hi all
my mom passed last month and we are in the process of settling her estate, whats the best way to sell her car? its an 08 impala with 120000 maintained by the dealer like no other in st louis, craigslist, sell to a dealer? whats everyone's think?
thanks
kenny

My condolences on the loss of your mother.

I recently sold my late father's 2005 Buick Park Avenue. It was in very good shape and had reasonable miles. I sold it easily on craigslist. Held out for firm price because it was the last model year of a very popular car (among the blue hair crowd). A guy drove about 2.5 hours to come see it and bought it with cash money.

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Behind every great man is a great woman. Behind every great woman is a great behind.

My condolences as well.

Sell on craigslist, with the dealer maintenance records. That will bump your price up significantly.

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

Sorry about your mother Earl.

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Jim

The problem with Craigslist is that you really need to demand cash, or some form of travellers check/bank check that can be cashed or verified at the time of sale.
I'm not sure about an '08 Impala, but If I wanted to buy it, I wouldnt want to withdraw the $x,000 dollars....in cash...and walk around with that in my pocket for very long. I hear that craigslist brings out all the crazies and scammers, so it wouldnt surprise me if someone would try to give me a fake bank check for a car...and I'm not sure I'd be able to tell until I bring it to the bank and they say "sorry".

So, if you advertise on craigslist, add a few diclaimers to the ad, including:
-cash only
-no payment plans, buyer responsible for transportation
-no 'dibs' or other means of holding. first one with the purchase price gets it.
-mention if you have a clear title in hand. If you have to legally wrangle the title do that ahead of time if possible. nothing sours a car buyer like "I have the title, but I dont have the title *with* me..."
-I always add a "no warranties expressed or implied, car is sold as is, where is" just in case that adds legal weight down the road (I havent had any problems yet, but have only sold 2 cars on CL...

follow other guidance as to what to put in a CL ad for a car, and you'll probably be ok.

On the other hand, if you arent worried about getting tip-top dollar for the car, selling it to a dealer will be WAY easier on you (they have the people and notaries to transfer titles and ownership onsite, and if their check bounces, they are much easier to sue than an individual.

my opinions only,
-John

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12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

Craigslist

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thanks to everyone for the condolences mom will be missed, so the cars on craiglist and my question concerns me and the title .mom had a clean title, as executor of her estate is there anything different i need to do to sign this car over to a buyer? i have never dealt with a situation like this before
thanks
kenny

Provide an original death certificate with seal, and an original court of probate document naming you executor for your mothers estate, and sign the title your name, comma, exector of estate for XXX. These two documents should go with the title and bill of sale upon the sale of the vehicle.
Sign everything your name, as exector of XXX.

Sorry about your loss, lost my mother 5 years ago and went through the same thing

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If you're worried about a sum that big, then have 2 meetings. First time around the buyer checks out the car, agrees to buy. Second meeting you both go to the bank, buyer is with you for deposit of check, etc.

__________________
$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment