Tips for Selling a Convertible Car

It’s said that the two greatest days in a boat owner’s life are the day they buy their boat and the day they sell it. However, the same cannot be said about convertible car owners. Selling a beloved convertible can be a difficult task for even the toughest among us. But, when it’s time, it’s time and we’re here to help make sure you get the most out of selling your car. With these helpful tips, as well as a few of your own, selling your convertible might not sting as much as you thought it might.

Clean it Up

You should always give your convertible a thorough cleaning before showing any potential buyers. This means vacuuming the interior and cleaning all floor mats, scrubbing away all stains, shining all surfaces, and polishing all windows. Under the hood is a place many convertible car sellers forget to focus on. Using a degreaser is a great way to remove stubborn debris from the engine and the underside of the hood and other surfaces can be cleaned with soapy water and a sponge, then dried with paper towels. The tires should be shined and sprayed with your favorite tire shine. Of course, make sure the convertible top glistens inside and out!

Tune it Up

It’s always a good idea to flip all the fluids in your car before putting it up for sale. Smart buyers will check the oil and, if the engine is cold, pop open the radiator to check if there is fresh coolant. If it is remotely near time to change the transmission fluid, go ahead and do it to accommodate potential buyers’ rough test driving. A new battery, fresh spark plugs, and other simple fixes will help push potential buyers closer to a sale. All head and tail lights should be operational and the vehicle should be able to pass state emissions tests.

Dress it Up

To virtually ensure the selling of your convertible, dress it up a bit! A new convertible top can go a long way towards reassuring a potential buyer that they are getting a great deal and we have almost every kind and color imaginable. Car stereo systems have become extremely affordable and a new stereo able to connect with smart phones can be a major selling point for older convertibles. There are great products for removing smaller scratches from any color paint that will add solid value to the sale price.

After all that work, you may not want to sell your beloved convertible. But, whether you’re making room for the new baby or simply upgrading to a new convertible, now you’re ready! Many buyers will have likely already seen their fair share of lemons before reaching your driveway. Meeting a seller who clearly cares can provide the reassurance they need to make a final decision.

What are your favorite tips for selling a car? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Accessories Every Convertible Car Should Have

Here at AutoTops Direct, we’re always looking for new, cool ways for you to enjoy your convertibles. Whether it’s small repairs or scenic drives, you know we’ve got you covered! We’ve done some digging around again and have come up with the must-have car accessories we feel will make every drive as leisurely and memorable as possible.

Radar Detector

While we don’t advocate speeding, we all have had times where that right shoe seemed a little heavier than we remember when we put it on in the morning. A radar detector will not prevent an officer from determining your speed, but it may give you enough time to make sure you are as close to the speed limit as possible when being scanned. Radar detectors easily mount to your dashboard or windshield and plug in to your convertible’s standard DC power outlet.

Dash Camera

We can’t tell you how many friends, family, and customers have told us about how their dash camera has saved them from liability in accidents. Multiple witness “accounts” will never hold a candle to your dash camera’s footage. Many dash cameras record directly or sync with apps you can download to your phone and easily access the footage in seconds. We are not aware of any insurance policies currently offering discounts for installing dash cameras, but the footage could end up saving you thousands in the event of an accident or lawsuit.

Dual USB Charger

Dual USB chargers plug into your convertible’s standard DC power outlet and allows you to charge multiple phones simultaneously. This is a must-have for long trips and remote places where your phone has to work extra hard to send and receive data. If you really want to treat your passengers, pick up a couple extra-long charging cables so those in the back seat can charge their phones while using them.  

Security Lock Box

For anyone with a soft-top convertible, a security lock box is essential. Of course, all valuables should be out of site when your vehicle is unattended. But, this added layer of security ensures you won’t lose important gear including mobile phones, jewelry, and money. Many security lock boxes attach to seat mounts or other secure points in your convertible and are portable so you can take them with you if need be.

Hands-free Phone Mount

Every vehicle should have a hands-free phone mount. Many cities now require drivers to use hands-free systems under threat of penalty. We just think it’s a really good idea. When driving, it’s important to focus on the task at hand. After all, you don’t want to record dash camera footage of yourself getting into a wreck, do you? We didn’t think so. You should only look at your phone when stopped and should never text while driving – even with a hands-free device. To put it into perspective, if you’re traveling at 60 MPH and look down for just 3 seconds, you’ve traveled 264 feet without looking at the road. That’s 88 yards – almost the full length of a football field!  

These are just a few of our favorite must-have accessories for convertible drivers. What are your go-to accessories for making your convertible drives as pleasurable as possible? Share your thoughts in the comments below!