Real-World Trade-In Values

akangl · September 2003

Don't get me started on hay and horses, we sat down and figured out that we are spending $3000/year for ONE horse, that's just feed, vet, and farrier.....doesn't include emergencies.

Its looking like we will be keeping my mare though, she's an abuse case and I won't let just anyone buy her.

Cars are soooo much less trouble and money!!!

oac3 · September 2003

zeus:

you know the best way to get rid of someone on a faceless medium like this ? Simply ignore them. That'll do it faster than anything else. Try it.

Jolie:

Sorry I have to chime in. Everyone is truly trying to help, even if it appears they are picking on you. For whatever reason, many people here care much about you and want to see you do good. You are blessed to have so much attention. Cherish it.

Terry:

One for ya. Found a living, breathing, LX, and it ain't going anywhere anytime soon either. I went, touched, felt, sat, drove this puppy and what can I say, it is a Lex afterall... Here it is:

In So Cal,
2000 LX470, no-sale dark green/tan interior
60K miles
all the toys, Nak, CD-changer, new sneakers, new front brakes, etc..
Lowered from $31,999 to $29,999. Dealer claimed he bought off Lexus Finance for $28,5, added new sneakers + front brakes, so only making $700-ish. Car's been on the lot 30days so gotta go. Me, I am no fan of green, but wondering if the deal is good enough for me to overlook the ext color. What do you think of this ? I know the color sucks, but...

rarlam · September 2003

Terry ... I'm reposting message #14479. Thanks for any advice you can provide.

I'm looking for real-world trade-in and private party values for the following:

1994 Acura Integra LS Sedan (5-speed manual)
68,500 miles
Dark green exterior / tan cloth interior
CD player and tweeter kit
Original owner
All service records
New Acura radiator and clutch master cylinder
Michelin X-One tires have 30K miles on them
A few dings/scratches, but otherwise good condition and clean
No mechanical problems
Only problem is stuck power antenna (radio still works fine)

I was offered $3500 by a local dealer, but I'm thinking of selling it myself.

rroyce10 · September 2003

..... Good question .. a vehicle like a base BMW X5 w/o the basic options of premium package (leather, wood, roof) and with a stick shift, is like trying to sell a real nice One bathroom, 4 bedroom home in a great area, folks say "oop's nice house, but we need at least 2 bathrooms, we got kids, friends over, morning madness, etc" ..

         Especially nowadays folks like the frills, they want the slider and the auto in the upscale vehicles .. can you find some guy to purchase a base Luxo, sure.! - but he may be one of 200, one of 800 that a dealer or the market will ever see, waiting for this particular twin to the original buyer can be long and costly, No matter how good the selling price is .. do you want your $40 grand in a vehicle that's been sitting for 4 months, have spent $500 in ad's and 30 hrs in trying to coerce someone to buy it and that's not counting the monthly payments with the "late fee's" ... not me brother, I could have bought 20 golf carts and had them all sold, shipped, got that money, then spent that money on 6 Chevy Prizm's and had them sold, etc .l.o.l...

         Here's a Perfect example, I usually keep track of certain vehicles at the auctions and this popped up the other day .. it's a 01 Audi A8 LWB Quattro, 11k .. you would think a vehicle like this would sell "mach snell" for a good price, it did "kinda". I pulled the DMV on the vehicle and it's the same one I saw at the Atlanta auction 13 months ago. Nice vehicle, great color, nooo miles -but- it's been to 3 auctions, 2 states, 5 dealers and still hasn't seen a "retail buyer" .. why .? .. no leather, no slider, base options .. not too many folks want to spend $40,000 and sit in cloth seats, have no slider and no upgrades, at least no one I have met.

        As far as the Bimmers are concerned, that's a bragging rights thing .. as long as they have the toy's the 525/528's sell well, everything else is, who can get on the "on ramps" the fastest .l.o.l...

                      Terry.

rroyce10 · September 2003

...... Hmmm, post #14479 .. what was I doing that day .? - Oooh yeah, I was getting my hair dyed for the David Bowie concert .l.o.l..

          Miles look low low low for the year, no-sale green with tan gut's, handshaker, single owner, we got service records .. $3,5 .. ? Bang, right on the money.

          This is definitely a vehicle for Retail Rd, spend a couple of hundred bucks, fix the ant, finish any service, a super duper detail, a Great 5 liner Ad in the biggest paper in your area and Wango Tango $6,900 "asking" and the first $5,5/$6,5 get's a new driveway ...

                   Good luck ..!

                         Terry.

rroyce10 · September 2003

tblazer503 · September 2003

it's an '03 XLT Escape 4x4 Premium
leather, sunroof, etc. used to be in excellent condition. dark blue in portland,OR. 200miles on the truck...

4k in damage, including frame damage.
front left fender, bumper, hood, grille needs to be replaced.

Whats an estimated diminished value on this bad boy?

Like I said, used to be a nice car for all of the two weeks he owned it...

qbrozen · September 2003

I've been kicking around this very idea: get a beater to keep the miles off the good car. I don't see this as a simple gas savings. We are talking wear and tear as well, not to mention the depreciation on "the good car" with all those miles you (and I) are putting on it. In my particular case, I'll have 100K miles on my car and still have 3 years of payments left!! So, anyway, I think a car like your Escort pays for itself is MUCH less than 2.5 years. And let's not forget that you can still sell the darned thing when you tire of it... again. So you may pay $1200, drive it for, let's say, a year and a half while it pays for itself, then sell it for $600. So you really made $600 out of the deal. Ok, ok, so you gotta pay insurance on this thing. So maybe drive it for 2 years and break even on it. Repairs and maintenance? Well, this was my wife's argument to me. My thinking is that the maintenance on this beater will offset the maintenance I'm NOT putting into my primary car because I won't be putting as many miles on it.

So have I convinced you yet? Maybe this would convince my wife as well.

Anyone see any holes in my argument that I'd rather not hear but probably should for my own good?

rroyce10 · September 2003

..... Good description, thanks ..

It's got the stuff, Nak, new round things, front stoppers, color eh', 60k not bad in Cal ... now I'm not saying their worth it, but I have seen a "few" 00 LX's with *90k do $28,0 at the auctions in your area, so I think the guy is being straight about the price with 60k ... actually if it's all there, service, no let's drop it off pier stuff, clean history, then this might be a great buy .. "you might" even drive it for the next 30k and get most of your money back - color ..? get some nice chromee's, a real slick gold pin stripe, and your done ...

your in the San Clemente area, right .?

Terry.

zueslewis · September 2003

my 16 year old son hasn't gotten his permit yet. He won't be a licensed driver until between March and June of next year.

On the other hand, we are miling the heck out of our PT. I found a Nissan 240SX (1990) is danged good shape and got it for cheap.

I'm the guilty party on putting the miles on the PT GT, so I'll drive the 240SX until my kid gets his license, then he can start driving it to school and go cruising.

For a grand, I'll be able to keep 8-10K miles off the PT, plus having the convenience of another car. I don't drive the MR-2 much at all because of the wild autocoss suspension set up and alignment..

Everybody's happy - the MR-2 doesn't go through tires every two months, the Nissan needs loves and a home (can we keep it, Mom?) and the wife has the PT all to herself and keeps the miles off.

rroyce10 · September 2003

kyfdx · September 2003

2002 BMW 325i
four-door, premium pkg, sport pkg, red w/gray leather... 17" wheels.. 17,000 miles.. looks purrrfect.. oh yeah, steptronic automatic.. At a GMC dealer in central Ohio.

Thanks!!!
kyfdx

rroyce10 · September 2003

...... >> including frame damage << .. ...

          Eeeh, Yow, what can I say .. 200 miles and this bad boy has "forever" damage, plus they have records on it .. gheez, I would lookin' for the insurance co. for a total .. no matter how well it get's fixed, there's always going to be a history, a lot of bad variables here ..

         The Ins co talks him into keeping it, he drives it for 20/28 months then tries to trade it and Bang* "hey, we found out it has frame damage" he will always be at the dealers mercy, and rightfully so, what the heck will they do with it .. they will run it to the auction, have to declare the damage and gamble on what it "may" "could" "maybe" bring .. not a good future for your friend, kinda like the sword of Damaclese hanging over his head, not fun and Tons of aggravation ...

          Let him strike a deal with the Ins co, see what a dealer will pay for it now and let them pay the difference -- Or, let them fix it and see what a dealer will pay for it, then let them pay him the difference .. it's kinda like putting a Ming vase together and guessing what it might be worth at Southby's ... too much risk, -0- return and lot's of future Rolaids ...

          Right now, they are doing in and around the $19's at the auctions with 2k/5k, let them buy him one there and let them screw with the pieces ... what might this one be worth after it's fixed *Correctly*, pick a number, can't say, maybe the $11's, maybe someone from Hippy Happy Idaho will pay the $14's after a 3 night stay at the Beers and Franks Truck stop , it's anyones guess ......

Terry.

isellhondas · September 2003

She's among friends here who do care.

I'm just betting she buys SOMETHING between now and October 20th and horses don't count!

Dumb question...what's a farrier?

From a guy who does NOT like horses!

rroyce10 · September 2003

..... I didn't miss you, I was avoiding you ..

            There has been a deluge of "3" series dropped in your area, so it's not like they are Rare or anything .. I don't think the dealer should have much more than $26,0 in it .. $29ish would be ALL the monies on the Retail side ...

               What's he asking ..?

                       Terry.

rivertown · September 2003

A farrier is a tire guy for horses.

fdefulvio · September 2003

Brand new '03 Acura TL-TypeS
MSRP $32k
Can buy for $27k after $1500 "marketing support"

or

New body style '04 Acura TL
MSRP estimate $32k to $33k
Probably no discount!

What happens two to three years down the road if I want to trade-in or sell private. The '03 is basically a year old even with zero miles. Is the $5k to $6k savings going to hold up over time. I'm usually very much against leftovers, especially with a new redesign, but I'm hoping that the savings and being a "luxury" brand, which tend to hold their value better, will help down the road.

qbrozen · September 2003

It helps you get a good deal now, but just the fact that they can be had for that price will already be affecting the used TL market and when the new design comes out, expect that used market to take another hit. I think its more like a wash in the end. But that's just my analysis and, obviously, nobody can predict what will happen.

akangl · September 2003

Well, ok, if you say I buy *something* between now and October 20th, you would be right.

We are buying a 2003 Goertzen 18' car/bobcat trailer for our business on October 9th.

I know I'm among friends and my life would be pretty darn dull if I couldn't come here and get picked on.....I love you guys, you are all great.

A farrier is a manacurist for horses....or tire guy as river said.....$35 for a trim every 8 weeks or $90 for a set of shoes every 6 to 8 weeks.

River.....thanks.....lol

redkey1 · September 2003

2002 wrangler sport (yellow)
Has all options except the security key.
Both tops.
Never been offroad.
5 speed manual / 6 cylinder.

Trading it in on a 2003 Mazda6 at invoice plus $100. It also has a $2000 manufacturer to customer rebate. Any idea what I would be looking at for trade?

kyfdx · September 2003

They are asking $29,800.. its a GMC dealer, but they have a used import specialty dealership in Dublin, OH thats only about 30 miles away, so they are used to dealing in them.. $27K would be dreaming on my part, I'm guessing..

Thanks,
kyfdx

jratcliffe · September 2003

Where are you? Also, what's the interior color?

rroyce10 · September 2003

..... >> A farrier is a manicurist for horses << ..

Now I know what those $350 bills were for .. I thought it was from the florist .l.o.l..

Terry.

redkey1 · September 2003

I am in Boston....it is the standard interior jeep color. Sort of a gray w/ yellow design.

rroyce10 · September 2003

...... I'm tryiiiing, but I don't have the miles ....

Terry.

tblazer503 · September 2003

I figured that it would kill the value pretty good. He asked his agent/adjuster about it, and they said "I'm not familiar with that term"... hehe...

redkey1 · September 2003

19500, whoops. Sorry about that.

oac3 · September 2003

Thanks, as always for your wisdom and help on the '00 LX. No, I am in the San Diego area. But San Clemente is *close* enough, lol.

I'll be going back to see the guy this weekend. Will keep you posted how it goes. BTW, the guy tells me White LX sells at a $2K premium over any other color. True ? Cos White is the color I am looking for.

qbrozen · September 2003

where did you see this $2K rebate? I don't see it here on edmunds or on carsdirect.

thanks.

oops. nevermind. i see it on mazda's site for the '03s.

akangl · September 2003

My farrier used to work for a bunch of showjumper barns on the east coast. He said that they would send him a plane ticket and tell him to meet them in Florida at such and such a time. He said if he didn't go he just lost that $45k account.

His wife (soon to be ex) is military, that's the only reason he ended up here in Alaska. Now he's on a mission to run the other farrier out of town (not that anyone would miss him....lol)

I'm tellin' ya, I'd rather own a dozen cars than one horse, my arabian is an expensive pet.

mcmoisei · September 2003

Hi !
Is $ 26,175 a fair price for a 2003 demo Volswagen Passat(automatic) GLX, V6 with leather and ESP? The car has 5400 miles (it has been a demo for a manager)- St. Paul, MN.

Thanks,
MC

isellhondas · September 2003

A guy get kicked...HARD, in his rear by an irate stallion, I can tell you, being a farrier is the LAST job in the world I would want!

akangl · September 2003

I wouldn't want that job either, hard on the back, legs, and every other part of the body. My farrier has been kicked in the head, leg, probably got a kick in the butt too. He always commends me on my arabian mare, says she's one of the best behaved horses he trims. Calls her a little princess......a name she rightly lives up to....lol.

I'd rather sell cars (been there, done that) then shoe horses.

So, does your bet include purchasing that trailer or was it only for me selling the Explorer? hehehe

18fan · September 2003

Your quote --

"used import specialty dealership in Dublin, OH"

Is that the Toy Barn? I've been by there.... lots of really sharp looking vehicles there.

--18fan

zueslewis · September 2003

about me "stealing" that car - remember, everyone here isn't car people - I BOUGHT IT cheap.

hogansheroes · September 2003

Hi Terry, sorry to be a noodge but I'd really like your wisdom on the value of this trade-in so I can be a nice and tough yet reasonable consumer. I'd like to do it this weekend so I can get behind the wheel of a new Infiniti G35 (leasing), woo woo. Here's my repost: It's a '99 Honda Passport SUV, EX 4D, 2WD; 41,000 miles; silver; grey leather interior; no CD player; sunroof; good condition; no collision or repaint, just a few parking lot kisses (great phrase, who came up with that?); Southern California. Edmunds has trade in at $11,853/dealer retail at $14,773; Blue Book has retail value at $15,780. Thanks for your help!

kyfdx · September 2003

Yup..thats it.. The one I'm looking at is at Roby in Marysville. Thats who owns Toy Barn. A fact that I just became aware of.

regards,
kyfdx

rroyce10 · September 2003

...... Another SCal person, last week it was all Philly folks .. those were some debates the other night .. huh .? what a crazy state .. Aaarnold ..


             Anyway, we have a 4dr 99 Isuzu, Oooop's I mean a Honda Passport EX 2wd, 41k, silver, no slider, but we do have leather, no cd, a kiss here and there (I don't know who first used it, but I picked it up about 15yrs ago) ..

           The books are calling for $11,853 .. ? not in this lifetime and certainly not in SCal ~ trade side the high $8's, low low $9's the color and the low miles will help this one, if it wasn't for those you would be seeing the $6/$7's ... $11,9 is a retail "asking" price .. $14,7 ..?? if you could get that figure I would fly there, kiss your butt and give you 5 hours to get a crowd up .l.o.l..

               Sorry, I wish I had better news ..

                     Terry.

hightoptennyrx · September 2003

Terry -- your wisdom, please:

2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5
V6
4WD
Alloys
Sports Package ( cloth sports seats, funny hood, etc.)
All power
CD Changer
Moonroof
Black exterior; grey guts
39,000 miles
1 owner; all service; no scratches, dings.
Northern California

What would retail road look like? Thanks!

rroyce10 · September 2003

..... Another Cal person .. Bay area ..?


          Miles are a little tall, 4WD, sport pack, color is ok for that area, slider, service is all there .. probably the high $17's, low $18's trade side..

            Down Retail Rd, (new tires.?) get a great mop and glow, super ad, service records sitting on the front seat, $21,9 "asking" and "color it Gone" at $20,5/$21,5 ...

                 May the force be with you ...

                       Terry.

rroyce10 · September 2003

....... All I hear is, what's it worth - what's it worth .. ?? - now I have the miles, so know I can tell ya ~ what's it worth ..

Mass area right ..? color is good - miles are not, it's a Sport with both toppers and a 6 banger with a meat clever ... super nice and clean, trade side in and around the $14's, maybe the low low low $15's if it glows in the dark and needs -0- ....

Terry.

rroyce10 · September 2003

..... He does make a valid point .. living in Cal is like living in 3 different states, what a black Benz is worth in SF is not quite what it may be worth in LA, unless your one of those Hollywood types and you can burn money for your lunch ...

There can be a $500/$900+ difference in that color aspect in your area, depending on the vehicle and the time of the year ... unless your Aaarnold ..

Terry.

hightoptennyrx · September 2003

Thanks, Terry. Actually, from Sacramento, where Arnold really doesn't want to live.

suka_g · September 2003

Hi,

Looked at a Subaru Legacy L sedan today and I'm wondering what it's worth. The dealer says he's sticking to 10,800 "firm". (And he let us leave without offering to drop a penny, so I suspect he means it...)

The car seems to be in good shape -- only 35K on it. Tires look new, but it must have been driven by the church-lady cause there's no CD player, just a tape deck and radio.

Curious to see if this is a good deal. It's been on the lot for about 2 months, so that seems kind of odd to me. From what I can tell,it appears to be a solid, clean car w. low miles.

akangl · September 2003

Year?? Color?? Options?? Auto/manual?? Location??

Better help Terry out or he'll send you to the torture chamber.

steine13 · September 2003

The year, Sunshine, we needs the year... then if you're in luck, Uncle Terry can use his mental powers to divine zee mahket walue... -m

rroyce10 · September 2003

........ Since Mathias has borrowed my crystal ball and since his kid is now using it at soccer practice, I'm going to need some INFO ... !

        Silly stuff, like MILES, COLOR, DESCRIPTION and area of the COUNTRY .. !

         Perhaps you are taking too much medicine.?

                    uuugh,

                        Terry.

rroyce10 · September 2003

..... Good description, thanks ...

These are funny little critters, they can be super popular in one county then 20 miles down the road sit for 2 months, some Yota dealers love em', some won't touch em' .. one thing is for sure, they need to be loaded, a non slider can sit forever .. $11,5 isn't too bad, miles are a little stiff, see what $10,9 will do, don't lose it if you want it ...

Terry.

rroyce10 · September 2003

...... As a rule, I never try to second guess the market, -but- because of a long history and a huge buying market on these, here's some food for thought ...

         The no nav, clean 03's with 10/12k are doing in and around that $23ish figure on a trade, that means the dealers have them on their lot's for around $26/$27,0 "asking" on the retail side ... clean 00's with 40/50k will still see the $15's on a trade and will do $18ish on the Retail side, put *100k on that 00 and it will still see $10 grand from a dealer, of course a 95 Legend LS can still see almost that, so you are in good company, not bad considering a TL is only $28ish new, there kinda like Volvo's they get to a certain point, then they kinda "hover" around ... not knocking any vehicles or trying to hurt anyones feelings, but give me 75k Acura TL or 75k Bimmer and it's going to go to the orient express ...

     Or ~ .. bum yourself out and pay $40 grand for a new Town Car, blink an eye and see $25,0 .l.o.l..

                      Terry.

suka_g · September 2003

Oops! gee, I guess I did leave a lot of details out. That's what posting after a few glasses of wine can do to you, eh?

Here's a few more details on the legacy. It's a sedan. The year is 2000, and it's an automatic. The color is white. It's in Cleveland, on the snowbelt side of the city. It's got about 35K on it. There's really no extra options, just the base model as far as I can tell. There isn't even a cd player. It is in nice condition, both exterier and interior.

Is 10,800 too much for this car, or is it a fairly good deal? It has been sitting for about 2 months, (or at least that's what the dealer is willing to tell me).

Real-World Trade-In Values

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