What is my car worth?

At Custom Car Sales we get asked this questions almost daily. The fact is that as car enthusiasts we spend a fair bit on our cars. Sometimes it is for investment and calculations are made to help make money on a car.

More often than not we spend more than any possible return on the car.

So what's the answer to the question? Well a car is the same as many things in life and it is only worth what people are willing to pay. Especially with highly modified and custom cars, the task of putting a price on your pride and joy makes life even more difficult. 

There are a few questions to ask yourself:

1. How quickly do I need to sell?
1. If you are in no hurry to sell advertise the car on a site that your ad runs for an extended time.
2. Think of a price that you would not be able to turn down if someone walked up to you and offered and use that as your starting price. As you get more motivated to sell modify your ad and drop the price.
3. If you are in a hurry it comes down to what is on the market around the same style model etc. More importantly you need to price the car at about 10% above what you need to allow for some negotiation.
2. What work am I prepared to put into selling my car?
1. It still amazes me how little "work" owners put into selling their cars. the most effective way to get more people to see your car is to advertise online. There are a number of online car classifieds and comparing them is a whole blog series on it's own. No matter which one you choose there are a few tips that will help
1. Take more photo's...I commonly see only 5 or so photo's. there is a reason that www.customcarsales.com.au allow up to 50 images per ad. 
2. Take photo's of the good and the bad points. This will ensure the calls/contact you get are informed and still keen. Don't waste you time trying to cover up bad points most buyers are aware, especially car enthusiasts.
3. Name your photo's... Your camera will give a letter/number name to the file when the image is captured. When you have the photo's on you computer screen hold to mouse over each one then right click the mouse button and go to "rename". When you name your photo use a long description. This means your name should look like this "1976 Holden LX Torana Hatch SLR Blue" "1976 Holden LX Torana Hatch SLR Blue 2"  . Your now thinking "why?" the reason is that if you name 50 photo's with this type of description Google will register each one and it will make your ad more visible when a buyer searches.
4. Description.... usually your the one who loves this car so you need to get that across to buyers. We see $70,000 asking prices with 5 line descriptions. You need to write a paragraph on the make and model and about the car in general, then a paragraph on the paint/panel, interior,engine transmission and diff, wheels and suspension. Also any other interesting info like car show results, magazine articles etc.
5. Video,,,Use your phone or video camera to upload a video to YouTube of vimeo and then link it in the ad. Sometimes this is in the description or as in www.customcarsales.com.au there is a place for the link (make sure you use the long link not the short link). With the video start at the drivers door with the motor idling. then slowing walk around the car till you end up back at the drivers door. Go for a drive with the camera inside and have a shot of the car driving from the outside. Take a look at www.rk-motors.com video below for inspiration.

Now if this looks like too much work. Ask yourself if someone paid you $10,000 to do this would you? the honest answer is yes. Now take a look at your asking price.....someone will pay you if you make the effort..

Only $15.00 runs till it sells

Cheers,

Janson Kane