Real-World Trade-In Values

rroyce10 · April 2003

...... Hey Stan, I don't think I have quite enough info here .. XL, it's low in miles, it's got the leather, wheels, color.? maybe a slider ..?

         These are nice vehicles, ugly but great reliability .. depending on where you are live, this one should be seeing the mid to high $17's ..

         Stay kind of loose with Wells Fargo, I have bought plenty of vehicles from them - don't tell them the miles, if you can get them to drop $500/$1,000 that would be great .. but even at $19, that's not a bad deal considering that you know the previous owner .. if it's loaded up, retail would be over $20 ...

           Good luck and let me know ...

                    Terry.

goinstag · April 2003

Just wondering on the trade-in value (at a Honda dealer) and the private sale value for my '97 Saturn. 1997 SL--due to factory shortage of manual steering assemblies it does have power steering which SL's do not normally have (this is shown on the mulroney sticker which I still have)--power brakes, 5sp manual, manual locks/windows, FM/AM/CD, A/C, complete records of all service (performed at dealer), no service visits late or skipped, total 49,800 miles, single owner, garaged, just shy of excellent condition due to light surface scratches on leading edge of the left front fendor caused by the rubber bumper of a parallel parker; no other blemishes. Interior in very good shape, has been detailed annually, original floormats are still in very good condition, carpet itself is excellent. Master cylinder, calipers, rotors, and pads replaced last Fall due to technician error (put transmission fluid in brake fluid res.--Saturn paid for fix). No other repairs outside of routine maintenance. Mechanic overviewed vehicle on Friday--no pending issues. Tires replaced at 40K with 60K all season radials. I'm in SF, CA.

Thanks,
John

amadeus131 · April 2003

Amazing, isn't it, KBB got one.... I'll think about retailing it myself, as although we are short on field commanders, there is the occasional college student.

But if I trade it in, maybe I'll get it detailed and ask for $6400 on the trade side and hold my breath and see if the salesman whacks me with a newspaper.

Thanks again, will keep you all posted --
-- JW

acrafton · April 2003

Terry,
Wanting to pick up a bang around vehicle for me and the kids, dog, landscaping, etc. . .found a local ad for a 1996 Toyota Previa LE/SC, auto, second row captains, cd, dual moon roofs, dual air, 80K miles. I have had two of these in the past and loved 'em. . .this one is very, very clean. All the records (oil changes, 60K checkups, etc. .). He listed it for $8,000, I offered $7,000 subject to an inspection - he said 'sold'.
Can you confirm this is good?

Thanks Adam

infinitij3096 · April 2003

Hey everyone...I have been reading through this forum for awhile and I find it very informative. It is nice to know that we have at least 2 car salesmen in this world who arent trying to pull a fast one on everybody. I am just wondering what my car would be worth in trade/retail. It is a 96 Infiniti J30t with 74k miles on it. It is a purple(!?!?) color with gray leather and fully loaded since thats how they all come. It has the touring package too. In good cosmetic condition except for a scratch on the passesnger side and the usual tear on the drivers side window area thing, but it is not bad as in every other J. Thank in advance guys!

rroyce10 · April 2003

.... I don't know about that peaked thing .. they are doing $37/$38 at the block, so you should be seeing $40 grand+ from most dealers ..

2WD ....? 4WD ..? on the Tundra ...

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

.... I kinda agree with you .. with Pluto aligned with Mars plus eBay, super great Ad in the Fairbanks/Anchoridge papers, lot's of hype, lot's of exposure, might see $9ish on the retail side .. trade side, in and around the $5/$6's ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

..... Let's see here .. no toys, tons of miles, your just not getting any help here .. trade side, $8/$9ish maybe ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

... Gotta go .................................................................- ...................>

akangl · April 2003

Dang, I'm getting pretty good at this. I didn't even look at Kelly out there book, or nada. Must be hanging around these boards too much!

Needless to say he's gonna keep the thing wether he likes it or not.

niteswmer2 · April 2003

I was referred to this string from some folks in the Nissan Maxima string. Can you give me a "real-world" retail (from a dealer) value on a 2000 Nissan Maxima SE, standard options on an SE plus power S/R, automatic with 87K miles. Dealer is asking $11K and change. St. Louis, MO area.

Thanks in advance for any help!

spatulaman · April 2003

You've never heard of piqued?

tr.v. piqued, piqu·ing, piques
To cause to feel resentment or indignation.
To provoke; arouse: The portrait piqued her curiosity.
To pride (oneself): He piqued himself on his stylish attire.

Anyrate...back to the subject at hand...the Tundra is a 2x4.

delguy · April 2003

Hey. Great thread BTW. Would you please tell me the trade in value of my car.

I have a 95, SL1, manual w/ CD player (aftermarket) and AC. No cruise control or power anything else. Currently, it has 97,500 miles and is in good shape for an 8 year old car. Paint only has tiny scratches. Biggest blemish is that the windshield has about a footlong crack in it and it's not currently inspected (because it won't pass in my state, DE, w/ the crack).

Hmm, rereading this makes me think that the $1000 I was offered earlier might have been a good deal.

Thanks

mbednorz · April 2003

Follow-on to the 2000 Ford Eddie Bauer Expedition: Terry kindly let me know that auctions were running $15-16k. I advertised it in the Houston Chronicle for $16,900 for 5 days (5 line ad). Bad news: I only got one call. Good news: the caller bought it for $16,250. (FYI, there were 12 other 2000 Expeditions in the classifieds at the same time). Thanks for the help, Terry!

Now, with all that money burning a hole in my pocket, I'm looking at the following:

Used 2002 Lexus IS300 at a Houston Lexus dealer.
10k miles, blue, leather/ecsaine suede, automatic, tires at 50%, "looks like new", no dings or scratches, sunroof, rear spoiler, power seats, CD changer. They're asking $28,000. Edmunds TMV says $23k.

What's the scoop?!?!

qbrozen · April 2003

Ok, so we put a deposit on a Pilot for ourselves and settled on a trade-in price for our Forester.

now back to my sis and her Civic. She thinks she may want a used CR-V.

What say you on a red 2000 EX with an auto and 28 clicks here in NJ?

How much of a difference between that and an '01 with similar miles?

thanks.

rroyce10 · April 2003

..... Me ..? - know how to spell .? hahaha .. you must be too picky (get it.? he he)) hey, if spell-check doesn't pick it up, then there is no such word .. l.o.l...

          The Rain in Spain falls manley, mainly, mainlee in the Plain .. see, it's easy ..

           Back to the scene of the Crime, the Tundra, it's a V8, ecab, SR5, auto, low in miles, right color, 2wd .. it's gotta be worth in and around the mid $16's, depending on the dealer it "could", "might" see $17 if it's a baby doll and it glows in the dark and needs -0- ..

              Terry.

acrafton · April 2003

Know you are busy but planning on picking this thing up in DFW tomorrow - see up a few posts for the info. Thanks.

Adam

rroyce10 · April 2003

.... Your right, not too many reds ones in Iowa, not to many in Wash DC, not a bunch in Florida either .. but I try to buy everyone I can get my hands on if it's a nice one .. folks either love em' or hate em' but they do seem to sell well ..

$14,500 is a little tall .. miles are ok for the year, but they can be bought auction side for the $10's, maybe a steep $11 if it's pre-sold -- 98 V70 wagon, GLT dressed on red, right ..? I'm thinkin' $13/$13,5 would be just about the whole Coma' se' yama and the bag of chips ...

Terry.

steine13 · April 2003

..about that V40, it would behoove us all to remember that those are basically rebadged Mitsubishis. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but still... that's a lot of bread for a 5-yr-old anything.
-Mathias

lancerfixer · April 2003

It's a V70 Turbo. V40s have only been sold here since 2000. But you knew that, right? :-)

rroyce10 · April 2003

..... Ok Adam .. I drug myself out of my nice comfortable bed, where I have been eating bon bons and having my g/f fan me just so I could answer this ...

             96 Previa LE/SC 80 klicks, no rust, all the service, deep in rubber with a great history .. if it's clean, nice interior, outside is looking 01, then It would probably see double nickels maybe $6 at the auctions - did you do good, heck ya, considering some dealers might get $8/$8,5 ..

           Now back to the bon bons and the fan stuff ..

           Good luck and let me know ...

                 Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

... The V40's are those ugly boxey little things that Volvo has had like no success with, and gets a re-face in 04 .. the V70's are those boxey big things that are waaay cool .. :-)

Terry.

steine13 · April 2003

Oh NO!
Obviously, you're right.
I'll stop now 'cuz it's really hard typing with my head hung so low, and it inteferes with beating my chest.
-Mathias

stebu · April 2003

LOL... too funny.

Kirstie_H · April 2003

Join us tonight, 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET for Town Hall Trivia Night and member-to-member chat  come test your knowledge and chat with fellow members!

http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html

See you there!

acrafton · April 2003

Picked up the 96 Previa today and am headed out to Home Depot for the first load . . .very good deal - fair price to both I think. He was the original owner and provide all the service records, etc. Pleasant transaction.

Thanks again
Adam

frag235 · April 2003

the details:

4-cylinder/Auto/leather/roof/wheels/climate control/full power/gold over ivory (a lil' Lexus!) 15K miles very clean inside & out/no parking lot kisses, deep rubber, W. Wash State.

Thanks!

aveghte · April 2003

What would be a fair trade-in price for a 1999 Honda CR-V EX with roof rails and running boards with 61,000 miles on it in Florida. This car is 4WD but with no snow down here it probably isn't as valuable a feature as up north!

fsufan · April 2003

I've got a friend with 2 kids in Southern California looking for cheap reliable safe transportation. I was thinking 97 escort lx wagon. There's one at a Toyota dealer silver, auto, 52,585 mi., ac, pdl, pb, pw, cassette. Asking $8995. What's a realistic price for this model. If this is out of her range any other suggestions for model and year where $3000 is all the money at a dealer. Thanks.

zueslewis · April 2003

what are those dealership folks thinking?? That Escort, while it would a decent car, books for $3,650 w/s and $4,875, but with it's place in the market and the plethora of Escorts available, I seriously doubt they have more than $2,000-2,500 in it.

You should be able to find a car just like that (although the miles are great on that one) on the private market for $5-6K less than they're asking.

jlawrence01 · April 2003

$8995 .... Are you in SoCal or Fantasy Island???
That's way too much in my book.

Personally, I would seriously consider the vehicle in the $5000 range and that would be about the top of what I would pay.

I will say that I think that an Escort would make a great car for reliable, if not spectacular, vehicle.

For reference, here in Chicago, I could get a 2000 Ford Taurus sedan in great share for $8000-8500 anyday retail.

zueslewis · April 2003

why would you pay more than retail book for an Escort? Just wondering.

jlawrence01 · April 2003

I did not check the book this morning. The $8995 price was so far out of line with what I have seen "out there" that I felt obliged to make a quick comment.

Thanks for the correction - just realized that I have to renew my Black Book subscription.

zueslewis · April 2003

this site:

http://nadaguides.com/Values/ValueCategory.asp?UserID=0638961F2DF- &DID=37579&wSec=1&wPg=1202

Gets you past all the home page stuff, and straight to vehicle values. It's on my favorites since I use it about 20 times a day!

jlawrence01 · April 2003

Thanks for the link.

That link really flies!

zueslewis · April 2003

I'm actually still kinda new to the internet thing (2 years), but it was a real revelation when I found out you could put a specific page in your favorites!

akangl · April 2003

LOL, you sound like my hubby, I'm still teaching him. He just learned how to delete his email on Outlook Express. I've been playing on the internet for nearly 8 years, guess I'm kind of a veteran now.

prodigalsun · April 2003

Is Retail book average asking price, or what they are selling for?

zueslewis · April 2003

based on good mileage (for the year), perfect condition, service records, no funny smells, absolutely nothing mechanically wrong, etc.

Few cars meet this criteria, as much as we want to believe OURS does.

Then again, it's just a guide, basically to tell lenders how much money to loan. Value is based on the market, the attitude of the buyer and seller and whether Jupiter is aligned with Mars, and the moon is in the seventh sign.

prodigalsun · April 2003

An exact Science...

zueslewis · April 2003

it's not a science, it's an art.

cpa4u · April 2003

Terry,

One of my partners is finally giving up her 9 year old Mustang and getting an SUV. Could you please help her out with some dollar amounts on the trade and retail sides.

It is a 1994 red Mustang GT convertible, beige leather, beige top (in great cond), auto, 51k, looks like '01 and no parking lot kisses or fry invasions (see I pay attention in here). Car is located in Kentucky.

Thanks as always,
Rick

goinstag · April 2003

How reasonable are the NADA figures? I was pretty surprised at the average trade in for my car (favorably surprised); it's a littel higher than Edmunds TMV. But both are a lot higher than Blue Book, so I'm sure my dealer will try to favor that. (I know I should jusst sell it myself, but if the dealer gets close to teh NADA trade in number--within $400--I'll be trading in to avoid the hassle. Thanks.

qbrozen · April 2003

is just as unreliable as the rest. I've found it really depends on the car, though. Kelly even hits some cars accurately, but its more often wrong than right. The best numbers are found right here on this board.

speaking of which..... must be that damned masters crab thing keeping terry busy. And what happened to bill? did he vanish again?

well, if you guys return to help us poor shmucks out, could you take a look at 11918. My sis seems to be getting impatient with her Civic. thanks.

rroyce10 · April 2003

...... Ok, we have a 96 J30T, in Lavender with 74k .. if it's a Clean one, deep in rubber, little or few kisses, no repaint, leather is not all carved up, good service history, everything works .. then trade side, it should see somewhere in the $5's, could see $6,0 if it's Super Duper and Extra Special, the miles and the color might hold it back though.

         A little trip down Retail Rd .. a great detail, a super cool Ad, $8,9 in the paper and cut it loose to the Easter Bunny for $7,5/$8,5 ...

         I hope this helps ....

                Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

....... We have Nada, KBB, Edmunds, Carpoint, Better Homes and Gardens, Gourmet magazine, Cigars r' us, etc .. lotsa online info, lot's of mags, just a lot of everything ...

        The best thing one can do if you are gonna Private sell your own vehicle, is Not to get to lost in this Huge barrage of info .. check into the papers in and around your area, check the papers 100 miles away, check the Auto Traders, etc.

        What seems to frustrate most sellers, is they feel they want the highest price in the paper or compete with the dealers .. remember, these are only "asking" prices .. a dealer will negotiate, especially if there is no trade involved - if you are going to private sell, find a figure less than the dealers, find a Real figure that the market is actually asking (and getting.!) and just ask a little less .. it's a lot easier to negotiate from $8,900 to $8,000 than it is to negotiate from $9,900 to $8,000, and don't get your feelings hurt on a first offer, most buyers feel it's a lot easier to hit a dealer with a silly figure than a private seller ..

         Who has the most accurate figures .? It all depends on the vehicle, area, time of the year, color, miles, etc .. some days it's Edmund's, some days it's Nada or the others .. I have a neighbor friend that has a 01 Chevy Blazer LT 4x4 21k, nice vehicle, clean, but he has had it in the paper and/or ebay for 6wks for $19,500 and he can't figure out why he can't get offers for more than $16 .. you can buy them all day long for $13ish at the auctions and dealers will sell them for $15/$16 if need be ...

             Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

....... 87k ..? lot's of miles, great vehicles, but tons of miles .. if it's a loaded up SE, leather, Bose, slider, auto, new sneakers, no paint work and a great service history and needs -0- .. then the dealer might have $9/$9,5ish in it, so it seems $10,5/$11,0 is a good price ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

..... trade ..? purchase ..?

If it's a nice one, it's gotta be worth $16ish trade side .. on the retail side mid $18's depending on the color and condition ..

Terry.

worcester1 · April 2003

Looking for some advice. I'm shopping for a mid-90's Land Cruiser. All of the "nice" ones seem priced higher than Edmunds TMV would indicate. How realistic are these numbers for 10+ year old vehicles?

As an example, I'm looking at a '94 with 123k, beige/tan leather, 3rd row, locking diffs, no problems, nice paint, minor bumps & bruises. Owner asking $13k which is in line with others I've looked at, but TMV shows ~$10k for private party.

Insights?

jaserb · April 2003

'96 Cavalier Coupe (Base)
84606 ZIP code
Black w/ black guts
Auto (3 speed, I think)
A/C works good
Cassette
NO other options - not even a rear window defroster (?!?)
Looks good for what it is - a scratch here and there, but overall pretty sharp. Interior is nice.

Now for the only really good news- 65k miles.
Where do you hit this for trade in / private party?

Thanks,
Jason

Real-World Trade-In Values

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