Real-World Trade-In Values

akangl · February 2003

We are back on the prowl for a truck. Here's a couple we're considering. What do you think?

1989 Chevy K2500, x-cab, long bed, 4wd, base model, am/fm cass, 350, 5-spd, silver/gray, 223k. Its in fair to good shape, needs a clutch soon though. Dealer has it priced at $3500.

1992 Chevy K2500, x-cab, long bed, 4wd. Not sure of color or options, but its a 454, 5-spd in good shape with 117k. Dealer is asking $9500.

I'm trying to trade off my beloved suburban, we need a truck bad and my suburban needs more money than I have.

1990 Chevy Suburban 1/2ton, 350, auto, 160k, pwr windows, locks, am/fm cass (going to take my cd player out of it), black & red/red int, new tires, alloys, runs good, but needs work. Body is in good shape for its age, some dings, dents, cracked windshield, and a little rust. 3 out of 4 power windows work and 3 out of 5 power door locks work. It has a/c but the compressor is siezed. What do you think?

stebu · February 2003

Zues, thanks for the reply. But, I don't understand. You say wholesale is around $7K but it should be retailing for only about $5K to $6K??? Shouldn't the retail value be more than wholesale? BTW, it has a sunroof.

zueslewis · February 2003

Retail is about $1500 over the $7K number. Forget retail. You should offer $5000-5,500 and pay no more than $6/6.5K.

Once a car breaks over 80,000 miles or so, retail is out the window. There's a big difference between "retail book" and what something should "sell" for.

zueslewis · February 2003

Retail is irrelevant - I'm talking about what you should actually pay for it. You don't pay retail for everything, right?

That's what I think the real market value on that car is...

clpurnell · February 2003

Terry/Zues

Well, My 300 has started the infamous light show could you give me book and private sell numbers on the following.

2001 300M
Silver/Black
Luxury Pkg (wood wheel, dash and upgraded Information Center)
No Chrome
No Roof
31k miles
Couple of small knicks in the door and had passenger side front fender replaced and shot. What's the bad news on this one?

Oh by the way it's located in H-town.

zueslewis · February 2003

$17,975 w/s and $20,970 retail - at the auction, these guys are around $15-16K - are you selling privately?

A good detail, service records and a sign for $20,995, and be prepared to be offered $18-19K.

stebu · February 2003

My last post was a mistake. I can't believe you were able to respond to that quicker than I could delete it.

OK, I get the retail thing. But, just to be sure I understand what you're telling me. You're basically saying that no one should pay even the wholesale price for any vehicle with over 80K miles... or at least for a 96 Maxima.

BTW, my friend did try a lower figure and the dealer won't budge off $6.5K. But, according to your assessment, it still sounds like it might be a fairly good deal. I was just checking in here to be sure that the bottom hadn't dropped out on 96 Maxima's and that he should reasonably expect to be able to get the car for $5K or something.

Terry, any input on this one?

anonymousposts · February 2003

Car:
1998 Maxima SE with 52,000 miles
5-speed
Silver/Gray exterior
Black leather interior
BOSE
Climate Control
Spoiler
Factory 17" wheels
Moonroof
Power/Heated seats

Condition:
It has been in a front end collision, no salvage history/clean Carfax. The paint on the hood has some road rash. Rest of the car is in good shape. Needs to be cleaned inside but that's about it. Tires are good and everything works.

How much should I be able to sell this for to a private owner? It's in the Atlanta area. I was hoping for $9000. Realistic?

mnirish · February 2003

Hello. I'm looking for a trade-in estimate on a 1996 VW Jetta GLX. Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Tornado red, black/grey cloth interior. Just under 57k miles. Complete service records. Exterior in good condition (few very small nicks). Interior very clean (non smoker car). One accident to left front headlight/bumper area - fixed with VW parts. Looks like new (if fixed properly with manufacturer parts what is the impact of an accident on trade-in?). Thanks.

alb7 · February 2003

T Man

Can you give me a trade in value for the following?

2001 Mustang v6
clth seats
5 speed
41 k miles
spoiler
premium wheels
power seat
cruise
silver
no dents/dings - in very good / excellent shape inside and out
located in charlotte, NC

Many thanks

rroyce10 · February 2003

.... Thanks for the compliment .. those troll guys burn me out, but is was nice of the host to Purge them off the site ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · February 2003

.... Good morning .. ok, we have a 02 EX, 4x4 with a slider, all the stuff and 13k .. right color too.

       The Mazda's will pull a little more money than the Escapes .. so if it's a nice one, clean, yatty yatty yatty .. you should be seeing the mid to high $16's if it needs -0- ..

      The 4 banger 02 -2wd- Highlanders are doing in the low low $19's at the block, you should be able to snag one of these for under $21 .. it's a 2wd, it's a 4 banger and 2wd, you get the picture. The 4wds' are doing around 2 grand more .. so do the math, folks love the V6's ..

           Terry.

rroyce10 · February 2003

...... Yeeee - ow.!

160 klicks plus ... the Quest's don't have much of a re-sale with 15k, let alone piled up miles .. you are probably lookin' at $500/$1,200 depending on the mood of the dealer .. sorry.

Terry.

rroyce10 · February 2003

...... Hey Mark .. you did good.!

Nice vehicles and IF you need to sell it down the road, it's much easier than SLK ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · February 2003

zueslewis · February 2003

dillydill · February 2003

Hello,

What is the trade in value on a 2002 Acura MDX touring silver in Massachusetts.
It has 5K miles with running boards,wheel trim, sunroof deflector, mud guards, wheel locks.

Let me know if you need any more info.
Thanks I appreciate it.

Dillydill

bretfraz · February 2003

I'm sure many of you recall Bill and wondered what he's been up to and where he's been the past few months. I was in FLA this past week and stopped by his store to say HI. Bill is doing just great but super incredibly busy. He's been working on multiple projects which keeps him on the go almost 7 days a week, 15+ hours/day. He simply has not had the time to hang out online anywhere.

He said that when things get back to sane he'll pop in and say howdy. Just thought y'all would like to know.

Note to Terry: The Vauxhall's are living, breathing things. I got a ride in the Velox yesterday. Sweet car. I gave Bill a big stack of British car magazines, some with pictures of Vauxhalls in them. He almost passed out. I can confirm Bill is certifiable.

dtwleungnyc · February 2003

For the update on Bill, its nice to know that he's doing well and busy.

zueslewis · February 2003

when you talk to him next time.

ryster · February 2003

Hi!

What is a fair price to pay for a 2003 Mercury Marauder, certified used, 7K miles, in Southeast PA? The dealer is asking $27,995, but I assume I should be able to get it much less than that. It has a clean history.

Thanks for your help!

stebu · February 2003

Always liked Bill's posts. Always informative, respectful, and many times with the added little tidbits that only power insiders like Terry and he seem to be privy too. And being that he's the founding father of this topic, it would be nice to have such a resource available again. But, he sounds like a very busy guy. More power to him. Hope he can find the time to drop in, if only to say hello.

my2000vtecsi · February 2003

Thinking of selling this in about a month or so,any thoughts? Car is in the Atlanta area.

1998 Toyota Corolla LE
79,000
Burgundy with gold package and beige interior.
Auto,A/C,side air bags,power windows and locks, factory power sunroof,Factory AM/FM/CD/Cass,good tires,alarm with keyless entry, tinted windows.

The car has a couple dings here and there,with of course the usual front end rock chips. Great mechanical condition with no wrecks. Service is up to date.

No cruise control or alloy wheels, which is odd for an LE with so many options.

What is a realistic price? I have seen 98 Corollas going for 7k-11k, so I am a bit confused.

Thank you.

im_brentwood · February 2003

I'm Baaack!

Bret,

Awesome to meet ya man. When do you want to go for another spin in the Mercedes?

Sorry for my abscence.. I'm finally getting ahead of things, and it's much much easier to spend time here now. As Bret mentioned.. I was just working like a madman for a while, 3 projects.. 2 of which are basically done. Put it this way, since my last visit to TH in August.. I think I have racked up OVER 150,000 frequent flier miles!

But did I ever mention how cool 1st or Biz class upgrades are on Virgin? Free decent Beer?

But I have returneth! So time to rattle some cages. Now where's Snurple and Jonah?

im_brentwood · February 2003

Ahh.. you are in Boston. Trading it in for a Snowmobile?

lol.. OK, this is a $33K car IMO. But if you shop it to the right dealer (I.E. Acura dealer) you could see $34kish.. maybe a bit more, but I think real $$, depending on the store, is $33K-33,500.

This might be something to throw in the paper for $36,900/bo however.

Bill

zueslewis · February 2003

Wassup, you old car dog?

Still got that ugly, but mean looking white Range Rover?

im_brentwood · February 2003

I'm good

I sold that one in 11 days!

77 Classic Rangies later...

im_brentwood · February 2003

Hmm..

This car takes about $24K to go out and buy right now. So figure with transport, detail, cert, they got $25K in it. Offer $26K, but $27K (Or less if you can get it) is reality. $500 less without the silly cert warranty.

Awesome car BTW, crap marketing.

zueslewis · February 2003

for one of those - I've always loved them.

Those and '88 and earlier Toyota Land Cruisers....

Check your e-mail.

im_brentwood · February 2003

I agree on the weird Equipment, but then Cliffy or Mack would know before I..

I think this is a $4,500 wholesale piece. However, you are in Atlanta. How do I say this delicately.. you can rip a retail buyer's head off there. For some reason, every time I am in Atlanta for the auctions I buy an Auto Trader in case I need a laugh. Prices are high in that town.

So get greedy. Ask $7,500/bo. I'd personally think you should be able to "get" mid $6Ks..and you can always come down, but if you dont ASK....
Bill

im_brentwood · February 2003

You'd have died if you saw what we just sold!

'89 FJ62. That Grey with Grey interior. Flawless, perfect, mint, baby doll, cream puff, mint, exceptional, ad nauseum.

61K original miles.

im_brentwood · February 2003

Did I miss anyone?

bretfraz · February 2003

I'm up for a spin in the Benz anytime. But lets make it something a little more fun, like a XJR.

We need to do the Ale House when I'm in town next month.

Thanks again for all the fun, on and off road, yesterday. More than made up for the crummy Daytona 500.

zueslewis · February 2003

I'd like to find another old one, though, too. I had a '74 FJ40 with a transplanted Chevy 350 - bought it that way, wish I would have kept it.

im_brentwood · February 2003

ML320s are for people who don't have the Cajones to really test an S-Klasse :P

Ale House? You mean "Bill's Second Home"?

im_brentwood · February 2003

It sold for $12,500 tho!

zueslewis · February 2003

Good job on that one!

im_brentwood · February 2003

I think it was worth all of that!

Think about it. Try buying a really nice solid one on eBay for under $6-7K. Now take a perfect one that's as new and unmodified.. low miles... no paintwork..

Where can you duplicate it?

zueslewis · February 2003

im_brentwood · February 2003

:P

I know. You should know better

tulanekid24 · February 2003

I have a 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8T. It's an awesome metallic blue, and It has all the options: full power, A/C, Leather, heated seats, sports package with 17" rims, sunroof, factory upgraded stereo/speaker with CD, etc. I am in New Orleans and I have had the car since May 2002. My Jetta has 7,100 miles on it. What should I be expecting as a trade in value?

I want to dump this car. I have had too many problems -- ECM/computer malfunction, ignition coil out, major rattles that won't stop, cruise control failure. All these problems have been successfully fixed by VW, however it's a pain in the butt to have all these problems on a car that less than 1 year and 10,000 miles old.

sandman46 · February 2003

Go Green Wave!
A fellow Green Wave.

The Sandman :-)

handsfree1 · February 2003

I'm glad you liked the pictures of the (my) new car, we just made it back in time before the storm hit, that would have really upset me to drive it in all that yuk.

Our friends in NY loved the car, so they are thinking of trading theirs, so here's the info. It's a 01 Lincoln SL, V8, auto, it has 13k, silver and grey, sport pack, wheels, sroof, dash cd, heated seats, every option (they say). It is a nice clean car, we saw it in December, they don't smoke and they take great care of it, I do have to say. The dealer was talking $17, that seems super low, what say you?

Again thanks for ALL the help!
M.

alb7 · February 2003

Any word on the mustang rom page 543?

thanks

alb7 · February 2003

check that - page 546

bretfraz · February 2003

I'm gonna guess the Stang is a $10,000 car what with the mega miles and the 5 speed. Maybe a little less this time of year.

I'd hang on to it for a few more months until the weather gets better and people get their tax refunds. Detail it, fix anything little thats wrong, see if you can get $12,000-12,500 for it by selling it yourself.

dillydill · February 2003

Right on the #.
Local dealer has offered 33K

Thanks.

CarMan@Edmunds · February 2003

Welcome back, Bill. Good to see you again.

Car_man
Host
Smart Shoppers / FWI Message Boards

im_brentwood · February 2003

Thanks!

You done digging out yet?

im_brentwood · February 2003

No Slider, No "Bling Bling rims" and 31 miles, which is somewhat fat for an '01.

Paintwork and a new Fender. That hurts it too.

Humm..

12,500-13K is what I think..maybe get in the low 13s, but then that's all the money and a nice bag of Fritos.

Keep us posted!

Bill

Real-World Trade-In Values

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