Hey guys I am planning on selling the xk8 and moving upto an xkr, test drove one and I really enjoy the big breaks with the extra hp. I was wondering if it was worth addressing the 4 paint chips/ scratches distributed around my car, it is a 1998 in mint condition with about 55k miles on it. Thank you.

 

Always present your car for sale in the best possible light, you may just get a little more for it.

If you already have an agreed value, and you are happy, then leave it.

 

+1 to Jim's advice

I'm surprised you've only got four chips. Both of my earlier XK8's and current XK suffer from multiple stone chips on the front bumper. The earlier cars were refinished every two years and the XK will need the same this year.

Graham

 

Uhm, are you now going to create a new profile name? XKRforlife

 

haha I might!! and I havent agreed on a price was just wondering if it was worth fixing for 400 or if I should leave it. =)

 

You will pay for it either way. If you don't do anything a savvy buyer who is looking for reasons to negotiate price will point out the chips/scratches and immediately ask to reduce the price due to that (even if you have already done so). On the other hand if you bite the bullet and take care of these first, there will be less for a potential buyer to nitpick.

Doug

 

It's all about ROI. I doubt that the hundred$ (or thousand$) spent on the paint work will return much more than a just a good mechanical polishing will. No matter how few the miles are, your biggest price drivers are going to be model year and 8 vs. R (and maybe Conv vs. Coupe). She's a '98, ... how much higher could her value go?

I'd just make her as pretty as she's capable of being. Be careful though - every time I've done this I've fallen back in love with the car I was selling. Made the sale sad and painful, .......... for a while. Good luck!

 

unless things are scratched/chipped up bad, worst than normal wear I would leave it be. The money you spend will not raise the price of the car.

 

A lot of the touchup solutions like Doctor Color Chip actually do work, but they don't seem to hold up super long term. If they aren't bad, I'd leave them alone because it keeps the car honest and at least I don't like heavily prepped cars when I'm looking to buy (the glitz of silicones, touch up paint and paint glazes wears off fast).

 

I am the same way when I sell a car. I will clean it up on the inside but never use the greasy glossy stuff on the dash and the like. Just wipe it down so it looks clean. I will remove any carpet stains if possible. I always clean my motors down a few times a year so even my cars I have sold with 100k miles like like a car with 20k on it. Wash the outside real well, clean the tires but again no shinny stuff. And I never show a car after it has been warmed up unless I am meeting then somewhere to show it. If they are coming my place I want them to see it when it is cold so they see how it runs from a cold start. I also have all my maint record ready, carfax ready. Pretty much let it sell on its own merits.