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.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Comments
Highlander and/or RX300 don't have a 3rd row of seats. Nor do they offer the option of a V8 engine (if you tow stuff).
I have an '02 Explorer (XLT, 4WD, V6). Leased for 36 months, after which Ford says it will be worth about 50% of original value. Not too bad, methinks.
Now, on to a question. I asked this a few months ago, but am curious as to what might have changed.
I've got a '99 VW New Beetle on lease and am thinking about buying it outright (there are still 12 payments left). It's a GL, bright blue, black interior, 33K miles, handshaker, with CD changer, A/C, p/m and keyless remote. New tires 6K miles ago.
Buyout is around $13.5K, but was wondering what wholesale and retail would be. I'm in the Denver area, and most of the cars I see in the paper (Denver Post) are going for between $12-$16K, depending upon trim level and mileage. As these are retail numbers, I'm guessing that the wholesale values are less.
Also, I'm wondering what my negotiating power would be with VW Credit when I call them in the next few weeks. Would it be possible to lower the buyout price?
So as you can see -- those numbers are on the retail end in the paper --- the extreme retail ends -- the 99 GLX's with let's say 15/17/19K -- and super clean, are doing around the high $12's.
You might be able to retail your Vdub for around 11/$12ish, if everything goes your way ...
Also VW will negotiate, get with the District or even the branch Mgr at the leasing end -- not the dealer, and the not the people who answer the phone in "customer service" ... I will say "they are still proud of them" .. so make sure you get in touch with a decision maker.
I hope this helps ...
Terry.
They are still in demand .. and still get stupid money ...
That 99 will still do the high side of the $13's ... Especially in SF area ..
Terry.
I'm thinkin' "around" $4,500 ...
What do ya think Bill .....?
Terry.
So add about a Gee whiz...
Terry.
Please?
At the very worst, they can say no. But, for 15/20/30 minutes of work, if I can save $1500 or so on the payoff price, would certainly be worth it.
(might be enough to finish off my home theatre!)
BTW, one more person who is glad to see that Bill is back and posting regularly.
Cheers, and have a great Thanksgiving weekend!
-SP
When I went to a dealer they offered several thosand *less* than the minimum value I'd seen on the internet.
So now I'm wondering if I'm expecting too much (but what consumer isn't!).
So you have the wheels .. the slider and leather ---- and a "handshaker" ...( spoiler ..?)
If it's got new shoes, few parking lot kisses -- looks more like a 99, you are going to be in and around that $35 ish territory ...
Terry.
We are going out this weekend, finally to buy 2 new cars. Or in your "lingo", pre-owned.
We are trading in both of our existing ones.
A 2000 Altima GLE, black with grey interior,auto,abs, roof, wheels, cd, leather, spoiler, keyless with 19k. It's been a great car, and we wax it about twice a month, it still looks new, No scratches or "parking lot kisses" .
The other car is our 98 Chevy Prizm LSI, auto, power windows, cd,keyless, etc. It has 28k and has been a super car, it's white with tan and it's about new (I hate to trade this, maybe we should sell this on our own?)
Well Hubby wants a 2000 Pontiac Bonny SLE, we found 3 or 4 we really like, 15k with all the options. And the one I'm looking at, is a 2001 Honda Civic LX with 10k auto, no sunroof.
We have been sneaking around the forum here for about 6 months. And we appreciate all the info you and Bill "give up".
Thanks in advance.
M.
'94 Accord LX coupe, black exterior; tan cloth, 5 speed, 110k in Iowa. Exterior in good condition except for the usual stone chips on the front and a hole in the rear plastic bumper cover from Mrs. Lance's little spin maneuver in the parking lot last winter (about four inches in diameter, on the corner. How she missed damaging the light assembly or any metal is beyond me.) Interior likewise in very good condition. Newish ( ~ 6k) tires, all maintenance records since I've owned it (bought in '97 @ 33k miles.) So. The age old question. Is it worth the $400 for me to have the bumper fixed?
This has been a great car, but it's a coupe, and an absolute pain in the hieney to get my 1 year old daughter in and out of her rear-facing car seat in the back. There's a little voice in the back of my head that's been saying, "buy another Volvo...buy another Volvo" (other car's a 740 GL) but, based on what I can get (or not get) out of this car, I may hold off another year or so and maybe start seeing a chiropractor. :-)
Whaddya think? Thanks for the help.
It's 110k Honda Coupe LX with a parking lot kiss from the Mrs..huh.
Beleive it or not, the mileage really won't kill it -- it's a not a Cavalier.
It does have a handshaker ...oh well --- But, if you have this little darlin' fixed up and detailed, you know the drill by now -- make it look like a diamond, you have all the service records and thats a BIG plus.
I don't know if I would spend the $400 on the fascia --- shop it around, get someone to fill it in , then shoot it -- that shouldn't cost more than .. let's say a couple of hundred ...
With the new tires and such, this vehicle will do somewhere "in and around" ... $3/$3,500 at the block (if it's clean) --- and on the retail side, you can get $4,5/$5,000 --- throw it in the biggest paper in the area for, let's say $5,950, and let someone with cash insult you with a $5 grand offer, then follow him/her to the bank ...
The go buy .. a real nice and clean S70 Volvo ...
Terry.
Yeah, an S70 would be nice, but I think given my current budget (if I were to buy now) I'd be more in the 850 range (or a really nice 940 Turbo, if I could find one.) If I wait a year, more options would be available to me. We'll see. Thanks for the help.
p.s. I'm one of those wierdos who prefers a "handshaker." Miracle of miracles, Mrs. Lance does, too. Took me close to a year to find a 5 speed 740, but one fell into my lap in June. :-)
Ok, lets see ... 98 LSI clean, all the stuff and no miles. This is a $6500ish+ vehicle at the auctions --- and the GLE if it's as nice as you tell us, will do "in and around" the low $12's (if it's puuurfect) ...
Clean, low mileage SLE's with the heated seats, slider and the Chromes are doing in and around the Ultra high $16's at the auctions .... and the 2001 Honda Civic LX will do $13,500 easy .....
So what does that all mean ..?
If you where to retail out of the Prizm, I would throw it in the paper for.. let's say $8,450, and get all insulted with a $7,7/$7,8/$7,900 offer and follow them to "El Banko" ...
The dealer will try to sell the 01 Honda Civic, for around $16,500+, try em at $14,700/800/900 and see what happens --- I'm sure the Bonny will be set at $19,900+, try em out at the low $18's and go from there ...
I hope this helps ... and Happy Turkey day to you ..
Terry.
That why you and the misses gets along so well .....
Terry.
For you, or Bill, if you don't mind giving me advice on another one: I'm going to look at a used '01 BMW 525iT wagon, 5sp manual (I know), 10Kmi, leather, S/R, htd. seats for $37,000. The Audi dealer who's selling it says it's a "one owner trade", & is a "slate blue" with grey or black (?) leather. I've been looking more for a 2000 528iT with the larger 6 & probably auto, but this sounds like it might be a pretty good deal (?)
(Of course, I could be getting into another hard-to-resell car with the 5-speed).
Also, there is a $1500 BMW dealer incentive on new (leftover) 'O1 525iT wagons; but not too many of those around.
Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks, Steve
You dont work at a Bar do ya?
A 525iT 5-speed. So you managed to find the one!
That is a super rare car actually. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing, I dunno. There was actually a guy looking very hard for a 5-speed E39 Wagon on here not too long ago...
Anyhoo, I think that the car is worth shoot, $33,000 maybe? So retail, if its perfect, in the $35K range maybe?
Tough car to "hit" IMO..
Whatcha think Terry?
Bill
Can you give me a trade-in and what I should ask if I try and sell it out right?
2001 Honda Accord EX-V6, white in color with 11,000 miles, all the bells and whistles.
Thanks in advance.
Jeff
01 A4 Avant Quattro
2.8
5 speed handshaker
cloth interior
hole in roof
8,500 miles
Dark Blue
In Massachusetts.
They weren't open so I couldn't get all the details re Bose, cold weather, etc. The asking is $31,900. Sounds a little steep for used especially with the new design out soon. Your thoughts gentlemen.
Over the holiday I was cruising e-Bay and found a couple nice cars I'd like as toys. I was wonderingwhat you guys thought of these values and if they are in line with what the wholesale market says.
Both are 1991 BMW M5 sedans.
One is in Tampa/St. Pete, black w/white leather, 70K, new Michelin Pilots, looks pretty good via pix, being sold by local dealer. Bidding went to $14,600 and stalled - did not meet reserve.
Other car is in Indy, silver w/black leather, 116K, BMW club member owned, terrific condition, many upgrades, needs tires, new water pump, air pump, control arms, and fluids. Bidding went to $16,700 and died - did not meet reserve.
I know M5's aren't like Tauruses but do you think the prices are representative or outta whack a bit.
Thanks for the insight.
- - Bret - -
Leather and all?
I think $18,500 or so..
Happy thanksgiving to you too!
Bill
But M5s (Older ones) can get some insane asking prices on them too.
Also, it seems like many people on eBay are looking to "steal" a car, so its rare to get top dollar there.
Bill
Methinks its a $28K car very easily across the block.
Oughta be able to buy it for $30-30,500 or so I think.
So, $31,900 isnt an outrageous asking price at all.
Bill
The deal is saying $15,000 as a trade in. That looks REAL low to me.
What should I expect?
The car is exceptionally clean, no dents, etc.
Black
22,254 miles
Auto Trans
Air Conditioning
Anti-theft
Thanks a lot!
I think Bill is right on the money for the "5" ... It's a hand shaker, and nobody is really kickin' down the doors for em' -- You probably can get a real good deal on it ... probably $35ish probably will do it -- if you approach it right ... you know how tempermental BMW sales people can be ...
I always thought BMW kinda broke their own bad habit of dropping 5/6 speeds in the luxury sedan market after the late 80's --- all those 7's running around with "hand shakers" ... and no place to go ...l..o..l...
Terry.
But, Not knowing what part of the M/D line you are from ... I will say it's worth "in and around" the high $4's ...
I hope this helps ....
Terry.
Anybody want a 96 GMC K2500 4X4, SLE, 6.5L TD (that kills it worse than the 85K miles), x-cab, longbed? Nice truck, but hard to sell.
Lot's of miles ... I feel he has given you the "whole bag of chips" -- and then some ..
I'm thinkin' you should take him up on this one ....
Terry.
I think $15K is pretty strong too.
The miles are slaughtering you here. High Miles absolutely Kill Rovers Im afraid...
Bill
Remember, I have seen this truck -- It has "Moose killer" as a license plate number ....
I'm thinkin' $12/$13 will kill it with all the klicks -- Hang on to the dealer that offered the $14 figure ....
Terry.
I am in the Chicago area. How does that affect the trade-in value??
Thanks a lot,
Dee
But, you are fine where you are ...
Terry.
Thanks for the info. It is appreciated.
Dee
You guys are right, the hand shaker is a real mixed bag on this car.....makes it REAL quick, even with that "small" six. But not always fun in Boston area traffic, & seems fairly odd in a wagon. And personally, I don't like the black interior. Overall, really not as nice a car as an X5 or a 7 IMHO, but if it works out to be $10,000 less than one of those, & they make me a great deal on the RR......
I wonder if I should stick close to my $6K offer on this.....it might be unrealistic, but I think maybe it takes a real specialized "BMW nut" to want this car, & frankly the RR is nicer in a lot of ways. If they can't make it work, I'll just keep looking, does this make sense? They may get tired of trying to sell this hand shaker to surburban Mass. housewives & decide my cream-puff RR would look better on their lot (?)
Thanks again for the advice, you guys provide a great perspective. BTW, sad to say, I'm not the "Woody" from "Cheers". If only I had Woody Harrelson's $$, I could buy any car!!!
Thanks, Steve
Terry.
Bill, how do prices on eBay compare with prices at dealer auctions? Do you think going rates at eBay should reflect full-service retail prices or wholesale auction prices?
Personally, I (a private buyer looking for a car) bid on eBay with the same pricing in mind that I would pay for a new car -- that is cost + 2-10% markup allowance. I figure the cost on a used car using the depreciation schedules for leases, i.e. ~30% for year 1, 17% for year 2, 8% for year 3. (Naturally, these are guides for depreciations -- I don't cut 30% off the price of a 2001 E320 with only 5k miles, maybe 15-20%.)
Granted, this model usually works out pricing far lower than 'retail' prices, but then on eBay I'm not looking to pay for 'added value' which I don't need, like hand-holding, inventorying and shining up the car everyday, test drives, a store front, personal explanations, etc., etc.
What astonishes me in the used car market is the overwhelming number of people who think they can sell a 1 or 2 year old car for 90% or 80% of the cost of a new one -- as if the concept of accelerated depreciation doesn't even exist. I can't imagine who these people are who would pay 90% the price of a new E320 for a 2001 with 15k miles. I'd rather be the person who drives a new brand spanking new Mercedes for only 10% depreciation, than the sucker who bankrolls that luxury by buying it used at a price that reflect straight-line, rather than accelerated depreciation.
John
I can generally do better selling J30s at dealer auctions versus what I can get for them on eBay.
And, I can usually do very well with older Mercedes S-Classes, like clean 420SELs, 560SELs, etc.. Also I do quite well with old Jags.
Stuff on eBay sells cheaper than full retail, its the rare car that does full pop there. Generally, somewhere between, say, TMV and what it would do at an auction.
Its just too dependenent on what car we're talking about.
Bill
There are vehicles there, that people "hope" that they can get some of those prices ..
I have tracked probably 10/12 vehicles this year ... bought 2. (only because they have been on the market for 6 months)
I have looked at all the pretty pics, talked long distance for 15/20 minutes (my dime, and more than once) .. looked at the service records via FAX .. heard all the nice stories, pulled Carfax..etc, etc..
But, it seems to change when I get there ... This perfect 2000 Acura NSX, with 7K isn't quite so perfect, the 21K Volvo 96 850 LE, that has been garaged kept and a non-smoker is not so "Limited" ... I could bore you for an hour.
I feel eBay is a wonderful source of items "For Sale" ... I really feel that consumers get that thing going, called "false pride" .. they feel that $20,000 item -- really is worth $30,000 ...
I agree with Bill, I really don't waste my time with it anymore .... I would rather go to the auctions 5/6 times a month, it's more fun and I don't have to listen to the INTRO, I can get right too it ...
Terry.
The miles are right .. If it's nice and clean -- everything is right .. you are in that $13,500 zipcode ...
Terry.
1996 Integra GSX (I think thats the model, it is the high end one with the hot engine). Green, tan cloth, roof, 5 speed, 60K. Immaculate condition, never been in the snow (gets garaged during the winter). Really does look like new.
In the Albany NY area.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Though I'm not a hard core computer geek, I'd have to say the Area 51 is like owning a new 360 Modena. The customization of that thing is unbelieveable. For someone who knows what they want and knows how to use it, that machine has got to be the ultimate.
Also look at the Falcon Northwest Mach V. Not nearly as cool looking but just as capable. Kinda like a Porsche 996TT.