We have a 2003 dodge ram with about 180,000 miles on it. It has some cosmetic issues (paint starting to peel/dry out, the dash is cracked on passenger side, typical dents and scratches) but there are also some mechanical issues, most notably, an evap system leak. The check engine light basically stays on because of it. I can reset it and it will still pass emissions. It will occasionally run hot (or at least the gauge will spike) for a minute or two and then settle back into normal range.....

I was all set on just calling up Carfax or a dealer and selling it to them for whatever (estimated around $3k) but lately have been considering putting it online (local sites only) and being forthright that it is beat up and that buyer assumes all risk...thinking I could get $500 to $1000 more.

Is it worth the hassle and worry of selling someone a vehicle that might crap out inside of a year or two? What does forum think....dealer or private?

I dealt with the same dilemma after my dad passed a few years ago with pretty much the exact same vehicle. My advice is to weigh how much BS you're willing to put up with from "regular" people, because there's going to be a lot.

For me it's worth taking the hit on some value to get the deal done quickly and without hassle especially on a truck that old. Take it to CarMax, get the check, dust your hands off and be done with it.

I have tried both selling and buying on FB marketplace and I doubt there is a worse experience available for cars and car parts.

If I were in your shoes, I would list it here with your lowest price you want, mark it firm, and it either sells or it won't. If that failed, I would take jelly of the month club as a trade in option for it and run with it.

I would take AMPLE photos. If you are trying to sell a 20+ year old truck with 200,000 miles for 20,000 dollars (not you, OP, but several like I have seen here in the past), I expect photos that start to rival BringATrailer.

Either way, I think it needs several GOOD QUALITY photos from front, back, sides, and corners, along with several interior shots. No reason for tiny grainy pictures in the fog shot from your bedroom window 100 feet away. It will cut down on you having to answer the same questions and weed out a lot of folks who know what they are after.

Also, I would only allow initial correspondence through Texags PM. I figure if a user can't eat a 5 dollar subscription to help mitigate potential fraud/scams, then tough luck.

It depends on what $500 is worth to you. I've sold roughly 15 cars/trucks on marketplace and if you're willing to filter through 600 "is it still available" and multiple low balls/no shows then go for it!

Just know you're going to be dealing with bottom of the barrel people(mostly resellers) when you're selling a bottom of the barrel vehicle. Don't get me wrong, there are some good ones out there but they're the exception and not the rule. I stopped doing "cash cars" and went to higher end stuff like Corvettes and Vipers. Bigger margin and better experience. (they're also more fun to drive) All of that said I got out about as quick as I got in. Selling cars is an ass whip.

I'd take the risk from an honest Ag. BartMesserAlief at g mail

If you happen to know someone that really needs transportation, consider giving it away and save the trouble. Otherwise, you're going to have to deal with selling it. I went through the exact same thing a few years ago with my FIL similar truck. A clearly needy family came to look at it and brought cash. I was glad to see it go quickly and fairly painlessly.

Temporary Car Conundrum | TexAgs