Real-World Trade-In Values

tj11119

Surprised on the trade in value of the A3, for 7k I would just keep it as a nice practical second car, still have lots of life left.
I like it more over the 1.8T Jetta.

breld

Michaell said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

now, now, give him some room. Let the man do his thing

Remember, it took him three tries to get it right with the A3 (Beetle first, then Veloster, then the Audi).

But, since I bailed out of my early year punch, it's only right for @breld to step in and pick up the slack.

Your recall is impressive...and annoying.

Buy hey! 2.5 years on the A3 is pretty darn good...for me.

breld

Well, good to know on the used Jetta - does make the current deals on new ones seem like a better way to go. We're only talking $2-3k for a comparably equipped new model.

And yes, at least a bit lower on the A3 than anticipated, so we'll certainly have to consider the value of keeping that and dealing with any repairs down the road.

Thanks!

Michaell

breld said:

Michaell said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

now, now, give him some room. Let the man do his thing

Remember, it took him three tries to get it right with the A3 (Beetle first, then Veloster, then the Audi).

But, since I bailed out of my early year punch, it's only right for @breld to step in and pick up the slack.

Your recall is impressive...and annoying.

Buy hey! 2.5 years on the A3 is pretty darn good...for me.

Hey, what are friends for?

Mr_Shiftright

tijuana19 said:

Surprised on the trade in value of the A3, for 7k I would just keep it as a nice practical second car, still have lots of life left.
I like it more over the 1.8T Jetta.

I'm seeing A3s retail at dealers for around $10K, but with higher miles, here in the Bay Area. So if we give you $1500 for miles but a deduct for damage, I guess $10K retail is where the car is at. So yeah, $7K trade sounds about right to me, too.

breld

Makes sense.

We may get some of the scrapes and dents fixed up, give it a nice detail, and private party it.

Mr_Shiftright

Sure, if you could spend $500 to make an additional $2500, why not?

andres3

If the DSG is shuddering noticeably then might not test drive well at private party.

stickguy

My rule is I won't sell a car private if I know there is a problem with it, even if it is masked on a short test drive. Just feels wrong to me.

Mr_Shiftright

I have no problem with doing that if I spell out all the issues to the new buyer, even those issues he/she probably will not spot. Same with a dealer...do unto others and all that....I also price the car to reflect those issues.

suydam

Mr_Shiftright said:

I have no problem with doing that if I spell out all the issues to the new buyer, even those issues he/she probably will not spot. Same with a dealer...do unto others and all that....I also price the car to reflect those issues.

Me too.

xwesx

Mr_Shiftright said:

I have no problem with doing that if I spell out all the issues to the new buyer, even those issues he/she probably will not spot. Same with a dealer...do unto others and all that....I also price the car to reflect those issues.

Agreed, and that can work... depending on the issues!

For a DSG issue? With a spread of *possibly* three thousand, you're probably better off just trading it in and being done with it on a clean conscience!

breld

Yeah, I'm okay trading it to a dealer, but wouldn't feel right selling it private party. Is that wrong?

So...I dropped the A3 off at a collision center this morning, and they're fixing it up, including a deep scratch on the rear bumper, and a bad dent in the front.

And, I'm gonna stop by the Audi dealership regarding the shudder. I do have an extended warranty from when I purchased it used, so I'm crossing my fingers that it should be taken care of. I don't think I've ever purchased an extended warranty, but it seemed like a good deal on the A3 - so I have no previous experience as to how difficult it is to have a repair authorized. Obviously it depends on the warranty/insurance company I suppose.

Of course, that all begs the question, if I get all that fixed, why not just keep it?

xwesx

breld said:

Of course, that all begs the question, if I get all that fixed, why not just keep it?

Ahah! Auto repairs? This is new territory for you!

No, it's not wrong regarding the trade. The dealer has a decent margin in which to deal with M&R activities, plus the sunk cost of doing so is lower for them than a consumer. And, on top of that, they have no dependency on the car (e.g., it isn't going to leave them stranded on the side of the road somewhere). So, no guilt sir... no guilt!

But, yeah, keep that puppy. Your daughter likes it and, honestly? She doesn't need a "new" car for college when she already has a great ride. As long as your peace of mind is there, keep it! Go trade in your old BMW instead. Heck, you've had that thing a week or more already!

breld

Yup - you're certainly right and rational about keeping the Audi.

But I think that train has left the station. Sometimes you explore the option enough to where you just know it's happening. And that point comes pretty quick with us.

And hey now - we've had the old BMW for many.....months. And it is actually listed for sale.

Sandman6472

Had a feeling the Audi was going no matter what now. Think the Jetta, used or new, will be the obvious replacement vehicle but please, let her drive the Golf just so she can say she tried a few vehicles. It's also a bit smaller in length than the Jetta, something I really liked since we both prefer a small vehicle here. In my case, it came down to the Jetta or the Golf and after the garage test, the Golf won. And now, with over a year of ownership under my belt, I know I made the right decision!!

The Sandman

Michaell

sandman_6472 said:

Had a feeling the Audi was going no matter what now. Think the Jetta, used or new, will be the obvious replacement vehicle but please, let her drive the Golf just so she can say she tried a few vehicles. It's also a bit smaller in length than the Jetta, something I really liked since we both prefer a small vehicle here. In my case, it came down to the Jetta or the Golf and after the garage test, the Golf won. And now, with over a year of ownership under my belt, I know I made the right decision!!

The Sandman

I believe @breld is looking to lease, and the program on the Jetta is much better than on the Golf.

breld

Yup - the lease programs are aggressive on the Jetta. And again, wife and I love the Golfs, but the daughter really prefers the Jetta - so at some point, we were like, "why are we pushing her into something that's more expensive if she doesn't like it better!"

Sandman6472

Makes total sense. Had no idea it was a lease though. I never gave leasing a thought due to the higher miles I drive...and also, I like to own something after I pay the vehicle off. But again, we usually don't finance either and the only way I would is if the rate were 0% or possibly a little more. We usually don't purchase unless we have the cash ready to go and have done this since we were married. At that time, I had a loan on my Datsun 210 and the day after we came home from our honeymoon, we went to the bank and paid off the loan. My wife told me that we don't do loans and that was that. Besides our retired mortgage, it's been that way...if we don't have the funds to buy something new, we wait until we do.
We did finance the oldest's Versa but that was to get the rebate and we paid it off the first chance we were able. And would do it again if the same situation happened because at the end, we still came out ahead. Just boils down to different people do different things when buying a new or used vehicle. No one way is the correct way.

The Sandman

breld

Well, I see leasing as just a different way of financing - it's just timing and how much you want to float and how much you let the bank float.

But if there is a "right" way - you're doing it @sandman_6472! Avoiding car debt one way or another is certainly admirable!

stickguy

I'm looking forward to getting back to 0 payments again. Won't happen for a few years. Not buying a new car for a college every year will help with that.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

I'm looking forward to getting back to 0 payments again. Won't happen for a few years. Not buying a new car for a college every year will help with that.

I've been payment free for about 16 months.

Don't notice that I have any more money, though.

steine13

I hate payments as much as the next guy -- just paid off my 0% Outback loan EARLY, which goes to show what kind of a finance genius I am. Money is all about emotions, like most of life.

The smart move for me is to sell the Outback in the spring and start a program of perpetual leasing from GM -- payments for a Cruze or Equinox should be in the $100-150 range. I really don't see a cheaper way to drive a modern-ish car.

The 'payment' or 'ownership' issue is a bit of a red herring.
So many cents per mile is what counts.

And the emotions, of course.
It's all about the feels

Cheers -Mathias

Mr_Shiftright

Can you really get a Cruze that cheap, I mean after calculating tax and front money?

Michaell

Mr_Shiftright said:

Can you really get a Cruze that cheap, I mean after calculating tax and front money?

Pretty much .... lots of lease cash available on them.

Mr_Shiftright

But not a diesel Cruze I bet.

Michaell

Mr_Shiftright said:

But not a diesel Cruze I bet.

The information I have doesn't specifically state engine type, just trim level, but I'd probably have to agree with you.

kyfdx

Mr_Shiftright said:

Can you really get a Cruze that cheap, I mean after calculating tax and front money?

They have GM points from their credit cards. I get that back in cash.

Don't get me wrong, still a great deal. But, you pay upfront for some of that incentive.

@breld just got a Jetta Sport lease for $166/mo.+tax. That is the one I'd want.

fushigi

I've been sorta payment free for about 14 months. Paid off my car but continued to make half-payments to a savings account. That money covers all non-gas car expenditures and will serve as a down payment when I buy my next. So the longer I can convince myself to wait, the more cash down I'll have.

steine13

kyfdx said:

They have GM points from their credit cards. I get that back in cash.

This is GM we're talking about. Of course, it has to be more complicated than that.

Yes I have the card.
BUT: The last two cars I bought from Chevrolet, I had my meager earnings "topped off" to $2,000 and $3,000, respectively, at which point it didn't matter what I had accumulated on my own.

I switched to the "three percent of turnover towards a Subaru" Chase card about a decade ago.. finally bought an Outback two years ago and got $3,800 off the top. THAT was a great deal.

The Subaru program is dead, so now I do the cash back thing as well. But I'm hanging on to my GM Card and spend money on it semi-regularly, as I've had it for over 20 years. Call me sentimental.

I'm hoping for a great lease on a 20217 Cruze hatchback -- the wife has let me know that

No Rear Windshield Wiper = No Sale

as far as she is concerned, so I won't get another sedan.
I sort of agree.
Or course, No Manual = No Sale as well, so we'll see if another Cruze is in our future.
In the present Money Is Free climate, it's truly a great time to lease.

Cheers -Mathias

Sandman6472

I married a CPA so we don't waste money though if you asked her, think she'd say I do. But mostly, I follow her lead in most things financial and it seems to work for us. For the next few years, we are set vehicle wise except for our oldest will be looking for a 2017 model I suspect as her Versa will hit 80K this year. She's driving a lot more at her job now so the miles are piling up. Plus, think she's ready for a vehicle with modern tech since her job deals primarily with social media. And kids her age are all about tech since they grew up with the computer.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have another fun vehicle just for me, heck, I pass a 128i all the time that's calling my name, white over black, that would fit the bill nicely. But it ain't gonna happen even though I've got the funds ready to go. But the wife would never go for it. But, if I had my way, I'd go check it out.

The Sandman

roadburner

As I put it on another board:

I was reading an internet car forum where a poor guy was asking what car he should get to replace his Mazdaspeed 3. It seemed that his wife and kids didn't like to ride in it because "it's noisy and rides rough."
My advice was simple; I told him that he didn't need a new car- he needed a new family.

Once again I was reminded how blessed I am to have a wife who says things like: "Let's go look at that Lotus!" and "You and I both know that you won't be happy unless you buy a car you can drive on the track."

steine13

@roadburner
True happiness comes from focusing on what's really important!

breld

A friend is considering trading his Tundra for a new Tacoma. I am, of course, enabling him.

So, his trade, in Colorado:

2014 Toyota Tundra
Limited Trim, 4x4
Double cab, long bed
Silver over gray leather
Navigation
33,000 miles
No accidents, overall in great shape.

What do you think?

nyccarguy

Uh oh.  I know where this is headed.

next he's going to have a "friend" with a 2015 Audi S4 - White - 6 speed manual...

qbrozen

Little data to go on. I would say $30k to be safe, but it is Colorado in the winter, so maybe could see $32k-$33k.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

Little data to go on. I would say $30k to be safe, but it is Colorado in the winter, so maybe could see $32k-$33k.

And it's a Toyota!  LOL!

breld

nyccarguy said:

Uh oh.  I know where this is headed.

next he's going to have a "friend" with a 2015 Audi S4 - White - 6 speed manual...

You all keep me too honest for me to be subtle like that!

breld

qbrozen said:

Little data to go on. I would say $30k to be safe, but it is Colorado in the winter, so maybe could see $32k-$33k.

Thanks Q!

andres3

breld said:

qbrozen said:

Little data to go on. I would say $30k to be safe, but it is Colorado in the winter, so maybe could see $32k-$33k.

Thanks Q!

@breld Suddenly I'm interested in doing the opposite of what you've done recently. You went from a recent S3 to a new S4. I'm looking to "maybe" go from a recent S4 to a new S3. How much did you sell your S3 for; what did you originally pay for it, also (year, equipment, color; tell me about your S3; impressions, review???, why you decided to go S4 when you already had S3 fun-mobile).

Appreciate any insights you might have on the S3. My test drive of one impressed me MORE than my initial impressions would have led me to believe. The magnetic ride was impressive in its noticeable changes even in normal driving.

Michaell

andres3 said:

breld said:

qbrozen said:

Little data to go on. I would say $30k to be safe, but it is Colorado in the winter, so maybe could see $32k-$33k.

Thanks Q!

@breld Suddenly I'm interested in doing the opposite of what you've done recently. You went from a recent S3 to a new S4. I'm looking to "maybe" go from a recent S4 to a new S3. How much did you sell your S3 for; what did you originally pay for it, also (year, equipment, color; tell me about your S3; impressions, review???, why you decided to go S4 when you already had S3 fun-mobile).

Appreciate any insights you might have on the S3. My test drive of one impressed me MORE than my initial impressions would have led me to believe. The magnetic ride was impressive in its noticeable changes even in normal driving.

@breld had both an S3 and an S4. S3 was for Mrs. @breld, the S4 is his. He still has the S4; the S3 got traded in for the X5 a week or two back.

andres3

Michaell said:

andres3 said:

breld said:

qbrozen said:

Little data to go on. I would say $30k to be safe, but it is Colorado in the winter, so maybe could see $32k-$33k.

Thanks Q!

@breld Suddenly I'm interested in doing the opposite of what you've done recently. You went from a recent S3 to a new S4. I'm looking to "maybe" go from a recent S4 to a new S3. How much did you sell your S3 for; what did you originally pay for it, also (year, equipment, color; tell me about your S3; impressions, review???, why you decided to go S4 when you already had S3 fun-mobile).

Appreciate any insights you might have on the S3. My test drive of one impressed me MORE than my initial impressions would have led me to believe. The magnetic ride was impressive in its noticeable changes even in normal driving.

@breld had both an S3 and an S4. S3 was for Mrs. @breld, the S4 is his. He still has the S4; the S3 got traded in for the X5 a week or two back.

Ahhh, he didn't have the S3 for his wife very long though I take it? I'm sure he has some driving impressions of it to share as compared to the S4; which is what I'm interested in, the comparison.

Michaell

andres3 said:

Michaell said:

andres3 said:

breld said:

qbrozen said:

Little data to go on. I would say $30k to be safe, but it is Colorado in the winter, so maybe could see $32k-$33k.

Thanks Q!

@breld Suddenly I'm interested in doing the opposite of what you've done recently. You went from a recent S3 to a new S4. I'm looking to "maybe" go from a recent S4 to a new S3. How much did you sell your S3 for; what did you originally pay for it, also (year, equipment, color; tell me about your S3; impressions, review???, why you decided to go S4 when you already had S3 fun-mobile).

Appreciate any insights you might have on the S3. My test drive of one impressed me MORE than my initial impressions would have led me to believe. The magnetic ride was impressive in its noticeable changes even in normal driving.

@breld had both an S3 and an S4. S3 was for Mrs. @breld, the S4 is his. He still has the S4; the S3 got traded in for the X5 a week or two back.

Ahhh, he didn't have the S3 for his wife very long though I take it? I'm sure he has some driving impressions of it to share as compared to the S4; which is what I'm interested in, the comparison.

Oh, no. Maybe 6-8 months. We had lunch last summer and he drove the S3 that day.

andres3

By the way, the Audi dealership offered $29K for my S4, I'm sure I could easily get them to go up to $30K if I bought a new car from them. I told them I was getting new rear brakes right after our meeting, and he said he'd "pay for the brake job."

Michaell

andres3 said:

Michaell said:

andres3 said:

breld said:

qbrozen said:

Little data to go on. I would say $30k to be safe, but it is Colorado in the winter, so maybe could see $32k-$33k.

Thanks Q!

@breld Suddenly I'm interested in doing the opposite of what you've done recently. You went from a recent S3 to a new S4. I'm looking to "maybe" go from a recent S4 to a new S3. How much did you sell your S3 for; what did you originally pay for it, also (year, equipment, color; tell me about your S3; impressions, review???, why you decided to go S4 when you already had S3 fun-mobile).

Appreciate any insights you might have on the S3. My test drive of one impressed me MORE than my initial impressions would have led me to believe. The magnetic ride was impressive in its noticeable changes even in normal driving.

@breld had both an S3 and an S4. S3 was for Mrs. @breld, the S4 is his. He still has the S4; the S3 got traded in for the X5 a week or two back.

Ahhh, he didn't have the S3 for his wife very long though I take it? I'm sure he has some driving impressions of it to share as compared to the S4; which is what I'm interested in, the comparison.

Oh, no. Maybe 6-8 months. We had lunch last summer and he drove the S3 that day.

breld

andres3 said:

Michaell said:

andres3 said:

breld said:

qbrozen said:

Little data to go on. I would say $30k to be safe, but it is Colorado in the winter, so maybe could see $32k-$33k.

Thanks Q!

@breld Suddenly I'm interested in doing the opposite of what you've done recently. You went from a recent S3 to a new S4. I'm looking to "maybe" go from a recent S4 to a new S3. How much did you sell your S3 for; what did you originally pay for it, also (year, equipment, color; tell me about your S3; impressions, review???, why you decided to go S4 when you already had S3 fun-mobile).

Appreciate any insights you might have on the S3. My test drive of one impressed me MORE than my initial impressions would have led me to believe. The magnetic ride was impressive in its noticeable changes even in normal driving.

@breld had both an S3 and an S4. S3 was for Mrs. @breld, the S4 is his. He still has the S4; the S3 got traded in for the X5 a week or two back.

Ahhh, he didn't have the S3 for his wife very long though I take it? I'm sure he has some driving impressions of it to share as compared to the S4; which is what I'm interested in, the comparison.

So my wife went from a GTI to the S3 - a nice upgrade with the AWD, additional power, and somewhat more refined and...mature, maybe?

I liked her S3 so much that I purchased my S4 a few weeks later - I wanted something a little larger, and liked the fact that I could get a manual transmission.

I like the updated "current-gen Audi" styling and tech in her S3 versus my S4, and it's a bit more tossable due to its size. But, to be honest, I very much prefer the overall feel of the S4 over the S3.

I suppose this stands to reason, since technically the A4/S4 is a "step up" from the A3/S3, but I feel the S4 really feels like a class above its smaller counterpart. It's quieter and more composed over bumps and on the highway. The power delivery is more linear than the 2.0T. I feel the overall quality of the interior is better in the S4. And, despite having some very nice features (my wife's was a Prestige model with Tech package), the S3 lacked a couple of things that were noticeably absent in a car at this price, like memory seats and a homelink system.

So, when we were considering trading one of the "S's" in on an SUV, we both agreed the S4 should stay.

Having said all that, there's nothing glaringly wrong with the S3 at all - if you like the change in feel from your current S4, it's a real hoot to drive. There's a nice rush in acceleration, albeit after some minimal lag.

FWIW, we got a larger discount on the S3 than on the S4, despite the S3 being the newer model. The MSRP on our model was around $51k, and we purchased it for $46k. If you like red, and are willing to travel to Denver, there's a very lightly used example for sale here!

andres3

@breld So I take it that it was a '15 model S3? Sounds like a nice used car to get; though Denver is pretty far from me. I found the S3 to be composed in comfort mode, and very sporty in dynamic mode with the adjustable suspension.

No doubt the S4 is larger, and a class above on interior refinements and quality; especially with the Napa Leather interior upgrade. Seems they now offer that on the S3; though not sure it's the same.

I wonder if '16 solves the homelink and memory seat debacle.

The S3 is definitely lighter, and has the potential to be faster and quicker because of that. A huge discount wouldn't hurt; I like the sound of $5K-$6K off MSRP. Maybe achievable due to VW fiasco involving Audi TDI's and also S3 is now an "older" model that has been out a long time.

Now, I wonder if that "goodwill" thousand dollars can be used at Audi instead of VW......

stickguy

I like homelink, but to me, that is one of the easiest "give up on" options. Far from a deal breaker. I can live with the clickers on the visor.

memory seats, that is nice, but how important depends on how much you switch cars. 99% of the time I drive mine, so never touch the button. Plus with an AT, much less of an issue (you don't want people messing with your seat in a stick!)

as always, everyone has their own hot buttons.

xwesx

stickguy said:

as always, everyone has their own hot buttons.

That's for sure!

I thought that I might be driven insane by the moving of the driver seat when we bought our 1996 Outback. That was the first time when positioning was an issue, because the bench seat in my '69 C20 was where it was.... the driver adjusted!

After a few months, I just told my wife to set the seat where she likes it.... then got in, adjusted it *ever* so slightly, and asked her to try it. She was good with it, so that's where we left it. And, we've continued that practice every since, so the only thing either of us needs to adjust when we swap cars is the rearview mirror.

It always cracks me up when I drive someone's car, and they are shorter than me, yet I get in and feel like I can't reach the pedals. But, I always make a point not to adjust the seat position (only mirrors) because I know how annoying it is to reset everything!

Sandman6472

Personally, I do not like to share a vehicle. The wife has never driven the Golf yet and can count on my two hands how many times I've driven the A3. Just easier to drive our own vehicles so nothing gets spilled or pushed back to far. With my bad spine, I've got my seat manipulated just right and I know when it's been disrupted. And I won't eat or drink in mine while she drinks and nibbles in hers. Think just a bit more "anal" about keeping mine cleaner inside and out.
Saw some neat Golf stuff online and made a list, probably stop by the VW store tomorrow to check some of them out. Just want to personalize it a bit for me. Close to 15K now so need to rotate the tires and then re-align the car.

The Sandman