Just looking for some ideas here. Sadly, my bro-in-law died unexpectedly recently. He had acquired some nice cars over the years. Namely a 99 Viper coupe, SL600 mercedes convert. and early 60s Rolls. I will be in charge of selling them for my sis and want to make sure shes gets fair market value. So...can anyone recommend some venues. FWIW, I've sold cars on ebay, craigs, etc. but these are not exactly typical cars. Ideas?
You might want to contact Bring A Trailer.
www.bringatrailer.com
Dupont Registry
ebay can be good for rare and exotics. Also look into make/model type clubs and forums.
eBay. Or that big auction thing in Arizona if they are rare enough, but for "typical" exotics, I think eBay is good. I bought my Esprit (and Corolla) on there, and a lot of Esprits go there after being listed on the mailing list for a couple weeks with no takers. Otherwise, Hemmings if you know what it's worth already. Many people shop Hemmings for exotics. And don't forget the back of GRM.
It should also be mentioned that selling hi-dollar used cars may take some time. Often, you're dealing with cars that a bank won't easily finance, so your buying audience is limited to those with cash in hand or a willingness to use an unsecured line of credit.
You could also look at a 3rd party dealer to sell the car on consignment. Here in central NJ, the local Lotus dealer also sells classic and exotica on their lot (since otherwise their lot would be a bit empty at times...). A few they own, most they don't.
www.princetonlotus.com
There are a number of places to sell these cars. None of them are really Bring a Trailer cars and that is not a site to post on but one that records other posts. I would look at Craigslist and eBay.
Also auctions like Barrett-Jackson and Russo and Steele and other venues migth be a good idea.
The above comment that selling them in this market could be difficult is accurate.
What years and specific models are the cars? Where are you located? Feel free to email or message me if you like and I am happy to give you some more ideas for selling them if you want to drop me an email.
In reply to Andy Reid:
Thanks for all the replys. The cars are located in SC between Columbia and Charleston. The cars are all runners in good to very good shape. The Viper was almost daily driven and has 80K miles, fairly new clutch, RMS, tires, etc. and I think some hipo work done to the engine. It's red with redone leather interior. The Mercedes is a garage queen, pristine w/ the V12 and has the hard top with it. Ice blue metallic w/ blue leather. Beautiful car. The Rolls will probably stay for sentimental reasons. I am aware of the fact that it may take a while to sell these and that is fine. She doesn't need the money, but I don't want the cars and I'd rather not see them sit for an extended period. I guess I could drive the Viper once in a while to keep the battery charged and get my adrenilin rush but it would remind me of my bro-in-law and make me sad. Thanks for the help and if you know anyone who might be interested, send 'em my way.
A Viper with 80K miles... wow... [wheels turning...] ...that sent me scrambling to edmunds.com just for kicks... looks like value is in the mid-upper 20's. That site can probably give you a starting point for the M-B as well (w/o knowing year, can't check). I remember reading an article about used Euro V12 cars and while the Benz holds its value the best (vs. BMW and Jag), it still isn't worth anywhere near its original MSRP.
Another suggestion... since you mentioned the Viper may be modified, perhaps talk to the shop that did the work. They may know someone of may be interested. Likewise, if the SL was serviced by an independant, they may have leads as well.
I feel for you. I can't imagine this will be easy. 
The viper will sell on eBay no problem especially with those miles and in that year. It will go cheap but the market is cheap now.
The SL600 will go as well just be realistic with the pricing as they drop like stones in value.
Rolls are really hard to sell, but if I was in the position to keep it I would if its a early 60's car. There are a few rolls specific shops in the US, that will do consignments but it will take a long while to find a buyer.
In reply to wearymicrobe:
Thanks. Yeah, probably ebay with a reserve-maybe 24K on the Viper and maybe 10K on the Mercedes. Yeah I know the Mercedes has depreciated a ton. It's a 92 I think, but looks new.
nedc wrote: In reply to wearymicrobe: Thanks. Yeah, probably ebay with a reserve-maybe 24K on the Viper and maybe 10K on the Mercedes. Yeah I know the Mercedes has depreciated a ton. It's a 92 I think, but looks new.
I wouldn't mind seeing more details on the Benz and pictures....or just send the link when you post on ebay.
I would post the Mercedes SL600 on eBay for a reserve of $14,500. The Viper I would as stated before list for a reserve of $20,000 as stated above.
Before you put them on eBay I would not discount the idea of listing them on Craigslist first.
Also look at the Viper clubs and the Viper community sites to post it for sale there. They are the best audience.
The Mercedes being a 600 is much more rare than the 500 is and is worth more to the right person. The site http://oursl.com/ is a Mercedes enthusiast site with classifieds. if the car is really nice I would post the SL600 there for maximum exposure to the Mercedes SL community. I sold my 380SL for top dollar.
I hope this helps some. Also if you can wait it is always better to sell sports cars in the spring/summer, you can see as much as a 10-15% increase in sales price over selling them in the winter.
Vipers in the 20's. Must... control... clicky... finger....
Thanks everybody, much appreciated. When I have links to the sales -ebay, craigs, whatever, I will post them here. And Cotton, I'll send you some pics of the benz when i take some.
a) sorry for your loss
b) PIMP cars. SL600's are sweet.
As others have said--ebay. I'd say the respective enthusiast web boards for those makes--Hell--Ferrarichat.com has some decently diverse classifieds. Not sure if you can immediately post there, though.
The Bring a Trailer idea sounds wise.
nedc wrote: In reply to wearymicrobe: Thanks. Yeah, probably ebay with a reserve-maybe 24K on the Viper and maybe 10K on the Mercedes. Yeah I know the Mercedes has depreciated a ton. It's a 92 I think, but looks new.
That would be decent given the mileage and if its in good condition. Biggest problem is you are going to have to cut out the California buying contingent on the viper if it is modified on the bottom/top end. Typically here and stock then tweaked tend to be OK but out of state vipers get the stink eye at smog.
The SL600 I would be interested in I love those things.
Not sure why nobody mentioned it but the Grassroots classifieds can work also.
Please post up photos and prices on these cars
aussiesmg wrote: Not sure why nobody mentioned it but the Grassroots classifieds can work also. Please post up photos and prices on these cars
just not the 2K9 area
I usually try ebay first, then if it doesnt sell, I put an ad in Autotrader, I pay for the ad that runs till it sells. Craigslist? Unless everyone knows to use the right search engine, you will only get local audience instead of a national audience.
But posting here before anything is the way to go for sure!
Sorry to hear bad news, but for the benz float the car by benzworld or mbca, you might find a local enthusiast buyer.
One guy put the mighty m120 v12 into a 560sl body for the ultimate sleeper.
I like that ourSL is out of burlingame california about 10miles north of me.
sell the benz and rolls, keep viper for yourself.
My short answer is always "Buy on Craigslist, Sell on e-Bay".
But here are some observations specific to these three cars:
Craigslist is free and easy. List them all there just for the hell of it.
Rolls shoppers are probably most likely to shop Hemmings, so that might be worth it for that car. But they may be less likely to go to Hemmings.com and more likely to wait for the paper edition, which will cost you some time. Still worth it in my opinion.
The Viper will sell on e-Bay.
I'd post the Benz locally and with any MB club classifieds that you can find. It's the car that's most likely to find a home with a non car guy.
And post all three, with photos, on the wall outside the men's room of your nearest racetrack.
I just drove and took some pics of the Mercedes and thought i would post them as some of you wanted to see pics. BTW, it's a 1993, not 92 as i thought. And Wow, what a car. I have not driven it in years and I personally would much prefer this car to the Viper. What really blows me away is the KBB value on it in excellent cond. (which it is) is only $11,900. It's gotta be worth more than that? If i wasn't so poor and had two kids in college, I would buy it for myself. Has 53000 miles, a small tear in the rear plastic window, underhood foam is deteriorating, new spheres for the suspension, new Mich Sport tires and runs like a bat outta Hades. Enjoy
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