Do you let the person take the car for a test drive, I assume and you go in the car with them? How long do you go for a drive?

Anything else I should know / do? Was thinking of setting a price $1,000 below what it's worth and call it a firm price to avoid a bunch of people who aren't serious (I know a mob of people will want to buy the car! LOL!).

Don't want to deal with some punk kids who just want to drive the car for fun... or worse, who don't already know how to drive a manual!

I saw a listing on craigslist and I liked what he wrote! LOL!

"NO TEST PILOTS OR TIRE KICKING LOWBALLERS. If you want to drive it bring a bank draft or cash deposit otherwise I will drive you in it. Please don't come see it unless you already have the money or financing."

You can always cut the drive short if you need to. I've sold several cars privately, so far with no problems. Most people are going to want to drive it. In my experience, everyone wants to talk you down from your price too, but you may also be successful with the "firm" approach.

As for people wasting your time, putting up with some of that goes with the territory. There are always people who promise to come look and then don't show, phone with a ton of questions then aren't interested, etc. But your reward for this BS is more $ in your pocket in the end.

tell him that the car is sold.
Test drives should have a bit of city and a bit of highway, about 4 to 6 ks. Ask to see a valid DL, I've had people come into the dealership that didn't have a one.
No matter what price you ask, people are always going to make you an offer. Ask a bit more than what you really want, give yourself some bargaining room.

Good luck!

first and use that time to determine if you're willing to give a test drive. Always go with the person and do a mixed road and highway circuit. Ask the person if they've ever driven manual before. If not, drive for them.

I've sold 2 cars privately. Price the car $1000 above what you're willing to take. People will always offer you a lower price because they need the sense of accomplishment that comes with any negotiation. A 'firm' price will always attract more low balls because folks want to see if they can get you to move the price. Sales and negotiations are mostly head games, emotions and the law of large numbers. The more potential buyers you see, the higher your likelihood of finding the person that will take your price.

I wouldn't buy a car without a test drive. If the person looks legit, let them drive but go along for the ride. If the driver drives like an ass...tell him to slow down. Nothing wrong with a little hard acceleration, braking and cornering as long as it happens safely and not during the entire test drive.

There is a valid reason why dealers ask for a higher price than they are usually willing to take;-)

One way to get what you're asking with less hassle is to present the car well. Take the best pictures in the most flattering light and setting. Do not misrepresent the car, but remember that even Cindy Crawford at 5 am next to a dumpster isn't going to be all that appetizing;-) Be sure to mention all maintenance and improvements done to the car. Mention of documentation (backed up by the docs when the buyer shows up) helps too.

I would be rather leery of a couple of kids showing (depending on car and their attitude/appearance of course) simply because of car-jacking or joyriding aspects. Trust your gut instinct when first meeting a person. Don't second guess yourself on that one. Always check for a valid DL. If you really want to CYA, and have a copier, make a copy, leave it at the house, then tear it up in front of the other person (so they know it's destroyed) when you get back safely.

Remember the old salesperson adage: buyers are liars. Sad but true. There are always going to be people who are flakes, cons, and time wasters. You might get lucky and avoid most of that, or you could get 10 of them in a row. It's a numbers game.

Anything more than 10 km per drive, had better mean they are taking you to the bank so they can withdraw money to buy the car;-) More normal would be around 5 km.

When I go used car shopping, I actually want the owner to drive the car first. I want to see if they take care to warm it up before flogging it. I want to see how they drive it - do they slow for driveways, shift well, etc. Finally then I drive - but knowing that I am not familiar, only thing that are obviously wrong will show up. Never let somebody take the car for a drive without you.

I'm driving around in the next month or so? Put a price on it too? Or just FOR SALE and the phone number?

Also, I'd put the cell phone up. You wouldn't want people to know where you live ;-)