Two different "Sell your car" forms on CG give two differing values
Asked by Cineman31 Nov 27, 2018 at 04:27 PM about the 2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited
Question type: Shopping & Pricing
So I entered the actual VIN of my 2016 Outback and got a price of $25,500 for my zip code, but when I click on "Sell" it took me to yet another page in which to put up the very same pics and description ... BUT the value has changed and gone down and there's no apparent way to get it back to the value it presented on the first form! Help?
7 Answers
These are just estimates of value. A value based on just the VIN is not going to be accurate as that does not include condition or miles. The values that CG's algorithm gives are based on the information that you put in and the price of other similar cars for sale in your area. That value will change as you input data and as the prices of other cars change.
Keep in mind that car shoppers will be comparing your car to others for sale. The value given on a website is only a number, not a price that is bankable. Reality is what someone will pay for it.
Thanks for the replies. I actually did indeed input miles and zip code on both forms. I have screen shots from both pages: one says it's worth $25,300 and the other says it's worth $23,300. I've looked at exact similars for sale on CG ... did an extensive search with exact features and mileage and my price at $24,900 should put me in the "good value" range, but if they say it's worth $2k less, then they will color code it a "fair" value. Why is there an inconsistency in the value suggested when it's the same exact VIN, mileage, zip code, and features that I put in the next form on the very next page? I can post images of the screen shots, but it seems unnecessary.
... as a result, I have two page/forms completed with all the photos, descriptions, etc and I won't put the car up for sale on CG until this makes sense....
Did you pick private sales for each value? I would not get too hung up on this. People will shop and compare cars. If yours is a good car for a good price it will sell. This is a case of "it is what it is".
You can try another car ad site. I don't know if you will get different results or not.
Do keep in mind that you cannot directly compare dealer and private sales prices. Dealer prices are always higher.