Hi nittanys1,

The sweepstakes sponsor listed the retail value of the car at $42,000, but I have set the opening bid, with no reserve, at $24,999. There are obviously lots of upgrades, which are brand new, and professionally installed. The Civic itself is brand new, even though it is a 2004 model, because they did not award the prize until late last year. It was delivered from the factory and then they sent it to California for the upgrade installation and they just delivered it to me last month.

I know I'm not going to get anywhere near the original "retail value" for the car, but I have to pay federal and state income taxes, plus local sales tax on the car's value (which they say is $42,000), which is why I am trying to sell it in the first place. So having no other gauge, I thought that the $25k figure was pretty fair considering that this is a unique item, won in conjunction with a nationally sponsored and advertised event such as the Civic Tour, and has several upgrades worth several thousand dollars each.

But, again, I really have no idea what the car is worth. in the real world. If you think the opening bid figure is too high, do you have an alternate recommendation? What do you think the car is worth, considering the multiple upgrades and the new condition of the car (12 miles)? If the car doesn't sell this time around, I will probably lower the price and relist it, so please, help me figure out what a fair price would be so I can sell it and pay my taxes!

As far as your second question, I'm confused. Is *who* going to have a problem with my selling it? The sweepstakes sponsor? The band? Honda? It's technically my property and I can do whatever I want with it, so no, nobody is going to have an issue if I sell it...

luckycat15