REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

Crowtservo · 05-08-2015, 03:48 PM

Hi everyone. It's been so long since I've been on this forum but it's the first place I thought to come with a question regarding selling my car.

First question is - is it generally better to get the car fixed up as much as possible before selling? Or would the buyer typically prefer to that themselves? It's nothing major, but it is due for a timing belt, pump, and some other type 4 service as soon as possible.

Second question - what do you guys think a 2001 Honda Prelude SE with under 100,000km on it is worth? It's black, great condition, original kit, no accidents and no major work done. Well maintained.

Third question - I posted this in another thread, but is it generally better to sell the car with the after-market stereo system or to put the original system back in?

Thanks in advance for any help!

fliptuner · 05-08-2015, 03:57 PM

Ask yourself if you're going to get that money back (or most of it) when you sell it. Sure, it'll make it easier to sell but if you can't recoupe the cost it's not worth it, IMO.

Same goes for the system. It won't increase the value of the car, so if you have the stock stuff to put back in, save the aftermarket equipment for a separate sale or another car. Also, a lot of people will prefer a stock car over one that's been personalized.

ilovebacon · 05-08-2015, 04:35 PM

Go search up the black book for car value on Google. You'll find it

AudiFreak · 05-08-2015, 08:41 PM

Auto or manual? I would service it as most people would not want to deal with servicing it. Also, is the subwoofer and amp custom enclosed nicely in a way that maintains a good amount of cargo space? If so, I would leave it in. If it's just those huge boxes, take it out.

SpeedStars · 05-08-2015, 11:38 PM

I *think* you could probably clear 5-6k no problem as is..if you hold out you might make 7k if it's pristine. Also I would advise you to get all maintenance done because you would get those people who would lowball you, do the maintenance themselves, then resell for more

punkwax · 05-08-2015, 11:59 PM

Personally, I would get the maintenance done to help sell quickly. Even if you don't recoupe a couple hundred bucks at the end of the day, it would be worth it just to avoid the CL lowballers out there and potentially weeks of annoying negotiations. Should attract serious buyers if you can offer recent receipts and a well sorted Prelude.

Just my opinion considering it sounds like a clean car and not a headache to just get rid of.

Zyx · 05-09-2015, 05:34 PM

From my experience as selling my own cars... Ive found it always helps to have a after market stereo and some mods done to the car that way it looks like youve taken care of it and added some extras... if you have an aftermarket exhaust make sure you have the stock one.

good luck!

european · 05-11-2015, 10:05 AM

It really depends on the buyer. Some people like modified others don't.

It's easier to sell a fully operational vehicle with no problems. People want to get in and drive away and not worry about the up coming maintenance that is needed.

OEM stereo or not it doesn't make much of a difference but generally people prefer a stock car.

From my experience most people want low milage, no issues, clean title, and extremely cheap.

I've been trying to sell my stock 97 prelude for a few months now. Prelude's seem to be a bit tough to sell.

Good luck!

und3f3at3d · 05-11-2015, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedStars

I *think* you could probably clear 5-6k no problem as is..if you hold out you might make 7k if it's pristine. Also I would advise you to get all maintenance done because you would get those people who would lowball you, do the maintenance themselves, then resell for more

I think that would be a difficult sell. Not to shit on your car, but remember boostedbb6's prelude? Almost the same specs as this car, with a rebuilt engine with 500km, and it took him a while before he could sell for 7k.

Perhaps he can chime in more

http://www.revscene.net/forums/69796...ude-turbo.html

Crowtservo · 05-11-2015, 02:21 PM

Thanks for all the input everyone! Some great advice here. Since I'm not in a rush to sell, I think I will list it "as is" for a few weeks and see what kind of response I get. If it doesn't sell I may then do the tbelt + pump, spark plugs, etc. and try again.

I will keep you posted!

Tone Loc · 05-11-2015, 07:35 PM

1 - Get everything fixed if it is financially doable. Especially things like timing belt/water pump which IMO is a pretty major service. The average person is unable to do it themselves and/or don't have "connections" to a friend/shop that can. Therefore, it can get costly and will result in people throwing you stupid lowball offers or passing altogether. I find selling a car that has had everything fixed and all maintenance up to date gives you the ability to allow less "wiggle room" in negotiating. Unless you suck at negotiating.

2 - Go on CL and see what similar ones are selling for. Most of what I've looked up just now are higher mileage (150-200k+) and are still going for 6000+, so I'd list it at 7000 or so. If your car is manual I would list it for abut 500-750 more than that.

3 - Unless whoever is buying your car is a high school student, less mods are usually better. That being said, aftermarket stereo is not a big deal and is probably better to keep in the car, since AFAIK Preludes did not come with USB/AUX input. The first "mod" that people usually do to pre-aux/iPod/USB cars is an aftermarket stereo, because they have ears and know that Vancouver radio is complete and utter garbage.

BoostedBB6 · 05-11-2015, 09:26 PM

Prelude is a hard sell. I have had 7 in total and they are always harder to sell because fewer people seem to like/want them.

You will be hard pressed to get over 5k for a very good example. If you find just the right person there is potential for more, but the market is not nice to these cars.