Selling to Vroom. Opinions needed.
 

I need to sell my 2005 4runner. My plan was to sell it privately, but the problem is my AC doesn't hold a charge anymore. I had my mechanic charge the system but it only lasted a month. He said it's difficult to determine where the problem is. He added dye to the system and said he did not see it leaking from any of the visible locations. He seemed to infer that diagnosing these AC systems can be problematic and it can be hard to narrow down the definitive leak.

I know if it's leaking behind the dash it will probably cost me $1,200-$2,000 to repair.

So I am kind of stuck. It's a 2005 SR5 4wd with 150,000 miles. The only 2 problems are the AC and the TPMS sensors don't work. I am in the northeast so there is frame rust and what I assume is typical for a 16 year old vehicle.

Before the AC problem, I was hoping to get $4,500 for the truck. Now I doubt anyone will buy it.

So I went online and found Vroom. I answered all their questions on the condition of the truck (told them about AC not working and TPMS) and it gave me an offer for $4,100. I thought that was great. BUT in going through the process with them the sticking point is the following. They pick up the truck and ship it to Texas. Once they inspect it, they then submit payment to me. HOWEVER, if their inspectors find other things wrong with the vehicle they can reduce their offer to me AND if I don't accept it I have to pay to ship the vehicle back to me. So if they want they can use that leverage against me.

Does anyone have any history with Vroom and selling?

Any opinions on what I should do?

Donate it?

Take the risk with Vroom?

Get the AC repaired and hope whoever does it finds the actual leak and then try and recoup the repair cost and make a little money on the sale?

Thanks for any help.

Any other symptoms on the AC leak? IE: cold on drivers side, warm on passengers?

If it's the evaporator core (in the dash), you should detect dye in the AC discharge when the system is running. Or a freon sniffer in the vents. I'd rule it out first, then focus on the condenser and fittings under the hood.

I wouldn't sell it to Vroom based on what you say their terms are. Like taking it to a dealer and asking them if they can find anything wrong!

No other symptoms. My mechanic tried the dye but he said he didn't find any and if it is a slow leak it can be difficult to see it as it would disappear as time passed.I also saw him try spraying the lines with soapy water and he said the lines were not leaking. He didn't mention the sniffer test. He did say sometimes you can smell the freon in the cabin if it's leaking behind the dash.

So maybe I need a different mechanic? My brothers truck is having the same problem and his mechanic told him the same thing. Diagnosing these AC problems are difficult. Honestly its a little frustrating to hear these grey area answers from mechanics. Maybe it's the nature of AC systems, I'm not sure what to think. But this is why I am at a loss on what to do.

Thats how I felt.

If I donate it I get zero. If I try Vroom and they nitpick a 15 year old truck and use their findings as a means to offer me very little, well at least I got something.

If I bring it to another mechanic, I'm unsure what the result will be. Will it be another unclear answer as to whats wrong with the AC system.

Craigslist and just be open about the problems right in the ad. Or call up some local dealers, tell them what you have and see if they are interested in buying it. I've sold cars both ways. Craigslist will get you more $$$. Vroom sounds like a hard pass.

If you really want to sell it do it locally. I’ve sold cars on Craigslist although it’s a pain dealing with no-shows and a-holes. Disclose all problems so they can’t say they weren’t warned.

Put it on Facebook Marketplace too. And, as others have said, put in the listing that there's an issue with the AC.

Vroom is a shit-show. Take a look a recent video by The Fast Lane Car detailing their Vroom fiasco. I would never touch them with a proverbial ten foot pole. You'll get screwed.

In addition to Vroom, also get a quote from Shift, Carvana, and Carmax. Still disclose the A/C problem.

Vroom was consistently the lowest quote when I sold my GTI (through Shift) and my 2020 4Runner (through Carmax) over the past couple months.

Vroom was a pita to deal with when I sold them my car last year. Nothing to do with the inspection, but just having them mess up paperwork, having to stay on top of them by calling everyday for status. Took about 2 months start to finish. Can’t imagine complicating that any further.

This was a total deal breaker to me, went with Carvana instead when I sold a car a couple months ago. Vroom was offering me $5000 more but with Carvana I got a check when I handed over the title.

IMO with Vroom stipulating that you are wide open to getting screwed. Depends what your appetite for risk is, but for me it was asking too much.

I’d definitely sell it privately and list all of your known issues. Used 4runners are selling like crazy in my area so anyone with some mechanical knowledge or desire to own one would probably still buy it close to what you originally wanted.

We did Carvana and it took 20 mins total - online and in my driveway. Zero hassle.