shopping for your car

What About Your Old Car?

Do you need to sell your old car to get a new one? There are many ways to do this. Which of these methods is likely to bring the best price?

  1. Sell the car yourself.
  2. Trade the car in at the dealership.
  3. Give the car to a charity and take a deduction on your taxes.

"A" is correct. You're likely to make more money selling the car yourself. However, this approach also requires more time and effort. Before advertising, clean the car, so it will show well. Then post signs in your neighborhood or place an ad in the local newspaper or online. Also consider how to handle sales interviews with potential buyers. If you decide to go the dealership route instead, wait until you negotiate a price on the new car before discussing a trade-in.