Advice for Selling our Nissan Leaf?

[TromboneAl]

Because of logistical issues, it wasn't possible to trade in our Leaf when we bought the Tesla, so now I have to sell it.

I don't care about getting top dollar. What's the best way to sell it?

 

[aaronc879]

The easiest solution would probably be CarMax. Might get a little more from Craigslist or even Ebay but CarMax is likely easiest.

 

[frayne]

I've sold a couple of vehicles on Craigslist with no issues at all and actually got a pretty fair price.

 

[braumeister]

The easiest solution would probably be CarMax. Might get a little more from Craigslist or even Ebay but CarMax is likely easiest.

+1
Quick, simple, and fair. Not the highest price you could get, but they get plenty of repeat business. I've sold three cars to them and have no complaints at all.

 

[freedomatlast]

Carvana is actually even easier than Carmax and they generally will give you a little more than Carmax will. Personally, I've always had great results using Craigslist and Ebay.

 

[aaronc879]

Carvana is actually even easier than Carmax and they generally will give you a little more than Carmax will.

I don't think Carvana services the West Coast.

 

[Buckeye]

Sell it yourself and you can save someone from paying a dealer upcharge. Lots of people need a good vehicle to get to work. Selling a good car at a good price is a public service IMHO.

 

[38Chevy454]

Facebook marketplace is good place to list if you do it yourself.

 

[The Cosmic Avenger]

Never heard of Carvana, but between them, Carmax, or a dealer, they'll take it off your hands pretty fast, and you should have very little hassle or worry.

I've sold a couple privately, and you definitely have to be ready to show it a few times, deal with inquiries, and wait for the price you want. CarMax offered me $9,500 for my dad's car as-is, with some scratches and other non-minor cosmetic damage. I found a body shop that would do all the work for $3.5K, but I talked them down to $2.5K, because I wasn't sure I could get more than $12K for it.

But I waited, posted it for sale everywhere, and after a couple of months I got $14K for it!

Just saying, convenience is definitely worth something, but it could cost you more than you think. Or not. Just thing about it, and be as sure as you can that you won't regret it later either way.

 

[GravitySucks]

Craigslist can be a pain but I get better prices than dealers or CarMax.
Don't price it to low, that seems to bring out the nut jobs.

 

[cbo111]

In my experience Carmax generally gives lowball offers if you are not buying something from them.
I sold my 2010 Prius on Craigs list in about a week. When I sold it, there were not too many used Prius (what is the plural for Prius?). Also, list in next-door.com if you have that in your area. Both are effective free options to try first.

 

[TromboneAl]

Carmax is out because it's 250 miles from here. Thus, I'd have to drive the Leaf 70 miles, find a place to recharge overnight, rinse and repeat.

I think I'll call around dealers tomorrow. I'm willing to make less money for the convenience, but I'll think about it.

If I sell on Craigslist, what kind of payment should I require? I hear about these fake cashiers' check scams ...

I'm seeing a 2011 Leaf locally for $4,999. Ours is a 2016.

 

[aja8888]

Always require cash from a private sale. The only way to accept a cashier's check is go go to the buyer's bank with him and be with him when he orders the check from the teller.

 

[travelover]

Always require cash from a private sale. The only way to accept a cashier's check is go go to the buyer's bank with him and be with him when he orders the check from the teller.

I agree. When I bought a camper recently, I went to the credit union with the seller and they transferred the money from my account to hers. We had different credit unions but they were affiliated. Alternatively, the buyer could ask for a cashiers check to be cut to you on the spot.

 

[The Cosmic Avenger]

Always require cash from a private sale. The only way to accept a cashier's check is go go to the buyer's bank with him and be with him when he orders the check from the teller.

Well, I've taken checks twice, and maybe I've been lucky, but the first time, the buyer emailed me from a .gov email address, and it turned out she worked for the same OPDIV that I did, so I wasn't worried about having to track her down...and I knew she already had passed a background check! The second time I met people at the local police station and checked IDs, but the ultimate buyer was someone who I had seen post a lot on a local community group. I met them at my house and also at theirs, and they lived only a mile or so away, so I wasn't worried about tracking them down or them disappearing. But I advertised via local groups like Nextdoor.

I'm not saying that you should try this, or that it's easy, but I managed to, at worst, get lucky twice, and at best, was able to make things a lot simpler for myself by finding the right buyers.

 

[CaliKid]

CarMax is GREAT! Have sold several cars to them and been perfectly happy with the price. Very impressive operation.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

Specialty car models often have online forums for devotees. These forums usually have "for sale" and "WTB" listings.

A quick google turned this one up for the Leaf: https://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewforum.php?f=41&sid=74e489df473034e0b3c91316bda2a238

 

[Ready]

How much is it worth? Is 70 miles the realistic range on it? Did it go more than 70 miles when it was brand new?

 

[gerntz]

Carmax is out because it's 250 miles from here. Thus, I'd have to drive the Leaf 70 miles, find a place to recharge overnight, rinse and repeat.

I think I'll call around dealers tomorrow. I'm willing to make less money for the convenience, but I'll think about it.

You make owning an EV sound so wonderful.

 

[GravitySucks]

I've taken checks from people in my area. I held a loan with 50% down and a 1 year payoff from an acquaintance of my daughter. Cashier checks. Cash, the largest sum being 6,500.

Can't imagine the buyer not being able to bring the cash to you or a local safe space. It's not going to sell for 5 figures.

Edit. oops maybe 5 figures. Misread earlier post thought yours was the 2011

 

[Teacher Terry]

By the time we sell our cars they are usually only worth 1k. I list it a few hundred under BB and usually it’s gone within hours. I only take cash. The only time I let the dealer take it was when my Volvo needed 6k repairs. They only gave me 500. It ran fine but someone taking a test drive wouldn’t have known what was wrong. I would never cheat someone so to the dealer as a trade in it went.

 

[TromboneAl]

How much is it worth? Is 70 miles the realistic range on it? Did it go more than 70 miles when it was brand new?

Yes, it went about 80 before. It said it would go something like 107, but almost all our driving was on the freeway. That was fine for us.

 

[TromboneAl]

You make owning an EV sound so wonderful.

Our new Model 3 gets 310 miles. Yesterday we drove it 336 miles back from the Tesla dealer, and we only had to charge once for about 30 minutes (could have been less, but we wanted to play it safe).

 

[Bamaman]

If you're going to sell to a dealer, the obvious dealer is the Nissan dealer the Leaf came from. They often have customers looking for Leafs, and they sell'em for more money than any other brand of dealer. Go on NADA and add/subtract for options, condition and mileage--looking for the Trade In Value as a guideline.

Another source is AutoTrader.com, the largest online seller of automobiles and trucks. Individuals can post their cars with pictures, etc.

 

[Another Reader]

Our new Model 3 gets 310 miles. Yesterday we drove it 336 miles back from the Tesla dealer, and we only had to charge once for about 30 minutes (could have been less, but we wanted to play it safe).

Picture??