Real-World Trade-In Values

jlawrence01 · April 2003

That's what it comes down to a lot. If you have to sell a Ford Taurus when there are a 100 similar units in the paper, you better realize that you are probably not going to get top dollar.

As a buyer, you can use that fact to your advantage. If I am looking face to face with a seller, I can show him that there are 30 other similar units in the Chicago Tribune.

Also, as a buyer, I like to look at mismatches - the cars that you sit there and wonder "why is it there?" For example, if you are looking for a used Saturn at a Saturn dealership, you generally pay top dollar. Find the same car in a sea of blue ovals at a Ford dealership and you have a good chance at a good price.

I always shop a certain lot where the average USED car retails in the $15k and up and the guy generally buys the cream of the crop. Bought a low-end car from him that had drawn no interest. It was the wrong car for the lot.

For me, generally, the NADA book or black book is the top price that I will pay for a vehicle - if it is perfect and not if I can get it cheaper.

zueslewis · April 2003

What Terry and jlawrence said!

Really, the books, ANY of them, are just guides. They offer no guarantees of value, don't apply to every used vehicle because every used vehicle has a different scratch or ding somewhere. NADA, Kelly and Galves don't offer a guarantee if your ride doesn't sell for what their book says it should.

Whether buying or selling, get a good general idea, be reasonable and buy the vehicle you want.

fsufan · April 2003

Terry, would appreciate some help on this one. 1997 Mazda Millenia S white/tan lthr interior. Bose, moonroof. 47,039 mi. Used car dealer has it listed for $8,995, carfax is clean. What takes it home in North Jersey?

koalacosine · April 2003

1996 Tacoma Extended-cab V6 4WD LX with 5 speed (Manual transmission), air conditioning, am-fm cassette, power windows and locks, and auto locking hubs. 31,000 miles and is in like new condition inside and out. Dark Green with Grey interior. It seems like the Internet sources are all over the board on the trade-in value. Any ideas what I could reasonably expect for trade-in in Eastern Nebraska? Thanks.

rroyce10 · April 2003

..... We have a 00 "red" Honda Civic EX, auto, with 28 klicks .. gotta see Xtra high $10's low $11's if nice clean one on a trade .. retail side, mid $12's. Right now Civics and Accords are kinda in a battle between there own vehicles, can't be to high to compete with the new ones .. 01's, maybe $1,500ish -- it's kinda like one of those deals, where you see animals eating their own young ..

Terry.

goinstag · April 2003

Thanks guys, that actually helps. I'm taking it all to mean: it depends on the actual vehicle you're trading in and until the dealer evaluates my car I wont know. I know what my minimum acceptable value is, so if the dealer can't meet it then I'll take the time to sell my car in a private sale (and I'm not expecting the same amount from a dealer, but want to avoid the hassle). I was just curious because Kelly evaluates my trade-value to half what Edmunds and Black do. Those 2 also more accurately reflect selling prices in my area.
Just relieved that I can afford to wait (due to travel plans, I wont be able to set up a private sale until mid-May).

fortop · April 2003

Tahoe 2 WD LS with only 3200 miles, and 3rd seat as the only option? I buy a new GM vehicle every 6 months using my GM employee discount (all cash), so it is time to trade this Tahoe or sell it privately. I traded my 2002 Tahoe(identical to my 2003) in October of 2002 for $27K and basically got the 2003 for the same price. It looks like that won't happen this time due to big GM rebates. If I trade the Tahoe in to a dealer, then I save the 7.6% AZ sales tax. If I sell it privately, then the private buyer saves 7.6% sales tax because private sales are not taxed. I am thinking of trading down to a 2003 EXT cab and pocket some cash. Any thoughts on this?

niteswmer2 · April 2003

Sorta fell asleep at the wheel and just saw Terry's response and wanted to say "thanks". The Max has all the goodies save leather seating. 87K miles definately is a lot, but I drive maybe 10K a year (fortunate enough to work from home), and looking for a fun, reliable, safe sedan for not so much. Thought I'd take a chance with the Max.

Could be off topic, and if so, ignore the following (seriously, close your eyes, move to the next post): If anyone has any other suggestions on a similar-type vehicle, feel free to offer them on up.

dkuhajda · April 2003

Las Vegas area? How often do you really need a rear window defogger there?

$4000 would be absolute top dollar at retail with good detail, tires, looking almost new, and maintenance records. I think it should have tinted windows, a front bumper bra, and at least good looking new wheel covers. Being black and base it really will need some extra looks to sell easier. It would be a good private party car to sell to a new high school driver's parents. Probably a $3000 to $3500 asking price for a quick sell.

$1800-$2300 trade side on a good day.

deciding3 · April 2003

I'm looking to buy a new car and found a 02 maxima se with 32k miles for 15K .
Is that a good price?
My other options are 2002- 626/galant at 10K or 2002 -taurus/malibu at 10.5K.
While, I realize that these cars are not really comparable and that the maxima is a better car, which do you guys think is the better deal value wise. Price is quite important to me, but i can spend more if I know it will work out better in the long run.
thanks!

jaserb · April 2003

so a rear refroster would be nice. My buddy keeps looking to get the $3k or so Kelly says it's worth, and I'm worried he'll kill himself trying to get it.

"Hey, the nice ford dealer gave me $3200 for the cavalier!"
"Great, so how much did they charge you for the '01 Taurus?
"Only $12k, give or take..."

-Jason

rroyce10 · April 2003

...... Been a little busy .. so I trying to catch up .. so if I miss you, re-post that little darlin' ..

Terry. :-)

rroyce10 · April 2003

.... Need a little color action here - it's Florida, and the color can make it or break it ...

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

...... Yeeeeeow ..! - $8,995 ....?

Not with a straight face ..! It's a 97, not a 03 .. yes the miles are low, and lets say it puuuurfect, it glows in the dark, it has the special real cool stereo with dual sunroofs and 22 inch Inca rims with the day glow paint .. can't have a dime in it more than $3,5 if he lost his money in the tall boys games .. I could see double nickels on a "home run" ---- $8,995 ... ??? there must be a nice Corum watch in the glove box ..

Terry ;-)

rroyce10 · April 2003

........ Hey Rick, how are ya doing ..?

            Sounds like a nice vehicle -and- a great time of the year to drop that puppy .. right color options and the miles are waaay low - trade side, in and around the high $5's, low $6's .. but forget about the trade stuff - Definitely a vehicle for Retail road .. you know the drill, Great detail, great Ad, service papers on the seats "asking" $8,900 and let some nice Marine take it home for $8/$8,5 ~ this should take about 3 days to sell ....

          Good luck and let me know ....

                 Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

....... PERFECT EXAMPLE .. this guys ego is bigger than his wallet ..

          This is "Exactly" what happens when someone searches all the sites, KBB, Edmund's, Nada, Popular Science, whatever .. and picks the highest figure they can find .. it's nut's, do they want to sell this puppy or do the want to go to Home Depot and pick up 300 lb's of soil and make a planter out of it ..? - $13,000 ...? I'm guessing this one must have a real nice Ebel in the glove box ..

          If it's a Reeeal nice one, all the service, deep in rubber, no Jack the Ripper seats, no Buster Bob's paint and barbecue, then on a trade, it might see the ultra high $7's, low $8's on a trade .. ok, now let's travel down Retail Rd ~~ it's a fair price in the $10's if it's a nice one .......... $13 ...? Oh yeah, great price - IF you work in the Baghdad Museum of Art ...

                 Terry.

p1race · April 2003

I'm selling my 96 surpa and i don't even bother asking, I know I can get more on the street for it than if I were to trade it in. I'm looking to buy the new Lexus IS sport design, what do you guys think? it's basically the same as the IS300 but with all the bells and whistles. new badges, new coloer options, optional nav. I found an offer online that said I could get a free membership to live365.com for testing it, here's where I found it, check it out:
www.live365.com

rroyce10 · April 2003

.... Not much fun going on here .. it's got a auto (thank goodness) it's a base, it's black, it's a 2dr and the miles are kinda ho-hum .. on a trade, "maybe" the low $2's, maybe ..

            A hop skip and a Jump down Retail Rd, $4,500 in the paper and let the first good Mormon take it home for $3/$4,000 .. that's if it's clean, cold air and needs -0- ...

            Good luck ...

               Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

.... Not bad little vehicles .. but make sure you can buy one cheap, they are kinda cold and the re-sale is not in the "stellar" department ...

Terry.

fsufan · April 2003

Are you sure about the 1997 Mazda Millenia S? Even edmunds has dealer retail at $9834. I understand that they're off sometimes but that much? I'm still seeing 95 Millenia S models being listed for between 6-7,000. I know those are only asking prices. Why are these so far off book? What's the latest year S model I can buy for 10K retail? As always thanks for the help.

rroyce10 · April 2003

....... Not bad vehicles, a little over priced new and always a little under powered, that's why God made the "S" model .. with a good nod from a great Service rep and it needs -0- then that's not a bad price .. start em' up at $7,5 and see what happens, I'm thinkin' $8ish and some change will work with a good history ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

....... If the dealer is asking $8,900 .. I'm thinking $8 and some change will take - or perhaps I should say "should", that's why I recommended starting at $7,5ish just to test the waters ..

Millenia's are good vehicles, but they go cheap at the auctions, this guy might have paid $6,5/$7,000 .. I'm only paying the tall $13's for 15k -01's-, and the light side of the $15's for the "S" models ... you "might" get a 98 for just under $10 .. a non "S" for sure .. but all in all, a nice clean low mileage 97 for $8,9 is not a bad price for a real nice vehicle .. also keep in mind, anyone can ask anything they want for anything ~ it's getting it, that's the hard part .. that's why my neighbor is still looking to get $19,0 for a $16,0 vehicle (retail) and a $13 wholesale piece, that's another one that needs to go to Home Depot and drop 300/400lbs of soil in it, and make a planter out of it ... l.o.l...

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

...... Sounds like it could be a nice one, no miles, it's a V6, it's a 4WD, it's Ecab .. these are few, especially with 31k, most have 100/150k when they reach that 96ish year ..

         If there is no rust, Cleeeean, no parking lot kisses, no freedom fry's that have been sitting there since 97, no I bounced off the parking grid at Wal-Mart and it doesn't take the 101st Airborne to clean it up .. then on a trade, you should be seeing the ultra high $7's, low $8's .. -- Or, a great Ad, great detail, in the "Huskers" paper for $9,900 and let $8,9/$9,5 do the walking for ya ...

          Good luck and let us know ..!

                 Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

...... Not much exciting here .. LS, it's a 2WD with a 3rd seat, but the miles are ultra low .. probably looking at the $27ish range on a trade ...

I hope this helps ....

Terry.

cpa4u · April 2003

Terry,

I'm great. Made it through tax season #11. Now I have to start on all the extension people's returns!

I told her that I would have guessed somewhere in the $8k - $9k range. So, I was pretty close. We are close to Ft Campbell (and you know Army guys like Mustangs!), but they are somewhat busy at the moment. She shouldn't have any trouble selling it though.

Thanks again.

rroyce10 · April 2003

.... Makes me Proud and very humble to see these troops coming home at Ft Bliss .. POW's - but, not for long ..!!

bluestar1 · April 2003

your post #11955 is of great interest to me. Thanks for the insight. This forum is always so good with lots of good info to help the average car buyer/seller.

Bill is probably out hunting for more Jags in the Orient, and has been quarantined due to SARS, hence it may take a while for him to get back here. LOL !

Bill hurry on back here, we miss you already...
Terry, did your 'man' win the Masters ?

rroyce10 · April 2003

..... The miles are real tall - but if the service is 100%, new sneakers, a great history, no visits to the body shop and it looks and drives like it has 12k on it .. then $15 is a Great price.

Right now, the Maxima's are a super great pre-owned purchase, reliable, looks sharp, will run forever, lotsa bang for the buck ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

.... Naah, Tiger had a bad day .. gheeez, I should have such bad days ..

Who knows were Bill goes .. the last time he took off for 7 months, never even a goodbye .. I agree jlawrence1 made some great points ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

..... Happy Easter everyone ..

Terry.

rivertown · April 2003

"..... Happy Easter everyone .."

TY!

ditto

koalacosine · April 2003

Thanks for the information. I really appreciate you taking the time to offer such good advice on these forums. Turns out my Dad may be in the market for a new truck about the same time I was planning on buying, so I may dodge both the Trade-in and the Private-sell nightmares! Thanks again.

fortop · April 2003

The Phoenix dealers are advertising new 2003 Tahoes equipped like mine for $26K (but I don't know if this is advertising hype or a real price.) My local GMC dealer said the current trade in value on a GMS sale is about $24K. Sales are slow, so it seems like used vehicles are not moving very well. Do you have an idea of what this vehicle is currently bringing in the auctions? My private ad isn't generating a lot of interest, due to 2WD and 4.8, as you mentioned above.

jbollt · April 2003

Terry, before you say "drive what you like" hehe...I have a question...Looking at 2003 Camrys, both the LE and SE, and to a lesser extent, the XLE. Since the LEs are the garden variety (decently equiped, but still the high sales volume trim level) and the SEs are sold in MUCH less numbers....will one hold it value more in , say, 3 years?

In other words, will the higher number of LEs avail on the resale market in 3 years lower the value compared to the SE, which would be in much smaller availibility, or will there be much less demand for the SE, causing the values to be about the same? Confused yet?

Thanks!

rroyce10 · April 2003

.... Your welcome - here's a ballpark to work with, as of todays market .. I don't do 3 years in advance, who would have ever thunk it, that Hummers would be selling out .. but anyway.

        On the "wholesale" side, SE's are doing "around" a ghee whiz more than the LE's, and the XLE's are doing "around" a ghee whiz more than the SE's .. Confused yet?

         I hope so ...

            Terry ;-)

rroyce10 · April 2003

....... You didn't print it, and I didn't ask, dooooh.! that's my fault -- the "4.8's" are a little cold .. what saves this pup, is the almost -0- miles .. now the 5.3's, thats a whole different Easter egg hunt .. your dealer friend is close to the money, but not On the money , $25,0 should be all the Easter eggs and that's right from the auction reports from 4/15 - at $24, he's holding back a little .. especially with 3,200 miles.

Terry :-(

jbollt · April 2003

Hehe What ME confused! ;-) OK, that helps us decide....We're going with an SE...Catalina Blue, alloys, spoiler, roof, ABS....a little on the sporty side for Camrys...Negotiated a good price over the web with a HUGE dealer in the LA area (SoCal). We're driving out there from AZ. Thursday is the day, I'll let you know.

Keep up the great work, TERRY, even if your buddy is lost in space again!

fortop · April 2003

The 4.8 vs. 5.3 is something I never understood. I had a 2001 5.3 Yukon SLT and lost $1000 on a private sale (6 months old, 2800 miles), but I traded in a 2002 Tahoe LS 4.8 plane Jane (for the one I have now) and came out even (that's trading it in to a dealer, not selling privately.) I could never tell the difference between the two engines, but I guess that extra 10 hp and some extra torque are valuable in the resale market. BTW, what would the same vehicle with a 5.3 go for at the auctions? Would just having a 5.3 raise the auction price $2K? KBB, Black Book, Edmunds, etc. indicate that you don't realize the full price for the 5.3 on resale. So, it must just be the appeal of the 5.3.

atlcarguy · April 2003

Hey just sold a 99 saturn Sl2 dark blue, 5spd, clean, 72k miles, for $5400 was this fair? Just bought a 2000 Malibu, pw,pdl,cruise, and 43,000 miles on the clock for $4,000 from my uncle's company and was wondering what i could get for it ?

dkuhajda · April 2003

$5400? Must have been a really well kept nice one. Except for the Saturn dealer around here the SL2 5 speeds are tough to move. Automatics are easy to sell as fitting a payment.

The Malibu on the other hand: Was a company car, how well kept? Overall condition and past maintenance? There are TONS of them out there used. $4000 is a good price and pretty much what I have seen at auction (give or take depending on the specific cars condition). Dealers asking price typically $7995 with $6995 sales on same car (after full inspection, detail, AND offering at least some minimal dealer backed warranty).

Resale value has been hurt by some big mechanical problems (intake manifold gasket and recall on rack and pinion) have been depressing an already low (relative to new price) resale value.

Since you just bought the car and want to sell it, make it a daily driver for a while and make sure all maintenance is up to date and it has been mechanically inspected. Then give it a good detail and start around $6,000 asking and be willing to take any offer close.

qbrozen · April 2003

sorry, Terry, but methinks I kinda confused you a bit with my post. My fault.

I was inquiring on a red '00 CRV EX with an auto and 28 clicks here in NJ. (the civic i mentioned is her trade-in ... but we covered the numbers on that a while back).

thanks.

rroyce10 · April 2003

...... You are quite welcome .. Large Toyota store in LA .. hmmm, might be Longo Toyota ..?

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

..... The 5.3's are doing "around" $27 at the block ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

.... 99 SL2, no-sale blue, 74k with a handshaker .. $5,400 ..?

        You did good ~ real good ..! other than the tall miles, the bad color and it was a manual, everything was going your way .. need a job .?

        Is the Malibu an LS, color, spoiler, slider, condition, tires .. ?

               Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2003

.... I'm always confused ..

By the way -- BINGO .! -- that's #12,000 that's alot of posts .. I started writing on this thing around #500 .. 11,500 posts later ~~ God, I gotta get a life ...

Terry :-))

rroyce10 · April 2003

...... You are very welcome ..

Terry.

gmanusmc · April 2003

2002 Acura 3.2 TL with navigation, impeccable condition in and out, just shy of 18K, anthracite (dark gray) exterior, black interior. Located in Southern CA (Orange County). What would be your best guess for trade in value (on a BMW if that makes a difference)? KBB says 23K and Edmunds says 21.5K but I know how you feel about getting info that way...That's why I'm asking the expert!

Thanks in advance!!

Bill G

rroyce10 · April 2003

..... Hey Bill - we have the right color, right option and the miles are low for S.Cal .. I'm going to go with Edmunds on this one, $21,0 and some change will make that dog hunt .. $23,0 is a great figure if it had 6/10k ..

Terry.

gnipper · April 2003

Terry - looks like you're a busy guy here providing some insight on car prices. Wondering if you can give me some insight. In Dallas - 2000 Black GMC Z71 - loaded - 5.3, 4.10 rearend, I think every option but the cell phone wiring - incl heated memory dark leather seats, heated mirrors, tow package, trans cooler CD. Its been taken care of - I'd like to think great shape - but the hail just got it - paintless dent people say they can fix it like new- so assuming that is done - what kind of price? 55,000 miles. It's got 285 tires and chrome nerf bars. Looks like the sources say $17K to $22K depending on low trade to high dealer lot resale.

I'm looking at replacing with the same thing - I've got GMS pricing - do dealers every beat that selling straight out?

THANKS !

qbrozen · April 2003

um.... can you give me a number on that CRV?

i'm a pain in the [non-permissible content removed].... i know that already.

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