Sometimes, despite how much you don’t want to, your car needs to be given up on. It’s definitely seen better days, and with all the concerning noises and lights coming on, it’s time to sell your car.
You’ve got two options here. You can list it online and deal with the parade of lowball offers and no-shows. Or you can call a local junk car buyer and get it over with it the very same day.
Since humans are in the never-ending pursuit of ‘better’, which option should you opt for? It all really comes down to your priorities, timeline, and how much hassle you’re willing to go through. Here’s a deep dive into both options.
Selling Your Car Online
Selling your junk car online seems pretty simple. Post a bunch of photos, write a description of your clunker, sit back, and wait for all the offers to roll in. It’s never that simple, though.
The Pros
- The biggest draw of selling your clunker online is the money you might get. Might, being the keyword here. If your car has good working parts, say a popular engine or a good transmission, you might have car enthusiasts or DIYers pay you more than a junk buyer.
- Online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist connect you to a wider audience. The wider your reach, the more offers you’ll probably get.
- When posting your car online, you’re in complete control of the entire process. You set the price, decide who to respond to, and when to meet. There’s no pressure.
- The best part about it is that you can take your time. If you’re not in a rush, you can wait for the right offer instead of accepting the first one that comes.
The Cons
- Selling your car online takes ages. Between taking photos, writing the listing, posting it across multiple platforms, responding to inquiries, and scheduling meetups, you’re looking at hours of work. And then there’s the waiting, days or even weeks for serious buyers to finally show up.
- There’s constant haggling and bargaining when it comes to selling your car online. Most messages are usually from people who aren’t serious, and sorting through them gets old fast.
- You’ll also have to deal with the no-shows. It gets frustrating to clean the car, gather all the paperwork, and cancel other plans, only to realize you’ve been stood up.
- You’d be surprised at how many scammers are out there. Fake checks and elaborate stories about deployed military members who need you to wire money mean you need to stay vigilant.
- You need to handle the title transfer, bill of sale, and any DMV notifications yourself. If you mess this up, you might be liable if the vehicle is used for illegal activities.
Also Read: How to Sell Your Car for Cash Without Paperwork Hassles
Selling Your Car to a Junk Buyer
Calling a local junk car buyer is the opposite experience. It’s transactional, quick, and refreshingly straightforward.
The Pros
- The speed of the entire process is quite literally unmatched. Call today, request a quote, schedule a pick up, and get paid all within a couple of days. Many junk car buyers will come the same day or the next day. Your car is gone, and you have cash in hand within 24-48 hours.
- There’s no hassle, taking photos, writing listings, or meeting up with multiple buyers. One simple phone call or an online form to clean, and you’re golden.
- If you can’t drive the car, most junk buyers include free pickup and towing. They come to you, load it up, and hand you a check.
- Junk car buyers give you a quote and stick to it. No haggling when they arrive. The agreed-upon amount is what you get.
- Junk car buyers are willing to take anything. Whether there are missing parts, whether your clunker doesn’t drive, junk buyers simply don’t care. They’re buying for parts and scrap metal value.
- Professional buyers know the process inside and out. They’ll walk you through what’s needed and often handle the DMV notifications themselves. You don’t have to worry about any paperwork.
The Cons
- You’ll get less money. This is the trade-off. Junk buyers are offering scrap value plus maybe a bit extra for particularly valuable parts.
- The quote you get is pretty much it. There’s not much room to negotiate when the buyer is already offering fair market scrap value.
- You need to research buyers. Some have hidden fees, surprise deductions when they arrive, or aggressive tactics. You want to work with established, licensed buyers with good reviews.
Cash Your Car in NJ Has You Sorted
If you’re looking to sell your car in New Jersey and want the speed and simplicity of a junk buyer, Cash Your Car NJ is your best bet.
We’ve streamlined the process to be as painless as possible. You can call us or fill out our online form. We give you a fair, honest quote based on your car’s actual value.
You accept the offer, we schedule a pickup time that works for you, and we show up with a check. Free towing, no hidden fees, no surprise deductions when we arrive. The price we quote is the price you get.
If you’re tired of looking at that old car taking up space in your driveway and you just want it gone without the headache of selling it yourself, give us a call.


