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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 06:04 AM
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Default Test Drive

So it's that time to sell my 08 corvette. I know, I'll miss it but I am going to bump up to a CTS-V 4 door sedan due to family growing.

So to my question to those who have sold their corvette or what they have done in the buying process at a private party sell.

How did you all go about giving qualifications for someone to test drive? What i don't want is 600 people saying ohh they want to buy it, take it for a test drive and then say shhhhhh i don't like the car, blah blah blah.

I am thinking to have the prospected buyer bring proof of funds available or a letter from their bank stating they are approved on a loan 30K and above.

Also should I make a copy of their driver's license also?

Im trying not to be paranoid but in today's society there are too many jackasses going around to get screwed over by one of them.

Thanks for your input.

Mike
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 06:36 AM
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Originally Posted by mcuzin1985
So it's that time to sell my 08 corvette. I know, I'll miss it but I am going to bump up to a CTS-V 4 door sedan due to family growing.

So to my question to those who have sold their corvette or what they have done in the buying process at a private party sell.

How did you all go about giving qualifications for someone to test drive? What i don't want is 600 people saying ohh they want to buy it, take it for a test drive and then say shhhhhh i don't like the car, blah blah blah.

I am thinking to have the prospected buyer bring proof of funds available or a letter from their bank stating they are approved on a loan 30K and above.

Also should I make a copy of their driver's license also?

Im trying not to be paranoid but in today's society there are too many jackasses going around to get screwed over by one of them.

Thanks for your input.

Mike
Well....I would suggest working with "autotrader.com" lots good advice there for people who use their service . My experience is that you will only get "serious contacts" and if they coming some distance to see the car....they fairly certain to be reasonably "trustworthy." Test drives are done with you in the car.....have a route planned....you insurance will cover you but If you have someone who is coming to look at the car , it is fair to alert them to bring some kind of "proof of insurance". No need to do the "driver's lic thing.' Would not suggest getting into "financial aspects" until the person indicates serious interest and you arrive at a price......at that point, I indicated I would accept only a bank "cashiers check"......and that the name of the bank and the phone number should be provided to you prior to the date of the sale...so that you can call the bank and verify the process. The prospective buyer should notify his bank that you will call and verify the process. Again....work with Autotrader....they have good advice on selling vehicles!
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 06:42 AM
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DO NOT let anyone take the car for a test drive without you in it.
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 07:16 AM
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Have a set area for them to drive in and ride with them.

Don't forget to put a switchblade in your sock, just in case.....
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 07:31 AM
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Originally Posted by rdroket
DO NOT let anyone take the car for a test drive without you in it.
Never let anyone drive your car unless you are in the passenger seat!
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 07:47 AM
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DO NOT TRUST AutoTrader buyers!!!

There are more scammers on AutoTrader than on Craigslist.
They have absolutely figured out the AutoTrader system.
You will get scam calls and text all day and night.
I just went through this in October. After a week of all the BS, I cancelled the ad then I took my Camaro to the Cadillac dealer and traded it in.
After the ad was cancelled, third party Autotrader partners started calling telling us they could help us sell the car.
UGH! What a PITA that whole situation was.
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 07:50 AM
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I understand the prospective buyers interest to probably test drive but I have not allowed this in the past. I guess I have been lucky to some extent. My buyers have been 40 or 50 something and mature enough to see the cars for what they were. I would drive ONLY they were the passenger, in the last sale it was bought without any road test. He listened to it asked good questions walked around a few times (came from 400 miles away) SOLD ( price was right too). So not a concern for me, you drive it when you own it here. But I only have low mile Queens, a DD with 30,000+ miles I wouldn't be as fussy. GLWS
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 08:01 AM
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You can get a feeling if the buyer is legit, or just there to take the car for a spin without any attentions of buying it instead.

So test drive is the last part, after you have felt out the buyer to see if they are actually going to buy it/have the means to buy it in the first place, or just there to waste your time instead.

And as for the test drive, you in the passenger seat the entire time!!!!!
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 08:03 AM
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Trust no one!! Make sure your in the car during test drive. Show me the money!
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 08:25 AM
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keep us posted how it goes. I had issues selling my previous car on Autotrader. I had minimal hits. Ironically once I said screw it and traded it in, I got 4 phone calls later that same week. Don't know what would have panned out with it but whatever it is what it is...
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 08:27 AM
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Just go with them on the test drive.
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 08:31 AM
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Originally Posted by mcuzin1985
So it's that time to sell my 08 corvette. I know, I'll miss it but I am going to bump up to a CTS-V 4 door sedan due to family growing.

So to my question to those who have sold their corvette or what they have done in the buying process at a private party sell.

How did you all go about giving qualifications for someone to test drive? What i don't want is 600 people saying ohh they want to buy it, take it for a test drive and then say shhhhhh i don't like the car, blah blah blah.

I am thinking to have the prospected buyer bring proof of funds available or a letter from their bank stating they are approved on a loan 30K and above.

Also should I make a copy of their driver's license also?

Im trying not to be paranoid but in today's society there are too many jackasses going around to get screwed over by one of them.

Thanks for your input.

Mike
If you want a retail price, sell it on eBay. No test drive. The deal goes down, a shipper arrives and takes your car away. Easy peasy.

If you prefer a no hassle deal, visit CarMax and get a price more than wholesale but less than retail. Again, easy and 15 minutes gets it done.
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 09:29 AM
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I just sold a drag car to buy my Corvette, the buyer came from Oklahoma to Michigan. He liked the car, called his bank and wired me the money on the spot. As soon as the money was in my account, I transferred it to my savings and he was gone.
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 09:46 AM
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Thanks for all the great posts on here. Ill be putting it up for sale here on both Ebay and Autotrader come April once the weather gets nice.

In reference to Ebay how you do disclose if there is anything wrong or can you just put sold as is and the buyer would have to come inspect it before its shipped?
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 09:53 AM
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Yes be in the car during test drive.
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 09:55 AM
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Of the cars I've purchased from private sellers I test drove one without the owner in the car. All others were with the owner in the car. I have sold cars and rode with the prospective purchaser for the test drive. One car I sold to a Canadian purchaser all through emails. Detailed photos sent as asked and a wire transfer was made to my bank with the information that the purchaser was to have the title once the transfer was made.

I can't remember someone test driving a car without finalizing the deal on the spot. The only time I've test driven a car without buying was from a dealership. All private sales that I test drove, I purchased.
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 10:00 AM
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I would definitely allow the user to test drive, but like a lot of other people have mentioned I will have to get a warm and fuzzy first. I am in no rush to sell the car "thankfully" so I can be very picky.
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 10:19 AM
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Guess I look honest, when I went to Nevada to look at the GS we bought the PP seller handed me the keys and said take it for a spin I thought "really" ????
Having my wonderful wife along probably helped
NSF
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 11:56 AM
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I had the same problem when I was selling my 97 Z-28 after I bought my first vette (03 C5).

When people came to see the Z-28 I took them for a drive. I drove normal/regular and then I did a hard run through 1st, 2nd and into 3rd then got off it. I told them they could drive it, but not dump clutch, no hard acceleration, etc. I had no trouble.

When I ordered my 13 vette I was trying to sell the 03 by myself. I just got nervous about the amount of money, people in my garage looking at it and the 68 Camaro show car (I am the only owner). So I traded it in on the 13. I got $1500 less from the dealer than I was asking, but no hassle, no money issues, no transfer legal issues.

Yes I am a wimp, I do not trust society.
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Old Feb 19, 2015 | 09:34 PM
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How about asking for a $500 cash deposit, returned after the test drive?
That should at least cover your insurance deductible.
And, photo copy their drivers license before you go.
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