How To Sell Your Exotic Car (Beginner Friendly Guide)

Use these methods to get the most bang for your buck while expediting the sales cycle

Yellow Ferrari on racetrack.

If you’re the type of person who owns or leases an exotic, odds are you’re never satisfied.

Owning or leasing an exotic car like a Lamborghini or Ferrari is all about the experience and feeling it provides. And once you’ve had a taste of a high-end vehicle, you’ll want to try them all.

Selling your exotic car is a great way to free up resources for your next. You may want to pick up a new Porsche you’ve been eying, or you might be merely liquidating an asset you don’t get to use enough.

Whatever your reason, selling your exotic car should be a fair and balanced transaction. This outcome is a challenge because selling your Aston Martin is much more nuanced than a Ford or a Chevy. As such, this sales process requires a bit more forethought to maximize your return and minimize your effort to get it.

Key takeaways:

Selling an exotic car has its own unique challenges, including limited qualified buyers, pricing difficulties, and long sale times.
Choosing the right sales channel can make the difference between a quick sale for a fair price or a long and tedious sales process.
For maximum return, research the market and prepare to negotiate.
Sell your car to an exotic car buyer for the best possible outcome: quick sales time and a fair price.

What Is an Exotic Car?

Selling your exotic vehicle comes with unique challenges. Traditional methods of listing your car on a classifieds website or trading it in at the dealership are unlikely to turn out in your favor. Let’s review the primary challenges in selling an exotic car.

How Are Exotic and Luxury Cars Different from Regular Cars?

Exotic cars differ from standard cars in a number of different ways, including:

Limited production: While regular cars are produced by the millions, exotic cars are much more exclusive. Typically, manufacturers only produce a few thousand of each model of luxury cars. For instance, about 11,000 Lamborghini Aventadors were made throughout its lifetime, while Rolls-Royce produces under 6,000 cars total each year.

Optimal performance: All exotic cars are designed for maximum performance, but one subset of exotic cars known as supercars are a step above the rest. Supercars boast up to 900 horsepower and speeds of 200 or more mph.

Premium materials: Rather than being made from inexpensive materials like steel and aluminum, exotic cars are made from carbon fiber, titanium, and other costly, performance-enhancing materials.
Unique design: For exotic cars, design is as important as performance. Exotic and luxury cars often have dramatic designs like low profiles, flashy colors, and sculpted curves.

How Much Is My Exotic Car Really Worth?

If you’re looking to sell your exotic car, the first thing you need to determine is its value. Unlike regular cars, an exotic car’s value isn’t just dependent on its mileage and condition. Factors like rarity and demand can have a significant impact on the value of your car.

Understanding the Value of Your Exotic Car

Trying to determine the value of your exotic car? Consider these factors:

Mileage: When shopping for an exotic car, most buyers look to mileage as a sign of wear and tear. The less mileage your car has, the better.

Supply: How rare your exotic car is also plays a huge role in determining its value. Whether because of limited production or just a few available in the resale market, a limited supply can boost your car’s value.

Demand: Is your exotic car in vogue at the moment? If so, you may want to sell while the iron is hot. The more in demand your car is, the more value it holds.

Grey Porsche 911

How Hard Is It to Sell a Exotic Car?

Finding Qualified Buyers is Challenging

Sure, almost everyone wants to drive a Maserati convertible around, but how many of them can afford to do so? With the price tag of most exotic cars, a large percentage of the population simply isn’t qualified to purchase.

Beyond that, people who are in the market for an exotic car or supercar are very particular. These types of buyers have done their research and know exactly what they are looking for. If your car isn’t providing what they need, they’ll be comfortable walking away until something more suitable comes along for them.

That means you’ve got a small pool of people who can afford your vehicle, and that this small pool is somewhat rigid in their desires. These two ingredients make a significant challenge from the sales side.

Black Maserati Parked In Driveway

Incorrectly Pricing an Exotic Car Can Cost You Big

There are a lot of variables to consider when it comes to determining your car’s value. Sure there are some obvious factors like mileage, model, and year that can help inform your car’s underlying value. However, the vehicle itself isn’t the only “value” you need to consider.

Key Factors Affecting Valuation

Whether you’re looking to go the trade-in route or privately sell your exotic car to a buyer, there are a few factors to be aware of when it comes to price-setting:

Time and depreciation: When trading an exotic car into a dealership, they recognize the turnover on a used exotic can stretch a long time. Additionally, the car could potentially depreciate during that time. These factors make dealerships more likely to low-ball you in their offers, either hoping you’ll turn them down or that you accept a bad offer so they can make a reasonable profit.
Risk: For a private buyer, purchasing an exotic vehicle from a private seller is an inherently risky transaction. You don’t have a team of quality control professionals who can guarantee the car is in ship shape or access to a network of reliable help should there be an issue with the vehicle. For the most part, they will need to take your word, which comes at a cost to you.

In both scenarios, the buyer has a clear-cut incentive to offer less than your car’s actual value. That could be a difference of hundreds of dollars on a typical vehicle transaction. With an exotic car, you might be leaving thousands of dollars on the table.

Long Sales Cycles Are Costly

Buyer availability and pricing concerns work together to create a third, painful challenge with selling an exotic car: a prolonged timeline.

Finding a qualified car enthusiast to buy your sports car can take weeks or months, only to lead to drawn-out back and forth negotiations that stagnate in the end, leaving you back at square one. Additionally, you still need to pay extra special attention to every prospect’s finances and the ability to pay you what you are asking. It is not unheard of for potential buyers to test drive exotic cars only to “ghost” you when serious money conversations start.

On top of that, if you aren’t willing to budge from what you know your car’s value is, it will take a long time to find a customer who will meet you there.

While you’re trying to find a way to offload your car, you are still dealing with the day-to-day expenses of maintaining an exotic. That includes car or lease payments, repairs, tune-ups, and overall depreciation.

This is where selling an exotic car is most challenging: you’re steadily losing money every day you don’t make the sale.

Preparing Your Exotic Car for Sale

It’s easy to see that, from the jump, there’s a lot working against you when selling a supercar or exotic car. That’s why it’s of the utmost importance to put your best foot forward in preparing your car for sale. Follow these steps to put yourself in the best position to get a fair price for your exotic vehicle.

Cleaning and Detailing

Spending a little money upfront on cleaning and detailing can pay off big in the long run. Remember, you’re not dealing with the average car buyer here. Exotic vehicle buyers can be exceedingly picky when it comes to selecting their new car; a little dirt here and there can quickly break the sale. Sell your buyer the illusion that they’re the first to set foot in this car with a thorough cleaning and detailing.

Necessary Repairs and Maintenance

Again, doing the work now will pay off in the long run. Buyers want a car that’s ready to hit the road running, not one they’ll immediately need to send to the shop. Plus, a repair that hasn’t yet been taken care of may suggest to your prospective buyers that you’ve poorly maintained your exotic or supercar. Do all necessary repairs and stay up-to-date on maintenance throughout the sales process.

Organizing Documentation and Ownership Papers

Whether your selling an exotic to a dealer or a private buyer, they’re going to want all the necessary documentation to prove you’re the rightful owner of the car and everything’s legit. Organize this now so you’re ready when the time comes.

Choosing the Right Sales Channel

Now that your supercar is prepped for selling, it’s time to figure out your sales strategy. Depending on whether you own or lease, you may want to take different steps to sell an exotic car.

Methods for Selling An Exotic Vehicle You Own

If you outright own your exotic car, there are three main ways you can sell it, each with their pros and cons.

Trade-in With a Dealership

The first option available to you is taking your car straight to a dealership for a cash offer.

This method tends to be relatively quick and reliable. Dealerships are well-run machines, and that is especially true for high-end organizations like Audi, Bentley, and Lamborghini. They have the resources to purchase anything they see as a substantial investment, as well as access to a broad distribution and financial services network.

With these institutional advantages in their corner, selling your exotic car to a dealership is usually a reliable way to sell it quickly.

On the other hand, selling an exotic car to a dealership typically results in less-than-ideal return. The main problem with taking your exotic to a dealership is you might leave thousands of dollars in value on the table. Dealerships make lower offers because they know the longer sales cycle associated with an exotic vehicle and they want to price it accordingly.

To set yourself up for the best outcome, sell your exotic car to the same brand dealership as its make (like a BMW to a BMW dealership, for example). They are going to be the most willing to take your vehicle off your hands and will likely be able to turn around and sell it quicker than other dealers, which may help you get more money in return. Still, the dealer’s position allows them to be comfortable making low-ball offers and sticking to their guns.

Private Sale

Private sale is another viable option for those who don’t mind putting in some extra leg work.

When privately selling your exotic car, you have the most flexibility. You set pricing, handle all promotions, and have the final say in who gets to take over your exotic. Bear in mind that with flexibility comes responsibility. Completing a good sale requires masterful marketing and negotiating skills, as they will be vital in determining your return.

In reality, privately selling your exotic vehicle is extremely difficult. You must do extensive research on the right price for your car, promote your car through exotic listings (all of which cost a fee), and masterfully negotiate the price. Hiring appraisers and purchasing listings can make your process go a little smoother, but these are unwanted expenses when you’re trying to sell.

To take it one step further, if your buyer needs a loan or you still have payments due on your car, the transaction could quickly devolve into a financial mess.

Since it can be challenging to find an interested and qualified buyer, selling privately is a long-term route to take. The process can drag out for months or even years, and you lose value in your car with each passing month.

Work With a Licensed Exotic Purchaser

To get a great return on your vehicle without the time and hassle of private selling, sell your exotic to an online buyer.

Similar to dealerships, exotic car buyers like We Buy Exotics have institutional advantages. There is always plenty of cash available to make a reasonable investment in an exotic car. Additionally, their agile and highly experienced staff is able to offer you the absolute top dollar for your luxury or exotic vehicle, and their goal is to make the process as smooth and easy as possible.

In most circumstances, you receive your appraisal within one day of entering your VIN, you are wired the payment the moment you approve the transaction, and professionals come pick-up your vehicle from your home at your convenience.

Not only does this make your life easier, but it cuts down on inefficiencies in the sales process. That means your cash offer from a company like We Buy Exotics will likely exceed that which a dealer will offer you.

Overall, choosing a company like We Buy Exotics offers convenience and efficiency without sacrificing value along the way. It’s the modern, specialized approach to selling your exotic vehicle.

Online Marketplaces and Auctions

Much like a conventional auction, an online exotic car auction gives buyers the opportunity to bid on exotic vehicles and supercars—though in this case from anywhere around the globe. While these marketplaces can benefit you by opening your sale up to a broad range of buyers, here, too, buyers have reasons to low ball.

For one, in an online marketplace a buyer is making a purchase sight unseen. They’re taking your word for the condition of your car, and there’s a huge inherent risk. Buyers may not want to pay top dollar for a car they’ve never laid eyes on.

Another significant challenge comes after the purchase. How will the buyer get the car from your home to theirs? They’ll likely need to pay a pretty penny to transport it—giving them even more reason to low ball on price.

Methods for Selling An Exotic Vehicle You’re Leasing

While it’s more common to sell a car that you own outright, you can also exchange an exotic car you are leasing—as long as you have equity in your car.

To determine equity, begin by understanding your car’s worth. Start with an appraisal from We Buy Exotics or a similar company. Kelly Blue Book is another popular resource that can provide you with a ballpark estimate.

Once you have the appraisal, find the residual value of your lease contract. This is the same as the buyout amount you would pay at the end of the lease. Subtract your residual value from the appraisal price, and you’ll end up with a good idea of your equity. It’s important to note that this value is likely a range that is subject to negotiating factors.

Now that you know your equity, you can turn it into cash by selling your exotic car.

Sell Your Leased Car to a Dealer

Similar to selling a car you own outright, selling your leased supercar to a dealer is an easy way to step out of a lease agreement. The dealership can guide you through the steps of transferring a lease. The team will help you calculate your equity and provide a cash offer for your exotic car.

Once again, although this is a quicker route than privately selling your exotic, don’t expect to receive full value for your lease agreement. For the best possible outcome, go to a dealership with the same brand of car you’re looking to unload.

Pay Your Buyout Fee and Sell It Privately

Almost all leasing contracts allow you to buy out the car at any given time during your leasing period. You can either purchase this outright with cash or take a loan to cover the expenses you incur. Either way, you need to buy the exotic car for the ability to sell it privately.

Once you’ve gotten out of your lease, the process is identical to privately selling an exotic vehicle you own. You are responsible for pricing, promoting, marketing, screening, and selling. This process produces a longer sales cycle and a potentially higher reward, but it does run the risk of bleeding money over time or ending in an unfair deal.

Swap Your Lease With an Exotic Buyer

At companies like We Buy Exotics, you can exchange your lease agreement for its cash value. This is an incredibly efficient way for you to get out of a lease agreement you no longer want.

Companies will quickly analyze your lease agreement, determine a value for your lease, and send you the cash for it all in the same day. Once the deal is done, a professional will pick up the car at your convenience anywhere across the country.

The bottom line is this: You can swap your lease agreement for cash today without leaving your home – a 100% hassle-free process

What Is the Best Way to Sell an Exotic Car?

Whether you own or lease your exotic car, one sales method stands out above the rest: selling your car to an exotic car buyer. Exotic car buyers like We Buy Exotics offer the ease and experience of working with a dealership, without the price-gouging. You’re left with an easy sale and a fair price. There’s just no better way.

Pricing Strategies for Maximum Return

Overpricing your exotic car can make a long sale even longer, while underpricing your car can leave you in the hole with less than you deserve. Follow these pricing strategies to accurately price your exotic car to sell.

Comparative Market Analysis

Because supply and demand play such a significant role in the exotic sales process, performing a bit of market analysis is a must. Spend some time researching what other exotic car sellers are asking for your car. Depending on its rarity, you may need to look at similar or comparable models to get an idea of the exotic car market.

You can also use online valuation tools to get an idea of how others may price your car. Remember to look at more than one, as opinions on price can vary greatly. Professional appraisers can also help determine a price for your exotic car, but they come with a cost.

Negotiation Tips and Techniques

Once you’ve set a price and found a buyer, it’s time to negotiate. Follow these tips for the best sale:

Start high, but not too high: You can expect a buyer to want you to come down in price, so asking a little more than you’d like to get makes sense. But don’t start too high, or you’ll scare off the buyer before negotiation even starts.
Establish a firm bottom line and don’t go below it: Before you go into negotiations, decide what your clear bottom line is. Stand firm on that line. Selling a car for too little is only going to land you with regret.

Keep in touch: Stay in touch with your buyers who walk away. They may wake up the next morning having totally changed their mind. Always leave lines of communication open.

How Can I Maximize the Sale Price of My Exotic Car?

Use the tips we’ve discussed above to maximize the sales price of your exotic car. Perform any necessary repairs and maintenance, clean and detail your car, and get all your documentation in order. Then, perform a competitive market analysis to establish a fair price and prepare for negotiations.

When privately selling or selling to a dealership, it can be hard to get a fair price for your car. To truly maximize its value, work with an exotic buyer like We Buy Exotics, instead.

Marketing Your Exotic Car Effectively

If you decide to go the private sales route, the way you market your car can play a significant role in the sales process. Follow these tips to put your best foot forward on classified sites and more.

Professional Photography and Videography

When selling an exotic car, a few snapshots with your phone’s camera simply won’t cut it. Hire a professional to take photos of your car. They know the best angles, lighting, and more to make your car shine. Better yet, include videography to bring your car to life. Show a 360 degree view of your car, the interior, and more.

Crafting a Compelling Listing

Your supercar’s listing is as important as its photos. Give a detailed description of your car, its mileage, and other pertinent information. It can also be helpful to give a brief ownership history to give a clear idea of its past. If there are any unique features to the car, be sure to include them. Anything that sets your car apart from the rest can help with its sale.

Conclusion: Steps to Seal the Deal and Finalize Your Sale

Whether you’re selling an exotic car you own or swapping a lease, the best method for getting fair compensation for your vehicle is through an international online car buyer.

At We Buy Exotics, we make the selling process as fast as the cars you like to drive. Sell your car and receive your cash in just four steps:

Submit your VIN, model and make information
Receive your cash offer in just minutes
Get your cash moments after you sign off on the terms
Schedule the pickup time
No matter where you are, you can receive a cash offer within minutes, and no matter where you’ll be, you can schedule a convenient pick up to finalize the exchange.

Submit your info today to get your instant cash offer!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Not to Do When Selling a Car?

For the best sale possible, follow these tips:

Don’t overprice your car: Overpricing can cause your car to become totally stagnant on the market. Plus, each day it sits there, each day its value declines.

Don’t underprice your car: It’s important to get a fair price for your luxury car. Spend time researching the market to come up with a reasonable price.
Don’t neglect your car during the sales process: Just because you’re selling your car doesn’t mean it isn’t your responsibility anymore. Perform regular maintenance as usual to ensure it stays in the best shape possible for the sale.

How Long Does the Selling Process Usually Take?

Wondering if it’s the right time to sell your exotic car? It may be if:

You want a new car: Sometimes, you need to part with something good to get something great. Selling your supercar can be a great way to free up cash for something even better.

You’ve reached 60,000: Many find that, once their manufacturer’s warranty expires at 60,000, it’s time to get a new car. Out-of-pocket maintenance and repair on an exotic car can be costly, so an out of warranty car may warrant a sale.
Your car is about to turn 3: Your car’s most significant depreciation happens after its 3rd year, so you may want to sell just before your car turns 3.

How to Sell a High Value Car Safely?

If you’re going to sell your exotic car, it’s important to be aware of scams. Scammers may pose as good-faith exotics collectors looking to grow their fleet, but their payment will never materialize. Unfortunately, scams exist in the world of exotic car dealerships, too. Always do your research to ensure your dealership or exotic car buyer is legit. Work with trusted buyers with a history of good reviews, like We Buy Exotics. We’re proud to boast over 800 5-star reviews on Google.

Why Use We Buy Exotics?

Experience

We have decades of industry experience buying, repairing, owning, and selling high-end luxury cars, plus plenty of happy customers to boot.

Trust

We’re here to offer you convenience, value, honesty, and reliability. We want to save you time and money—and earn your trust doing it.

Convenience

Even better, we’ll do all the work for you. Just enter your vehicle information and wait to receive a legitimate, no-obligation offer. If you decide to sell to us, we’ll send a contract and a representative to pick up your car—that’s right, we’ll come to you.

How it works

01. Submit Your Information

Tell us your make, model, mileage, and VIN. If you have a short description of the car, a list of options, accessories, or damage, and any pictures, that can help the process along.

02. Receive Your Offer

We’ll get back to you with a competitive (but no-obligation) cash offer within minutes. We base our offers on current market conditions and the information that you provide.

03. Get Your Cash

Once you accept our offer, we process the deal (and handle the legalities). As soon as we receive the documents and your vehicle passes inspection, you’ll get your money in minutes.

04. We Schedule the Pick-Up

You don’t even have to bring the car to us! No matter where you are, we’ll pick up your luxury car at no cost to you. You can get on with your life, cash in hand. Our process is as hassle free as possible!

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The Complete How-To Sell Your Exotic Car Guide