Is there any quick do's or don't when selling a Corvette?

I don't want every 18 year kid in town wanting to take a free joy ride. I don't want anyone driving it that doesn't have means and intent to buy it.
I am very concerned about someone wrecking it.

But you have to let a buyer drive it. It seems hard to judge.

Are there any other unofficial rules to look out for?

Also, what are some of the better sites to list it on? Is there one that is most popular?

 

Go with your gut. It's easy to spot tire kickers. Unless they bring proof of insurance and a valid license, no test drive for them.

Autotrader, Craigslist, and here on the forum would be your best options for listing. Good luck.

 

Then don't let potentially concerning individuals drive it. Simple as that. You're not likely to miss out on a sale. Use your good judgement here. Obviously ride along with any interested parties. Never let them be alone with your car. Etc.

As mentioned above, yes you would want to make sure the person driving the car actually has a license and insurance. You'd be surprised (or maybe not) how many people are not adequately insured or maybe don't even have a license. It's not rude at all to ask for these things and only serves to protect you. If someone takes offense to it then they don't want to buy your car.

Someone who is actually serious about purchasing a C5 has likely done all their homework and is prepared to purchase the car ahead of time. Not many people can buy toys that are over 10 years old. When it came time for me to buy, I came with a set of cotton gloves (so I could show I wanted to look and handle things but not harm any part of the car), flashlight, mirror, and of course enough cash to cover the price of the car so I could potentially try and work it down. I was professional as possible but I try to be that way when dealing with these sort of purchases.

Here on the forum would be the best initial place. There is a sale section. Forum members are usually also willing to travel if it is for a good deal or a Corvette they really want to buy.

There are also Corvette -specific sales sites. The only issue you will deal with there is going up against similar cars for sale, so you will have to be competitive in your pricing structure.

 

A way to filter tire kickers is to list that you want to see their driver's license, proof of insurance, and a $500 or $1000 refundable deposit.

 

with the above. If it doesn't feel right for you, simply refuse to let the person take the car for a test drive. And asking for a license, insurance and even a refundable deposit is not a bad idea.

 

I would not list on Craigslist a car or anything for that matter after the experiences I have had and the calls received. Ebay motors would be a safe bet as Ebay members have verified addresses etc.

 

I bought my C5 3 weeks ago from the dealer and he had one simple policy---you want to drive it, you buy it. The owner of the Chevy dealership took me out personally and drove the car. He told me he would do anything to it within reason to show me what it does. If the potential buyer can't determine what the cars like riding, he's not buying anyway.

 

When I sold my other Vette I went with him on the test drive to point out the good and the bad. Sold it to the first guy that looked at it. Priced it too low, I guess.

 

It all comes down to how desperate you are... Personally , I could tell a serious buyer the minute they open their mouth. You do not have to step lightly, it's your car. you don't give kids ( or an adult ) a joy ride unless they have secured the money from the bank, and an insurance rider from their insurance company...before they can get a ride. And that is only if your people meter is showing a green light. You can show them your car, and take them for a ride in it and answer any questions they have. If they are serious about the car, they will do what is necessary to secure the car, and get that ride, but they will have to give you a deposit, to hold the car for them. Only to show that they are serious in purchasing the car. Body language will reveal a real interested party. You have the advantage if you are not desperate. If you are desperate, a buyer could play you like a fiddle, if it shows.

 

Years ago I bought a C4 from private seller. went to look at car, husband was at work and only wife at home. I asked if I could take a test drive and maybe drive it to my house (20min away) to show my wife. She said, "sure, no problem". I left her my keys to my driver and was gone for an hour. Some people are trusting I guess, but I would never have done that !!

 

Wow. I bet she got an earful from the hubby when she told him.

 

I have to agree with just about all of the above. Lots of people make a hobby out of going around looking, wasting your time, without any serious thoughts of buying. I'm currently selling a Harley Road King, guy showed up a few days ago and wanted to give it a test ride. No way was that going to happen. He said he'd be back the next day with the cash. No show! I NEVER let anyone drive my cars or ride my bikes, I'll drive and the prospective buyer can ride along, or not. You can't be too careful! On vette sites, and I know there are a lot of them, personally I like cargurus.com for checking prices and just to get an overview of whats out there both from private sellers and dealers. Prospective buyers can look nationwide and tune their search by make, model, year span, color and a multitude of other variables. Seems like a good educational tool for those looking. Anyway, just my opinion. Good luck and best wishes!

 

If they pull up in a beater don't answer the door.

 

I just sold a blown 07 mustang GT and in the ad I put in large letters "NO TEST PILOTS" A serious buyer would understand that and had no problem selling it, It went to a good home.

 

guy i know was selling a very nice c5 . had an older ''gentleman'' come to look at it . he insisted he was going to drive but owner said no he'd take buyer for a ride . buyer wouldn't have that he was going to drive . he backed it out of drive and took out sellers mail box doing a couple hundred dollars damage to the vette . he then said he'd decided not to buy it and left . i don't remember who paid for damage seller or an insurance company but do know it wasn't out of ''buyers'' pocket .

 

I have bought and sold a lot of cars in my life and I can say you have to trust your gut.

I use Craigslist and forum's exclusively. I have never sold a car on eBay.

IMHO, I really like Craigslist. I have sold each and every car and bike to the first person to look at it.

You have to allow test drives. It is not fair to the buyer to expect them to buy the car without driving it. I completely disagree that you can know what you are buying from sitting in the passenger seat. That just is not the case.

When I word my ads I don't put statements in like "serious buyer only", or my biggest turn off, "No test drives without cash in hand".

I personally do not respond to any ads with wording like that. There is no way I will go look at a car with 25k in my pocket. Maybe I miss out on some decent deals, but it is not worth the risk.

The bottom line is to price the car right, be generous with information and pictures and respond quickly to all inquiries. Do not force people to only call on the phone if you are using online sales format. That is just annoying.

 

When I put something up for sale, I put a TON of information in the advertisement, literally a page or two, with all the stuff buyers ask.

Maintenance done.
Any issues.
Appearance conditions.
Replaced wear parts.
Lots of pictures including things people care about like the driver's seat (condition).
Mileage.
Disclose any accidents or incidents.
Etc. etc.

I HATE repeating myself. If you can't read the ad answering 99.9% of the questions you SHOULD HAVE about buying my car/item; you're not my buyer. If you ask questions or have need other content that I have NOT explained in my advertisement, I'm happy to converse.

I won't exchange more than 3 messages. If they don't want to talk live after that, they are not my buyer.

That's how I weed out the riff-raff.

 

When I bought my C5, the owner gave me the keys and said take her for a spin. I was gone for 15 to 20 minutes and he asked how come such a short drive. He was a straight shooter and he knew I was serious about getting a Corvette. I brought a cashiers check for $1000 less than he was asking and we made the deal. It was in the fall and either he or I would be storing it for the winter, so he let it go cheap.

 

If a dealership wouldn't have let me test drive a used (at least 12 years old) vette I would have just walked away..... I bought my car from Prestige Motorcars of York and that was pretty simple, copy of the DL and Insurance and I could drive the cars I was looking at.... by myself.

I have driven $70k pickups by myself and taken them home for an hour before......

 

I like that!! Best wishes to you!