Losing the plot!

[Colddespiteduvet]

I’m losing the plot as DH is insisting that I’m clearly wrong here. he’s being pretty forceful and I don’t get it.

We are buying a new car. Have found a couple. To part exchange we’d get less than car is worth with private sale.

DH wants to go with private sale. I’m fine with that. He wants to buy the new car now and the put the old car up for sale. I want sell first, then buy.

He doesn’t have a reason for this. But was very vexed that I didn’t agree.

I don’t want a few thousand pounds of our assets sitting on the drive when we don’t know for sure it will sell. The car will depreciate whereas money in the bank will accumulate. If it’s a short time it will be minimal but what if it doesn’t sell?

He says it will sell, at the right price. Auto trader get their prices from sales so they are selling, he said. I said, but we don’t know how many are selling and how fast.

So we don’t know is if ours will sell though. We live very rurally, it’s not in fantastic condition and it is old. I’m concerned it will end up sitting on the drive, it will still need to be insured. I also don’t see what is to be gained by buying first. We have another car that we are keeping, so we’d never be without a car.

So lovely MNs. What do you think? Am I being ridiculous? Are my arguments valid? He is totally convinced I’m just being stubborn and making spurious arguments.

AIBU to want to sell before we buy?

I'd go part exchange for the easy option. You take the car in, they deal with all the faff and the next buyers.

There is demand for certain second hand cars at the right price so you might get some private interest if DH wants to private sell. You might also get a lot of tire kickers and people who want to negotiate down. It will require keeping the car somewhat tidy, clean and washed which can be a bit of a faff. You also might find you are having to stop in or wait around for buyers who are really late or even don't show with no communication.

My dad sold my first car privately (it was a 2008 Micra so ideal first car for a new driver) a few years ago and it was a PITA. People wanting to see it and not turning up. People coming to see it just for a day out. Lots of tire kickers. A couple of students. A couple of delivery drivers who wanted a run around. A few randoms who were more interested in the house and garden and the neighbours houses and gardens than the car. He thought he could shove it on the road with for sale in the window and bang it on auto trader and it would be gone in a fortnight. It took ages. It did finally go to a 19yr old. He part exchanges all his cars nowadays and has advised me to do the same.

I would sell the existing car first. I've had all sorts of trouble selling recently. I priced my car £500 lower than the cheapest comparable model and still got tyre kickers and people making ridiculous offers without even seeing the car.

To be fair, it is a convertible, and I was trying to sell in October last year. I decided to wait for the good weather should such a thing ever happen here again.

I never private sell nowadays. The concepts of "sold as seen" and "buyer beware" have just gone out of the window.

Do either and don't worry about which.

"Lose the plot" over something actually important.

I think you’re definitely right to have your reservations then. I’d sell it first.

I personally wouldn’t choose an older EV due to the battery life. I say this as an EV owner, mines only 3 years old and it’s already dropped a lot since I got it.

It’ll sell though for the right price I’m sure!

Thanks. Yes. First three years are most depreciation but it slows after that.

I meant I’m doubting myself because DH seems so sure I don’t have a valid reason for selling first. I think I’ve got good points but he’s so cross and sure I’m wrong I needed validation. I’m not losing the plot angry. That would be OTT.

Yes. Good point.

Thanks. I imagine it will be a pain.

It just doesn't matter either way. Just get the new car if you can afford it and sell the other one.
Private selling is a total faff though and you won't get your asking price without waiting ages unless you are very very lucky.