Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options

Real-World Trade-In Values

16636646666686691100

Comments

  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Honestly, its probably a $500 car to most dealers.

    Your best bet is to try and sell it privately.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Well, Brentwood is probably better on bimmers than me.
    But, $21,900 sounds like way to much money for that car.
    Miles are high. It's a wagon,which isn't easy to sell.
    I think where the car is on ebay now is reasonable.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    So, its scratched has a bad carfax and it is STILL certified??
    Personally, I'd find another car.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Auto Trader is a good idea.
    However, you probably need to re-think what you are asking for the car.
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    Really high miles. Even if it's worth the $16201.99 (that they won't accept, given the reserve), I'd look for one with lower miles instead. And $21,970 sounds nuts to me.....unless it had 40K miles, & was perfect, maybe. BTW, what were the high prices in the previous auctions?
  • dave210dave210 Member Posts: 242
    Would $1,500 be reasonable for private party?

    I can't believe that a 96 Sunfire is worth the same as a 96 Accord (per my son's friend's recent trade-in)...but I guess with this kind of age and mileage, resale doesn't much matter regardless of the make.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,493
    I completely agree with you guys. Bill said to ask $8500 & take $7500 which I thought was kind of high (but he's one of the experts, so I figured why not?). Believe me, I'm not trying to squeeze every last dollar out of it. The dealer offered $4700 for the car. If I could get $6K I'd be happy. I lowered the asking price to $7500.

    The problem is as most of you know that people want to negotiate every last dollar they can. Even If I list the car for $6000, someone will come along and say...I'll give you $5000 or $4800 for it.

    Thanks again for your help.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    (per my son's friend's recent trade-in)...

    That's not a good comparison as there are so many other factors that could affect the trade-in amount. Things like did they pay way more up front, finance at a higher interest rate, bought all kinds of accessories that were marked way up, bought things like mop n glow, lo jack, VIN etching, ext. warranty marked up, etc.
  • dave210dave210 Member Posts: 242
    I'm not sure, I guess when it comes down to it, I just found it funny how a worn out Pontiac Sunfire with similar features could garner the same trade as a worn out Accord.

    True, there are other factors, but I merely was making an observation, as I'm not denying the Honda's worth $500 to dealers.

    It's an old car, I'll tell her to sell it privately and try somewhere in the $1000's (?).
  • sebring95sebring95 Member Posts: 3,241
    I think you missed the point of trying to compare trade-in values. Unless you know all factors in the deal on the Sunfire, what they received on trade is worthless for comparative value. It's very easy to get a $1,500 trade on a on a Sunfire....but they likely overpaid on the car they were buying by an equal amount.....

    I have a buddy that buys wrecked accords with 150k+ miles, throws some parts at them, sprays them, and sells with a repaired title for $1500-$2,000. Don't cut yourself short just because a dealer isn't interested in that car. It's an easy private sale for a lot more than $1,000.
  • RCPackardRCPackard Member Posts: 7
    Woody,

    Thank for reply. I figured that was high. Kbb trade-in value is 15,200. Vehicle looks to be in exellent condition, with CPO for another 30,000 miles/2 years. Additionally, all routine maintenance is covered under BMW maintenance plan for the same period.

    Previous auctions closed out at 15,300 and 16,400. Vehicle was just relisted again and is at 14,000.

    Figured 15,200 (trade in value) + 500 (combined for CPO and maintenance plan) + 700 profit (obviously above and beyond profit they make on CPO/maintenance plan) = 16,400 tops.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%- 3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170158080756&rd=1

    Cheers,

    Randy
  • RCPackardRCPackard Member Posts: 7
    Volvomax,

    That is kind of what I thought, thanks for confirmation. Funny thing is, where I am (San Diego), same car trade-in value is $1200 more (everything here is more expensive), which is why I have been looking to e-bay for a good deal out of Texas or Southeast. One way tickets are relatively cheap and I could use the road trip as a break.

    Cheers,

    Randy
  • slw2slw2 Member Posts: 5
    I'm looking at an Acura '04 Base 3.2TL AT 4D, 58,000 miles with the following:

    ABS (4-Wheel)
    Air COnditioning
    Alloy Wheels
    AM/FM Stereo
    Cassette
    Cruise Control
    Dual Front Air Bags
    DUAL POWER SEATS
    Front Side Air Bags
    FWD
    LEATHER
    Moon Roof
    Multi Compact Disc
    Power Door Locks
    Power Steering
    Power Windows
    Telescoping Wheel
    Traction Control

    Honda dealer in my town is asking $21,995. I live about 50 miles NE of Sacramento (CA). Do I have any wiggle room to negotiate with the dealer? Also, the dealer is offering a Honda/Acura extended warranty should I take it or go outside the dealer for this. Do you need more info?

    This is my first venture with the Acura. I commute and am downsizing from an SUV to a sedan. I absolutely refuse to buy a new vehicle having been horribly burned in the past. I want something safe, gets decent mileage and has a good reputation. thanks!

    (I was directed over here from the Acura TL forum - hope I'm in the right place!).
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    To a new car dealer, they are both just scrap metal.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    I think your math is way off.
    CPO on a bimmer is usually closer to $2000 than $500. Counting work to make the car eligible.
    Plus, no bimmer dealer on the planet thinks $700 profit is reasonable.
    I just don't think the car in question is worth the money being asked.
    Regardless of how the figure is arrived at.
  • phertelphertel Member Posts: 13
    Hi there guys, Was considering trading in my 2005 F-150 FX4.
    Location: Kansas City
    2005 Ford F-150 FX4
    Crew Cab(4dr) Short Bed
    V8 5.4L
    22,000 miles
    Bright Red Clearcoat with black cloth interior (bench front seat)
    Tow Package, Rear Sliding Window, Premium 6 CD/MP3, Deluxe Mirror Package, 18" Mach Cast Wheels, 3.73 Limited Slip Rear End. Spray-in Bed Liner (Line-X) is only non-factory option.

    Very good condition. KBB puts me at $21,300 - $22,400 for trade. How realistic is this?

    Thanks in advance for the opinions.
  • dave210dave210 Member Posts: 242
    Point taken.

    Either way, my cleaning lady isn't going to get much for her car by trading in, and unlike a Sunfire, at least she has a chance in making somewhat of a profit if she sells privately.

    A car with this many miles and age is tough to determine, but possibly a $2-2.5K starting point wouldn't be too bad for her (and obviously can work down from there.)

    Thanks for the input.
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    I hope there's some wiggle room because the price seems high to me (especially given the miles) but, being that you're in CA, maybe that's the market there.

    By all means go with a factory backed warranty.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    assuming it is a 4X4, you shouldn't be far off.
    Somewhere between $19-21,000.
  • phertelphertel Member Posts: 13
    Yes 4WD, thanks for the reply!
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    Your ad could be immeasurably improved with the use of some better pictures taken in daylight with closer views.

    Also, at least to me, saying "original owner" is better than "one owner." That latter phrase is a favorite (inaccurate though it may be) of curbstoners.
  • petepie1petepie1 Member Posts: 25
    Hi,
    Thinking of trading or selling this car, can you give me an idea of reasonable trade-in and private sale values?

    2000 VW Jetta GLS (2.0 4 cylinder engine--not the turbo)
    170K miles
    5spd manual transmission
    All standard equipment plus luxury package--sunroof, 6 disc CD changer, alloy wheels
    Black cloth interior
    Heated seats (yep, CLOTH heated seats)
    Condition is good, broken cup holder, glovebox handle but otherwise cleans up well, exterior paint in good shape.
    Location: DC area

    Thanks for the help
  • petepie1petepie1 Member Posts: 25
    Forgot to add that exterior color is Atlantic Blue (very dark blue), interior is black cloth. Also has monster floor mats.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,493
    I'll try and take some more pictures tomorrow after work.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • miamispringermiamispringer Member Posts: 2
    i was wondering if buying a 2004 ford escape with 65,000 miles for $7,000 a good deal. thanks
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Trade in is prob @ $1000 or so.
  • alexanderyoshialexanderyoshi Member Posts: 1
    What would be the real-world trade-in value of a:

    Location: Irvine, CA
    Year/Make/Model:
    2005 Infiniti G35
    Body Style: 2dr
    Engine: 3.5 liter, 6 cylinder, auto
    Driveline: RWD
    Mileage: 30,000
    Color: Red/black
    Major Options: alloy wheels, sunroof
    Condition:
    No visible scratches
    Tires - new
    Brakes

    Great condition, no accidents in its history.

    Reformatted to fit the posting standards.
  • sbuhlersbuhler Member Posts: 123
    I have a 2007 Nissan Armada SE 2WD with 8000 miles on it. It does not have any extra options on it.

    What would be a reasonable trade in value? Auction Value?

    Thanks,
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    it depends.

    that's an absolutely fantastic deal for a loaded up Limited 4wd in perfect, never touched up or resprayed silver paint!

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    See the red paragraph below for information needed to get a proper appraisal.
  • mogul2mogul2 Member Posts: 14
    What would be the real-world trade-in value for this vehicle?

    Location: Detroit, MI
    Year: 2002
    Make: Subaru
    Model: Forester-L
    Engine: 2.5L H4, Auto
    Driveline: AWD
    Milage: 110100
    Color: Silver/Gray
    Options: CD player
    Condition: Excellent exterior (not even door dings) and spotless interior
    Brakes: Replaced at 95000 miles
    Tires: 7500miles old
    Maintenance: Timing belt replaced at 105000miles

    Thanks!
  • mb789mb789 Member Posts: 89
    When you go to a dealer to get a trade-in value, is your car entered into some kind of system, so that if you go to another dealer (even a different manufacturer), they will know you had it evaluated already? I have been to two dealers, and they both came back with the exact same figure they would give me for my car. Is this just based on auction figures?

    They told me they would give me $14,500, and one dealer wouldn't come up (even after a few conversations with manager) even though they knew I am pre-approved and am eligible for their manufacturer's special price plan on a new car, so the only thing they had to do to get the sale was give me close to what I wanted for mine, which was $15,500. I thought sure they would offer me something in the low $15,xxx range. KBB "good condition" for my car is over $15,700. My payoff is just over $16,500. Another dealer a week or so ago (same car manufacturer where I could get special pricing), replied to me after I gave them my payoff amount, if they gave me $15,900 for my car would I "buy their car today," but I did not buy their car that day because I was still comparing it to another make.

    I wrote that experience off as just a case of a dealer needing a sale, especially since I already knew the price I would've gotten for the new car since it's special pricing. It's not like they could make it look like they were giving me more by taking less off the price of their car. Suggestions?
  • phertelphertel Member Posts: 13
    A couple things could be happening 1. The 2 dealers are owned by the same group and communicated. 2. The 2 dealers happened to call the same buyer for your car when getting bids. 3. That is where the market is for that car. 4. Just plain old luck.
    Of course that is just my guess as to what may have happened. I do know when they appraise a trade they run it by a bunch of their usual buyers.
    FWIW, Paul
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    Have you posted the details of your vehicle here so you can get a real world number? If not, see the red paragraph at the bottom for information needed.
  • mb789mb789 Member Posts: 89
    Thanks. I do not believe the dealers are owned by the same group. One is a family business, and the other one is more like a chain. Why wouldn't they just want to put my car on the lot for sale? It's not a beater car, and in my area, there aren't many used ones like it for sale compared to other makes like Chevy, Jeep, and Ford. It's a 2006 Subaru Forester X with under 15,000 miles.

    The reason I was beginning to wonder if dealers put the cars into an online system is because this is exactly the same thing that happened when I traded in my previous car (Jeep) -- two different dealerships (Honda and Subaru) owned by separate families came back with exactly $12,500, and I said no. But the next day, one of the dealerships agreed to give me like $13,200 so I bought the Subaru. My Jeep ended up at a local Jeep dealership for sale on their used car lot -- so it doesn't seem like it was sold to an auction and then re-bought by the local Jeep place. When you say buyer, do you mean any kind of a buyer -- dealership or auction?
  • mb789mb789 Member Posts: 89
    I think I should also state, the second dealer I went to (that wouldn't come up after conversations with manager) does not actually have the vehicle -- the vehicle is at another dealer a little ways away. After they wouldn't come up on my trade, they suggested I go to the dealership that actually has the car I want to buy and see what they say about my car. I do not want to drive 40 minutes out of the way only to hear the same thing $14,500! :mad:

    I was hoping to buy the car from the dealership where I would want to take it for service, but that dealership didn't have any with the combination of options I wanted.

    This it getting too complicated! :P
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Typically, what happens is a dealer call a wholesaler for a bid on a trade in.
    There aren't that many licensed wholesalers in any given market,so it is not unusual for 1 wholesaler to get called by several different dealers on a specific car.
    Sometime, the dealer will call another dealer for a bid as well.
    As for your case, it is probable that your car has a certain value in that market,regardless of what Kelley says, or what you want.
    Just like you don't want to overpay for a car,neither do dealers.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Car should trade in the $22-23000 range
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Depending on where you are,somewhere between $22-24,000
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Should be somewhere between $5-6,000
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    I think--the suggestion that they're all calling the same wholesaler, or dealer, that they think would buy your vehicle, is possible. There could be other explanations.

    It may be an interesting question, sort of, but what does it really matter? All you should care about is A. what your vehicle is worth, trade-in, & private party, & B. What kind of deal you're getting on the new car.

    Right?
  • wildwoodstwildwoodst Member Posts: 3
    What do I expect for my car???

    Location: White Plains, NY
    Year/make/Model: 2003 Toyota Corolla S
    Body Style: 4dr
    Engine: 1.8 liter, 4 cylinder, manual
    Driveline: FWD
    Mileage: 45,000
    Color: Silver/black
    Major options: alloys, leather interior, power doors,windows
    Condition:
    Exterior - Some dings, small crack in the bottom of the front bumper
    Interior - Cover of one of the storage areas does not close. Otherwise clean
    Maintenance: Did not maintain record, but performed all maintenance
    Tires: New
    Other: No claims

    Is it worth fixing anything before I trade in??
  • mazda6dudemazda6dude Member Posts: 283
    Location: Sacramento
    2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid Base
    4 Door
    Engine: 2.5 Liter Gas/Electric
    Mileage: 2,500
    Color: Interior: Black, Exterior: Pebble Beach
    Only Option: Aluminum kickplates.
    Condition: Just bought it brand new. In excellent condition. 3 weeks old.
    Other: Basically still brand new.

    What can I expect to get for this car?

    Thanks
  • petepie1petepie1 Member Posts: 25
    ugh. That's what I was afraid of (was hoping for more). Thanks for the fast feedback though!
  • 06saab9506saab95 Member Posts: 1
    What would be the real-world trade-in value of a:

    Location: Madison, WI
    Year/Make/Model: 2006 SAAB 9-5 2.3T
    Body Style: 4dr
    Engine: turbocharged 4 cylinder, auto
    Driveline: FWD
    Mileage: 12,500
    Color: black/gray leather
    Major Options: sunroof, heated seats, alloy wheels, etc. all standard
    Condition: Owned for one year. Great condition, no accidents in its history, synthetic oil changes every 5,000 miles.

    Thanks!
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    A newspaper reporter is seeking interviews with Southern California residents who are members of either the Boomer or Gen Y generations to talk about their first cars. In other words, if you were born between 1946 and 1964 or between 1976 and 2000, we want to hear from you. Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com no later than Wednesday, November 7, 2007, and provide your daytime contact info and a few words about your first car.


    A newspaper reporter wants to talk with Southern California residents who have comments and/or anecdotes about the area’s car culture. Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com no later than Wednesday, November 7, 2007, and provide your daytime contact info and a few words about your first car.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    what the heck is wrong with us 'tweeners? Huh? Huh?

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • mb789mb789 Member Posts: 89
    Yes, I think you must be right about it having a certain value in the market. The dealer I mentioned in my previous post that offered $15,900 if I bought theirs "that day" called me back and offered to find me an Escape (they sold the one I was interested in and didn't have another one with the options I want), but instead of mentioning the $15,900 they suggested they'd give me the other day, they asked what it would take for me to buy the car they would locate for me. I said I want $15,500 for my car (which I think is fair to both sides. $15,900 was too high), and that I would buy from them if they gave me this.

    I received a phone message the other night stating that they want me to bring in my car so their used car manager can take a look at it. :mad: I can see where this is going already!! The first time they looked at it, it was just the salesman and the sales manager, not the used car manager, if that really makes any difference.

    Why should I even bother? I do not want to use my time to go over there and let them look at it, and they come back with $14,500. Or $14,800 or whatever. . . I have not been able to call him back yet. I like him as a salesperson, but I don't want to get caught up in a game.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    what the heck is wrong with us 'tweeners?

    No doubt they'll devote a whole issue just to Gen Xers! :)

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Sounds like a thoroughly average car.
    Trade in @ $8-8500
Sign In or Register to comment.