving my DH and I crazy. LOL

wy_white_wolf · #2 07/10/12, 08:54 AM

Strip the parts off. I know a few that make a decient side money parting out 1 to 2 vehicles per month. If all the body/interior was in good shape $400 was cheap.

wolffeathers · #3 07/10/12, 09:06 AM

Eh, that's what I figured. The interior was decent, the truck had it's fair share of problems and we had hit a dead end with it. I wasn't worried about losing out on a deal, just curious because I didn't think there was that much of a profit margin.

Thanks for answering and putting that mystery to rest.

wy_white_wolf · #4 07/10/12, 09:18 AM

Prices variy by model and popularity of vehicles

Front clips (Fenders, hood, grill, lights) - $1000 to $2000
Doors - $50 to $200
Interior (seats, door panels, headliner, carpert) - $1000 to $3000

That doesn't even start on the drivetrain. A little thing like the catalytic converter can bring $100.

Another possiblity is that explorers are one that off-road rock crawlers/mud buggies are made from. They wouldn't worry about a title but I would have at least asked for paperwork just so I could show where it came from. One of my friends lost big when he picked one up that was stolen. When he found out he couldn't prove who he bought it from he was at the mercy of the court.

WWW

PhilJohnson · #5 07/10/12, 09:55 AM

I bring all my own vehicles into the scrap yard. The pick-up price versus drop off price can be quite large. Also depending on the year of your Explorer parts could be worth a bit. Despite the price of fuel SUV's are still pretty popular. A good front clip could go for $400 bucks by itself.

DW · #6 07/10/12, 10:24 AM

We sold a dead SUV for $1,000 and the guy seemed thrilled to get it. It was not worth fixing for us (too much $) but this guy was going to fix it himself. It did look good for its age. We were amazed at the # of people that called about it, too.

Sawmill Jim · #7 07/10/12, 10:41 AM

Yep $400.00 he did good after pulling a few parts and the catelic converters he did ok . It feeds his family

chewie · #8 07/10/12, 11:54 AM

did the same thing! hubs hit a big buck iwth our little blazer, both died. it sat here for well over a year, and I ran the cl ad. got a few calls/emails, but within a few days a couple grease monkey's (and I am using that in a very nice way!!)showed up with cash and off it went. $450. they have the know-how and tools, we didn't. to them, yeah, great deal, to us, the money was great. win win!

I also sold an old camper this way too. sold a few other things, and looked outside and mentioned how I hated having hubs old pickup parked out front where I cant' see the driveway. poof, he moved it in the hour! thehehee, the boy was scairt i'd sell it!! haha

Sunrisesya · #9 07/10/12, 12:06 PM

Here in Michigan, used cars are at a premium. People can't afford new and used car lots
empty out quickly.

Pugnacious · #10 07/10/12, 12:15 PM

I just sold an older truck that needed some work but had alot done already. My general feeling is that most of the parts replaced in maintanence and doesn't add to the value of the vehicle. I had it in the classifieds for 2 weeks and only had 2 calls( I do live in the middle of nowhere). Then one day a local guy called and wanted to come look at it right then. He then asked "you only want 3K for it"? He probably could have talked me down to 2K until then. I said "yeah I know it needs some work". He bought it on the spot with a 1/4 mile test drive that I practically begged him to take. He said he wanted it before he ever drove it. I guess treasure is in the eye of the beholder.

wolffeathers · #11 07/10/12, 12:44 PM

See, I knew someone here would know. LOL

So how much would a 94 2500 dodge ram diesel truck go for? It's leaking oil, running hot and cutting off. Has about 500k miles on it. Exterior is faded/flaking, windshield is cracked. Driver door and tailgate doesn't quite close all the way, but both are still functional. LOL Our poor used vehicles are finally giving out on us.

PhilJohnson · #12 07/10/12, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolffeathers

See, I knew someone here would know. LOL

So how much would a 94 2500 dodge ram diesel truck go for? It's leaking oil, running hot and cutting off. Has about 500k miles on it. Exterior is faded/flaking, windshield is cracked. Driver door and tailgate doesn't quite close all the way, but both are still functional. LOL Our poor used vehicles are finally giving out on us.

I'd say $750 on the low side and $1200 at the high end for around where I live. Might be worth more if it's a 4x4.

beowoulf90 · #13 07/10/12, 03:02 PM

I don't know if others mentioned this, but they could also sell it for scrap value.

The scrap value for a vehicle is about $500 after taking off the Catalytic converter, which runs from about $40 -$150 depending on model..

Sawmill Jim · #14 07/10/12, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beowoulf90

I don't know if others mentioned this, but they could also sell it for scrap value.

The scrap value for a vehicle is about $500 after taking off the Catalytic converter, which runs from about $40 -$150 depending on model..

Yep thought i did . Because if they are handy that is what i do with them but i like a better deal and pay cash . Got a Dodge van i paid for a while back just haven't felt like going and getting it . Lot of guys scrapping with trailers that are a accident waiting for DOT to get them .

I got DOT numbers licensed for 26,000 lbs and breaks on a 37 foot neck-over trailer with 15 lights on it .

travlnusa · #15 07/10/12, 07:11 PM

Both sides win,

You got every dollar you wanted and the other side got a good value with their know-how.

I sell cars for a living. We will take in a trade and price it on the high side. Every 10 days we drop the price. You can always tell the day that supply equals demand when the phone starts to ring.

If you ever sell another, price it at $500, $1000, $2000, etc. Think about the price ranges that people will enter as search options. When we started pricing at $15000 rather than $14995, our call volume went up 40%.

airotciv · #16 07/11/12, 04:15 PM

Pricing depends on how quickly you what to get rid of them. We sold on Craigslist, a 1980 Ford 3/4 ton pickup for $400.00 and my sons old Ford car (?) for $1200.00. The Dh said we could get more, but he just wanted them off the farm and both were gone in 5 hours. To my DH's joy and we all got a good deal.

chickenmommy · #17 07/11/12, 05:15 PM

S.O. blew the engine in my PT Cruiser on Monday afternoon. Sold it today for $500. We're happy. I had already replaced that engine once and had the a/c fixed twice and it doesn't work again. Everyone is happy!

Bandit · #18 07/11/12, 05:36 PM

Here in Mass. scrap cars are running around $ 160 a ton , down from $ 220 a couple of weeks ago , and dropping every day .
Welcome to: Self Serve Used Auto Parts! ( one of the yards of the company I use )
Bandit

mnn2501 · #19 07/11/12, 05:40 PM

You went too low. But if it gets it out of your yard and some money to boot, well.....

NorthCountryWd · #20 07/11/12, 06:46 PM

Not sure about your area, but around here they've been running the "push, pull or tow" trade-in deals at the local dealerships. You get $2k towards a new car, $1k towards a used.