Advice required: Taking this off but why hasn't it sold?

wandererz

Hi all

Had the car below on Done Deal & Auto Trader for a few months now.

Only intending to sell to upgrade to Porsche, Jag XF or other brand but only one call initially from someone needing to sell their own car first.

Fully loaded, about 65K euro of car when new. Still drives like new. Distinctive colour and won't get similar from UK for mileage, specs, vrt etc.

Whats the problem? Nobody looking for cabriolets any longer?

Decided to take it off sale soon because it's not worth it if i reduce further. I may as well just keep it and enjoy for a few more years.

Just interested in other peoples opinion.

Supergurrier

T5 Convertable would be a pretty small market

Is that the 250bhp or so variant ?

MetzgerMeister

First of all, the price is too high for something that will cost e1000+ to tax and that is a 2.4 ltr petrol engine. In order to sell something like that these days, it has to be cheap to buy.

This isn't the best country for sun or good weather so it would make it hard to sell a convertible. Your best bet would be to advertise it just before the "summer" months start.

IMO, if you want it to sell, you should price is at 9500 and hope for the best regardless of what you think it's worth because it's only worth what someone will pay for it.

wandererz

Supergurrier wrote: »

T5 Convertable would be a pretty small market

Is that the 250bhp or so variant ?

Thats one problem.

If it's 2.5L+ then its too big and associated motor tax etc.

If it's less then to the T5 turbo people it's too little i guess.

Its 2.4L 170BHP

wandererz

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

First of all, the price is too high for something that will cost e1000+ to tax and that is a 2.4 ltr petrol engine. In order to sell something like that these days, it has to be cheap to buy.

This isn't the best country for sun or good weather so it would make it hard to sell a convertible. Your best bet would be to advertise it just before the "summer" months start.

IMO, if you want it to sell, you should price is at 9500 and hope for the best regardless of what you think it's worth because it's only worth what someone will pay for it.

True, and have seen similar advice on here before regarding "it's only worth what someone will pay for it".

In my opinion i will not get anything quite as good even at the price advertised already.

Tax-wise i guess that one would have to seriously compare spending the extra 50k for a new vehicle compared to a used and the 500 euro more per year.

Regarding sun, people underestimate Ireland because i'd say i've gotten 30+ top down days this year (by this i mean actually 30 - 60 days).

In spain etc, it's normally too hot for top down motoring.

i guess it's time to pull down ad and stick to what i know will do me well over next few years.

Voodoomelon

I think the problem is simple, its a Volvo convertible. Not my opinion, but I reckon the very few people in this country that are looking for a convertible are after a 93/3 series/Mini/MX5.

There's just no demand for what you have I reckon, you'll have to price it accordingly.

MetzgerMeister

I'm not trying to talk down to you either with regard the price, I was in the same position when trying to sell my last car, a Mazda6 MPS. Due to the fact that it was a 2.3, a Mazda, and a petrol engine, I had very little interest even at 9500 and that had 260 bhp.

thecomedian

It also doesn't help when your paying for 2.4 tax (€1005 I think) and only getting 170 bhp. I think there was a t5 07/06 a few months back for under 10,000

wandererz

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

I'm not trying to talk down to you either with regard the price, I was in the same position when trying to sell my last car, a Mazda6 MPS. Due to the fact that it was a 2.3, a Mazda, and a petrol engine, I had very little interest even at 9500 and that had 260 bhp.

Cheers dude,
Have read a few of your posts in the past and respect what you have to say.
It's sad though when folks prefer to purchase and drive around in a brand new ****** crappy with zero features rather than something fully loaded yet a few years old at around the same price.

wandererz

thecomedian wrote: »

It also doesn't help when your paying for 2.4 tax (€1005 I think) and only getting 170 bhp. I think there was a t5 07/06 a few months back for under 10,000

Not too many T5 C70's in Ireland and i think that if one is looking for over 200BHP then one needs to look at something else.
Different type of car altogther i.e. R32 etc. That will get the heart pounding!!

Maybe that's my problem.

Anyway, was just interested in geting some relevant responses before i pull it.

Thanks very much.

thecomedian

wandererz wrote: »

Not too many T5 C70's in Ireland and i think that if one is looking for over 200BHP then one needs to look at something else.
Different type of car altogther i.e. R32 etc. That will get the heart pounding!!

Maybe that's my problem.

Anyway, was just interested in geting some relevant responses before i pull it.

Thanks very much.

Not too many indeed. Well if the c70 t5 was going for under 10000, then it might give u some indication of the little market for large engined cars.
Best of luck

MetzgerMeister

If I were you I would just leave the ad up and update it every so often but still drive the car as though you were keeping it. Don't get your hopes up about it selling and you may have it sold before you know it if you review the price every so often too.

Best of luck with it whatever you decide to do

langdang

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

If I were you I would just leave the ad up and update it every so often but still drive the car as though you were keeping it. Don't get your hopes up about it selling and you may have it sold before you know it if you review the price every so often too.

Best of luck with it whatever you decide to do

I think that ^ is a good option.
But unfortunately, I think a good chunk of the potential market are a bit afraid of private sales - I reckon the right dealer in the right location could shift that quicker.

Nice car BTW, something different at least. I like the colour, but that could be another issue for other people.

djimi

I think most things have been covered in this thread; its simply a car that there is a very small market for these days. Not a lot of people are going to be looking for a big engined luxury petrol car, and even fewer will be looking for a convertibe Volvo unfortunately. I also agree that a lot of people will be very wary about shelling out €10k+ on a private sale.

Id say your best bet would be to be patient and see what happens. You may get more joy when the weather improves.

unkel

Nice car, I like it

But as others said, there's a very limited market for a high tax, low performance car. Convertibles are worth a lot less in the autumn / winter - try again next spring!

Also, does the car not have an NCT?

galwaytt

Lovely car - I like it. Even if it is..........'silver'

My S.O. is half-hunting for the Spring, and specifically for a 4-seater convertible, so, there are people out there to whom this does appeal.

But, and it's a bloody big BUT, it's the car tax. We/she, doesn't/won't do big miles on it, so that is the single biggest reason. It's not the car that's the problem.

I wonder what it would get in the UK - might be worth a punt (sic) up on Pistonheads - my 2 x Porsches went outside the State - and all because of tax.

bazz26

Wrong time of the year to be selling a convertible. Buyers of these cars will not start looking at these till around March or April, definately not in November or Decemenber. That and as already mentioned it's 2.4 litre petrol and being a Volvo doesn't have the "wow" factor. In saying that I'm not gone on diesel convertibles, diesels are clattery enough with the roof and windows up not to mind with a roof down.

MetzgerMeister

bazz, this volvo is petrol, not diesel

mathepac

While accepting that the car may have its own cachet, it's biggest failing is that for the tax and insurance bills you wind up with a yoke that is all show and no go, unfortunately.

bazz26

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

bazz, this volvo is petrol, not diesel

I know, just making a comment on the fact that it is 2.4 for motor tax is more of a stumbling point than it being petrol.

langdang

mathepac wrote: »

all show and no go, unfortunately.

Now, no disrespect to the OP, but I don't think it's a major issue for the most likely purchaser

robbie99

I notice that the photos were taken at Eastpoint Business Park where all the Lambe & O'Connor cars are photographed. Is this really a private sale? Also, the car is up on carzone but the price there is 1k more than DoneDeal.

There's a dealer selling a 2006 330i saloon for 7k, I can't see anyone paying more for a convertible c70 in the high tax, low bhp guise from a private seller

rocky

RoverJames wrote: »

There's a dealer selling a 2006 330i saloon for 7k, I can't see anyone paying more for a convertible c70 in the high tax, low bhp guise from a private seller

link?

rocky

rocky wrote: »

link?

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/4137386

MetzgerMeister

There's also a 335i with 12,000 miles being sold for €19k.

Stheno

There also weren't a huge amount of those cars sold new, suggesting the market for them full stop is very small.

NIMAN

You got yourself a great looking car there and I would love to be driving it.

But here's my list of BUTs:
1) Back doesn't look great for baby seats
2) The road tax!
3) 2.4 can't be very economical of fuel, and it ain't getting any cheaper.
4) Not mad on the colour
5) I'm sure I'd see a rise in insurance costs

Good luck with any future sale. It is a beauty and you might just find that person who will love it.

MetzgerMeister

I think the back is perfect for baby seats, very easy access when the roof is down too.

rocky

RoverJames wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/4137386

Some people should have their internet rights revoked, I have a few filters on donedeal and this add didn't appear in any of them, searching for "330i" works (and not "330").

Make / Model "Bmw 3 series 330i"

genius!

Mr Benevolent

It's just not very popular. As mentioned above most people in the market for a convertible will be looking for an MX-5, 1.8 or smaller. I'm looking to buy in the next six months and a convertible is in the mix, but again, a 2.5 turbo convertible is just way out of my mental range of cars, plus it's a Volvo, - nothing wrong with them, but they still have a bit of an old person image problem. My ideal atm would be a Cappuccino, but they're too expensive to justify for a fairly old car.

langdang

Confab wrote: »

It's just not very popular. As mentioned above most people in the market for a convertible will be looking for an MX-5, 1.8 or smaller. I'm looking to buy in the next six months and a convertible is in the mix, but again, a 2.5 turbo convertible is just way out of my mental range of cars, plus it's a Volvo, - nothing wrong with them, but they still have a bit of an old person image problem. My ideal atm would be a Cappuccino, but they're too expensive to justify for a fairly old car.

The target market is most definitely NOT lads in their 20's who want to cane it round the twisty stuff.

Mr Benevolent

langdang wrote: »

The target market is most definitely NOT lads in their 20's who want to cane it round the twisty stuff.

It's a T5, they're not going to buy it for the economy either. Anyway, who's in their 20's? I'm 33.

MetzgerMeister

Confab wrote: »

It's a T5, they're not going to buy it to be careful with the MPG either. Anyway, who's in their 20's? I'm 33.

As the OP stated already, it's NOT a T5. It's a 2.4 170bhp.

Mr Benevolent

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

As the OP stated already, it's NOT a T5. It's a 2.4 170bhp.

Still, nobody's going to buy it for the economy factor. It's meant to be driven, especially the convertible.

langdang

Confab wrote: »

It's a T5, they're not going to buy it for the economy either. Anyway, who's in their 20's? I'm 33.

It's 170bhp hardly a monster. It's competing with merc clk convertibles, and even at 33 I doubt your hobbies include Pilates and botox! (ie I'm saying a good chunk of the target market enjoys both)

Mr Benevolent

langdang wrote: »

It's 170bhp hardly a monster. It's competing with merc clk convertibles, and even at 33 I doubt your hobbies include Pilates and botox! (ie I'm saying a good chunk of the target market enjoys both)

Point taken, it's a car with a niche market.

mathepac

langdang wrote: »

Now, no disrespect to the OP, but I don't think it's a major issue for the most likely purchaser

Did you read my post? I made no disrespectful references what-so-ever to the poster or to the hair-dressers who might want a car like this.

langdang

mathepac wrote: »

Did you read my post? I made no disrespectful references what-so-ever to the poster or to the hair-dressers who might want a car like this.

Never said you did, I was merely indicating that I myself did not think less of the OP. Each to their own.

Idbatterim

While accepting that the car may have its own cachet, it's biggest failing is that for the tax and insurance bills you wind up with a yoke that is all show and no go, unfortunately.

good point, it would have very very limited market also, maybe drop price to 9950 and update the ad on donedeal more often, often it not just about constantly dropping the price, but waiting for the right buyer to come along and making sure the ad is fairly recent...

It's 170bhp hardly a monster.

it is going to be pedestrian, its 2.4L only putting out 170bhp in a big heavy convertible auto...

figures taken from autotrader for exact same car...
Fuel consumption (urban) 20.5 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban) 40.4 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined) 29.4 mpg
0 - 62 mph 10 seconds
Top speed 134 mph
Cylinders 5
Valves 20 v
Engine power 170 bhp
Engine torque 169.7 lbs/ft

Fully loaded, about 65K euro of car when new.

yeah there are tons of 6 and 7 series bmw's, or s class mercs, 130-150k new if not more, now about 8-9 years old and asking sub 10k!

anthony4335

I would just imagine that it just the wrong time of year for the car. Price seems fine to me but I have not been looking around for one. The main issue has been pointed out 2.4l, not quite sure why this is such a hugh issue as it really is ony 355 euro more than the 2l to tax, 170bhp is more than enough for this type of car, any more any it would be wasted. Why are people compairing it to BMW, I have had one and I am not a fan. It is all in the taste.
If I was in the market for a change (just changed this year) I would really look at this car. I would just keep it for a few more years get some use out of it and wait until the XF's come down in price and then change. I might just keep an eye out for it in the future.