How to Sell your Elan...
Firstly, for the love of cream cakes, don't part exchange your Elan. Because of the Elan's age, it is no longer in the Glaciers Guide so the dealers will only offer you auction money.. That is the money he will expect to get for it at a local auction. And that's not a lot..
Don't bother with http://www.webuyanycar.com either, for the same reason..
You could try advertising it in your local paper or the Autotrader magazine... but as you know, because you're on LEC!
The internet is the way nowadays..Firstly lets review the “free to advertise” websites
www.carandclassic.co.uk
www.classiccarsforsale.com
www.pistonheads.com
also a new website from www.classicandsportscar.com/
These sites make their money from trade sales, selling advertising space on their website and some of them by not showing your telephone number but using an 070* number which the potential buyers ring and get charged a premium rate for doing so. These sites also offer “Contact the Seller by email”.
I am a fan of http://www.carandclassic.co.uk. They have over 14,000 classic cars for sale... and cars are being added to the site every minute. I use this website regularly.
www.eBay.co.uk
You can place a Classified Ad on eBay for £14.99. They give you a good layout, up to 12 photos and you can use the “Make me an Offer” facility which allows people to send you an offer via email. The advert will be live for 28 days.
www.autotrader.co.uk
You can pay £55 to advertise your Elan for 6 weeks on their website. Or £30 for 2 weeks. The layout is not great, but you can upload up to 9 photos. They have around 240,000 cars for sale and usually around 6 or 7 Elans.
OK the layout of your ad...
Do include:
Year and reg
Mileage
Colour (exterior and interior)
Service History
What it comes with and any extras
When the Tax and MOT are due
How long you've owned it
What's been done to the car
e.g.
1992 (J reg.) ,BRG, 85K miles with Full Service History. PAS, Electric Windows & Mirrors, Full black leather interior, alloys, remote central locking. Original Panasonic Radio Cassette with 8CD Multi-Changer. Stainless steel exhaust. Cat. 1 alarm & immobiliser. Taxed and MOT’d until 27th Aug 2011. During my 4 year ownership the cars has had a new cambelt, a new battery, a new water pump, a new cam angle (Hall) sensor, a new alternator belt and new wheel bearings.
When taking photos of your car... Take a good front/side shot. Take a rear shot and take a shot of the interior. A shot of the engine bay, hood, alloys and the FSH is often appreciated.
I advertised my Elan in all of the above 5 websites. It took me 2 months to find a buyer.. You have got to be patient when you are selling.
Also the people who called about my Elan, 4 of them had previously owned a Lotus. So if you get your Elan serviced at a Lotus Specialist.. Tell him you are selling yours, as he might have a list of people who have asked him “Does he know any good ones for sale?”.
I got 5 genuine calls, 3 came to view the car... 2 of them would have bought it.. the 3rd would have, but at 6' 7” he didn't fit in the car!.
I had 3 scam emails... ignored them..
I sold for less than my asking price...
My advise to you is; be realistic with the price, and be patient. People who want a Lotus are few and far between... They are out there, its just a matter of right place, right time.
Use the free sites, try eBay, but eBayers tend to only want a bargain, so don't bother if you are asking top money.
I would still have to recommend http://www.autotrader.co.uk but at £55 it is expensive.
My buyer saw my car on http://www.carandclassic.co.uk, but I'm convinced the buyer could have come from any of the sites, in the end.
Good Luck..
all very good advice!