Should I make repairs to my car before I sell it or trade it in?

Question

Somebody tried to break into my 2002 Acura 3.5RL when I was in Iraq. The front right door glass has scratches from a brick and a dent the size of a tennis ball on the rear right fender from the same brick. Repair costs estimates are $186 for the glass, $352 for the dent. The front left fog light seal is broken and has water in it ($140ish), the glasses holder in the roof is broken ($100ish), a few minor light bulbs in the dash (fan dial, fog light button, CC and traction control button) and a few driver's door lights (window lock and rear view mirror control area) are burnt out ($?). The car just received a brand new OEM condenser, tensioner and belt via the warranty. The tires have very little tread left. I need to sell the car to prepare my exit out of the Army in 19 months so I can move back home. I need a cheap truck to tote my drums around. I just sold my 92 Honda Accord station wagon for 2K. The cash is making my mind spin! What is the best thing to do? My brother says do nothing

Answer 1

When trading a vehicle in You want to make sure you fix things that are wrong unless your car isn't worth it...... Because when they do the appraisal they will deduct for those things and you wont get much for a trade i price.

Answer 2

Most of the knick knack paddywhack crap, when selling a car, is the buyer's responsibility, and is an accepted fact whether some buyers accept it, or not.
Because, unless the issues take the car's condition from say excellent to good (or from good to fair) it really doesn't make a difference in price, thou it could, if the car was in primo shape before and now it's not, more often than not this is simply not the case but I don't know so you have to decide.

That having been said, there exist some quickies you can do that would only help increase its curb appeal. For example, with a dremel tool or an electric drill with a teenie tiny drill bit, if the water-filled lens is made of plastic, you might try drilling a little hole in an inconspicuous location so the water can drain and lalala.
For the dent, there exist some places that for around 100-150 will fix it almost to perfection, no re-painting but you have to check around, forget what it's called but they specialize in small dents like that, something like 'the dent doctor' or maybe it's 'dent wizard' or something along those lines.
The light bulbs you should be able to DIY, they're only a few dollars in pairs, might spend 10-20 and just replace yourself.

In other words, what you can fix economically, do, because it helps. But the rest, you just have to leave it be, that's what most folks do, most serious buyers are aware of this thou you'll as likely get a slew of price shoppers who'll try and talk you down but you just have to be patient is the trick.

Good luck

Answer 3

You have the possibility of making more money if you fix it up, just be careful not to spend more than the return would be. If you sell it to a private party, a crafty buyer will talk you down hundreds of dollars for the cosmetic damages. Dealers tend to be a tiny bit more lenient if you're going to trade in. I would say replace the glass, leave the dent, replace the fog light seal, leave the glasses holder, replace all the bulbs. Then give 'er a good scrubbing and you should be good to sell.

Answer 4

That depend .There are a difference to sell the car to another person or to a car dealer.

On the dealer they use the black book; is a depreciation method on where they just consider the years ,manufacturer and model for depreciation.Like example your car paint can be branch new,it have a super nice stereo with DVD but that do not count for the dealer like example a car for the 90's they can give you just $500 but when you sell this car to another person we call this action getting the price of the market that mean that on the street you can get maybe $ 5000 for your car.

Any way no spent to much on it.Important correct any leak of any lubricant on it, be shure that the temperature is normal,good wheel and not need to be new.Make your best clean up on it and good luck.

Gongo Ranger.

Answer 5

Set your asking price, add the cost of your repair list, sell the car "AS-IS". When selling it, you now have negotiating room. If selling to a dealer, do not fix it, you are only going to get less than the wholesale value for the car. And that is not close to what you think the car is worth. Sounds like a major headache for me, and I'm a used car dealer.

Answer 6

You rarely get your money's worth when trading in a car, you are better off selling it privately. As for the repairs, no insurance I take it? I'd try to take care of the cosmetic items, letting the new owner replace the high ticket ones. Don't expect to get full value.

Answer 7

i think that it is best for you to repair it before selling or trade it in. As i have estimated, the cost for repairing and changing of spoilt parts is more costly. Therefore, i think that you can consider repairing your car into a better looking one. who knows that you may even get more for your return than you have ever expected.

Answer 8

If the repairs will yield you more than they cost to get repaired its worth it. Just make sure you can get your repair money and some or you just repairedsomebody elses car in a sense.

Answer 9

Check with NADA on line it will give you value of your car then deduct amount of repairs this will help you to decide.

http://www.nada.com/

Answer 10

No they are only going to look in the blue book and give you what they wont too. No