Craigslist Cars Under $2000 (2024)

FAQs

How effective is Craigslist for selling cars? ›

Getting your inventory listed on Craigslist is one of the most profitable ways to advertise your cars. It's proven that car buyers on Craigslist tend to convert much quicker than on any other classifieds. The conversion rate on Craigslist can be as high as 10%, and that's huge.

To negotiate the car price, start by offering 15% below the asking price or the KBB value, whichever is lower. If an inspection reveals a problem, ask the seller to deduct the cost of repairs from the car's price. Lowballing the seller — asking for more than 30% off — could leave you empty-handed.

Unsold vehicles stay in the dealer's lot until someone buys them. Unsold new cars may be sold at a discounted price or used as service loan vehicles. It might be a good idea to buy an unsold unit of the previous model year because these vehicles are in good condition and are typically unused.

Giving out your VIN is one of the best ways for a buyer to see that your car isn't hiding any nasty surprises for them. In some cases, particularly when selling to a dealership, it's virtually a legal requirement to give them access to the code.

CraigsList can offer some great deals if you know how to negotiate effectively. I've been compiling a list of best practices to help buyers get the best deal from Craigslist purchases. The bulk of this article is going to focus on a process for getting the best price on CraigsList items based on my experience.

Make a realistic offer, but one that's also bold enough to anchor the negotiation to a lower point. A savings of 5% or so below the market value (not the price they are asking) is a reasonable starting point for negotiations. Another way to look at it is to do about 15% to 25% below the maximum you're willing to pay.

Use a secure form of payment

One of the most important Craigslist precautions is to be wary of scammers. In almost all cases, you are best off accepting cash for a Craigslist sale. Personal checks can bounce, and scammers can fake cashier's checks and money orders.

What car does not lose its value? ›

Vehicles depreciate due to many factors. Some cars hold their value better, such as pickup trucks, SUVs, and sports cars. Electric vehicles and luxury sedans are reported to lose their value faster.

In summary

Dealers typically handle the issue of slow-moving inventory by incentivizing buyers through discounts and deals. They may also try to convert a new car into a lightly used one by making it a “loaner.” As a last resort, they may end up selling the car at auction.

The least liked brand on the list was Infiniti in 29th position, with only 43% of owners agreeing to buy from the brand again. Volkswagen, Nissan, Jeep, Audi and Mercedes-Benz faired slightly better, occupying 28th, 27th, 26th, 25th and 24th positions, respectively.

Warning signs in listings and communications. Too-good-to-be-true prices: If a listing offers an item at a price significantly lower than its market value, proceed with caution. Scammers often use unbelievably low prices as bait.

How long do paid automotive listings last? A. 30 days.