Real-World Trade-In Values

qbrozen

Michaell said:

OK, I forgot about the CVT in these. And, an early generation of it, as well. Just spitballing for a (future) family member. But, looks like any change of vehicle may be a year or two out.

Ah, well then I won't list all the better hatches/wagons for the same money or less I found through a quick search.

I did find something of interest to me, though. Fiat 500s have continued their ridiculous depreciation. This is a lot of fun and a lot of cute for just 5 Gs.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/717160063/overview?aff=share_other

stickguy

huh. I actually really like that. certainly cheap enough. I wonder what my wife would do to me if I brought something like that home?

Is that price really correct market?

Michaell

qbrozen said:

Michaell said:

OK, I forgot about the CVT in these. And, an early generation of it, as well.

Just spitballing for a (future) family member. But, looks like any change of vehicle may be a year or two out.

Ah, well then I won't list all the better hatches/wagons for the same money or less I found through a quick search.

I did find something of interest to me, though. Fiat 500s have continued their ridiculous depreciation. This is a lot of fun and a lot of cute for just 5 Gs.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/717160063/overview?aff=share_other


Thanks, q. My criteria for this search was pretty simple:

1. Low-ish miles
2. 4 doors (sedan or hatch)
3. Easy maintenance
4. Decent safety tech (there is a child involved)
5. Under $10K

steine13

>> Is that price really correct market?

I can't say this with any authority, but that's probably twice the wholesale value.. six years old, stick shift, 55k miles on an unloved and obscure model that was cheap to begin with.

On the other hand, it probably would be fun for cheap money even at five thousand. I have no idea what the market for these really looks like. Probably there is no "market" as much as there's a collection of unicorn transactions.

Nobody NEEDS a 500, and 90 percent of US customers have forgotten it even exists.
I want one, of course

roadburner

steine13 said:

>> Is that price really correct market?

I can't say this with any authority, but that's probably twice the wholesale value.. six years old, stick shift, 55k miles on an unloved and obscure model that was cheap to begin with.

On the other hand, it probably would be fun for cheap money even at five thousand. I have no idea what the market for these really looks like. Probably there is no "market" as much as there's a collection of unicorn transactions.

Nobody NEEDS a 500, and 90 percent of US customers have forgotten it even exists.
I want one, of course

I considered an Abarth several years ago; the online 500 forums I followed didn't report a lot of major issues- most were minor or cosmetic. The current dealer in my area is an unknown quantity so that's the main thing that gives me pause.

Mr_Shiftright

Everyone should drive the Abarth if for nothing else than to listen to the fantastic exhaust note.

cdnpinhead

I put an Abarth exhaust on my '65 MGB back in 1969, and it was a joy to listen to, especially with the top down and/or going through tunnels & underpasses.

kyfdx

@qbrozen

One friend selling this car, and another friend possibly interested in buying it.

2012 Lexus ES 350
Beige over beige
New tires
No runs, hits or errors.
44K miles
Cincinnati area

Thanks!

qbrozen

stickguy said:

huh. I actually really like that. certainly cheap enough. I wonder what my wife would do to me if I brought something like that home? Is that price really correct market?

Yes, that is about correct. Around $3500 auction value. Crazy cheap, IMHO.

qbrozen

Michaell said:

Michaell said:

OK, I forgot about the CVT in these. And, an early generation of it, as well. Just spitballing for a (future) family member. But, looks like any change of vehicle may be a year or two out.

Ah, well then I won't list all the better hatches/wagons for the same money or less I found through a quick search.

I did find something of interest to me, though. Fiat 500s have continued their ridiculous depreciation. This is a lot of fun and a lot of cute for just 5 Gs.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/717160063/overview?aff=share_other

Thanks, q. My criteria for this search was pretty simple: 1. Low-ish miles 2. 4 doors (sedan or hatch) 3. Easy maintenance 4. Decent safety tech (there is a child involved) 5. Under $10K

I put in the same criteria. Just to give you and idea for future reference, I came up with mazda5, mazda3, kia soul, toyota matrix, to name a few.

kyfdx

Crap.. just saw a picture.. might be one of the gray colors on the outside.. still beige guts.

kyfdx

kyfdx said:

Crap.. just saw a picture.. might be one of the gray colors on the outside.. still beige guts.

Let's say it's gray.. heated/cooled seats, NAV, etc.

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

@qbrozen One friend selling this car, and another friend possibly interested in buying it. 2012 Lexus ES 350 Beige over beige New tires No runs, hits or errors. 44K miles Cincinnati area Thanks!

It would be about $13k trade. So, friend to friend? I'd say $15k should satisfy everyone.

roadburner

cdnpinhead said:

I put an Abarth exhaust on my '65 MGB back in 1969, and it was a joy to listen to, especially with the top down and/or going through tunnels & underpasses.

I put an Abarth exhaust tip on my Arrow 2.6 GT; it was amazing how much better it sounded.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

kyfdx said:

@qbrozen

One friend selling this car, and another friend possibly interested in buying it.

2012 Lexus ES 350
Beige over beige
New tires
No runs, hits or errors.
44K miles
Cincinnati area

Thanks!

It would be about $13k trade. So, friend to friend? I'd say $15k should satisfy everyone.

Thanks... yes, friend to friend.

First friend bought wife a new Lexus RX, a month ago.. Says he turned down slightly over $14K for it, because it wasn't enough. Not sure $15K will get it done, but I'll pass it along. Since it's his wife's car, I haven't seen it. (other than a crappy picture, which told me it wasn't beige).

2nd friend might be okay with overpaying a little bit, as his wife's 325i with 150K is getting it's second $800+ repair in the last two months. They've had that car for 12 years (I sold it to him.. lol), so an extra $500-$1000 isn't going to make a lot of difference over the next 10 years that they'll keep it.

Thanks again.. I'll let you know how it goes!

tbirdmarco

@mynameistory nice Picks! and trucks you have thanks for the discriptions!

tbirdmarco

@mynameistory think going to get one of those chargers!

tbirdmarco

@Michaell like the colors on that 300!

tbirdmarco

@qbrozen like that 500 to nice car! that trim!

nyccarguy

Those Abarths are cute.  I seem to recall one riding my rump a little too closely on the way home a few weeks ago.  I can only go as fast as the guy in front of me ya know.  Anyway, I gave my Infiniti about 1/2 throttle as I moved to the right, left, right, then left again as I went along my merry way.  Last I saw of the Abarth, he was stuck behind a Prius.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

kyfdx said:

@qbrozen

One friend selling this car, and another friend possibly interested in buying it.

2012 Lexus ES 350
Beige over beige
New tires
No runs, hits or errors.
44K miles
Cincinnati area

Thanks!

It would be about $13k trade. So, friend to friend? I'd say $15k should satisfy everyone.

Prospective purchaser has the car for a couple of days to try it out. Drove by my house to show it to me, today. His wife likes it. It's a taupe-y gray. Looks good, but all beige interior, which is bleah. New Michelins. Heated/ventilated seats, NAV, parking sensors, moonroof, bluetooth, homelink, etc, etc.

She says she wants it, if they can get it for $15K. Guess we'll see if friend #1 will go for it.
They were starting to shop new CamCords in the $30K+ range. I'd say this is a good alternative for half the money and only 44K miles.

Thanks for your help... will update with results.

28firefighter

Hi Q,

Buddy of mine is looking at this, though it has my eye too. 

http://www.acuraoflynnwood.com/inventory/used-2014-bmw-3-series-335i-rwd-4dr-car-wba3a9g51ens64545

2014 BMW 335i
Silver over black
premium
m sport
HK stereo
driving assistance package
nav
cold weather
31k miles
seattle area

They bought it at auction and have had it since November. 

qbrozen

That's just about the fair cost i would shoot for on it. If they bought at auction in Nov, they probably have $26k minimum in it.

28firefighter

qbrozen said:

That's just about the fair cost i would shoot for on it. If they bought at auction in Nov, they probably have $26k minimum in it.

They’ve put nothing into it since they bought it, so I’m told. He was thinking of offering 26,5 which I think is way way too low. Maybe if they’re desperate before sending it back...

qbrozen

I dont have the data for that one car, so I can only guess. If they paid $25k, they still had to pay auction fees, transport, and cleanup. $26k is still a safe bet. He can certainly try $26.5k, but I think we're getting down to nickels and dimes here. Would he walk at $27k?

28firefighter

qbrozen said:

I dont have the data for that one car, so I can only guess. If they paid $25k, they still had to pay auction fees, transport, and cleanup. $26k is still a safe bet. He can certainly try $26.5k, but I think we're getting down to nickels and dimes here. Would he walk at $27k?

Knowing him? Yes. 

I don’t agree with that approach, but it’s not my car. My big concern with this is they’ve said flat out it hasn’t been serviced by the BMW dealer since they took it. I strongly suggested a PPI if he wants to make an offer on it. 

loic_91801

Looking for the trade-in value and private party value of my current low mileage lease to determine if I have some equity that could be negotiated for the next lease. The car is a 2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring in great condition other than two scratches on front and rear bumper, with only 18k miles. MSRP was just below $30k. Zip is 91801. Thanks!

Michaell

loic_91801 said:

Looking for the trade-in value and private party value of my current low mileage lease to determine if I have some equity that could be negotiated for the next lease. The car is a 2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring in great condition other than two scratches on front and rear bumper, with only 18k miles. MSRP was just below $30k. Zip is 91801. Thanks!

What color, inside and out?

qbrozen

And how bad are the scratches?

loic_91801

The CX-5 is metallic red with the black leatherette inside. Scratches are minimal but the black bumper can be seen for the one on the rear. 

qbrozen

I'm going to assume west coast and AWD. Puts you at roughly $16.5k-$17k trade.

loic_91801

It’s actually a FWD. How does that affect its value?

qbrozen

not too bad. $500 less.

loic_91801

My residual is at $16.9k, so it does not look like I have much equity...

andres3

Mr_Shiftright said:

tjc78 said:

Oh I know that! Was just thinking a few thousand above.

They are offering 10,900

Take it. And yes, tax and license is added on to that. If he/she refuses the offer, they'll just move them into arbitration, which requires that they hire an appraiser to write an appraisal, then hire him again to conduct a hearing in their behalf, and then pay 1/2 the fee for the referee. So they'll be in another $750 at least to get...what? A demand for another $1000? Doesn't make sense to me for a few hundred gain (maybe) but if the owner wants to die on that hill for the sake of principle--go for it.

It might not go to arbitration. I'm betting most Insurance companies will negotiate up to $1,000 dollars to avoid additional hassles. I got Mercury to cough-up an extra $200 on a Civic by just showing them some listings/advertisements for similar cars, and asking for a little bit more (the original offer was actually fair, not low-ball, Surprisingly!) They offered $200 more to make me go away and I took it the second they offered it; not much hassle at all.

andres3

qbrozen said:

3rd accident? Good grief, he should send them a thank you card. "Mint condition"! Pbbbttt

Funny you caught that. Car went from mint condition to 2 prior accidents in a hurry! Fair condition at best from an optimistic viewpoint.

Mr_Shiftright

You never know with insurance companies---they are totally squirrelly and unpredictable. In the case of demanding $1000 more, they have the right to automatically kick it into arbitration. They don't have to negotiate with you at all. So unless you are really being low-balled, and there is considerable money on the table, you could outsmart yourself and end up spending $750 bucks to (maybe) make $1000--and spending a lot of your time to boot. You have to make a calculated type of decision after doing your homework.

andres3

Mr_Shiftright said:

28firefighter said:

I suspect the RWD and no moonroof is why it hasn't sold here. Need to be prepared for the 1 day a year when it snows...

But AWD improves your braking and handling.....oh, wait...it doesn't actually.

I disagree! LOL. Having our first BIG rain of the year today (no rain in Fall/Winter 2017 either!)

Was in the Kia this morning, and I quickly discovered tire spin when trying to accelerate while turning the front wheels. Tires are pretty good in the rain and have plenty of tread too. Didn't alter the car's trajectory, just wasted some fuel towards tire spin rather than velocity.

I have a feeling any 2-wheel drive car would struggle in wet slippery conditions with my driving style.

andres3

Mr_Shiftright said:

You never know with insurance companies---they are totally squirrelly and unpredictable. In the case of demanding $1000 more, they have the right to automatically kick it into arbitration. They don't have to negotiate with you at all. So unless you are really being low-balled, and there is considerable money on the table, you could outsmart yourself and end up spending $750 bucks to (maybe) make $1000--and spending a lot of your time to boot. You have to make a calculated type of decision after doing your homework.

I haven't looked at a ton of "totaled" claims, but I have seen a few thanks to some friends and family members involved in them. Seems to me, Insurance companies don't mess around as much when a car is totaled. They seem to offer a fair value, or even more than fair in order to settle quickly and avoid pissed off clients.

Even in my diminished value claim, I had no problems with their valuation of the S4, only their valuation of my previously wrecked S4 was the issue.

Once (and that's a big "once") fault and liability is established/accepted/admitted, it seems insurance companies are a bit easier to deal with, at least in my small sample size.

andres3

euler74 said:

xwesx said:

Agreed; if you don't plan to keep it more than the period of the lease, then it probably won't work out in your favor on the purchase. However, that is a very strong purchase price, so if you sell it private party down the road, and Subaru keeps its strong resale as it has over the past decade or so, then it might be a near thing.

I purchased the car!! It has all the features that I need. The Eyesight package would've been a nice thing to have but I really don't find it essential. Thanks for helping me with the decision!

The day Eyesight package is "essential" is the day I'm going blind.

Mr_Shiftright

AWD is all about traction, but you pay for it in terms of cost and weight.

andres3

Mr_Shiftright said:

AWD is all about traction, but you pay for it in terms of cost and weight.

You got to pay to play! Even with worn out Cup 2 tires yesterday evening in a lighter/medium rain, my TTS was a hoot to drive. Fast acceleration was effortless, but with the worn out dry-traction slanted tires, I suddenly found the speed limits and general flow of traffic to be semi-appropriate.

andres3

Mr_Shiftright said:

AWD is all about traction, but you pay for it in terms of cost and weight.

Also, accelerating during a turn falls in the "handling" category for me, even though it is due to AWD's superior traction, for me that is equivalent to superior handling.

Mr_Shiftright

Maybe not. You can't rotate the car very easy with throttle on a dry track with AWD, ---but on the other hand, AWD does favor the less experienced driver to a point.

Generally speaking, RWD dominates all forms of racing except rally.

andres3

Mr_Shiftright said:

Maybe not. You can't rotate the car very easy with throttle on a dry track with AWD, ---but on the other hand, AWD does favor the less experienced driver to a point.

Generally speaking, RWD dominates all forms of racing except rally.

Yes, but racing is usually done in good weather. Also, racing usually occurs on perfectly paved tarmac.
The real-world of government built roads is closer to rally than track

Mr_Shiftright

True enough. I would say don't buy an AWD car unless you really really need one. You'll spend more in fuel and if something breaks, it's pricey to repair.

tifighter

I think the best answer here is to own one of each. FWD, RWD and AWD. Problem solved.

kyfdx

AWD is a nice addition to an otherwise FWD car.

Mr_Shiftright

I wonder what the market says about AWD in Phoenix or Florida? Maybe Q has a word on that.

Another interesting wrinkle on AWD, which isn't really related to value, is that it inspires over-confidence in some drivers, to their detriment.

AWD vs. Laws of Physics---guess who wins?

explorerx4

Having grown up driving RWD, I have never felt totally comfortable with FWD. AWD seems to be more neutral and the mileage penalty doesn't seem to be too bad.