Real-World Trade-In Values

steine13 · June 2003

"NADA value is ONLY $11,400 and this is the max loan my bank will give me for this car."

Note: "for THIS car"

Either way, if I'm not saving 20c/mile by buying used, I'm buying new.... -M

len_a · June 2003

steine13 is correct. The max loan is determined by the NADA value of the car I buy. That rule only applies for used cars. The rules are less restrictive for new cars.

The NADA link you gave is close to accurate. If you enter 41,500 miles it will add $175 to the value for a mileage adjustment making the total $11,450. As I said earlier the Edmunds TMV is $13,600 for a "Toyota Certified Used Car" like this one. $12,800 if not certified. I'm hoping Terry can shed some light on the $2000+ difference between NADA and TMV and which is more realistic.

As far as buying new, I'm simply trying to keep the cost low. I already own a 2000 Honda Odyssey which is our primary family vehicle. The Camry will be used just to drive me a few miles to work, other around town driving and some occassional highway trips. I've considered a new Matrix, Corolla or Honda Civic but I didn't find value in getting a smaller car and paying at least $3000+ more. Of course a new car would have 41,500 miles less than the used Camry but I only drive around 3-5k miles a year so it should easily last the 8-10 years I want to get out of it provided the body holds up ok.

zueslewis · June 2003

The dealer faxes the invoice, showing cost and MSRP (only two numbers with no variables like on a used car, no "adds" or "drops" for mileage, etc) and a lending decision is made.

seank2 · June 2003

Bill and Terry,

Since the numbers on my gazillion mile Audi A6 weren't quite what I was hoping for, let's see where my better half's car will end up, to prepare my expectations for trade time. Here's the info:

1997 Mercedes C230
4 cyl, from the pre-supercharger days
5 spd auto
Smoke silver exterior
Parchment (taupe) Tex interior
auto climate
slider
AM/FM cassette, no CD
64,000 miles
all service history with all the stamps in the service book
15,000 miles on the Michelin Pilot MXV4s, so they've still got plenty of life left.
It also has a transferable warranty to 100K for a private party trade too.
Just had a new A/C compressor put in in April (thanks to the warranty company!)
No scratches or dings on the exterior or interior and no paint work.
No winter salt history, since the car started it's life in Bill's old neighborhood in Longwood, Florida and is now in Savannah, Georgia.
Thanks again for your help!

bretfraz · June 2003

Someone I know needs a valuation on the following:

*1999 Saab 9-5 SE sport wagon
*49,000 miles
*4 cyl motor with automatic
*heated and ventilated seats
*light green metallic with beige interior
*needs rear tires otherwise in excellent shape
*in Wisconsin

They can't decide whether to trade or sell so wholesale and retail prices would be great. Thanks!!!!!

rroyce10 · June 2003

...... Kinda remember, 93% of the buying public are payment buyers, not car buyers ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · June 2003

..... Good Morning, this one sounds a little on the rough side .. Tons of miles, a little kiss here a little kiss there, needs a bedliner and a lot of TLC .. trade side, in and around the $8's depending on the dealer ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · June 2003

...... 3.0 or a 3.8 V6 ..?

        Oh, golly ghee, you never see these around . l.o.l..

       Let's say it's a 3.8 with all the nice soccer, Boy scouts, Mcdonald invasions that go with .. trade side in and around the $8's also .. there is just a friggin' Kazillion of these that pass through the auctions .. I guess the "8" number might be good to play in the lottery ...

                      Terry ;-)

rroyce10 · June 2003

... Paper pusher, but I will be back this afternoon .. this work stuff is interfering with my golf game ..

Terry.

maplecanes · June 2003

Anyone purchased or sold a 2000 Taurus SEL lately ? If so, what price ? I'm looking at a 2000 with 41,000 miles, Duratec engine and all options except for power sunroof.

Thanks

len_a · June 2003

Hi guys. I'm sorry to repost this info but I'm running short on time. I'll be selling my old car today and buying this new car tomorrow AM if I can negotation a fair price but right now I don't know what that fair price is. I need some help soon on the price if at all possible.

2000 Toyota Camry CE - Color silver
Auto, A/C, Cruise, power windows,mirrors, locks
Tinted glass, NO ABS
60 day / 3000 mile warranty
Location: Southern Tier of NY, north of PA border

Dealer is asking $12,995
Edmunds TMV is $13,600 for "Toyota Certified Used Car" like this one. $12,800 if not certified.
NADA value is ONLY $11,400 and this is the max loan my bank will give me for THIS car.

Can you shed some light on the $2000+ difference between NADA and TMV and which is more realistic?

What's a fair price I should pay for this car?

THANKS for your help!!

Hankr · June 2003

but I'll offer a piece of unsolicited advice... Don't do anything "under the gun".

If no one gives you info on fair market value, then just sell you car and go get a cheap weekly rental from Enterprise or a dealer. Use that week to shop more carefully... there are probably a gazillion 3-year-old Camrys (and Accords, etc) out there. Take your time, be thoughtful and informed.

Good Luck.

len_a · June 2003

Good advice. Thanks.

Btw, I again forgot to give the mileage for the 2000 Camry. It's 41,500.

bretfraz · June 2003

Camrys like that are selling for $9500-10,000 at dealer auctions. So add $1000-1500 and you have a good retail price. Keep in mind that many dealers spend $$ on reconditioning used cars and to meet Toyota Certification requirements.

I think your "buy price" should be $11,500 to $12,000.

pgill · June 2003

What would be a realistic private sale value for a 2002 Acura RSX, auto transmission, black on black, 28,000 miles, dealer serviced, no parking lot kisses or dings, located in NJ?

Thank you in advance.

vikd · June 2003

...Thought I was sold on a new Max but saw a nice BMW 5 series on the front lawn of one of the local dealers. Here is all the info I know:

1997 BMW 528i
White
Auto
Tan Leather
Slider
Standard stereo system (no chngr in the trunk etc...)
18 inch Lorimer rims
Looks like it may have a "sport pkg" or similar as it appeared lowered...? (Not too familiar with the model years factory options...)
74,500 miles
NW region

Thanks...

Regards... Vikd

ewriter · June 2003

Need some help, please. Looking to purchase a used Honda CR-V EX or SE in the Columbus, OH, area in the next 2 weeks, as my current Civic lease is up in July. Reliability is key for me and I think I might feel better with a certified vehicle because I don't have money for extensive repairs up front.

I realize it's a popular car, but the prices seem so inflated. For example, several dealerships have 2000s and 2001s with mid- to high miles listed in the $18-19K range, which seems ridiculous considering the price of a new one. I've done my Edmunds and other consumer research. How do I come up with an intelligent offer based on the actual value of the vehicle using the trade-in values on this site and others? To me, even $14K seems too much for a 2000. The car's almost 4 years old. I am not a good negotiator in person, so I am doing most of my search via internet and phone with mixed results.

A few questions: How much are they really marking them up? And how much are they actually paying for them at auction? Can you get a better price on a lease turn-in versus a trade-in?

Thank you,
Beth

steine13 · June 2003

Somebody help me.

My sweet wife -- the one who made me swear off beaters last year -- comes home from a yard sale while I'm wasting my vacation patching up the lawn.

"I just went to this sale, you gotta go look at these cars...."

Well, the house is sold, the kids (50s) are here to get everything moved along, and they have these two cars that still haven't moved...

1978 Honda Accord, silver over red cloth. Stick. Hatchback. I haven't really looked at it completely, but it looks very good from the outside, hints of rust here and there, but you have to look for them. 75,000 miles. Let's assume it has AC and runs well -- will drive it in the p.m. Owned by elderly couple (90+!!) who seem to take care of their stuff.

1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille. 160k. white over cream leather. 500 inches... idles strong, runs great, handling is absolutely scary, "climate control" seems to work, has rust here and there, not a ton, but visible. So I don't think it's a candidate for restauration, and the exhaust is busted, so it will need that, so I don't think it's worth much.. but it's a real piece of history... and that V8 burble, of course.

They are motivated but overly wary, I think... they were asking "$2,200" for either, orginally, and they are down to $1k obo on either. I've got 1/2 a mind to offer them $800 for both, drive the Caddy for a couple of weeks as a lark, and sell it for $450...

Wadday'all think?
-Mathias
East Lansing, MI

qbrozen · June 2003

sounds like the caddy would be a nice interstate highway cruiser if you have AAA. Personally, i'd kick the honda to the curb before the caddy. yeah, its a honda, but its a '78. i didn't even know they built the accord in '78. thought it was the civic or nothing. anyway, the right buyer is bound to come along for the honda and give you all the money in the world for it. I think the caddy has got one tire in the junkyard and you should enjoy it till it dies and give it a proper burial. you'd get your money's worth in the end on both (at $800 for the pair, that is).

jlawrence01 · June 2003

There have been several posts in the past few weeks talking about the unrealisticaly high resales on certain Honda and Toyota models. Personally, I would not pay more than 70% of the original cost on even a nice low-mileage model. That is MY preference though.

I think that you would probably be better off buying a new vehicle if the cost of a 2 year old model is more than 80% of the original cost.

Of course, there are a ton of other reliable models than can be had much more reasonably ...

len_a · June 2003

Where can you find the original cost of a car? All I can find on Edmunds is TMV unless I'm looking in the wrong place.

Also do you mean original MSRP or invoice price?

jlawrence01 · June 2003

Original cost? That would really depend on the particular model. If you are looking at a Camry or an Accord, you are probably talking about something close to MSRP. If you are talking about a domestic, you are talking something less.

I don't generally track the original cost of more than the few models that I am interested in. I know what models I like and that I might buy in 4 or 5 years and I keep an eye on what they are going for new. I have a lot of contacts in the leasing business where I can get the information.

steine13 · June 2003

I tend to agree with jl's analysis, but I don't think it matters what the car orginally went for.. just check what a similar one would cost you NOW. It's bound to be a small difference, but sometimes it works in your favor... Toyota often keeps the price the same as a model ages and throws more and more stuff into it as standard equipment.
Look at either scenario, do the math where you'd be 3 years down the road, and then make a decision.
Terry is of course right that most people are payment buyers... so the payments are lower but who wants to have car payments in 2007 on '99 car???
-Mathias

len_a · June 2003

I was only asking about 'original cost' in reference to jlawrence01's post about not paying more than 70% or 80% of the original cost.

superman5 · June 2003

i am trying to help my buddy sell his car

98 4runner limited 2wd
excellent condition 90,000 miles
loaded w/ leather/sunroof/premium speakers/stereo/towing hitch/ram bar/fog lights/alarm/Factory TRD supercharger-retailed over $3000 installed at the dealer) what would be fair/good price to sell or start?

davrukr · June 2003

Could you help me with a trade in price for a 2001 Dodge 1500 QuadCab 4x4, 5.2 V8, 25500 miles, Auto Trans, Plain Jane - no power windows or locks and no carpet, sliding rear window, limited slip differential, white, antilock rear brakes, very clean to excellent, no wrecks and no dents, located in central Texas. Thanks for your help. Dave

qbrozen · June 2003

Yeah, I think he turned away that one guy who thought that Honda was the perfect car.

dt3123 · June 2003

I'm starting to shop for a new car and hope you can help me with determining the value of my 1998 Ford Contour SE w/V6 engine (both trade-in & retail value). It has:
Automatic transmission
Air conditioning
Power windows/locks/mirrors
Cruise control
ABS
Mileage = 87,894
Color = Green (exterior) Tan (interior)

I'm located in Northern NJ/Metro NYC if that makes a difference. Let me know if there's any other info you need.

Thank you in advance for your help.

morphx22 · June 2003

http://www.getauto.com/autolinks_cardetail.html?x_dealer_id=AADK9- &vinNum=JN1CA31D3YT506271

it costs 15k and my dad and i got it down to 13700 or something around there (not including taxes or anything). What do you all think?

From what i heard from another forum, the wheels arent stock and i bought the car to a mechanic and it was painted over for some reason, and its still nissan certified. It drives real well too, we took it for a spin for a while

I would rather have a smaller car, but I dont know what else is out there that isnt very expensive (under 12.5k) with a spoiler on it (nice to have a sunroof though too). And is the non-bose speakers good? (compared to my 1985 oldsmobile regency 98 and I have a JVC mp3 player to replace their cd-player)

Thanks

oac3 · June 2003

check out "Blackbook" on the cars.com site (see below) Put in the car info in the "What's your car worth" section, and you will get data on retail and trade-in. But more importantly, at the top of the page you'll see what the original MSRP was on the car.

http://www.cars.com/advice/advice_carprices.jhtml?aff=national

Good luck.

ps: If you read b/w the lines of all the input you have gotten on your request, you'll see a general "consensus" around the $10-12K price range. Let us know how you did on this purchase.

rroyce10 · June 2003

..... Thought you got forgotten ..? nope, just been busy .. sounds like a pretty nice one, miles are low for the year, it has a sunroof (maybe, a aftermarket.?) .. good vehicles, properly serviced should see 150k+ ..

          Maybe has $6ish in it, should be had for "around" that $8ish figure ..

                 Good luck,

                       Terry.

rroyce10 · June 2003

..... Did you "turn and burn" that Yota yet .. ?

Terry.

rroyce10 · June 2003

...... 1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille .. that's what I'm talkin' about ..! sounds nice ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · June 2003

...... It's a 45k Camry "CE" ...?

                Miles are way stiff for the year, color is fine, lot's of LE's around for competition .. probably has in and around $9,5 in it .. $10,900 would just be about all of it ..

             Don't spend the Xtra money for the "Certified" BS .. no matter how you cut the pie on that deal, you paying for that warranty .. in your case, your getting a 3k/3 month warranty, that's good. Just read it, understand it and get it in writing .. got it.!

                      Terry.

rroyce10 · June 2003

...... Oooh, a little "C" class action .. good description, thanks.!

             Miles aren't too too bad for the year, most are in and around the 35/40k range to bring real money .. good color, the service seems to be in line, newer sneakers .. can't have a re-paint on these, MB buyers get hinky that way .. trade side, the mid $8's, "might" see the low low low $9's if it's a "stand up doll" .. quick sale down Retail Rd (warranty, big seller here) "asking" $12,9 with a great detail and a mop and glo .. $11,5/$12,5 gets a new owner.

                   Good luck and don't forget to let me know .!

                     Terry.

rroyce10 · June 2003

......... The Wisconsin area gets some big money for imports, Saabs, Bimmers, Subaru's, Mitsu Sypders, clean Yota's do Real well up there ..

               The color is kinda ok, the miles aren't bad for that area, wagons are in Vogue .. so if it's a nice one, all the service junk, looks 02ish inside and out, then you should be seeing the tall $10's, "might" "could" "maybe" see $11,0 if it needs -0- .. if you take a drive down Retail Rd, $13,9 in the paper and $12,5/$13,5 gets that pup a new garage ..

            I hope this helps ...

                      Terry.

jcat707 · June 2003

I've been coming to this board for a while to see what cars are going for across the country. Today I decided to see how much mine would go for(trade-in and retail).

It's a Silver 1999 Volkswagen Passat.
28,000 miles
Alloy Wheels
moonroof
cd changer
heated seats
tiptronic
heated leather seats
black interior
Located in Farmington Hills, Michigan

I think that's everything. Thanks alot

len_a · June 2003

oac3, thanks for the blackbook link. It indicates around 18,300 base price for the 2000 Camry. Options would drive that up. Yes, I have gotten the impression that $12k is the most I should pay although I was thinking $11k on the low end not $10k.

Terry, It's a 2000 Camry CE with options equivalent to an LE. 41,500 miles (not 45k). Did you mean you thought that was high miles for a 2000? Under 14k miles per year for 3 years? That's not the kind of miles I drive but it seemed in the normal range. I should offer $10,900 huh? That's $2100 below asking price of $13k. With the prices I'm seeing at this dealer I'd be surprised if I can get them down to $12k but I'll try.

** I'll be negotiating the deal today. Let me know if you have any additional advice. Thanks!

steine13 · June 2003

It's way too nice a day today in MI to get sent to your room...
... so you're gonna have to let us know whether you've got the 1.8 turbo or the V6...
-Mathias

seank2 · June 2003

Terry,

Thanks for the number's on my wife's C-class. She isn't really looking to sell yet, but I was curious as to what to expect come trade time. We'll probably start casually looking this fall and get serious next spring or summer.

The numbers aren't as bad as I was afraid, with the new C-class cars getting better in the reliability department. But the depreciation isn't too bad on this one either, since we only paid like $16,5 for it in November 2001, and have put 25,000 or so miles on it. I'll be back when she gets ready to sell to get some hard numbers. Thanks again for this great service!

alyssazmom · June 2003

What would I get for a trade in price on a 2003 VW Passat GLS 1.8T, automatic, leather, monsoon, homelink, cold weather package, 1500 miles... Not a ding on it.

Thanks,

Carrie

2099 · June 2003

Terry/Bill and others,

Lady who works for me is trading in her Escort and would like trade-in value. 1998 Escort SE with auto., cassette (no CD), A/C, no ABS, cruise, tilt, no power windows or seats. Light brown/tan with 23, 000 miles. New tires, usual minor dings from parking lot "kisses". Trading on either a new Chrysler Sebring or new Buick Century. Cleveland Ohio area.
Thanks for your help with this and in the past. I love my 2002 Avalon that you advised me on in February!!

Tom

jcat707 · June 2003

It's a 1.8T

natedog0711 · June 2003

what would the private party price for a 1998 honda accord coupe ex 80K black auto (of course)in zip code 31210......thanks for the help

vikd · June 2003

...any ideas on that Bimmer Terry? I'd like to take a serious look at this veh this weekend...

Thanks for your time!

Regards... Vikd

len_a · June 2003

... with 41,500 miles. Cheaper is always better but I'm ok with that price. I'm finalizing the deal in about 3 hours. Carfax report shows a 1 owner lease with clean history. Put on the road at the end of July 2000 so it's not quite 3 years old yet. Only negatives: car was in Mass (winters) and it was a repo (relevant?).

Dealer offered a 4 year / 100k mile extended zero deductible bumper to bumper warranty for $1500 which I think I'll pass on. Money back at end of 4 years if never used. Just more money.

dkuhajda · June 2003

Feel free to take a look at cars.com or autotrader.com and see what Dealers are ASKING for a similar car. For Example, Barberton, Ohio, 98 Escort 47K has a Dealer ASKING price of $4921, with ABS and all the bells and whistles (that would make up for the low mileage of her car).

Lets say the dealer would actually sell the car for $4500, trade in ACV around $2500 ($3000 to $3500 if the dealer needs something like that on the lot for resale.)

rroyce10 · June 2003

...... Depending on the color, what kind of of shape it's in, the miles are kinda high and the options should be the leather, the Alpine, track ctrl all except the roof, the Dura tek 24V saves this pup ..

The dealer might have $7/$7,5 into it .. add a this and that and it should be bought for "around" $9ish .. there is Kazillions of Taurus's and bunches of the SEL's out there, good vehicles, just bunches of them.

Terry.

rroyce10 · June 2003

...... Hmmm, is it a "real" AMG conversion, or is it just some add on stuff from Joe Bob's Travel, Antique and Automotive Specialty House ..

The miles are kinda tall, the color is fine, (service history.? BMW dealer .? certified.?) .. if this dude is clean, no repaints, no Swiss Army knife practice zones in the back seats, way deep in rubber, then the dealer might have $14/$15 in it, you West Coasters have no fear of long miled trips .. should be had for "around" $18ish ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · June 2003

...... Yep, these CRV's still get the money .. but they are starting to cool off a little in your area, it's summer, there's plenty of them now up for sale and folks need to have a Convert Mustang, Sebring, Cabrio .. whatever.

             Most of the 01's with 20/25k EX's are doing the high $14's, the 00's with 30kish are doing the high $12's .. by the time they add a Partridge in a Peartree they might have $15ish in 'em and you should be able to grab a clean low miler 01 EX for "around" $17, clean low miler 00's EX's for "about" $15 .. want to save some money? kick the "Certified" garbage off the deal, or buy from a non Honda dealer .. that "Certified" BS is just that ~ BS.

                  Good luck ...!

                         Terry.

Real-World Trade-In Values

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