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Why isn't my Car selling? Advise/comments welcome please!

2K views 27 replies 19 participants last post by  Ian916 
#1 ·
Hello All!

I have had my GT advertised for a few weeks now, and have only had one call on it.

I was expecting a few calls, and ready to accept an offer. I'm starting to get to a position where I need to sell the car.

Can people have a quick look and let me know what's so off putting? I've checked against Autotrader and Piston heads and I think the price is fair - PistonHeads seems to have widely up and down prices - while AutoTrader seems to be more consistent - hence my price.

If anyone at all can give me some feedback or comments I would be very much appreciative!

Link is here
 
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#2 ·
I was expecting a dog but I can understand why you have posted :lol:

Really is a clean looking GT you have there.

Why are you getting rid?? (if you dont mind me asking)

I think the problem is people hear the age old "oooo I wouldnt its an Alfa" tosh or people just look for the usual stuff i.e. ford, VAG etc and Alfa doesnt simply pop into most minds.

At a guess it is not on Autotrader?

Some punters may never think to look on piston heads either, I never have done tbh.

Maybe worth getting the car on Autotrader and see how you get on :)

Again.... Stunning car :thumbs:
 
#4 ·
Maybe it's down to the fact you've taken the pictures in the nude? :)

Seriously though, better pictures may help. Find a better backdrop, straighten the wheels and close the passenger door. Don't take the pictures looking into the sun as you'll get glare, turn the car around for reverse angle shots.
Get all of the car in shot on the profile picture too.

Rather than "leaking turbo hoses repaired" you could simply mention that they've been replaced.
 
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#5 · (Edited)
Hi looking at the add only thing would appear to be the price just a little hi for private sale maybe? going on the others with similar miles :confused: The market is not in the sellers favour :cry:
Its your car maybe try it a bit lower and see what happens? Or be a little more patient ?
The main thing is to get people round to look! maybe drop it slightly then reduce the amount of haggling you accept;
 
#6 ·
Many thanks for the help thus far!

Its not yet on AutoTrader - going on this weekend, along with Gumtree! Will get some new snap's in a local beauty spot too after a nice clean.

The advise seems to hint that the description is too, er, descriptive. So maybe I'll rework that too.

And I'm selling as im getting a Brera S. Been holding on as I havn't got one yet, but as I'm going this weekend to collect I think I'll drop to 5900, maybe 5800 and see what happens.
 
#7 ·
I would begin the advert by stating that the car has been the cherished possession of two Alfa Romeo enthusiasts and that your intended reason for sale is that you would like to buy an Alfa Romeo Brera. As Cobalt said, people like the idea that the car is/has been faultless so why mention turbo hoses? However, do mention that it is 20k miles away from its next major service. What exactly is 'expected seat wear' and 'expected stone chips'? Are you preparing me for some hideous seat tears and gaping holes in the bumper or has my suspicious imagination as a second hand car buyer just put me off? If the problems aren't notable then don't note them. If they are then document them and provide clear pictures, or get them fixed up by a specialist. I agree that the price is a little bit high for an 80k miles car and this is the primary reason that you haven't moved it on. There is a quicker Vectra derv with 46k on the clock for similar money. Or there is this dealership GT with 66k miles and a Q2 diff with unblemished seats and unfortunate black refurbed alloys for £5900:
Used ALFA ROMEO GT 1.9 JTDm 16v Black... for sale - PistonHeads (Ref 1425214)

Put 'reasonable offers will be considered' and start closer to private sale prices at £5800.

Good luck,

Nick
 
#12 ·
It's a great looking car and the history is good. I would definitely put it on Autotrader.

Personally, the mileage would put me off. I'd sooner pay a bit more for a car with a lot less miles with dealer warranty like this : Alfa Romeo GT 1.9 JTDM 16V LUSSO 2dr 2007
 
#14 ·
Not everyone is afraid of mileage - I've just picked up a 2008 Blackline with 150,000 miles on it. I've spent a few hundred on a service, cambelt, water pump etc, but it still drives strongly and smoothly.

It depends HOW its done the miles.

Yes, it helps that I work part time for Motormech in Birmingham (Paul viewed the car with me and pronounced it basically sound)

However, I would agree that its a buyer's market - I only paid a little over £4k for mine, so I'd recommend dropping it below the £6k mark to get some more interest

Another consideration would be to spend £100 - £150 on having the paintwork detailed / mopped. Black cars look fantastic with a really deep shine and if it looks shiny, potential purchasers often overlook other negatives, such as a slightly high mileage
 
#15 ·
new photo's when the sun isn't shining on it would help a bit I think.

The psychology that may be in a buyers mind with a car at 80k, could be that they will shortly hit 100k and take a big hit in the value or desirability in its future. It could be the trickiest mileage to sell at??? your target audience are not low mileage seekers and its too pricey for those looking for a high mileage bargain.
 
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#16 · (Edited)
If you want an honest, no bull opinion?

Nice car, nice pics and plenty of info... Just a little too much info.

"New handbrake cable. EGR blocked off. Leaking Turbo Hoses Fixed. Throttle body and Manifold recently removed and cleaned."

Although you have included the good important stuff like cambelt, service history etc.... Things like EGR Blocked off and Turbo hose, throttle body, manifold would say to me you have been chasing issues... Nobody want's or needs to know these things especially EGR blanking...
It would turn off a potential new owner to your Alfa and to an experienced Alfa owner it tells us you have had to do it to get it running right thus you have had enough of all the expense so now selling.
It may not be the case at all but that is how it could come across.
You are reducing your market sector potential because of it.
I wouldn't look twice at the ad because of those tell tale mechanical issues regardless if they have been fixed or not of how good the car looks, I would move on...

One phrase can replace it all, "Has ran absolutely faultless"

Being careful what you mention in ads is as important as the pics and price...

Don't mention mileage, stone chips etc... why? Wait till they ring and ask, at least they are on the phone and then interested!
Change the cam belt mileage to "very recent" too.

If a buyer asks any questions, then tell them the truth, be honest but getting them there to view the car is the main priority first.
Hope this helps mate and good luck, sincerely.;)
 
#19 ·
IMO it's not car that alfa enthusiasts would probably go for, they'll be looking at v6's and GTV's and Breras maybe so all the specialist info about what has been replaced (apart from cam belt) is too much information, you're basically telling people everything that has gone wrong with the car.

It's mileage is slightly on the high side for an 07 and as mentioned previously Black is a hard colour to photograph well. Wait until a cloudy day and take pics then (shouldnt have to wait too long lol)

Stick it on Autotrader for £5500 and it'll sell, I don't think it's worth any more than that. Good luck!
 
#21 ·
On top of what every one else has said:
-EGR Blocked off; Has it been remapped; if so mention it, if not I'm guessing your engine management light will be on, so I would remove the blocking plate.
-Does it have 2 keys or one?
-Tell them you are an Alfa enthusiast, mention your a member on here (and as above the car has been faultless and your buying another Alfa); tell them it's also advertised on here (get it advertised on here).
-Take a picture of the service book and all the receipts/mot's etc (no expense spared for your baby and all that, and maybe with both keys sprawled out on top)
-Say "feel free to call with any questions", at the end, it's just sounds a little more friendly than just being an advert (I take no responsibility for anyone calling you and asking what the price of cheese is in Albania etc, lol).
 
#22 ·
I'm not going to disagree with previous comments about the wording of the advert, they're all fair views. Sadly I think it's just simply too expensive - sorry :(

Plenty of other GTs out there which are as well specced, lower mileage etc for less money.
If you need to sell a car you have to be realistic about what its worth; no matter how much you've done to it or how much of an enthusiast you are the hard truth is that at the end of the day it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it and everyone is looking for a bargain (doubly so if it's of remotely Italian lineage).

I reckon a price somewhere about a thousand to twelve hundred less than you're currently asking is a reasonable ask and likely to produce a buyer/more interest. But then again, I could be wrong. It is a buyers market though, if you have the cash you can afford to be choosy.
 
#23 ·
Might just be me but piston heads is not a site I look at when buying cars - bit like when reading ads elsewhere and people put "pulls like a train" and other such phrases that suggest the car has been thraped.
EBay classified ad, better photos, less description - you want people to enquire, then take it further. Oh and price too high IMO. I bought my GT jtd for 3k, at 74k, the seller was in need of cash though.
 
#26 ·
Hope you're making progress with the sale. From my perspective I've just bought a GT, and I specifically looked for the Cloverleaf model simply because I'm not a fan of the Blackline alloys.

When looking the most important thing to me was a strong service history and indications that the owner was an enthusiast who kept on top of the maintenance. E.g. previous owner changed the oil every 6000 miles, which I have continued to do. Put plenty of emphasis on the preventative maintenance you've done, not just the bits that you replaced because they broke.

Good luck!
 
#27 ·
Wow lots and lots of help and advice. The price was set as I wasn't in a rush to ssell but thought I might have a call or two!

With all this help I'm sure it'll be sold in no time at all!

Thanks again everyone for the help, I've just brought a brera so now time to sell!
 
#28 ·
I share your frustration, I have been trying to sell my GT for a while without spending out what I think to be unreasonable amount on autotrader. Sold loads of cars and motorbikes over the years but never had a zero response as here. If it is overpriced then Alfa depreciation is depressingly high, very high :(

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/general-alfa-discussion/379154-how-to-sell-an-alfa.html

Have to say that I think there to be no faith in Alfa's from potential buyers, perhaps it it even has to be ridiculously cheap to take away any perceived risk which is a real shame as this is probably the most enjoyable car to drive that I have ever owned.
 
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