Selling a car in TX?

cupofjoe04

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10:46p, 11/16/24

AG

I know there is an auto board... but yall are the only miscreients I really trust.

I will potentially be selling the wife's minivan (not trading it in). Located in TX (Collin Co). Have clean title in hand, owe nothing.

A few questions for those of you who have sold cars in TX before.

- Is it really worth trying to sell it private party (i.e. FB Marketplace, or something else)? I'm not in a rush, but would like to move it once we decide.

- Or, is it more of a pain in the rear, and I should just take it to CarMax or Carvana and see what they would offer? (I'm planning on getting a quote from them in any case). I'm totoally open to taking it to a used car place, if it is easier or if the private used car market isn't strong or likely to net me that much more. Looking for advice here.

- If I do sell it to an individual, what do I need to know? Just provide a properly signed Title and Form 130-U, keep and copies for myself? Accept only straight cash, or is there another safe way to handle payment?

- KBB estimates the car at around 16K, CarMax online says $11K. Do you find KBB to be fairly accurate for asking prices?

- What else do I need to know that I'm not even asking about?

Thanks so much for any and all advice!

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HouseDivided06

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11:10p, 11/16/24

AG

So here are my recommendations.

- Check out Cars.com and CarGurus and get an idea of what your minivan is worth on the open market. Not Kelly blue book or Edmund's, but what other minivans of similar age, trim, mileage, condition are selling for. That'll give you a baseline.

- List it on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, etc at a number in that range. Give it a week or two and see what kind of reaction you get

- If it doesn't sell for a number you're comfortable with, take it to CarMax. They'll give you a quote. Then go home and immediately enter your information into givemethevin.com. They'll offer you as well. If it's less than CarMax, tell them. They'll beat it by $500-$1,000. Also try Carvana.

- If those numbers are in the range you are looking for, take it and run and be done. If not and you have the ability to wait it out, then assess where those numbers are compared to the market and make adjustments as needed.

I've done this a couple times in Collin county as well with decent success. Feel free to PM me. Was in the car business for awhile as well, and you worked with my mom at Stonebriar before she retired. Happy to help any way I can.

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axan77

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11:19p, 11/16/24

AG

No matter who you sell it to, file a form VTR-346 immediately after sale. You can do it online, don't even have to mail it anymore. This is in addition to the 130-U. The VTR-346 notifies the state that you no longer own the car, which is important in case the buyer never transfers it to his name, and later a crime is committed with that vehicle (ask me how I know). It also protects you from toll charges if the vehicle doesn't get transferred. I even do this form if it is sold to a dealer.

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SanAntoneAg

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7:04a, 11/17/24

AG

In the past couple years I've sold three vehicles in private party sales. Used KBB as a guide to set asking price and used the forms listed above. Probably not necessary but a simple bill of sale found online as well.

Cash is king but a cashier's check works (for me anyway).

And yes, be sure to do the online vehicle transfer post sale at https://www.txdmv.gov/osp.

Gig 'em! '90

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AgResearch

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7:11a, 11/17/24

AG

Don't forget to pull off the license plates.

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SanAntoneAg

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In reply to AgResearch • 7:26a, 11/17/24

AG

AgResearch said:
Don't forget to pull off the license plates.

And registration sticker.

Gig 'em! '90

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agdoc2001

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7:56a, 11/17/24

AG

GiveMetheVIN gave me a better deal than Carmax and Carvana on a vehicle last month. I MIGHT have been able to get an extra couple hundred bucks on a private sale, but it wasn't worth dealing with facebook scams.

No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.

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FSGuide

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In reply to AgResearch • 8:01a, 11/17/24

AgResearch said:
Don't forget to pull off the license plates.

This!
No matter what the buyer says, DO NOT leave plates on it

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Red Pear Realty

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8:41a, 11/17/24

Sponsor

AG

And the toll tag.

Sponsor Message: We Split Commissions. Full Service Agents in Austin, Bryan-College Station, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Red Pear Realty

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JLN90

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In reply to AgResearch • 8:46a, 11/17/24

AG

AgResearch said:
Don't forget to pull off the license plates.

This…

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Ribeye-Rare

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In reply to cupofjoe04 • 9:09a, 11/17/24

AG

cupofjoe04 said:
I know there is an auto board... but yall are the only miscreients I really trust.

1

coolerguy12

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5:33a, 11/18/24

AG

I sold one private a few years ago and got hit up by people requesting I run some knock off carfax. They were always ready to buy and lining up a ride and gathering the cash and as soon as I ran that report they were coming to buy. Just send them the carfax and place on ignore if that doesn't work for them.

cupofjoe04

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10:50a, 11/18/24

AG

Thanks everyone for the adivce and experiences! Super helpful!!! I apprecate you all

cupofjoe04

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In reply to HouseDivided06 • 10:53a, 11/18/24

AG

Thanks so much for your thoughtful respose. Excellt points. I have intitated with GiveMeTheVin to see what their range might be.

I would love to ask a question or two, if you don't mind. I don't have stars, so can't PM on here. If you are able to shoot me an email at my username at g m a i l . c o m I would very much appreciate it! Thanks so much. I would also love to know how we are connected. We have had several people retire recently, so there are a few candidates (all of whom are wonderful people!)

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