Every year, millions of Americans decide to sell their car, truck, or SUV. If you've wondered, "What's the best way to sell my car?", you should know you have multiple options. After all, when you bought what you're driving from a dealership, you were presented with different ways of getting behind the wheel. 

You might have opted for a new or used vehicle and gained one through a loan. You might have also been presented with a chance to lease a new model. There are likewise different ways in which you can sell your vehicle, and we're going to be examining each one. 

Some drivers enjoy selling their car directly to a dealership and getting a quick cash payment. Many have found that trading in their vehicle is one of the best ways to get a new one for a lower down payment and lower monthly payments. Still, some drivers decide to sell their car completely on their own. Today, we'll evaluate these options to help you choose which is best suited for your needs. 

Selling Your Vehicle in a Private Sale 

You might be tempted to sell your vehicle completely on your own. Selling anything requires much preparation and research, especially if it's as large and complex as a car, truck, or SUV. However, a private sale has some notable disadvantages. Consider these items before selling your vehicle... 

Research: Before you set an asking price, it's important to determine the current value of your vehicle. Yearly publications like KBB (Kelley Blue Book) list values and chart depreciation. You must also consider how popular a particular make and model is in your general area. Both value estimation and market research can be time-consuming. 

Preparation: After ascertaining your vehicle's current value, it is important to prepare it for the market. You'll need to attend to any lingering repairs and touch up any cosmetic damage, which could cost quite a bit. Having your vehicle detailed and thoroughly cleaned is also a good idea to ensure you make a good impression with a potential buyer. 

The Waiting Game: Just because you're selling doesn't necessarily mean you'll have someone interested in buying immediately. You'll need to put effort into advertising, and even then, the wait isn't over. You might have to deal with customers who will try to underbid your asking price. Finding a buyer who agrees to your asking price might take weeks or even months.

Finalizing a Sale: The work isn't done even when you find a buyer who agrees to your asking price. To finalize the sale of your vehicle, you'll need to collect all the necessary paperwork, which could be stressful and tiring. Some buyers will expect transparency on your end, such as through a CARFAX report and repair receipts. 

As you can see, choosing to sell your vehicle in a private sale means a lot of preparation, effort, and waiting around for the right potential buyer. Sure, you have the advantage of setting your price, but there's a good chance it won't attract the right customer. For these reasons, you might have a better shot at either trading in your vehicle or selling it directly to a dealership. 

Selling Your Car to a Dealership 

Drivers choose to sell their vehicles for various reasons. Sometimes, they are short on funds. Other times, the mounting costs of insurance premiums and repairs become too difficult to manage. Maybe they just no longer need their vehicle. If you're looking for a quick way to unload your car for a lump sum, there are many advantages to selling directly to a dealership like Ruge's Ford...

Instant Appraisal: Unlike a private sale, where your research beforehand is necessary, a dealership can instantly appraise what you drive. They'll look up the current market value of what you drive and inspect its condition. After completing this process, an offer will be made based on its current value; there's no waiting, just a fair and generous offer. 

No Preparation: Unlike a private sale, where you'll have to have it inspected, repaired, and detailed, a dealership would handle all of this for you. There's no need for you to spend time and money; we'll purchase your vehicle as is and do it ourselves. Taking these preparatory steps is a great way to get a better offer, though, so you might consider that. 

Quick Turnaround: As mentioned earlier, a private sale can take a lot of patience and waiting for the right buyer. Selling to a dealership means an expedited process in which your vehicle will be sold in hours, not weeks or months. Just bring it in, and the dealership will do the rest. 

Offloaded Paperwork: Dealing with paperwork when buying or selling anything can be stressful, but a dealership will handle all the paperwork for you. The only documentation you'll need is the title (for proof of ownership) and a valid identification card. The paperwork will be filled out in moments, and your vehicle will officially be sold. 

Tax Write-Off: If you're looking for a means to get the maximum rebate back from your taxes, selling your car to a dealership is a great option. Depending on the transaction, you may be eligible for a tax write-off. 

As you can see, choosing to sell your vehicle to a dealership like Ruge's Ford is much easier than attempting to do it on your own. It's a hassle-free, expedited process with the assurance that you can sell quickly and get a fair and balanced offer based on your vehicle's market value. 

Trading In Your Vehicle at a Dealership 

The great thing about selling your vehicle to a dealership like Ruge's Ford is that you are not obligated to buy a new one. However, if you are looking for a new or used vehicle to buy, trading in what you're driving now is a great way to get a better deal on your next loan. The process is similar to selling, as your vehicle will be properly appraised and an offer will be made based on its condition and market value. The perks include...

As a Down Payment: The most significant advantage of trading in your vehicle is that it acts like a down payment. Depending on the value of your car, trading it in can reduce or satisfy the down payment you would make when obtaining a loan. It will likewise reduce subsequent monthly installments needed to repay your loan in full. 

Just Bring It In: As with selling your vehicle for a lump sum, you can trade it in regardless of its condition. However, taking the time to address lingering repairs and detailing work can be beneficial in lowering the down payment on the new or used vehicle you want. The choice is yours!

Positive Equity: Before trading in your vehicle, it's important to know how positive equity works. A vehicle has positive equity if its value exceeds what you owe or if you own it outright. Understanding this crucial information will allow you to get the best trade-in value. 

Selling a Vehicle Has Never Been Easier 

If you've chosen to sell your vehicle, you have different options. As we've documented, opting for a private sale can cause undue stress and aggravation. However, some alternatives make the process much easier. Selling or trading in your vehicle to a dealership like Ruge's Ford can be very advantageous. 

Selling your vehicle to us will expedite the process and get you the money you need. If you've had your eye on a new or used vehicle at our location, trading in will help you lower the down payment and monthly installments. Regardless of what you decide to do, selling to us is easier than ever.