To sell or not to sell

[Dave]

Sunday evening ramblings.........

Had my 54 plate, Argento Luna, manual 4200GT for 3 years, new clutch when I had it, 4 new tyres since, oil pressure sensor replaced, service history, MoT until October, now at 52k....10k in 3 years mostly on journeys into Europe. Looks and drives great, no signs of aging.

Fancied a DB9, almost gone off the idea as they are all only 2 seater and on occasions I've carried 2 or 3 passengers. But what a motor.
Looked at (diesel) Jaguar XF, as much torque as the 4200, more mpg, perhaps a better ride on our potholed roads.
Could be other cars of adequate performance, maybe a Mercedes CLS ?

Dismal offers from dealers for trade in ....every rubbish excuse in their psychological battle to lower their buying price. Equal rubbish to boost their selling price.

Insurance is due at the end of this month, not a problem but gives me the target to move on or keep it for another year.
Should I advertise a private sale.......I don't mean E bay or Gumtree....maybe this forum ? If anybody knows of a possible buyer I look forward to selling it to another enthusiast.
I'm tempted to test the private market. If there are no takers it's a good excuse to keep it for another year.

Opening for discussion persuasion/dissuasion.

 

[BennyD]

Keep it. Discussion closed!

 

[MAF260]

Keep it. Discussion closed!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What he said

 

[dem maser]

Dont ask us where to advertise it.....just keep it.....

 

[Felonious Crud]

Ditto. Unless you don't mind having Disappointment as your constant driving companion.

 

[Andyk]

Dave, not really a balanced discussion on here being a Maserati forum.......Sounds to me like you have made you mind up and a change is needed......If you are thinking about it and had the car for 4 years then maybe it is time for a change.......4 years is a good innings for owning a performance car..........Selling will be a pain in the bum as V8's are not that easy to sell these days but a good one will always find a buyer eventually......Trade will offer peanuts for a 4200 as perception is that they cost a fortune to run with a very limited market......Dealers don't want stock sat around for months on end and you just have to look at the classfied to see this.......

The thing with a Maserati is what do you buy to give you the same buzz....That is a struggle as Maserati pulls you in like no other car maker.....but there are great cars out there so understand if its time for yourself to move on and sample other cars.......

Your best bet is to stick her on here or get Dicky's advice as he may be able to help...

 

[conaero]

Dave, is it the facelift 4200 and what is your budget for the replacement. The GranTurismos are under £30k now and have a Suberin ride on out potholed roads. Ok it's an auto and not as quick as your 4200 but its a lot of car for the money and has proper Maserati look and feel.

 

[Woody]

Setting aside the instinctive "dont do it", I'd avoid AutoTrader - garbage, IME.

Put it on PistonHeads, on MaseratiForum and when available, on here. They're slow sellers and its the wrong time of year, so either be prepared to site on it.....or, be prepared to take a low bid, aka "a kick in the stones".

 

[bigbob]

Never easy selling a V8. GranTurismos have really come down but for 3000 miles pa is it worth spending £20k to change?

 

[halbe01]

You could do both (sort of). Place some adverts at a sensible price where you're not asking over the odds, but also not dropping your trousers for a quick sale, and accept that it may take 6 months before the right buyer comes along. Of course you then keep the car in the meantime. I've accepted with mine (very similar to yours) that it's worth between £11k and £15k depending on how much effort I put into selling it and whether I'm lucky in finding a buyer who wants exactly that colour/spec. I do see similar cars for £20k+ at ADG and Nuvola but I don't think I'd ever get that as a private seller - I can see why buyers would be far less confident buying a car which could easily have expensive problems from a seller who could easily disappear. (This is all theoretical selling by me - I'm keeping mine - a drive in a GTS recently confirmed my car is far more fun than anything bigger and newer and hence I'm happily sticking with it!).

Cheers,
Ben.

 

[hodroyd]

Dave,
I would not try and sell it now, if needs must I would wait for at least 3 months then give it a whirl. A trade in would be hopeless, so private sale is the way to go. Be honest in your description, say what work has been done in the past and take really good photographs. These cars do sell, we have all bought them and others are lurking in the background. Be prepared to wait, these are not Ford's, but there is a buyer out there and there is always Australia..!!
Cheers
R

 

[Wattie]

I bought the 3lite xf sport diesel.....shouldn't say it here but it's fabulous, comfy, extremely quick and 40mpg plus on a run.....then there's the 14 speaker B&W theatre sound.....

Cheers Wattie

 

[hodroyd]

Wattie,
The XF is a nice car mate and diesels are getting better, for a comfy run about you can not go far wrong with that..!!
Cheers
R

 

[BennyD]

I bought the 3lite xf sport diesel.....shouldn't say it here but it's fabulous, comfy, extremely quick and 40mpg plus on a run.....then there's the 14 speaker B&W theatre sound.....

Wattie, If you haven't had it chipped yet, get it done. Trust me, you will not regret it.

 

[Felonious Crud]

I bought the 3lite xf sport diesel.....shouldn't say it here but it's fabulous, comfy, extremely quick and 40mpg plus on a run.....then there's the 14 speaker B&W theatre sound.....

Cheers Wattie

It's a brilliant car, Wattie and you're spot on with that audio - awesome!

 

[Wattie]

Wattie, If you haven't had it chipped yet, get it done. Trust me, you will not regret it.

Really, hadn't considered that.....mmmmmmn,must make a few enquiries.

Cheers Wattie

 

[BennyD]

If you are getting just a box, try Diesel Tuning UK. I had one of their boxes on my BM 330D and I can heartily recommend them.

 

[hodroyd]

Go for it Wattie..!!

 

[Dave]

Go for it Wattie..!!

Thanks to everyone for their interest. From your comments, I don't think I'm expecting too much. £9k in exchange for a £35k Jag XF is dismal (Westovers - who had at least 10 for sale). £10-£12k against a £24k DB9 a little better but it had a hideous "iron ore" interior. £10k against a DB9 Vantage or a XF which fizzled out because they "couldn't find a home for it"
Most recent attempt is £10-12k against a £36k DB9. So I don't think I'm being over optimistic when they are likely to add at least £5k to the resale price.
Figure a private sale of £13 or 14k quite lucky if there is anyone with cash. But there again I'm a cash buyer.... so there must be others who are sufficiently comfortable about making their own decision on condition/value for money/etc without forecourt/salesman twaddle and "worthless (?) guarantee". Ever read the smallprint ? Guess I'm a "bit" anti trader/salesman !!
However, it's frustrating (?) to hear from others that the XF is good - Westovers wouldn't even give me teeny weeny ride in one without first agreeing a sale. For all they knew I could've been a lottery winner.
Subject to a test drive of the DB9 and an unsatisfactory "cost to change" then it's keep it, put it up for private sale in slow time and if it happens....of course I will be sorry to see it go, they are fantastic motors but of limited interest to most people.
There are always cars for sale privately and I can wait till the right one comes along.
Thanks again, feel better now after my rage !

 

[Wattie]

However, it's frustrating (?) to hear from others that the XF is good - Westovers wouldn't even give me teeny weeny ride in one without first agreeing a sale. For all they knew I could've been a lottery winner.

That is just ridiculous......I'd have told them to stick it! Good luck with whatever you decide to buy.....

Pic of mine...great colour too as it doesn't show the dirt

Cheers Wattie