[rogerxp]

Some of you may have noticed that I've placed the RX-8 up for sale and, even thought I was quite proud of the advert (talk about 'creative writing' ), the issue of 4 previous owners is my only concern.

Here is the advert link http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1449122.htm (just a free Pistonheads one at present) for reference but the paragraph I wanted advice on is...

"The alloy wheels are immaculate except for a very small scuff on one alloy. The bodywork is in excellent condition, especially given it's age, and the interior and leather are also in great condition. Still drives like it's new (and I've recently driven a new one for comparison). This car has had 4 previous owners."

Should I add something to the highlight section or just leave it as it is?? I was thinking of adding something like "this factor nearly put me off but I'm glad it didn't as you'll struggle to find a better RX-8 out there; the no. of owners became insignificant all of a sudden". Is that being too open and honest (it is actually the truth) or is it labouring the point
too much??

Advice would be appreciated (on any part of the advert in fact or indeed price).

[M3-FAST]

I would just delete the bit about the owners and wait until someone asks - the chances are then you will be communicating via an email or phone, and you can eloborate then.

[jonsteele]

+1

[KadeSdad]

Best to engage in some sort of contact first then you can iron out the minor details, don't put them off contacting you!

[chrisbin]

As above, wait for someone to ask and then you will have opportunity to elaborate.

[rogerxp]

That of course was the other option that I considered. Will delete it now.

Does anyone favour, or have more success with, Pistonheads/AutoTrader/Ebay?? I suppose it's all down to timing and the car you're selling so who knows.

[KadeSdad]

Auto Trader

[willhollin]

What next Roger?

[rogerxp]

Anything (as long at it's does more the 170 miles per tank!!!). I know some of you will shout 'you knew it was bad on fuel', which I did, but not THIS bad. There's absolutely no way to drive it efficiently either (in fact I understand gunning it is slithly better than cruising in a rather perverse twist). That's a whole new thread though.

Not too sure I've got the patience to wait for a private buyer to come along to be honest so am window shopping at dealers but at a firm £7k budget I'm really struggling to find anything half-decent (that's how I ended up in an RX-8 to be honest). Everything is just out of touch from 350Z, Z4, GTI, Alfa GT, A4 Cab, decent E46 Coupe, S2000 (but feel I'd now tire of that these days quite quickly given it's similar to the RX8 engine)...

[335diesel]

Definitely leave it out Roger - the over explanation looks too defensive to me. Nice of you to be honest but no need.

I'd also delete this line: especially given it's age

And change "except for one minor scuff" to "with only a minor scuff..."

Keep it positive but honest or you'll put buyers off.

[RagingKileak]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

Definitely leave it out Roger - the over explanation looks too defensive to me. Nice of you to be honest but no need.

I'd also delete this line: especially given it's age

And change "except for one minor scuff" to "with only a minor scuff..."

Keep it positive but honest or you'll put buyers off.

This is good advice.

I have noticed a lot of RX-8's have lots of owners for the same reason as you do... it was very 'en-vogue' for a couple of years, but then the bubble burst and suddenly people need the cash to keep their 2 bedroom waterfront flat rather than their 'slightly quirky little semi-coupe...'

Anyhoo.... As for your options and choice of selling point...

I think Pistonheads is fine, thats where I sold my last few motors (that didnt go to dealers) and especially now that the AutoTrader is a complete joke of a site, stick it out for a week or two.

As for your 7k budget - well I hate to sound like a broken drum but you could always go for a Leon Cupra R, a Focus ST might just sneak in with highish miles and there are a few other options out there but you are going to have to take what you see as a compromise of some sort...

I for example would have thought a Focus ST would be quicker than an RX8 in reality, but your gonna have to compromise on the driven wheels - so what? The RX8 turned out to be very much not what you wanted from what I can gather!

If practicality is not a problem and you wanna move quick, get an S2000 again because although they are every day a 'quick' car, they still feel about 40% quicker than they have any right to!!

Matt

[rogerxp]

Thank you 'The Two Matts'.

I've amended the advert and removed that statement. No need to add anything about scuffs as there aren't any (certainly not that I've noticed).

It's actually quite a good car but the fuel economy is just plain daft and the engine just feels pointless (that's why I'm fearful of another S2000 to be honest) in todays world.

Cupra R is a good shout, always liked them from afar, but always forgot about it when searching...

[sheps]

You've definitely done the right thing in editing your advert, Rog.

Pistonheads has been very succesful for me - I sold the wifes old car (1.8T A4 Avant) on there in a matter of days; I had a dozen phonecalls and emails within hours - and I think I got more than book value for it, so it wasn't like I was giving it away. We had it an Autotrader at the same time and got 1/5th of the response in terms of numbers.

As for a replacement for the RX8, if I were buying and it were my £7k ish I were spending, I'd be looking at getting into something like this

I don't know if you've ever been in one/driven one but they are amazing fun - this is what I owned prior to my BMW. It had more abuse than I care to remember thrown at it from day one.

Over 100k miles in three years, including numerous track days, and it didn't skip a beat. The most reliable and unburstable car I've ever owned. Nothing, and I mean nothing ever went wrong with it, I didn't even replace a lightbulb on it. Just fill it with petrol and drive the arse off it.

30mpg is more than achievable on a long, light throttle run (although you'll see 11 when you get it on the track!)

[peterg1965]

Roger, how does your asking price compare with other similar aged private sellers RX-8s?
Price is definately the key to getting a quick sale. I found Ebay classified ads with 'best offer' - £19.95. I sold two cars this way in short order.

[M3-FAST]

How about a Celica T-sport as an alternative?

I had an 03 plate brand new and loved it! Very precise handling and excellent seating position. Pretty well spec'd if a little plasticky in places but a lot of jap sports cars are.

190bhp engine pulls like a train above 6,000rpm but keep it below that and it does 30mpg all day long.

I had a one in thunder grey (unique to the T-sports and the earlier Celica 190)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2003-TOYOTA-CE...item5ad63b9ca6

03/04 plate ones are bang on your budget

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

Roger, how does your asking price compare with other similar aged private sellers RX-8s?
Price is definately the key to getting a quick sale.

It's priced pretty keenly when you consider the low-ish mileage and great spec. There are cheaper ones out there but when you look carefully they are nowhere near as good as mine.

That's why the header has SAT NAV, S'ROOF, LEATHER, WARRANTY in big text to attract the punters (something you can't do on AutoTrader ). Problem is there are so many out there to choose from; you're likely to get bored before finding the right car).

I've factored in being knocked down pretty much instantly (max £500 drop I reckon) which would make it pretty damn good value I reckon.