Topic: Should I fix car before selling?

[Hammy]

I am planning to sell my 2007 Honda Pilot and downsize but my A/C is currently not working.  Do people think I should spend the roughly $700 to get it fixed or just tell people its not working and reflect it in the price?  I am afraid if they see one thing broke they will wonder what else is broken.  It makes a rattling kind of noise due to the clutch on the compressor being broken.  I don't think I will get any more for the vehcile if I fix it but I could scare some buyers off.  Just looking for past experience with similar situations.

Thanks.

I have been blogging about my car buyiing tribulations at www.nlcarblog.blogspot.com

[5 Wheel Drive]

Do you think there would be a big difference in your asking price if the a/c were fixed or not?  I would think most people at a Pilot or similar would expect working a/c.  Having just gone through the process of buying a used car I looked at a lot of ads.  If I saw an an ad that said something wasn't working on the car I moved on to the next one.  I didn't want the added step and expense of needing to get something fixed right away.  But that's just me.

If you don't fix it you may get less interest in your ad.  Or you'll get people interested that may want you to adjust your price by a lot more than what it would cost you to fix it.

[mrthompson]

Fix it.

[wing]

A/C on a 2007, yes fix it.  If it was a 2000 or older it would be expected to be broken, but at the price you are most likely looking for people are looking for mostly working cars.

[ArticSteve]

Loose clutch on a AC compressor is a drivability issue assuming those motors have only one drive belt.  

How beat is this unit?  Mileage?  

[Hammy]

I am at 100,000 km, I guess I will just get it fixed but I also just had to get a new radiator and brakes(2nd brake job).  At least I can tell whoever is buying it that there is nothing left to replace!

[2JDM]

Fix it. I would expect a 2007 vehicle to have everything working.

[2latecrew]

Fix it.

1. AC issues could be anything from a small part to very expensive compressor replacement etc. If I was buying a car I wouldn't want to take a chance of the repairs being a lot more than i planned. its not like a bent fender or a rusted exhaust where you can clearly see what is broken.

2. A used 07 Pilot isn't chump change. Its not a 3K car where people expect it to have issues. If I'm shelling out 14 K for a used PILOT I'd expect that when I buy it and drive away that everything works. Not that I need to take it to a garage and wait for days before I can drive it fully functional.

[Hammy]

Yeah I am hoping to get close to $20k for it so it should be working well ......

[davidy]

I recommend that you get several quotes to repair the A/C. $700 isn't cheap....or is it up to $700?

Dave

[rrocket]

No kidding...you can get a brand new Denso compressor for $320 from Rock Auto.

[ArticSteve]

I recommend that you get several quotes to repair the A/C. $700 isn't cheap....or is it up to $700?

Essentially $700 is the starting point for any AC repair:  compressor, evaporator, condensor, what have you.  Along with a compressor, it will need a new dryer, more refrigerent, labour and of course a $100. in TAX.

[sailor723]

I'd say you should fix it. As others have said many potential buyers will just move on to the next ad.  Most of those that don't will expect the car to be discounted more than the cost of repairs.

[johngenx]

+ for fixing.  I wouldn't even consider the vehicle without the A/C working.  Seriously, you could show me the estimate, etc, and I'd still walk.  Well, if you went $3K under comparable, then maybe.  Maybe.  Pilots are easy to find, so I'd only look at ones with all equipment working.

[Hammy]

Thanks everyone, she's going in for A/C repair thursday!