Selling a 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis: A Clash of Platforms | Experts Weigh In
Edited By
Tina Roberts
A Bay Area resident is looking to sell a 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis with nearly 87,000 miles, raising questions about the best platform for sale. The discussion pits Bring a Trailer against Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, highlighting the varying appeal of each option amid concerns about buyer reliability and overall market value.
The vehicle, described as super clean and running perfectly—save for a broken A/C and a minor paint chip—has already drawn attention from car enthusiasts. Some commenters express curiosity about whether BaT would accept it, emphasizing that the auction avenue could attract a more serious buyer demographic.
Commenters Weigh the Options
Participants on the forum share their experiences and insights:
Pricing Concerns: "How much would you like to get for that car?" This question highlights an essential factor for sellers.
Platform Experiences: Users noted that they had better success with Facebook Marketplace over Craigslist, suggesting a trend in platform reliability. "I have had better results from Facebook Marketplace than Craigslist in the last five years," one commenter stated.
A No Reserve Strategy: There’s a consensus that a no-reserve auction on BaT could work in favor of the seller, with recent successes cited: "I listed my 2004 e46 m3 convertible on bat with no reserve and ended up with $20k."
While listing the vehicle on BaT might be riskier due to the no-reserve option, it could also widen the pool of interested buyers. The risk of losing the vehicle to a lower bid is pit against the potentially higher sale prices the platform can forge.
What Does the Community Recommend?
The consensus suggests exploring all avenues:
Bring a Trailer: Good for attracting serious buyers but may require a no-reserve listing.
Facebook Marketplace: More favorable for sellers based on past results; ideal for quick sales.
Craigslist: Was deemed less reliable for serious transactions.
"That one is way nicer and less miles. OP’s is a Facebook Marketplace car," emphasized one contributor, noting the variations in vehicle conditions that exist across listing platforms.
Key Insights
⚡ Pricing strategy critical: Ensuring the right price can make or break a sale.
🔍 Platform preferences differ: Facebook seems more favorable than Craigslist for some sellers.
🚀 No-reserve auctions attract buyers: Less risk might bring higher returns on BaT, but it’s a gamble.
With insights flowing in, it remains to be seen what choice the owner will make and how it will impact their selling strategy in 2025.
Predictions on Selling Platforms' Impact
Given the options available, there’s a strong chance that the seller will lean towards listing the Mercury Grand Marquis on Facebook Marketplace. With the increasing preference for quicker sales and anecdotal evidence showing more favorable sales on this platform, experts estimate about a 70% likelihood for this choice. Meanwhile, Bring a Trailer could attract serious bidders but comes with the risk of ending with a lower offer using a no-reserve strategy. This places BaT at around a 30% possibility if the seller prioritizes a more engaged buyer pool despite fears of a less favorable sale.
A Reflection from Automotive History
Consider how early car collectors in the 1980s treated their vintage automobiles much like today’s sellers are treating platforms—evaluating the best environments for higher returns. Just as those collectors moved from local auctions to specialized online forums to showcase their prized possessions, today’s seller faces a similar crossroads. The move to digital platforms not only reflects changing times but echoes an age-old pursuit: optimizing sales conditions to secure the best prices, reinventing the classic hustle in modern trading arenas.