Real-World Trade-In Values

Mr_Shiftright · November 2018

There is some truth to the drag a manual transmission would have on MOST vehicles' values. My friend has two very clean manual-trans Subaru Outbacks, all gone through with proper repairs, and he can't move 'em. If they were dented $3500 beaters with automatic, he could sell 'em all day long.

boomchek · November 2018

nyccarguy said:

roadburner said:

nyccarguy said:
“Manual transmission sedans are a tougher sell”

Nonsense, slap a sticker on the windshield that says: RARE 6-SPEED
And that after the dealer lowballed the trade because of the three pedals...

That goes without saying.

UCM to the seller of said 6-Speed - “I’m sorry. The most we can offer you is $X under book value. The stick REALLY hurts you. Nobody wants them anymore.”

Then after a quick wash it gets the RARE 6-SPEED sticker

Well, yeah, that's usually how it goes lol. Keep in mind if the trade in is on a car a dealer needs to move then they'll take a chance and step upon the trade, and then market the crap out of the trade that indeed it is a rare 6 speed manual sedan.

Same thing when an ad agency gets hired to market an unpopular car such as a Yugo or Lada, or modern day Mistubishi. They have to emphasize on something unique about the car. At least that's how I did things when I ran several used car lots.

In al honesty, it's almost impossible to know what the cost is on a used car at a dealership is unless you have access to the cost spreadsheet and know what the dealer is into the car for.

kyfdx · November 2018

You don't really need to know what the dealer has in it. Just the current retail value.

If the dealer is buried, and won't sell the car for market price, then you move on to a different car. That will be their problem. Basing a price on whether the dealer over-paid? Ridiculous.

Mr_Shiftright · November 2018

True, but all used cars are different, even if they are the same year, make and model. If a car is in exceptional condition, or has ultra low miles, then the "market", which essentially removes all outliers in the calculation, might not apply.

stickguy · November 2018

well, book/market rightly removes the outliers. But, if the car you are looking at IS the outlier, then the book midpoint amount is not that relevant.

kyfdx · November 2018

The point being: What the dealer paid for it is irrelevant.

Mr_Shiftright · November 2018

Well yes, in a sense that's right. The car has to speak for itself. If it is some kind of pristine jewel, that's what you base your offer upon. What the dealer paid to get it isn't really useful information. If he paid $4,000 and "stole it" or $8,000 and "paid over book trade-in", it is still the same car.

What is it worth to YOU?

Sure, it can be helpful if the dealer shows you a print-out of what he had done prior to sale, but you have to take that info with a large dose of salt. After all, every car is supposed to have working lights, brakes, tires etc--you can't take "credit" for providing those things.

toywaltz · November 2018

This one might be a challenge but I'd love to hear opinions:

2018 Subaru Outback Touring 3.6R 15k miles, couple small scratches/chips but mostly like new. Black over Java Brown. Columbus, OH

henryn · November 2018

Subaru's are kinda sorta regional, so it would help to know what part of the country you're in. They are not nearly as popular in the parts of the country where it never snows.

toywaltz · November 2018

henryn said:
Subaru's are kinda sorta regional, so it would help to know what part of the country you're in. They are not nearly as popular in the parts of the country where it never snows.

I knew I forgot something...updated to Columbus OH.

qbrozen · November 2018

"Mostly like new." Haha. So, I have this stick of gum that is mostly like new...

Anyhoo... somewhere in the $30k-$31k neighborhood.

euler75 · November 2018

qbrozen said:

I'm really interested in this - 2011 BMW 328i Sedan w/ manual transmission. 55k miles. Current asking price is $11800 from dealer. KBB trade-in price is about $6500. Is there any bargaining room with the dealer? I'm just worried i'll be dropping over $6k just driving the car out of the lot!
Sounds interesting. KBB is a bit low on this one. Not sure I've ever typed that before. I'd hit it at $7500. $10.5k should buy it.

Went to the dealership. They pulled out the car & voila! It’s an automatic which was listed as a 6speed manual by mistake. Lol

Mr_Shiftright · November 2018

Yeah, well welcome to data-entry personnel practicing their typing skills. This happened to me more often than not. On the last car I looked out, I made the salesperson actually go out and look at the car and count the pedals.

jpp75 · November 2018

Mr_Shiftright said:
Yeah, well welcome to data-entry personnel practicing their typing skills. This happened to me more often than not. On the last car I looked out, I made the salesperson actually go out and look at the car and count the pedals.

Same. At least half of the C30s I look at are listed as manual but really aren't.

steine13 · November 2018

>> The point being: What the dealer paid for it is irrelevant.

Until, of course, you try to get a decent deal on a car where the dealer overpaid.
Human nature applies to used-car managers as much as to anyone else.

So yeah, it doesn't matter regarding what the car is actually worth, but it might come in handy...

stickguy · November 2018

they can start charging me based on what they paid for it, when they start paying me what I owe on my trade.

boomchek · November 2018

Mr_Shiftright said:
Yeah, well welcome to data-entry personnel practicing their typing skills. This happened to me more often than not. On the last car I looked out, I made the salesperson actually go out and look at the car and count the pedals.

Sometimes the VIN decoder defaults to a manual transmission and published the vehicle as such when in fact it's an automatic.

Part of my responsibilities at my dealership is to do the advertising write ups and oversee recon on used cars we stock on the lot. I make sure I sit in and touch every car we stock, including visually checking exactly what options they have, and if the nav screens actually do have nav, and if bluetooth buttons are dummies or if bluetooth is actually installed.

Incorrect specs are my pet peeves so usually our listings are 99.9% accurate. It pays off, attracts the right customers, and eliminates customer's frustration.

Mr_Shiftright · November 2018

No joke. Driving 40 miles to look at a car with the wrong advertised spec is very annoying.

roadburner · November 2018

I once had a dealer tell me that an E46 M3 on their lot had heated seats; it didn't- the salesperson was looking at the memory seat position buttons on the lower seat cushions...

euler74 · November 2018

Mr_Shiftright said:
No joke. Driving 40 miles to look at a car with the wrong advertised spec is very annoying.

Exactly! There was another listing with the same issue, but this time I specifically asked him to check if it had a clutch pedal

explorerx4 · November 2018

On Sunday, my wife and I drive about an hour to look at a CPO car that I saw on the manufacturers CPO site.
I check it fairly often.
When we got there it was nowhere to be seen.
After we got back , I checked the actual dealer site and it wasn't listed.
Lesson learned, check multiple sources.

henryn · November 2018

Most new car dealerships do a very poor job of updating their web site to reflect their actual inventory. Some have a good in-house computer based inventory, and some don’t. Even when they have a good in-house system, they usually keep their web site isolated from their in-house system in the name of security.

Which is fine, I can’t argue against that. But if you want them isolated, you should export the data from your in-house system and upload that to your web site at least once every 24 hours. But that would require that you hire at IT guy, and most new car dealerships are not willing to do that. They have a contract with some third party to provide IT services, and they are paying the minimum amount possible, and getting the minimum level of service.

And even with that said, some new car dealerships have a really terrible in-house system. They often can’t find cars or trucks that their system shows as present. I have shown up at a dealership to look at a car (both used and new), and no one at the dealership can find that car. It’s in their inventory, it shows up on their web site complete with pictures, but they absolutely cannot lay hands on it.

explorerx4 · November 2018

@henryn,
The one I was looking at was exactly what I was looking for, except interior color was lighter than I like.
History was great, Oil changes at 2500, 5k, 10, 15k. It had just over 15k on it and nothing strange on the Carfax.
I can see why it didn't last.

boomchek · November 2018

henryn said:
Most new car dealerships do a very poor job of updating their web site to reflect their actual inventory. Some have a good in-house computer based inventory, and some don’t. Even when they have a good in-house system, they usually keep their web site isolated from their in-house system in the name of security.

Which is fine, I can’t argue against that. But if you want them isolated, you should export the data from your in-house system and upload that to your web site at least once every 24 hours. But that would require that you hire at IT guy, and most new car dealerships are not willing to do that. They have a contract with some third party to provide IT services, and they are paying the minimum amount possible, and getting the minimum level of service.

And even with that said, some new car dealerships have a really terrible in-house system. They often can’t find cars or trucks that their system shows as present. I have shown up at a dealership to look at a car (both used and new), and no one at the dealership can find that car. It’s in their inventory, it shows up on their web site complete with pictures, but they absolutely cannot lay hands on it.

It's best to call ahead if looking for a specific model. Get a sales person to physically check that the car is there before coming.

I update our site for used cars (mark listings as "Pending Sold") but new cars it's a little bit harder. Reason is we may sell 5-20 cars per day, but because they're sold, doesn't mean they leave the lot immediately. Sometimes financing or prep can take a few days, sometimes deals cancel due to bad credit (after a week of trying to get an approval), and sometimes new cars get dealer traded but don't leave the lot immediately, and until the deal is finalized in accounting AFTER the car leaves (which may take a day or two) and the accounting software clears the car out of the inventory, it may remain there for a few days.

On another note, we did have customers drive in for cars that sold while they were on the way to the dealership. It happens sometimes.

Drivingfool · November 2018

Absolutely, that's why if it's a hot seller, one shouldn't wait too long to make a decision. I've lost a couple of vehicles because I didn't jump when I should have. Sometimes waiting another day is the wrong strategy and you come back and it's either gone or has a "sold" sign in the window. I try now to not let that happen so when I do find "the one", will no longer wait a bit. Just ain't worth it!

euler74 · November 2018

And the hunt for a manual BMW continues - 2012 BMW 335i convertible @ 56k miles (clean titles, 3 owner). The dealer asked me for an offer. Any idea folks?

qbrozen · November 2018

3 owners? That's a bit concerning.
Normally, we'd be talking about $17.5k, give or take. But with a history like that, and a manual trans, I'm thinking something more like $15k.

sda · November 2018

boomchek said:

henryn said:
Most new car dealerships do a very poor job of updating their web site to reflect their actual inventory. Some have a good in-house computer based inventory, and some don’t. Even when they have a good in-house system, they usually keep their web site isolated from their in-house system in the name of security.

Which is fine, I can’t argue against that. But if you want them isolated, you should export the data from your in-house system and upload that to your web site at least once every 24 hours. But that would require that you hire at IT guy, and most new car dealerships are not willing to do that. They have a contract with some third party to provide IT services, and they are paying the minimum amount possible, and getting the minimum level of service.

And even with that said, some new car dealerships have a really terrible in-house system. They often can’t find cars or trucks that their system shows as present. I have shown up at a dealership to look at a car (both used and new), and no one at the dealership can find that car. It’s in their inventory, it shows up on their web site complete with pictures, but they absolutely cannot lay hands on it.
It's best to call ahead if looking for a specific model. Get a sales person to physically check that the car is there before coming.

I update our site for used cars (mark listings as "Pending Sold") but new cars it's a little bit harder. Reason is we may sell 5-20 cars per day, but because they're sold, doesn't mean they leave the lot immediately. Sometimes financing or prep can take a few days, sometimes deals cancel due to bad credit (after a week of trying to get an approval), and sometimes new cars get dealer traded but don't leave the lot immediately, and until the deal is finalized in accounting AFTER the car leaves (which may take a day or two) and the accounting software clears the car out of the inventory, it may remain there for a few days.

On another note, we did have customers drive in for cars that sold while they were on the way to the dealership. It happens sometimes.

Good insight. I'm sure its hard to keep the inventory listing current, especially at a large inventory high volume store.

Angst_Ridden · November 2018

Howdy, I'd like to get the trade-in value on my 2018 Subaru Outback...

2.5i Limited,
Magnetite Gray
5400 miles on the odometer
Excellent condition
Add-ons: back bumper protector, rear seat back protector, cargo protector and all-weather floor mats
Zipcode: 30606

qbrozen · November 2018

For a base 2.5i, you're looking at about $22k.

nyccarguy · November 2018

qbrozen said:

For a base 2.5i, you're looking at about $22k.

It’s a Limited

Angst_Ridden · November 2018

qbrozen said:
For a base 2.5i, you're looking at about $22k.

I am thinking you missed the "Limited" part (otherwise I really overpaid when I purchased it new).

qbrozen · November 2018

I most certainly did miss that.
make it $28k-$28.5k

Angst_Ridden · November 2018

qbrozen said:
I most certainly did miss that.
make it $28k-$28.5k

Thank you sir!

VM81 · November 2018

Can you help me with trade in value and private party sale value for:

2010 Honda Accord EX-L
4 Cylinder
Mileage: 119000
Exterior: Black
Interior: Ivory
Big dent on rear passenger door, though the door works flawlessly
Minor scratches on the bumper

Pmen796 · November 2018

Looking for real trade in value for 2014 BMW 528ix M Sport. 8speed automatic. Alpine white with brown Napa leather multi contour seats. 47000 miles. Very clean.

nyccarguy · November 2018

Pmen796 said:
Looking for real trade in value for 2014 BMW 528ix M Sport. 8speed automatic. Alpine white with brown Napa leather multi contour seats. 47000 miles. Very clean.

What city & State is the vehicle located in? How much tread is left on the tires? Has the vehicle ever been hit? Clean Car Fax? Dealer Serviced?

Pmen796 · November 2018

Eastern N.C. Dealer maintained, clean Carfax, second owner, brand new Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. Never hit. No issues.

roadburner · November 2018

qb: I found this puppy outside Pittsburgh. Any thoughts on the asking price? I'm thinking maybe $2000 high? Thanks!

stickguy · November 2018

Nice looking X1. good colors. Seems high to me for a 17 with that many miles. Could probably get a 2018 new one leftover for what, 40? Service loaner in the mid-upper 30s?

28firefighter · November 2018

Looks nice - I think it is probably a bit optimistic maybe $29k-$30k?

qbrozen · November 2018

Accord: tough to know without seeing the damage in person, but maybe $3500 on a trade and $5-$5500 private party.

BMW: not really much data to go on. Maybe $19k-$20k.

pensfan83 · November 2018

Rahal is probably 30-40 minutes from me if you would like someone on the ground to take a look.

qbrozen · November 2018

roadburner said:
qb: I found this puppy outside Pittsburgh. Any thoughts on the asking price? I'm thinking maybe $2000 high? Thanks!

What? $9k markup is too much? ;b

Heck, you could probably get a 2018 ex-loaner for that or even less. I see folks typically report 20% off on an ex-loaner. What was MSRP on this one?

28firefighter · November 2018

qbrozen said:

roadburner said:
qb: I found this puppy outside Pittsburgh. Any thoughts on the asking price? I'm thinking maybe $2000 high? Thanks!
What? $9k markup is too much? ;b

Heck, you could probably get a 2018 ex-loaner for that or even less. I see folks typically report 20% off on an ex-loaner. What was MSRP on this one?

I didn't see all the options, but given the visual, my guess is close to $50k.

stickguy · November 2018

from the X1s I looked at recently, I would guess more in the 43K range. This 2018 seems reasonably comparable. and sticker barely cracks $41K

https://www.bmwofturnersville.com/detail-2018-bmw-x1-xdrive28i_sports_activity_vehicle-new-18170111.html

roadburner · November 2018

stickguy said:
Nice looking X1. good colors. Seems high to me for a 17 with that many miles. Could probably get a 2018 new one leftover for what, 40? Service loaner in the mid-upper 30s?

I can't find any other new/CPO M Sports with a decent option set for under $40k.

roadburner · November 2018

stickguy said:
from the X1s I looked at recently, I would guess more in the 43K range. This 2018 seems reasonably comparable. and sticker barely cracks $41K

https://www.bmwofturnersville.com/detail-2018-bmw-x1-xdrive28i_sports_activity_vehicle-new-18170111.html

Not even close- no M Sport, no HIDs, no H-K, Business navigation instead of Professional, no CWP, No HUD.
Other than that, it's perfect.

28firefighter · November 2018

Looks like the one RB tagged at minimum has premium, M sport, Nav, HK stereo and driver assist package. What i can’t tell is if it has driver assist plus, technology, and a couple others. Easily minimum $47-48k list if not more.

roadburner · November 2018

pensfan83 said:
Rahal is probably 30-40 minutes from me if you would like someone on the ground to take a look.

Thanks for the offer!

Real-World Trade-In Values

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles