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  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,588
    several of us have posted that renting a vehicle for a month or two is a more prudent choice. you can look at it like an extended test drive

    Rent for one or two months at $1000 a month, eats into the value of the car, and what if 2 months turns into 6 months?

    I don't think it would hurt to see what he could get privately, because I think it is possible he would get more than $25k, probably closer to $27 or $28. There are people who would love to have an Avalon, and who know the car will be fixed up and will be as good as new, and as reliable as ever. $28k for a practically new Avalon, think what else you can get for that much.

    If there aren't buyers out there, then he can revert to plan B...keep it until things cool down.

    Oh, your punctuation is going again, but then it is almost evening, and we know what happens then. :P

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    You may be right. I cut my possible allowance in half because many guys here have said that Edmunds prices the value too high. Perhaps I could get $5K.

    My '03 Explorer is an XLT loaded---third seat, rear air, leather, etc. I even installed satellite radio. It now has 105,410 miles---until my wife returns from her trip this evening. Hopefully, she won't stick it in the mud like she did my convertible last time. :P

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Thanks. I had to go out for a bit. :P

    Richard
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    regarding the car, maybe you don't know, his wife does not want to drive it anymore?
    she might as well try some other cars to see how she feels about them.
    i didn't ask anyone's permission, but i decided to revert back to 'no caps' in my posts.
    it is how i feel most comfortable when typing.
    so there you go, just focus on the content of the post, not the presentation.
    you can always ignore them if they bother you too much.
    Hey, the Briuns actually won a game! :shades:
    I usually have half an eye on the tv while I am on the computer.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Would be curious to know what a new avalon equipped identically would sell for once the ban is off. That would be an excellent benchmark. 5k off that price might be reasonable to an individual. Not me though -- I'd need another 2-3k or I buy new.
    Just my bias.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    richard, don't forget, your explorer has the v8. that's an add on when pricing a used one ('previously loved', per the dealers). :shades:
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,588
    maybe you don't know, his wife does not want to drive it anymore?

    She is more scared to drive it or be in it than he is.
    He has a Yukon or something, so he can drive it.
    You can write however you want to, I think English is a changing dynamic language, especially in the computer age lol.

    Did you here about the lady who wrote to her friend and told her that her beloved Aunt had died.
    The friend wrote back giving her condolences, and ended it with LOL.
    She though tshe was saying "Love You Lots". :cry:

    When I taught Grade 3, I always believed the content was more important than the grammer. Makes them more creative, not worrying about the rules when writing.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,588
    richard, don't forget, your explorer has the v8. that's an add on when pricing a used one

    No, the dealers will use it against you. If it was a 6, they would say they would pay more for an 8. :P

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,588
    Really impressed with the Superbowl ads for Hyundai Sonata.
    The ads have great factual features.
    * Under $20,000 and 200 hp
    * Better paint job than Mercedes E Class
    * 100,000 mi - 10 year warranty.
    * They look great!
    Drivers Choice is impressed.

    image

    image

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,588
    image

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    that is one difference between us, i do not presume to tell someone what they should do. :P
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    richard, i have access to black book values, which are updated weekly.
    we are talking cars, and i try deal with facts good or bad, not my opinion, unless i note it as that.
    on a daily basis, i work with people from many of the former soviet republic countries, india, vietnam, cambodia, poland, phillipines and portugal. probalby missing a few, too.
    despite the fact that we use the same language to communicate, someone from canada seems to be the toughest one to understand what my message is.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • oldcemoldcem Member Posts: 309
    I once pulled a trade-in deal like that as well. I had a 1967 Plymouth that was on its second engine (replaced under warranty), and, felt like it was on its last legs again. I had just scored my first real job, and, ordered a new 1969 Olds. I waited a week for the Olds to come in, and, drove to the dealership to make the swap. Wife and I had just signed all the paperwork on the Olds, when one of the dealer 's guys came into the salesman's office and indicated that they couldn't get the Plymouth to start. As we drove off the lot in the new car, they were pushing the Plymouth around back. Found out when I took the Olds back for service, that the dealer had to replace the engine in the Plymouth again, because it was locked solid.

    Regards:
    OldCEM
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,588
    No, the dealers will use it against you. If it was a 6, they would say they would pay more for an 8.

    If you are replying to this comment........do you think I am actually being serious?

    Lighten up explorer.

    Actually, I'll take the time to explain to you: Quite often when I traded in a 6 cylinder car, I would be told by the dealer, too bad it wasn't an 8, we would give you more money for it...if it was an 8, the dealer would say, people only want 6s these days. If I had a 2 door, they said they would give me more if it was a 4 door, if it is an SUV, they say people only want cars, if I was trading in a car, they say too bad it wasn't an SUV. Hopefully, that might help :sick:

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,588
    As we drove off the lot in the new car, they were pushing the Plymouth around back.

    I am still laughing at the picture of that. In the case of the 67 Ford I felt bad, that the car fell apart in the 2 weeks before the new one came in, but what could I do at that point. I guess it was the same for you.

    I guess that could make a dealer very skeptical, and really want to check over any suspicious looking trade in. I think the guys who look at the trade ins are more specialized and are more competent today.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    sorry you have not figured out the 'dance' of trading in a vehicle when you want to buy a NEW one.
    it is not static, so you have to keep current with your homework if you don't want to be a 'baby seal'.
    richard has a pretty good vehicle. 03 explorer xlt 4wd with v8 and pretty new tires, and just over 100k mileage.
    i already have 5 vehicles and don't need another, but if he thinks he will only get 3k on a trade, he should just buy NEW vehicle he wants to, and sell the explorer privately.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Kelly and Edmunds say that I can get $5K. If I get between $4K and $5K, I won't complain. I've had 7 great years out of a good vehicle with three sets of tires, two batteries, and one electric window (that I broke myself). That's not a bad record.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "it is how i feel most comfortable when typing."

    I want you to be comfortable. Besides, not all good people graduate. :P

    Richard
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Besides, not all good people graduate.

    Now, now! ;)

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,588
    richard has a pretty good vehicle. 03 explorer xlt 4wd with v8 and pretty new tires, and just over 100k mileage.

    I agree, it sounds like a great car, and I am 100% sure your research is right on.

    If he trades it in though, they will find some negative points to try to get their cost down. But, you are right, it is best to be armed with the facts before you visit your friendly car dealer.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,588
    There is a Honda Commercial playing on TV in the Tampa Bay area. They say, Bring in your trade in and we will buy it, no matter where you bought it, even if you didn't buy it from us!

    Isn't that what all car dealers do?

    I think they are politely saying, we'll buy any car on a trade, even a Toyota.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    sorry you have not figured out the 'dance' of trading in a vehicle when you want to buy a NEW one.

    Richard's Explorer sounds like the perfect candidate for a private sale. My experience has taught me that the only way to squeeze all of the value out of a well-cared-for high mileage vehicle is to sell it yourself. This also simplifies the subsequent new car price negotiations by removing one contentious element - trade-in value - from the transaction.
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,324
    My experience has taught me that the only way to squeeze all of the value out of a well-cared-for high mileage vehicle is to sell it yourself.

    Exactly. Back in 2005 Carmax offered me $5,000 for my 130K mile 1997 528iA. I wound up selling it to a fellow customer of my indie BMW tech for $10,000.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • wesleygwesleyg Member Posts: 164
    I read this post with interest, Driver. I always buy GM (many), but in 1973 for unknown reasons, I bought a new 73 Maverick like you, loaded, leather, V8, all.

    Warranty in those days was 12/12 only, drove it about 8 months, had 13280 miles on it and left for vacation in Miami. When I got there, the lifters were hammering like a steel press punch, the Miami Ford dealer fixed it graciously for about 600 dollars, car was 81/2 months old and 14000 miles, out of warranty, Ford told me to take a hike and pay up.

    I did, took that thing back to Cleveland and within 24 hours drove off in an Olds 98 and never ever thought Ford again. Still mad.I'm glad you got the good one, you wouldn't have wanted to trade me even up for mine.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Bring in your trade in and we will buy it, no matter where you bought it, even if you didn't buy it from us!

    To me it sounds more like a lame word track to entice the more non car buying savvy public. It ranks with "all credit apps accepted" and "we will pay off your trade no matter what you owe".
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,588
    the Miami Ford dealer fixed it graciously for about 600 dollars, car was 81/2 months old and 14000 miles, out of warranty, Ford told me to take a hike and pay up.

    I remember those days of the 12 month, 12000 mile warranty. My Maverick was a good car while it lasted, but it did start to fall apart after about 70k miles. The water pump went, and then the heater started making a lot of noise, then it was in the garage a lot. I had just started a sales job and I could keep the Maverick or take a company Plymouth Gran Fury. I chose the Fury and it worked out for me. When the company did the leases next time around, they switched to GMs, the Plymouths had a lot of problems.

    We are lucky todays cars have longer warranties, and are usually much better built. If it wasn't for the Japanese cars, we might not have made as much progress.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Actually per the latest guides a V8 is a zero dollar add currently for most of the explorers I have seen. In the past it was a plus of a few hundred bucks but when gas went high it turned into a minus. Until gas drops again it will continue to be a zero dollar add.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,588
    It ranks with "all credit apps accepted" and "we will pay off your trade no matter what you owe".

    Those are funny lines, expecting to intice someone. "We'll pay off your trade no matter what you owe"....thanks guys....like I don't know how to write a cheque and stick it in the mail?

    It's like in real estate when they send a card or flyer in the mail offering to do a FREE home appraisal. Don't all realtors do that?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,588
    the latest guides a V8 is a zero dollar add currently for most of the explorers I have seen. In the past it was a plus of a few hundred bucks but when gas went high it turned into a minus. Until gas drops again it will continue to be a zero dollar add.

    hey explorer, see what I mean????

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Whenever I took a car in to trade my experience was a bit different. Didn't get anything but" Wow! what a cream puff you have there. It has everything and we need great cars like this on our lot." That was the salesman all smiles . When he came back with the appraisal sheet he looked like my pet basset hound Gigi may she rest in peace.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,588
    like my pet basset hound Gigi may she rest in peace.

    Our Bichon is named Gigi. We chose that name because it is short, and she looks French.

    Glad they told you your trade ins were like cream puffs, but that was just to soften you up.

    Off to Port Charlotte for the day...check in tonight.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Speaking of dogs, most people who like cars also like dogs ! Ours is half Poodle and half Yorkie and she is one crazy girl. Her name is Daisy.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    One person's experience is not enought to condemn a brand. Just as a counter I own a 2007 Mazda 3 GT with the 2.3 engine and A/T. My car has all of the convenience and comfort features with good brakes, good handling, and adequate fuel mileage. It has also gone over 40,000 miles with nothing other than routine maintenance. It also cost me less than $23,000 dollars new. I could not have touched a new BMW with the same options for under $40.000.
  • wesleygwesleyg Member Posts: 164
    My heart breaks as I read your post, We lost our German Shepherd last year that we imported from Germany, 12 years old, there is not a day that goes by that I can blank that out. Sorry for the downer.
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Ours is half Poodle and half Yorkie and she is one crazy girl. Her name is Daisy.

    We have a dog named Daisy ... a Mini Dachshund puppy who is 4 1/2 months old. Mostly white with a brown head and brown splotches on her body. Fearless, just like our other two doxies.

    The only downside is that she gets a bit carsick (to keep the post on topic).
  • gogiboygogiboy Member Posts: 732
    " But, I remember when I bought my first new car, a 1973 Maverick and the cost was going to be about $2000."

    Driver--

    The car my girlfriend (now wife) was diving when I first met her in 1980 was a mid-70s Maverick. She called it the "Silver Slug"-not sure why because it had decent acceleration for that time. It was just a 6 cylinder version and had no amenities, maybe a radio. It also had a manual trans with three-on-the-tree.

    Whatever became of three-on-the-tree? It obviously lost out to three, four, five and now six-on-the-floor. Did it even survive as an option into the 80s?

    Gogiboy
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,194
    "...Any new adventures in the van lately?..."

    Did I mention the radiator sprung a small leak? No biggie, I threw a bottle of Bar's anti leak in there and it's all good now. :lemon: I've put about 2000 miles on it so far and if I get another 2000 before the next problem I'll be happy.

    The nice thing about driving a hooptie is that you don't cry when you hear all the road salt clattering against the bottom of it. :)

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • gogiboygogiboy Member Posts: 732
    " My Maverick was a good car while it lasted, but it did start to fall apart after about 70k miles."

    Driver--

    I'm not sure how many miles were on the clock when we sold the wife's Maverick. I do know that we had let it sit in a parking lot for so long that it stopped running. Someone came along, offered us $200 or $300 and we took it. At the time we were both driving my far superior (just kidding) 1975 Plymouth Valiant.

    I really liked her Maverick. I do remember one evening, though, where it made me really mad. My wife insisted that we go to a party that I had no interest in attending and it happened to fall on a January night with a record windchill. I finally agreed, thinking that at -30 degrees the car wasn't going to start anyway...but it did and we went to the party. Everyone there was drunk by the time we arrived so they wouldn't have known if we had attended, or not. With the windchill it was -80 degrees and the party-goers wanted us to spend the night. I remember telling my wife that she better hope the car would start again for the five mile drive back home otherwise we would be walking.

    My Valiant was never as strong in the winter and I always had to wait until it had "warmed up" to at least -10 or -15 to get it started.

    Gogiboy
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Believe me, I understand.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • wesleygwesleyg Member Posts: 164
    When I first started in the PD in 1965, the old timers still on told me all the cruisers in the 50's were all "three on the tree" and I expressed shock as to how they could shift and push the clutch several hundred times in an 8 hour shift patrolling a highly congested city area such as ours constantly.

    He told me they didn't shift but maybe twice an hour, they left it always in second, used it from a dead stop and left it there never going over maybe 25 MPH. Wonder how many clutches and pressure plates were replaced each on those timers.
  • tomcatt630tomcatt630 Member Posts: 124
    In the 'good ol days', most people dumped cars before 70k miles. 100K was 'junk'. Now, this is just broken in!

    Seems like the Big 3's most reliable motors back then were their straight 6's. All 3 would last eons before they died. Should have learned from them! Ford I6, Chevy I6 and Mopar slant I6. :shades:
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    I just saw an ad for CarMax. The ad said, why go through a big hassle trying to sell your car. Just drive in to your friendly CarMax store and they'll give you a good amount for your trade in

    The Carmaxs (at least a week ago in our area) here won't buy a Toyota from you right now.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    Kinda sounds like "push, pull or drag".
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    The Carmaxs (at least a week ago in our area) here won't buy a Toyota from you right now

    Does that include all Toyotas? And not just the ones affected by the recall?
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Are the newer used ones for sale at dealers discounted 5k off the usual selling price as well ?

    No, the reason being is we all bought/traded for these things prior to the recall. So we all have pre crash money in them. Belive me the dealers with used stock are hating it as much as the guys trying to sell them.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Not sure about Carmax but my galves wholesale guide has had a big, "RED SALES OF THIS MODEL STOPPED VALUE PROVIDED IS LAST PUBLISHED VALUE BEFORE RECALL," on all recalled Toyotas.

    There is no wholesale data avaliable for them right now because auctions aren't taking them.
  • joel0622joel0622 Member Posts: 3,299
    Totally agree and I always get a chuckle when people say that.

    Of course it's not "free"! Just buried in the price.

    Sounds good though.


    Not always, for example right now Ford is running free service for the first 24/24 on cars. When the cars were built and priced they were not running this. When we sell the cars we could care less because it cost us nothing. So that means the consumer is truly getting it for free.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    No, the reason being is we all bought/traded for these things prior to the recall.

    How is this different for you ? Isn't everyone who owns one of these in that same boat? The value has still dropped !

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    I look for all the mfgrs to follow up with free oil changes. People like that and eventually it will be built into the price.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Did Ford reduce incentives when they added in the free service?

    When Volvo first did it last year on the 2009 Models they also reduced incentives by 250 bucks across the board. Now that isn't nearly enough to cover the cost of that 5/60 service and warranty but they have steadily reduced incentives on most models since then.

    There are still a couple of slower moving models, S80 and XC70 really, that have big incentives and the 5/60 warranty plus service and brakes.
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