Thinking of Selling My 2013 Hyundai Sonata… What Price Should I List It For?

I’ve had this car for 3 months but I really dislike it. I’ve been having some engine trouble, and it’s stressing me out. I had it checked at the Hyundai dealership for the knock sensor, and while everything else is fine, I do need to replace the sway bar links. I bought the car for $7,000, and it has 137,000 miles. I’m not sure how much to sell it for now. What do you think it’s worth?

Did you get the knock sensor replaced or was it just an indicator? A lot of people just keep these cars until the engine goes, especially if you’re taking care of it with regular maintenance. If it runs fine and the oil changes are on point, you might still get a few good years out of it. The sway bar links are an easy fix. $7k isn’t a bad price if everything else checks out. What exactly do you not like about the car?

@Lashun
Thanks! I took it in after the check engine light blinked on the freeway and it went into limp mode. They fixed the knock sensor under warranty, which was a relief. The car drives well, is good on fuel, and looks nice for its age. I guess I just worry about the engine lasting.

@YukiJane
I understand the concern. If the engine goes, it’s going to be stressful, but the key is to keep on top of the oil and maintenance. If it hasn’t had issues yet, there’s a chance it could last longer. If you keep regular checks and oil changes, the engine should be fine. The sway bar link is a small thing, not too big a deal. Have you checked if your engine is burning oil?

@Lashun
I’ve kept all my oil change receipts and regularly check the oil level. But I won’t lie, that week without a car made me rethink everything. I know no car is guaranteed to last forever, but this one feels like it’s just waiting to go.

@YukiJane
It’s bound to happen eventually, but just remember no $7k car comes with a lifetime engine warranty. If you keep it well-maintained and stay on top of the oil, it could last longer. If you want something more reliable, you’ll have to look at spending at least $11k for something like a Toyota or Honda. But you’re probably going to deal with the same issues if you don’t maintain the car properly. It’s all about balancing the price with the potential risks.

@Lashun
Thank you! So do you think I should just keep it then?

YukiJane said:
@Lashun
Thank you! So do you think I should just keep it then?

If you’ve had the car for a bit and the engine isn’t burning oil, I’d say keep it. But if you’re feeling stressed about it, a trusted mechanic could help you assess the engine’s health. If the engine seems fine and you’ve got maintenance records, you’re not in too bad a spot. But if you really want peace of mind, you could get a cylinder scope to check how much oil is being burned. If everything checks out, I’d hold onto it. I’d also recommend cleaning the injectors and replacing the oil sensor every 60k miles. Just make sure you stay on top of the little things.

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@Lashun
Thanks a lot for the advice. I knew about the theft risk, but according to the Hyundai website, the recall has been fixed based on my VIN. I’m still worried about it, but I appreciate your suggestions.

I’ll give you a can of Pringles and a Kool-Aid, take it or leave it.

AminaCooks said:
I’ll give you a can of Pringles and a Kool-Aid, take it or leave it.

Lmao deal.

Add up what you’ve spent and list it for that. If no one’s interested, drop the price until you get a bite.

shlet said:
Add up what you’ve spent and list it for that. If no one’s interested, drop the price until you get a bite.

That’s actually a really smart idea, thanks .

If the engine is running smoothly, just put it up for sale. Most people won’t overanalyze things like we do here. Clean it up and put it out there.

Jane said:
If the engine is running smoothly, just put it up for sale. Most people won’t overanalyze things like we do here. Clean it up and put it out there.

Thanks! I will do that.

If it’s showing a knock sensor code, that could mean you need a new engine. Do you have the service history from the previous owner? If the engine goes, Hyundai will replace it under the recall.

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SonataSavvy1 said:
If it’s showing a knock sensor code, that could mean you need a new engine. Do you have the service history from the previous owner? If the engine goes, Hyundai will replace it under the recall.

I’m not sure about the full service history, but the dealer said they’ve fixed all the recalls. I’ll keep an eye on it.