Thoughts on selling a modified car

[Doc1647545523]

I've gone back and forth over the last few years on whether to sell my 2013 Scion FRS (badged as a GT86). I bought it new and had it built the way I felt it should have come from the factory, including a supercharger, upgraded brakes, suspension, clutch, flex fuel, exhaust, extra wheels, etc.

 

In over 8 years I've driven it only 25k miles. Although I enjoy it immensely when I take it out, it just doesn't get much use.

 

I realize that I won't come close to recouping my costs on this car (over 60k) if I sell it, but there are other cars I would enjoy more I could put the money towards.

 

Lately, modded cars on Bring A Trailer have been fetching high prices if the detailing and photography is good enough, but I'm not too excited to go to the bother of detailing the undercarriage and getting recent professsional photographs.

 

Any suggestions on local options that might be easier? I don't have all the stock parts, so putting it back to stock and selling the mods separately is not an option.

[Geeto67]

Put it on BAT. It's your best bet, people are willing to pay a premium on that site if the car is good.

 

Photos can hide a lot of stuff naturally so I don't think you need to have it super detailed. Maybe have Tim do one of his super paint corrections/detailing jobs on it so the outside gleams. He sold his Cherokee on BAT so maybe talk to him as well about that experience.

 

There are plenty of amateur photographers on here that would probably help you out. heck I'll do it if you are willing to meet me close to where I live on a weekend morning (early so you get that magic hour light at sunrise). you don't need pro pics, just ones that don't look like they were taken with a 1995 kodak disposable camera and then scanned into the computer using a potato.

 

GLWS

[STEVE-O]

Guess it really depends on what your expectations are to get out of it .

 

Also it would probably be accepted but BAT doesn’t just let everyone post their car on their it has to be accepted by them. Also last I checked they are about 2 months out on listings

[Doc1647545523]

Guess it really depends on what your expectations are to get out of it .

 

..... Also last I checked they are about 2 months out on listings

 

Thanks, I had no idea that BAT ran so far behind. I figured the Rally history and the Land Speed Racing would make it more likely for them to list it, but as you say, it's BAT's choice what ends up being listed.

 

As far as my expectations, a simple transaction is more important to me that top dollar is.

[Geeto67]

Thanks, I had no idea that BAT ran so far behind. I figured the Rally history and the Land Speed Racing would make it more likely for them to list it, but as you say, it's BAT's choice what ends up being listed.

 

As far as my expectations, a simple transaction is more important to me that top dollar is.

 

I remember that car from the times you brought it to cars and coffee. I can't see any reason for BAT to reject it just on how clean and well built it is.

 

a used 2013 FR-S is like $17K right now with really low miles. I'm guessing that there isn't a transaction so simple you would take that little amount for your special hot rod (If I am wrong I'll be over with a check at the end of the day ). It needs a market where it can find the right buyer who appreciates the work put into it and is willing to pay that. BAT is one avenue, FB groups for the FR-S/BRZ are likely another, maybe Ebaymotors (but I haven't had much luck with them lately).

[gillbot]

I remember that car from the times you brought it to cars and coffee. I can't see any reason for BAT to reject it just on how clean and well built it is.

 

a used 2013 FR-S is like $17K right now with really low miles. I'm guessing that there isn't a transaction so simple you would take that little amount for your special hot rod (If I am wrong I'll be over with a check at the end of the day ). It needs a market where it can find the right buyer who appreciates the work put into it and is willing to pay that. BAT is one avenue, FB groups for the FR-S/BRZ are likely another, maybe Ebaymotors (but I haven't had much luck with them lately).

 

This is the key, otherwise you are going to get every tire kicking joe offering you low blue book for the car. Even some of the more niche groups will end up beating you up because they way YOU built it isn't they way THEY would build it, etc. I went through this when I sold my Camaro years ago and ended up letting it go for next to nothing to just move it.

[Miller]

In this market you will get top dollar, especially because that chassis is popular among our younger drivers coming into financial leisure. I'd have it detailed and have them do the underside too, you have lifts right?

[zeitgeist57]

I was told that BaT has area "specialists" that will take detailed photos of your car, type the listing copy for you and essentially do all the work to try and get the highest price, as they get a cut of the final sale price.

[Doc1647545523]

I was told that BaT has area "specialists" that will take detailed photos of your car, type the listing copy for you and essentially do all the work to try and get the highest price, as they get a cut of the final sale price.

 

That's mostly correct. They rewrite/edit your posting as part of the services they provide everyone. There is a set fee for the seller ($99). The commission (5%) is paid by the buyer after the auction.

 

There are "plus" features available, including their own photographer ($349 on top of the $99). The price for any plus features is paid by the listing party (seller).

[STEVE-O]

IF you are going to go the BAT route which for the price I would highly suggest, I would maybe wait until after the new year so that way you are not trying to sell a RWD boosted car going into winter. I understand maybe the buyer will not be in a area where snow is a factor but it will widen the spectrum of potential buyers to pay a higher premium if it is spring/ going into summer

[Fiji ST]

I think something unique like this would get more interest on a national level, like BaT, eBay, etc. There's also Cars & Bids that seems to do well with modified vehicles.

 

As far as local options, what about selling it to Toy Barn? I know they're more high-end exotics, but it might be of interest with how well the overall build is.

[cruizin01]

Thats one of the reasons I made sure to keep all my stock parts on my BRZ. Ive had too many cars where I took it in the shorts because they were modded. I sold my '13 summer of 2020 for $18k I think. Low miles, bone stock. Then I resold the blower, brakes, susp, etc for another $10k. It was actually very little work to throw all the stock parts back on it. Between the forums and IG I had everything sold in probably 2 weeks.

 

But to your question as someone else mentioned I would try ToyBarn. I know Denny Dotson will buy some modified cars too. This seems like an easier transaction than BAT to me at least.

[Otis Nice]

If you need great photos done I can reach out to my buddy who shot the pics of my Lincoln and see if he'd be available. He's always looking for more opportunities and is a big car guy.

[TTQ B4U]

Lately, modded cars on Bring A Trailer have been fetching high prices if the detailing and photography is good enough, but I'm not too excited to go to the bother of detailing the undercarriage and getting recent professsional photographs.

 

 

Either BaT, Doug DeMuro's Cars & Bids or even IIRC Hagerty has an online auction site. BaT is the standard for sure. It will likely bring good money if the right buyer is interested. It only takes one but IMO since I know nothing about the interest level people have in these cars, I really have no thoughts there. Spring would be the BEST time IMO though.

 

Just get it cleaned up nicely and heck, me, Trish, or Brian Wagner can do the photos on either nice sunny day (best) or inside a well lit location. BaT offers a photog for a fee too but I know Brian does GREAT work so perhaps hit him up. It's really about having decent photos from a distance which always helps but truly upwards of 100-150 more of every.single.panel and detail, etc. Upload high-rez images and you're done. No one really ever messes with edits or "hiding" anything because that will easily crash the deal and ruin reputations. Add in a nice driving video or two, cold start, build paperwork and details there about the car and shop and buyers will be at ease with it all.

 

 

Photos can hide a lot of stuff naturally so I don't think you need to have it super detailed. Maybe have Tim do one of his super paint corrections/detailing jobs on it so the outside gleams. He sold his Cherokee on BAT so maybe talk to him as well about that experience.

 

Thanks for the call-out. Yes, no-doubt the car is clean and well cared for so really my clean and prep for sale package would be fine. I can bump it up a bit and do a basic polish & protect too.

 

I did sell my Jeep there, and helped sell several others as well. Here are few of them. I'm also a member there and chime in on the work done because as a detailer people ping me for my thoughts having gone over these cars inch by inch so I put my comment to support them in there too. @Doc, happy to walk you through their process. BaT typically has a 3-6 week lag between you signing up to sell and it hitting the listing site.

 

My 2001 Jeep:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-jeep-cherokee-26/

 

280zx V8:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1976-datsun-280z-53/

 

AMG Wagon:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2014-mercedes-benz-e63s-amg-wagon-11/

 

I also helped Mace here on CR clean up and sell his 77k mile M3 Convertible but IIRC it sold through Facebook. He did VERY well on this one as it looked like brand new inside and out. We did a basic polish & protect and interior detail here.