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Terry.
2004 VW Passat GLS manual 1.8 turbo (NO 4 motion)
approx. 14,000 miles
Silver exterior
Black leather interior
Cold weather package
Moonroof
Monsoon stereo
No accidents or other body repair
Paint Glossy and interior clean
Trade Value?
TIA
=====================
Don't you have that whacko Mayor Campell up there that can't count and can't add..?
Soooo, we have an 04 Passat 1.8 GLS with 14k .. the handshaker is no help, the color is good for the area, we have the bun warmers, slider and the Moron stereo .... if it's serviced, clean, no battles with the Mayor, no battles with all the potholes and no paint by numbers ... then trade side, in and around the mid/tall $15's, low low low low low $16's ... the handshaker is going to raise it's ugly head here and take a bite right out of ya ........
Don't forget the update .....
Terry.
Looking to buy from dealer.
2004 Mazda6 S Sedan
4 door, 6 cyl
FWD with trac control
9,000 miles
Silver
ABS, Air Conditioning, Alarm, Alloy Wheels, AM/FM Radio, Bucket Seating, CD Changer, Cruise Control, Driver-Side Airbag, Heated Seats, Leather Interior, **Low Mileage**, Moon Roof, One Owner, Passenger-Side Airbag, Power Locks, Power Mirrors, Power Seats, Power Steering, Power Windows, Rear Window Defroster, Remote Alarm Control, Remote Keyless Entry, Side-Impact Airbags, Sun Roof, Tilt Wheel, Traction Control
Excellent Condition.
Dealer wants 18,990.
===========================
Location ...........??? I got it off your profile - thats a no no .... a Lucille Ball I have - a crystal ball I don't ....
Sounds like it might be a pretty nice driver ... AUTO.? ... we got low miles, it's the 6 banger "S", abs, slider, leather with the bun warmers, side balloons ...... dealer paid in and around the tall $14's, low low low low $15's for it, probably hits the table just shy of $16 ...... $18,900.? .. thats a fair *asking* price, but I have a funny feeling that $17,5/$17,9 will get it into your driveway .......
Don't forget the update ..
Terry.
Welcome back Terry - love reading your posts.
I am considering "upgrading" my TSX to a used TL, so am curious of trade-in on my TSX and what reasonable retail would be on the TL:
My TSX:
In Denver, 2004 TSX
Silver (the bluish silver), non-nav, 6 speed
20,000 miles
In very good condition, as expected for this new of a car. One exception - I had a minor run-in with the side of my garage (felt pretty stupid about that one!) which left a dent in the front fender - repaired at a dent repair place. It's a very good repair, but, nevertheless, not perfect.
Considering trading for:
2004 TL
Anthracite gray, non-nav, 6 speed
19,300 miles
Looks in very good condition - one ding on the side and some indentations on the rear seat obviously from a car seat, but nothing that I wouldn't be doing myself anyway.
Their obviously inflated asking price is $32,998. It's not an Acura dealer, so it's not certified.
Thanks for the help.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
I also just drove a 2005 TL, white, non-nav 6 speed. It's at an Acura dealer, demo, with 1,200 miles. Salesman seems to think they'd be more anxious to sell this one than a brand-spanking new one. Just my luck it's the color I like, and the trannie I need.
So, is there some sort of guideline on what dealers are willing and able to let demos such as this go for? Invoice? Invoice less some?
If there's not too much difference, perhaps this is a better deal than buying the truly used one with 19,000 miles.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
That's ok, I like the truck. And how would I know? Well, I put 15k on the other one, so I have technically 21k of Titan experience, lol.
I think if I traded it back to the same dealer they would put all da money in it and put me in anything that didn't have a Nissan badge......the GM says he's sick of seeing me, lol.
Good thing I have no desire to trade it. Maybe Nissan will want to take it back.
Year/Make/Model:1998 BMW 323
Body Style: Convertible
Engine: 2.5 liter 6, Auto
Mileage: 75,600
Color: White/Black top, Tan interior (not leather)Major Options: After market CD Player
Condition: good condition, no dings, minor chips, no repaint, very clean interior, rear window scratched, top in very good condition
Tires - 50%
Brakes - new shoes and rotors in front
Maintenance - up to date
The only option on this is the automatic trans. NO heated seats, tilt wheel, leather etc. It does have the orig. radio/cassette included.
At BMW dealer, asking 16,500, what is it worth?
Just keep the miles down, not that hard to do when it's in the shop all the time...
LOL, ain't that the truth!! The miles will, unfortunatly, climb, we go camping a lot in the summer and next summer will be taking a month long vacation to the lower 48. I figure if we can keep the over mileage charge under $3k (under 20k over the lease miles) then I'm cool with it.
I just wish I wasn't so buried in it......Terry's numbers are sure a slap back to reality. Pretty sad for a truck that had an MSRP of $36,560.
The short list of real problems:
1. Brakes, seems they are warping the rotors pretty regular.
2. Engine control issues, stalling, poor driveability, all intermittent.
3. Several automatic transmissions simply overheated and disintegrated when towing loads way less than the specification.
4. Lots of other misc. mechanical and electrical failures.
According to him, Nissan has already bought back several that they sold, as a customer service gesture, so they would not be branded as lemons.
I guess you are not alone with your Titan problems. I do hope Nissan gets these issues fixed, it is a nice driving truck. But beware anyone who actually tries to use it as a truck.
Is this one reason why the resale value is so low on these?
If I were you I would be seeing if I could get out of that thing. And DON'T buy another Titan.
2002/Passat/1.8 GLS
4DR 1.8T
FWD
40,100 miles
Black ext. with black int. leather. CD, sunroof, Tiptronic
a few scratches ( keyed by the trunk area... very minor)
Any idea about approximate trade in value ?
thank you very much
"[..] the little girl thinks it's a play house, and the missus... well, we'll deal with that when she finds out :-)"
Sorry for quoting myself here, but it'll all become clear in a moment.
You see, technically, I haven't really involved Madame too much in this purchase. I wasn't planning on it either, before the ink was dry. The poor dear is busy with her antique business this weekend, and I wouldn't want her to worry. If you know what I mean.
So imagine my surprise when 5-year-old Miss Sophie pipes up at dinner tonight: "Mama, did you know Papa's getting a new car? On Monday!"
Oh well.
-Mathias
...here's another one - I may still get a GTO and trade my Ion Redline, but I also have a good friend (known 18 years, served together, USAF officer, I bought two motorcycles from him, have a habit of buying his hand-me-downs when they scare him...more on that story if you want..)
Anyhoo, the guy LOVES my Ion Redline and his 1994 Mustang GT needs a water pump, so his (lawyer) wife says SELL IT! - she trades cars when they need an oil change or a wash - he wants to buy my car, and have me buy his.
Too late to make a long story short - he's looking in the books, thinking crazy money on his Mustang, I want to be fair with him, he's a friend, but it's 11 years old and has 115k -
here's the deal, please advise:
1994 Mustang GT Coupe, 5.0, 5-speed
Yellow, black leather
Air blows cold, new sneaks, old school '90s billet wheels (16s), body is great, just a few rock nicks, interior is good, just the normal leather wear and wrinkles.
115-120k miles, engine's in good tune, no smokie-smokie..
The water pump is chirping, but I'll fix that for $50 in parts, a 6-pk of Coors Light, and 2 hours in the driveway.
What do you think I should pay for this thing?
He's in Dallas, it's a former South Carolina car (no rust).
I'd imagine that's why resale is so horrid on these, nobody is beating down the door to buy a used one that's for sure. The Nissan dealer has 3 on his lot right now....all 2004s and the miles are 1600, 4100, and 11k. They shipped my other Titan down to Anchorage, not sure where though.
Oh well.** ...
So what are you trying to say.? ... that the sweet and innocent "shotgunned" your deal ..l.o.l....
Kids ... "out of the mouth of babes" ...
My great Grand Daddy used to say: never discuss people, places or things around kids or drunks ............
Terry.
g/f wants me to fly down to Australia with her, they better have a straight jacket and some good drugs on that plane .............
Terry.
"Never discuss..."
Well, your Grand Daddy probably didn't have the kid along car shopping; Madame was working half of Fri and all of Sat, so off I went with Sophie.
I halfway expected her to leak it; of course I wasn't dumb enough to ask her to keep a "secret". It just would have been funnier to just show up with the van, though. That's what I did with the Prizm last year... Did i get a new car?? Oh, THAT new car...
At first the missus thought I'd *leased* a 4cyl Highlander. It's all about keeping expectations low, then it's easy to exceed them.
Ta
-Mathias
1. Brakes, seems they are warping the rotors pretty regular.
2. Engine control issues, stalling, poor drivability, all intermittent.
3. Several automatic transmissions simply over heated and disintegrated when towing loads way less than the specification.
4. Lots of other misc. mechanical and electrical failures.
==========================
Yeppers, common experiences held by most ...
The big discussion at the Miami boat show wasn't so much the boats, as it was the failure on tow vehicles .. and Titan owners were "over the top" with complaints and the same statement echoed from a lot of potential boat buyers: "I'm buying a new boat as soon as I can unload the Titan" .... not good .. I've never heard that many negative statements about any product, and that show is the largest in the world .. sad, they make a great car ......
Terry.
... here's another one - I may still get a GTO and trade my Ion Redline, but I also have a good friend (known 18 years, served together, USAF officer, I bought two motorcycles from him, have a habit of buying his hand-me-downs when they scare him... more on that story if you want..)
Anyhoo, the guy LOVES my Ion Redline and his 1994 Mustang GT needs a water pump, so his (lawyer) wife says SELL IT! - she trades cars when they need an oil change or a wash - he wants to buy my car, and have me buy his.
Too late to make a long story short - he's looking in the books, thinking crazy money on his Mustang, I want to be fair with him, he's a friend, but it's 11 years old and has 115k -
here's the deal, please advise:
1994 Mustang GT Coupe, 5.0, 5-speed
Yellow, black leather
Air blows cold, new sneaks, old school '90s billet wheels (16s), body is great, just a few rock nicks, interior is good, just the normal leather wear and wrinkles.
115-120k miles, engine's in good tune, no smokie-smokie..
The water pump is chirping, but I'll fix that for $50 in parts, a 6-pk of Coors Light, and 2 hours in the driveway.
What do you think I should pay for this thing?
He's in Dallas, it's a former South Carolina car (no rust).
==========================
You musta had 27 cups of coffee in you when you printed that one ..l.o.l...
But anyway, back in the land of Stangs ... if it's Jam-up and jelly tight (except for the water pump) come dealer side, it's worth the tall $2's low low $3's .. down Retail Rd, figure (fair for both) $4,5ish(?) depends on how good of a friend he is ........ next time, perhaps you can post me what 2nd grade was like for you, I have 3 hours to spend .....................
Terry.
Yup, its sad cause the trucks are NICE and fun to drive. I love mine, but dang, I never have it. Unless Nissan takes mine back I can't get out of it. I'm too upside down and don't want to drain my savings to get out of it. Thankfully its leased, although it has a whopping $17k residual, NMAC will regret that, lol.
Something told me not to do it, though..and I'm glad.
And I thought you were my bud....slamming me right after coming off a nice vacation...dang...
Welcome back Terry - love reading your posts.
I am considering "upgrading" my TSX to a used TL, so am curious of trade-in on my TSX and what reasonable retail would be on the TL:
My TSX:
In Denver, 2004 TSX
Silver (the bluish silver), non-nav, 6 speed
20,000 miles
In very good condition, as expected for this new of a car. One exception - I had a minor run-in with the side of my garage (felt pretty stupid about that one!) which left a dent in the front fender - repaired at a dent repair place. It's a very good repair, but, nevertheless, not perfect.
Considering trading for:
2004 TL
Anthracite gray, non-nav, 6 speed
19,300 miles
Looks in very good condition - one ding on the side and some indentations on the rear seat obviously from a car seat, but nothing that I wouldn't be doing myself anyway.
Their obviously inflated asking price is $32,998. It's not an Acura dealer, so it's not certified.
Thanks for the help.
====================
Thanks for the welcome back ... as Elvis would say: thank ya thank ya - thank ya very mush .....
An Acura to an Acura ....
Well .. you don't have to worry about wearing out the alphabet, thats for sure ...
In the land of Mr. John Elway, quarterback: Ah la Primo ... color is okay for the area, miles are kinda stiff, we got that movin' around thing between the seats, Nav Smav it's only a $500 kicker and you had a little love affair with your garage, how nice ..... depending on the dealer, sounds like the super tall $19's low/mid $20's, maybe ...
The TL ...? .. 20k, we got the handshaker deal going on, no Nav, good color anywhere .... again, great history no battles at Burdines, etc etc .. dealer probably paid the low/mid $27's, might have gotten light headed and dropped the low low low $28's in it (not certified, right.?) ...
This whole deal should be based on a **difference** figure only .. your driver and "X" amount of bucks .. so figure your vehicle and, in and around the $10ish figure, plus the tax the wax and the pay-off ....... whats he asking ..?
$32,988.! .. isn't that the conversion rate between Nova Scotia and Guam.? ...
Don't forget to let me know ...
Terry.
My teacher was Miss Cannon, a really tall, pretty lady, and I had a crush on her. I was torn up when I found out she was going to get married, as I was sure she'd wait for me until I was of legal age.
This one girl, Carolyn Woodland, was really sweet and we'd play together - she and I would make the daily office run for the teacher and kids would go "ooooohhh" because they'd say were boyfriend and girlfriend. I got over Miss Cannon's pending marriage and I was sure Carolyn was the one, but her Dad was transferred with Dow Chemical and they moved to Michigan. Bummed again.
This one day, while doing my math time tables....
Thanks for the car value, bud...
Just like my great Grand Daddy used to say: Never ask a question unless your prepared for the answer ..l.o.l......
Terry
Costa is beautiful and close, both good things.
But......
AUSTRALIA?
You'll be banging the flight attendant's head on the tray table for that flight....maybe hijack it to land in Ashtabula when all is said and done.
I've only done that flight once. Seemed like it took a month to get there and a month to get back. Glad I did it, though (doubt I'll do it again, however).
Indianapolis, Ind
2001 I30t
Bronze ext. Light Gray interior, Leather, Moonroof, CD, Cassette, power seats (both), heated, auto, 54,000 miles, no repaint, clean interior, minor nicks and scratches exterior, New Brakes, service up to date, tires 70%
Wanting to trade for:
1998 BMW 323 Convt.
White/Black Top, Tan Leatherette Int, manual seats, manual top, Clean Interior, Auto, aftermarket CD, no repaint, new brakes and rotors, tires 50%, very few minor nicks on paint, rear window starting to turn foggy, service up to date, 75,600 miles.
I'm thinking/hoping for about $1K difference. What do you think? Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it.
58K miles, 5 speed manual in outstanding condition
Adds:
sun roof
rear spoiler
Car has new tires and recent brake replacement What should I ask for trade-in on an 05 Mazda Tribute S 2WD at the same dealer I purchase the Protege?
Los Angeles, CA.
2000 Ford Windstar SE van
3.8L V6, auto
FWD
70,200 miles
Silver/Gray
15" aluminum wheels, ABS, cruise control, stereo AM/FM CD, casette, leather seats, front and rear airconditioning, right & left power sliding doors, reverse sensing system, cruise control, quad/power drivers seat, power passenger seat, separate rear radio control, and center console between front seats.
Exterior good with few dings, tires about 50 percent worn, brakes good, well maintained, interior carpeting/some of the leather edges on seats somewhat worn.
Has had all the recommended services. No engine or transmission issues (yet).
Terry.
1999 BMW 528iT
4 Dr Wagon
2.8l I-6 4 sp Auto
RWD
69000 miles (see below)
Titanium silver, gray leather
Major Options: [alloys, sun roof, etc.]
Hot seat skins and wheel, slider, CD, arc lights, cargo bed liner
No food fights, good interior for mileage, couple clearcoat scratches, few tiny rock chips, one cracked(1 inch)part of front bumper trim, no dings, no dents. Engine room clean
New sneakers, unused spare on alloy ,Brakes look >75%, NO service records
CarFax has a 'Exceeds Mechanical Limits Title Issued' on this at 12/02 and 25,000 miles, which makes no sense to me as it has a 6 digit odo, and this thing ain't got 1060000 miles on it. Carfax clean otherwise.
I offered 15.9 to (n0n-BMW) dealers 16.5, before I saw the Carfax. I've asked the dealer to explain the EML. I like the car-whattya think I should do?
Thanks
5.7 hemi/RWD
1700 miles
bright silver/grey leather interior
no hickeys, deep rubber
major options- driver info center, power adjustable pedals, seat warmers, dual zone climate control, stability/traction control,
Boston Acoustics 6cd/mp3 player/sat. capable
NO sunroof.
Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Thanks!
Orlando Florida
2002 Ford Ranger 2dr SuperCab Edge 2WD Styleside SB 3.0L 6 cyl.
2WD, auto tranny
35K miles, blue
alloy wheels, a/c, bedliner
Good condition inside and out, new tires, all maintenace up to date.
2004 4-cylinder base Outback wagon
AWD
6200 miles
Light green
Auto-dimming mirror and compass,
everything else standard for the base Outback
Interior in perfect shape
Tires in perfect shape
Front bumper has some paint scraping in 2 small spots, no dents
==============================
You need to check the BMW service computer and look at the "real deal" history ... based on what you're saying, Carsmack is showing *TMU* -- True Miles Unknown -- ... this "could" be accurate - or maybe not ....
I would need to see the paper work and the history .. the Odo could have coughed up a lung and was "repaired and certified" by BMW, it's common on Bimmers and VW's, but there will be a history of it and a kicker in the door jam ... or it was driven for 27,000 miles and then repaired 2 years later by Bubba's Barbecue and Repair Shop ... If this "is" accurate, then your stairing down the barrel of a $6,0/$7,0 vehicle, and "maybe" $9,0 on the Retail side .. if so, you got nothin' and you need to be lookin' for a different driver .......................
Let me know what you find ...
Terry.
What is a "best bet" in a used car in the $5k-$7k range. Key factors are reliability, low maintenance costs and availability. Secondary to those factors are the more subjective elements of "fun to drive" and "prestige".
Lets keep it to sedans.
For example, the other day I saw a 1991 BMW 535i 5-speed with 85K for $6,500. This guy (a doctor) says he has "all the maint. records" and a well maintained E34 can roll 200K easy. So this one gets good marks for durability but gets "dinged" for maint costs...and availability (if you limit your search to only "well maintained" ones). But on the other hand they are a blast to drive.
So what say the group?...offer up some quality $5-7K sedans...detroit-ers welcome. I know we have some guys in here that are big Tarus fans.
Bring it on....
. **Carfax has a Exceeds Mechanical Limits Title Issued' on this at 12/02 and 25,000 miles, which makes no sense to me as it has a 6 digit odo, and this thing ain't got 1060000 miles on it** ..
Bimmers are nice vehicles, but they have quite a history of "peak a boo" fenders and sunroofs, Especially up north, and most private sellers will think they're fine because they spent $2,900 in 03 to make them look pretty .. unfortunately, rust never sleeps and it will raise it's ugly head soon, Especially up Nawth .. then we can get into the service costs, but I won't -- can we spell Pass ..................
Sedans ...?
98 Devilles
99 Lesabre's
99 Regals
01 Centurys
01 Alero's
99 Aurora's
00 Mercury/Ford Mystiques
01 Protege's
99 Altima's
01 Prizm's
01 Lumina's
02 Saturn SL1's
99 Grand Marquis
01 Sentra's
Terry.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
--I second your idea of an E34 5 Series. One of the best bmw's ever made. (BTW, where is the '91 you mentioned? Sounds like a very nice one, potentially).
--bmw E36 3-Series
--most Volvos, probably an 850 in that price range. Again, it would help to have a good indie Volvo mechanic nearby.
--a Subaru, for those frightened by Euro brands, or who need AWD. Probably not as safe as a bmw, Volvo, or M-B however.
Year/Make/Model: 1999.5 VW New Jetta
Body Style: GLS 4dr
Engine: 2.0 liter, 4 cylinder, auto
Driveline: FWD
Mileage: 58k (low)
Color: Dark Blue Exterior/ Dark Grey Cloth Interior
Major Options: sun roof, tinted windows
Condition:
Good mechanical shape, a few small scratches on bumper, small hole in rear bumber, broken side mirror.
Tires - new or % worn
Brakes
Maintenance
Other: Indicate prior damage/insurance claims, repaints, etc.
Sounds like a real winner... Just the glass, just the painted part, or did the whole thing get whacked off? Can you also answer the questions about tires, brakes, any other accidents, and maintenance?
Year/Make/Model: 1999.5 VW New Jetta
Body Style: GLS 4dr
Engine: 2.0 liter, 4 cylinder, auto
Driveline: FWD
Mileage: 58k (low)
Color: Dark Blue Exterior/ Dark Grey Cloth Interior
Major Options: Front and side air bag, ABS, ac, ps, cc, tilt, p/windows, tint, low mi, 6-disc CD, pdl, p/heated mirrors, sunroof.
Condition:
Good mechanical shape, a few small scratches on bumper, small hole in rear bumper, broken side mirror, interior is clean.
Tires - 50% worn, front and rear don't match.
Brakes - brand new
Maintenance - performed regular
The brakes are new, as in within the last 500 mi.
No accidents
No maintenance records from previous owner, but dealer says it has records of regular maintenance.