Flipping a used car for summer use

[Anonymous]

We'll have two kids home this summer (one HS age and one college) and both parents work outside the home (in office). Kids both have summer jobs lined up that aren't super close to home (or each other) and their work hours overlap. They used to share a car, but I'm worried about this working this summer. Was wondering if I could buy a used car now ($10-12K used car with high mileage, but reliable brand such as Honda or Toyota) and then turn around and try to sell it in the fall when we don't need it anymore. I know we'll pay out of pocket to register it, plus taxes but hoping we could quickly re-sell and get all/most of our money back out? Is this a crazy thought?

The only other thought I had was Uber and I don't love that for young girls riding around alone. I have this fear I'll be the one left without a car taking Uber.

We don't have family in the area where we could borrow grandma's car. (The grandparents' extra 'beach car' lives in FL and probably wouldn't survive the trip up here and back.)

Any advice?

[Anonymous]

I don't think anyone can promise you you'll recoup all of your costs, but you'll get some money back when you sell for sure. The only concern would be that if you find a high-mileage car for $10k, making sure it's reliable enough to send your kids off in it with no worries.

[Anonymous]

We just got double from Carmax on our used car. I think this plan will work!

[Anonymous]

Could you bring the beach car up on the AutoTrain? Cars are so crazy expensive right now.

[Anonymous]

You could buy a new car and sell it used in the fall for more than you paid if current conditions continue. There is a price premium for an actual car in front of you rather than a theoretical car on order that erases depreciation.

[Anonymous]

See if one of your kids wants to buy one that you finance for them.

[Anonymous]

OP should check this similar thread - https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1051035.page

But yes, I think you might make money flipping, especially if you buy in a private sale and then sell to CarMax or similar.

[Anonymous]

buy private, sell private. you can make more selling private.

[Anonymous]

where does one buy and sell private nowadays?

[Anonymous]

I would make the kids figure it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:where does one buy and sell private nowadays?

craigslist, fb marketplace, local fb groups.

i have sold all the family cars private.