What is the best way to sell your car if it is in bad cosmetic condition but good working condition?

Question

I have a 2003 ford focus zts which is in bad cosmetic condition. The bumpers are hanging off a bit there is a large dent the interior is kinda beat. The car has 70k miles on it but the engine was swapped for a 2004 zts engine with only 11k miles on it. What is the best way to sell a car like this that is in good working order but cosmetically is a mess. Would carmax even take a car like this or should I try ebay or private. I know its atleast worth the 2000 dollar engine in it and it is really worth more just seems like it will be very hard to sell.

Answer 1

Get the cosmetic stuff fixed and then you can sell it for a decent price, which will cover the expense of the work you had done.  If not, you pretty much can't sell it privately.  Maybe as a trade-in, but you'll get screwed.

Next time, take better care of the vehicle, since you know you're eventually going to sell it.

Answer 2

do  not do anything dishonest advertise the milage,there are many who dont worry about outer appearances

Answer 3

Put a classified ad in your local paper.  Be honest about its condition.  Sounds like a good work car for someone.  Good luck!

Answer 4

Craigslist.com

Answer 5

put it up for sale. some people see ideas when they are out shoping. and can or have ways of fixing those problems that you mention.

Answer 6

do it privately carmax will only give around a grand i garonty the focus is not the best car in the world in terms of durability, list it and focus on the insides not the out be honest about the engine and the body.

Answer 7

I don't really care what a car looks like as long as it gets me from point A to point B in one peice

Answer 8

I don't want to hurt your feelings but that car is'nt worth 2G's. The only way that you might got close to that price is to try and sale it privatly. If you try to sale it at a used car lot they might would give you 800. to 1200. bucks

Answer 9

to old car byers

Answer 10

Well first off let me just say I am a doctor... of a sorts. Let me ask you this in response to your question. Is this what you thought you would do in life? This reminds me of an experience I had while I was skiing in the Alps. My buddy and long time friend Kelly Hillman and I were getting some huge air when fate took an unfortunate turn and I broke my neck. Well if you have any question please email me at

[e-mail]

Good luck on your skiing adventure.*giggle*  

Answer 11

Run an ad in your local auto trader paper and call it mechanically sound.

Don't go into detail about it's cosmetic appearance and set your price in high, around 2800 dollars maybe.  Also say you'll consider a trade, but always ask for money to boot.

I'm going to be honest and tell you that the car is going to be what I call a slow mover.  That's why I'm telling you to consider a trade.

When you're selling a car, don't talk it down by mentioning that it's a little rough in appearance and if the first prospect that looks at it doesn't want it at your price, there will always be another one.

Also if you're going to lay claim to having the engine swapped for a lower mileage engine, have paperwork to prove it, like receipts for the engine and maybe for the the labor to swap it.

Good luck

Answer 12

first off its craigslist.org and you could search ebay and see how much similar engines are going for and maybe part the thing out.