If we were talking about a pet or maybe giving up a child for adoption then I can understand wanting to know what type of living conditions it would be subjected to.
The private party you bought your car from doesn't know you from Adam. If that's how they justify selling the car for a lower price, so be it. They probably sleep better at night because of it. Rich punk kids are still likely to take care of it even if their only purpose is to "show it off". Let's say these punk kids park their car out in the middle of nowhere to prevent door dings and you like to park in the first spot you see available in front of the grocery store. Based on that example I would sell it to the punk kids if I wanted to sell it to someone that I thought would take better care of it. Unless the seller makes you fill out a survey form on how you would treat the car there's NO WAY to tell how well a person would take care of their vehicle. In my example above, parking next to other cars in a parking lot is considered car abuse in my book.
If they give you what you want for the car then TAKE IT. There must be a reason you're selling it in the first place. I would never sell the car for a lower offer just because I thought it was going to be taken care of better. The new owners could stop for a bite to eat on their way home from picking it up and while in the restaurant the car could be stolen or keyed. What are you going to do spend your free time following it around making sure nothing happens to it? There are lots of unappreciative people in this world with lots of money and that's just the way life is.
Sure you may wonder if the car is still being taken care of properly or if it's sitting in a wrecking yard somewhere in the world but you'll get over it. (Usually after you buy your next vehicle or as soon as your wife has the baby
). At that point the only thing that will matter to you is your NEWEST family member and you'll be glad you sold it to the highest bidder.
Don't get me wrong. The day I either decide to sell mine or am forced to sell it for some unforseen circumstance I can guarantee it will be sad to see it drive away knowing all the pleasure it has brought into my life. Nobody sells their car unless they have a legitimate reason for doing so; whether it's financial or simply wanting something improved/different than what they have now. Look at it as a stepping stone to bigger and better things ahead.
I say, "SHOW ME THE MONEY!" I highly doubt you're getting what you paid for it in the first place.
My $.02
[This message has been edited by Chris W (edited 02 August 2002).]