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SOLD my 2005 .. -Seller's Be "Aware" - Here's what I learned!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by bshef, Jan 24, 2021.

  1. bshef

    bshef Active Member

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    Gonna mark this up to another "live & learn" life lesson ..., and wanted to share for those of us that will eventually sell their Prius (or probably any private party used vehicle) in the near future.
    We have 3 cars between 2 people here and with Covid we hardly EVER DRIVE anywhere now days. Also, back in August 2019 I purchased a used 2017 Leaf...(my 1st leap to a full electric vehicle) - So I have been toying with idea of selling the Prius for about a year now.
    So with all that in mind, the wife says it's probably time to sell one of the cars so....the day had finally come to say adios to my Prius after 198kmiles and16 yrs of an amazing car.
    I made a quick ad on Craigslist and within minutes... had 4 offers. This made me skeptical so I proceeded very carefully and chose one guy (Jason), that seemed the most genuine.
    All the while one lady was spamming me with emails that she'd pay cash and beat any higher offers I got. This tactic actually made me a little leary so I didn't reply to her.
    Jason showed up and didn't even start the car up....he asked what my best price would be so I knocked off $150 and he didn't blink (this was my first clue I was leaving money on the table). But in all honesty, I had planned on this price being acceptable to me so I was ok with it.
    What I learned after we signed title was....all these people are shipping cars off to other countries for premium prices. Even the lady spamming me was willing to offer me 600 more than I was asking (and I'm sure she was still obviously making money).
    So My Prius is on it's way to Cambodia. Be Aware, You can actually probably get more than you're asking.
    Who knew?
     
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  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Can you please explain how you found out and where you went to confirm or corroborate? Is this an LA thing? Shipping old Prius overseas seems pretty far-fetched, not to mention problematic and would like to learn more because that's not ever been my experience with people buying and selling on craigslist?
     
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  3. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    My question is.....what was your asking price on that 198k mile, 16 year old car? Because if someone was offering 600 over ask, had (real) cash in hand and was going to take possession of the car with no BS scam going on, I wouldn't bat an eye. I'd take their money.
     
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  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I agree... Nothing makes sense about this post?
     
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  5. bshef

    bshef Active Member

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    Hi Priuscamper -
    Yes, the buyer -Jason, Simply shared this information with me. Additionally, the spammer lady, (I did email her back to inform her that I had just sold the car), she sent me a follow-up email asking if the buyer's name was so and so, claiming this person "beats her to cars" all the time. She explained exactly what Jason had shared with me .....that Prius is an "Export Car", and especially prius with navigation brings the highest prices. All these buyers deal in cash.
    Being this was the "Craigslist" environment and I don't have much experience selling/buying things on craigslist - I was very skeptical of all the cash offers and didn't take them seriously.
    My asking price was just under $4400.
     
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  6. bshef

    bshef Active Member

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  7. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Well, those prices would indicate there's some money in it...

    I also did some digging and found how California DMV processes it: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/vehicle-industry-registration-procedures-manual-2/report-of-sale-used-vehicles/used-vehicle-sold-for-export-to-another-country/

    I also found an outdated 2015 US report on used cars sold for export that speculated it helps to boost the sale of new cars, which makes me wonder if the stealerships are involved in any way:

    "U.S. exports of used passenger vehicles averaged 762,000 per year from 2009 to 2013, with many destined for lower-income markets. The large foreign market for these exports appears to have propped up U.S. passenger vehicle sales and may have lessened the price premium for new vehicles to U.S. consumers. This suggests that the current level of U.S. new-vehicle purchases can be at least partly attributed to foreign demand for U.S. used vehicles. Estimated data are used because precise data on some U.S. exports of used vehicles are not available." https://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/executive_briefings/coffin_used_vehicle_exports.pdf

    Sure would be interesting to learn how much market share they're really taking away in 2021?

    But it seems that with the outrageously high prices stealerships charge for repairs not under warranty, as well as hourly rates of large scale non-dealer shops in the US it not only explains why so few people drive old cars anymore, but it also explains why potentially a millions used cars a year are leaving our country for lower income foreign markets.
     
    #7 PriusCamper, Jan 24, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2021
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  8. dbstoo

    dbstoo Senior Member

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    If you want to see what the used Prius market is in some countries, click on this link and count the number of Priuses in sight from one spot.

    I chose this spot at random in the capitol of Mongolia. Last year I stumbled upon a picture that had over 35 Priuses lining a city street.


    Google Maps n <---- click this google maps street view

    The reason that there are so many there is that a Prius is exempt from a Mongolian pollution tax, even the used ones. They are brought in by the boatload.

    Dan
     
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  9. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yes, that reminds me that the price of gas is very, very high in some countries unlike the US which ranks in the lowest 1/3rd of global prices: Gasoline prices around the world, 18-Jan-2021 | GlobalPetrolPrices.com So it would make sense that hybrids are popular in countries with expensive fuel.
     
  10. DWJM2513

    DWJM2513 Junior Member

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    Okay this has got to be a load of crap because my 2005 Prius isnt even worth 500 with 236k on it 20190517_203319.jpg
     
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  11. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    If you lived near me I'd pay more than $500 for it for sure! Your car is worth more than you realize.
     
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  12. DWJM2513

    DWJM2513 Junior Member

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    Right now it's down cause the Hybrid batteries took a dump so I'll be looking into getting remmanned ones in the future. Are they're any places to start looking to buying some?
     
  13. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    One last point: "Sales of used light vehicles in the United States came to around 40.8 million units in 2019. In the same year, approximately 17 million new light trucks and automobiles were sold here." &bull; U.S. new and used car sales 2019 | Statista.

    So if 1 million out of 40 million a year are exported, I guess that's not that much in terms of export...
     
  14. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Lol... I have several... None of them are reliable except for one of them that I can't sell because it's a back up for a warranty I gave to someone. Like I said If you live near me I'll buy your car. But you profile says "US" so I have no idea where you live.
     
  15. DWJM2513

    DWJM2513 Junior Member

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    I live in Ohio. I'm not looking to sell it anyways. I wanna get it back up and running because it saved me a boatload of gas when I drove it to work
     
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  16. bshef

    bshef Active Member

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    I could run this past the guy that just purchased mine if you'd like?
    I was super skeptical selling mine as well, although with today's experience I'm certain we're all undercutting ourselves.
    And with the post speaking to Pollution-tax and high gas prices in these countries, I think it's safe to say we have Climate-change to thank for this recent boost in sales prices for our used Prius!
     
  17. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Just saw your post about your car when you updated it and replied a minute ago. Hope it helps...
     
  18. DWJM2513

    DWJM2513 Junior Member

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    I'm not selling it. I'm just stating what a dealership told me it was worth and also what KBB valued it at. Just wondering how you got 4400 out of it
     
  19. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Out here on the west coast used car dealers sell Gen2 Prius for $7-10K and private sellers sell for $4-7K... Prices are much lower for old Prius in midwest and the south.
     
  20. bshef

    bshef Active Member

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    Just texted with the lady spammer....
    She says White Prius's with Nav are HIGHLY DESIREABLE as export cars.
    She'll offer top dollar for these!
    So if you know anyone wanting to sell....let me know and I'll hook them up!
     
    #20 bshef, Jan 24, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2021