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What Can You Sell in GTA 5 Story Mode? Your Guide to Cashing In

Grand Theft Auto 5’s story mode offers a plethora of opportunities for mayhem, but also for making a (virtual) living. While the game doesn’t offer the same level of intricate economic freedom as its online counterpart, there are still several avenues for offloading goods and assets for cold, hard cash. In GTA 5 story mode, you can primarily sell vehicles at Los Santos Customs. Beyond vehicles, the main way to rake in the big bucks is through stock market manipulation related to Lester’s Assassination Missions. Let’s delve into the specifics and explore how to maximize your profits.

Selling Vehicles at Los Santos Customs

The most straightforward way to make money by selling something you acquire in GTA 5’s single-player is by visiting a Los Santos Customs shop. These garages are scattered throughout Los Santos and Blaine County, marked on your map with a spray can icon.

The Process

Selling a car is a simple procedure:

Steal or acquire a vehicle you wish to sell.
Drive the vehicle to the nearest Los Santos Customs.
Enter the garage.
Navigate the menu to the “Sell” option (usually located at the bottom).
Confirm your decision to sell.

You’ll receive a sum of money based on the vehicle’s value and condition.

Limitations and Considerations

Selling Stolen Cars: Yes, you can sell stolen cars! This is the main method for turning a profit on vehicles you “acquire” in the game.
Vehicle Condition: The better the condition of the vehicle, the higher the selling price. Any damage sustained will reduce the amount you receive.
“Too Hot” Vehicles: Some vehicles, especially those associated with missions or considered “too hot,” cannot be sold. These are typically high-end or unique vehicles and the game prevents you from selling them to maintain the story’s integrity and prevent exploits. Vehicles designated as Too Hot cannot be permanently housed in Vehicle Storage locations
No Property Sales: Unlike some other games, GTA 5 story mode does not allow you to sell property once purchased. This includes houses, businesses, and garages.

Maximizing Vehicle Sale Profits

Choose the Right Car: Not all cars are created equal. Some vehicles command a higher selling price than others. While there’s no definitive “best car” to steal and sell in story mode like there might be in GTA Online, generally, sports cars and luxury vehicles will fetch the highest prices.
Minimize Damage: Drive carefully to Los Santos Customs to avoid damaging the vehicle and reducing its value.

The Stock Market: The Real Money Maker

While selling cars can provide a steady income, the real key to making serious money in GTA 5’s story mode is the stock market. Specifically, exploiting Lester’s Assassination Missions.

Lester’s Assassination Missions

Lester Crest, the quirky but brilliant character who plans the heists, also offers a series of assassination missions to Franklin. These missions present opportunities to manipulate the stock market for massive profits.

The Strategy

The strategy is simple, but requires careful execution:

Receive the Mission: Lester will call Franklin to initiate the assassination mission.
Invest Wisely: Before completing the mission, invest heavily in the stock of the company that will benefit from the target’s demise. Lester will provide clues, but you can also find guides online. The two exchanges are LCN and BAWSAQ.
Complete the Mission: Execute the assassination.
Sell High: After the mission, wait for the stock price to peak. This usually happens within a day or two of in-game time. Then, sell all your shares.
Rinse and Repeat: For some missions, you can also invest in a rival company before completing the mission and profit when their stock price falls.

Important Tips for Stock Market Success

Invest with All Three Characters: Maximize your profits by investing with Michael, Franklin, and Trevor. Each character has their own pool of funds.
Save Frequently: The stock market can be unpredictable. Save your game before investing so you can reload if things go wrong.
Follow Guides: Numerous online guides provide specific details on which stocks to invest in for each mission.
Patience is Key: Wait for the stock price to peak before selling. Don’t get greedy, but don’t sell too early either.

Other (Limited) Money-Making Methods

While less lucrative than stock market manipulation, other methods of earning cash exist in GTA 5’s story mode:

Heists: Completing the main story heists provides large one-time payouts.
Random Encounters: Completing Random Events can provide a small cash reward.
Robbing Stores: You can rob convenience stores and liquor stores, but the payouts are relatively small and carry a risk.
Armored Trucks: Keep an eye out for armored trucks carrying cash. You can blast them open and steal the money inside.
Bail Bonds and Bounties: Trevor can participate in bail bond missions and bounty hunting for some extra cash.

FAQs: Mastering GTA 5 Story Mode Finances

Here are some frequently asked questions to further enhance your understanding of GTA 5 story mode economics:

Can I sell properties I own in GTA 5 story mode? No, you cannot sell properties like houses, businesses, or garages once purchased in GTA 5 story mode.
What’s the best car to steal and sell for profit? Generally, sports cars and luxury vehicles fetch the highest prices at Los Santos Customs. Experiment to see which models bring in the most cash, but the price also depend on the condition of the vehicle. Also, Vapid Peyote is known as the most expensive car to sell in GTA.
How do I identify a “too hot” vehicle? “Too hot” vehicles are typically associated with missions or are unique, high-end vehicles that the game prevents you from selling. You’ll usually find you cannot enter the Los Santos Customs with it to sell.
Can I invest in the stock market without doing Lester’s missions? Yes, you can invest in the stock market independently, but the largest and most predictable profits come from exploiting Lester’s assassination missions.
Which stock exchange should I use: LCN or BAWSAQ? The LCN exchange is affected by your actions in the game, making it ideal for Lester’s missions. BAWSAQ is influenced by the Rockstar Games Social Club and is less predictable in single-player.
How long should I wait for a stock to peak after an assassination mission? Usually, the stock will peak within 1-3 in-game days after completing the mission. Keep a close eye on the stock price and sell when it reaches its highest point.
What happens if I damage a vehicle before selling it? The selling price will be reduced based on the extent of the damage. Repairing the vehicle before selling will increase its value.
Can I use cheat codes to get money in GTA 5 story mode? No, there are no money cheat codes in GTA 5 story mode.
Is there a limit to how much money I can make in GTA 5 story mode? While there isn’t a hard limit, you’ll likely reach a point where you have more money than you can reasonably spend.
How can I find Los Santos Customs locations? Los Santos Customs garages are marked on your map with a spray can icon.
Are there any risks associated with robbing stores? Yes, robbing stores will attract police attention. The higher your wanted level, the more difficult it will be to escape.
How often can I rob the same store? Stores will eventually restock their cash, allowing you to rob them again after a period of in-game time.
What are the benefits of owning properties in GTA 5 story mode? Properties provide a weekly income stream. Some properties also unlock special missions or services.
How do I access Lester’s Assassination Missions? Lester will contact Franklin periodically throughout the story to offer these missions.
Where can I learn more about game-based learning? Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for research and resources on how games can enhance education.

Making money in GTA 5 story mode requires a combination of strategy, risk-taking, and a bit of savvy. While selling cars can provide a consistent income, mastering the stock market through Lester’s assassination missions is the key to accumulating vast wealth. So, grab a car, plan your investments, and get ready to make a fortune in the virtual world of Los Santos!

What can you sell in GTA 5 story mode?