First of all, apologies if this is an off-topic for this forum. Also please don't flame me if these questions seem trivial or naive, especially coming from a senior citizen.

I have never sold any cars I owned to private parties in the past, mostly because I feel dread at the very thought of the process/protocol of showing and selling safely. My specific questions are:
- Is it cool to ask a lot of questions to ensure the interested party is serious and had driven a Porsche before first? Ideally the potential buyer is a P-car enthusiast of course.
- Where would be a preferred place to show the car, assuming showing the car at my place of residence is not a good idea?
- Should I let any and every interested buyers test drive the car?
- Should I let them take the car and test drive it alone or should I insist on riding with them?
- Is it appropriate to ask to see, and possibly hold, their driver's license before and during the test drive?
- How can I ensure the test drives are done safely to alleviate any risk of damages to the car?
- If I do get multiple offers, how much time do I have that is normal/acceptable to decide the finally buyer?
- Can/should I make it a condition of sale to have the funds be verified in a number of days?
- To complete the sale, I assume both parties sign the DMV Statement of Sale upon verification of funds and transfer of the pink slip.

Thank in advance for any and all advice!

Sincerely,

Alfred

 

Interested too if I decide to sale my car.

 

- Is it cool to ask a lot of questions to ensure the interested party is serious and had driven a Porsche before first? Ideally the potential buyer is a P-car enthusiast of course. Buyer will probably end up asking most of the questions. You will get a sense of his knowledge level based on the quality of his questions.
- Where would be a preferred place to show the car, assuming showing the car at my place of residence is not a good idea? Local Starbucks or other mutually convenient location. Bring along a friend for support if you'd like.
- Should I let any and every interested buyers test drive the car? Qualify the potential buyers and use your gut instinct. This is where YOU asking a few questions will come in handy.
- Should I let them take the car and test drive it alone or should I insist on riding with them? Absolutely insist you go along. Wouldn't hurt to visually check his driver's license too. You might want to drive the car for the first part of the ride and then switch over in a safe area for the return trip.
- Is it appropriate to ask to see, and possibly hold, their driver's license before and during the test drive? See above.
- How can I ensure the test drives are done safely to alleviate any risk of damages to the car? Asking questions like, "have you ever driven a 911 before;" or "do you currently drive a manual (assuming your is too)."
- If I do get multiple offers, how much time do I have that is normal/acceptable to decide the finally buyer? Assuming you're selling a 964, do your homework and know where the market is at. Set a price that is at or slightly above where you want to sell the car for. Look for the "easiest" transaction; wire transfer or bank check, no inspection or inspection at a close by independent P-car shop. If you price the car too low you will get bombarded by both enthusiasts and dealers; if you get 10 calls in the first few hours of listing the ad, that's a sign you've underpriced it.
- Can/should I make it a condition of sale to have the funds be verified in a number of days? Absolutely; if a buyer is serious he should be able to wire transfer funds in 1-2 days afterwards (or after an inspection).
- To complete the sale, I assume both parties sign the DMV Statement of Sale upon verification of funds and transfer of the pink slip. Correct although if it's out of state buyer the buyer might not need the pink slip.

 

Thank you so much for the detailed answers u7t2p7!!

I assume it is typically to have a positive inspection as a condition of sale. Is it the responsibility of the owner to take the car to the shop selected by the potential buyer and pay for the inspection?

Thanks again.

Alfred

 

The buyer ALWAYS pays for the inspection; typically 80-90% of buyers will request an independent inspection. I would only agree to an inspection if I have an agreement in principle with a buyer regarding the price. If the inspection turns up "normal" wear items under $1,000 total (my rule) I wouldn't let the buyer use that as a way to reduce the price. Depending on how often you use the car you might want to bring it to your shop first and let your mechanic go through the car and decide to fix or refresh anything that turns up. You can then adjust your price accordingly. You might also choose not to fix certain items and then you can make that representation to any potential buyers. It's all about managing expectations.

 

I would absolutely ride along and recommend a PPI as this protects both the buyer and seller. If things are discovered it means full disclosure. On another note I would ask that anyone who has not owned a 911 drive the car sensible and if they wanted to see the car redlined or opened up fine but you are the driver. Someone coming from a modern platform with computer driving aids can get sideways in a hurry.

 

Its your time and car, and the buyers money. So try to respect and be reasonable, on both sides. When selling a car, I definitely ask questions and ensure the buy has funds ready, and they don't need to ask wife permission, etc. I don't have time for tire kickers. And you definitely have the right to sell it to whoever you want, for whatever price the buyer will pay, so be choosy if you want to.

I prefer to show cars at a busy shopping area or place with people around. I rarely show at my house. Lots of reasons there...

I personally almost never test drive a car until I'm ready to pull the trigger. I also do not let people drive my cars unless I know they are very serious. I don't need hassles that come with test drives. I will take them for a drive in it or let them drive me. If the seller offers, I will accept. Never let them go alone. Ever. Ever.

With offers, thats your decision, take a deposit, pending inspection, and just keep a list. but only accept one offer... that's your choice.

Yes on condition of sale and funds. Set a timeline with a non-refundable deposit to ensure they are serious.

On an inspection, the buyer always pays. They may or may not share the results with you. Expect negotiation following the inspection. Sometimes pays to have one done yourself so you know what issues there are that could come up during negotiation. But since the buyer pays, they may choose to not share. Their choice. I've split the costs before with agreement results are shared.

Depending on your state, the DMV has the necessary forms. Usually a bill of sale and a signed title are all that are needed. Technically just a signed title in CA. Once you sign the title, you send in the release of liability and your job is done, rest is up to seller.

Honestly, if all this overwhelming, just pay a consigner to sell the car.

 

Thanks to Bud Taylor and Spyerx too for the invaluable advice!

 

- Is it cool to ask a lot of questions to ensure the interested party is serious and had driven a Porsche before first? Ideally the potential buyer is a P-car enthusiast of course.
===> no need to ASK. just through talking with him you will know if he's serious.

- Where would be a preferred place to show the car, assuming showing the car at my place of residence is not a good idea?
===> busy place. i usually meet them right outside CHP office that's nearby.

- Should I let any and every interested buyers test drive the car?
===> never. we talk, then if you are ready to buy, show me cashier's chk, then we go test drive.

- Should I let them take the car and test drive it alone or should I insist on riding with them?
===> i often go with them.

- Is it appropriate to ask to see, and possibly hold, their driver's license before and during the test drive?
===> never thoguht about that. put take a pic of it.

- How can I ensure the test drives are done safely to alleviate any risk of damages to the car?
===> u should have a sense of the buyer by then. is he going to do donuts or is he really mature and will drive it and give it some exercise to know if the car is good. there is not need to hit 110mph or redline every gear to know if a car is good or not.


- If I do get multiple offers, how much time do I have that is normal/acceptable to decide the finally buyer?
===> i always tell them, until your money hits my account, i will continue to show the car. it takes i make it clear before showing that this is a cash deal. i dont allow my buyers to finance. too much wating and too much hassle. i they say it's cash. i take their word for it and give them benefit of the doubt. if you do want to verify funds. do it immediately not a NUMBER of days. you either have money or you dont. few days later money wont pop out from no where. also it's very hard to verify funds. i sure wont show you a statement of my account and i would think most ppl wont either.

- To complete the sale, I assume both parties sign the DMV Statement of Sale upon verification of funds and transfer of the pink slip.
===> CA usually you just sign off title to buyer, and send in your release of liablilty. the signed pink slip is used as bill of sale in CA. at least DMV never gave me trouble in past.