Real-World Trade-In Values

kdig · January 2004

I am looking at the 03 tl type s
miles:10-15k ideally a bit lower but then again if I can get one for the right price.
color-hmmm not white
options-none needed
condition-as good as possible
located south side of milwaukee, WI

I have talked numbers with the local dealers.

Conversation went like this:
I was looking at an 03 tl type s with 6k miles no navi.
me:how about 24k for this car today

salesguy:are you kidding, that is more than we paid for it

me:really, I then show him some paperwork from some site

salesguy:well we pride ourselves in getting top of the line cars. That costs us more, but our customers know this coming here.

me:so we don't have a deal then.

salesguy:best price 27,200 (sticker price 31k and sale price of 28,899)

me:goodnight.

I did that at another dealer and got the same response. Which is why I was thinking that maybe I was living in a dreamland for wanting the TL type S for about 25k

rroyce10 · January 2004

..... This is from something I posted a couple of days ago, and with my bad arthritis and piles this will save me some time ...

I could understand if they made a mistake, it happens, but $27,795 ... ? .. I just bought the twin to this one in silver, with 18k and paid $21ish and I paid too much, sold it for $24,900 (non-certified) ....... $27,900 .. ? that's a great price if you live in New Zealand .... time to find another dealer, but not "in" New Zealand ......

            So in Chi-Town we have a 02 TL-S, no-sale blue, no nav and 27k .. dealer probably has $20ish in it, add a this and that (certified.?) then it probably hits the table at $21ish, depending on the history and the condition I would think in January you could grab it for the $22,5/$22,9 zipcode ..

          The 03-S, miles are kinda tall at 20k, even so, $24,5 seems a little on the cheap side, no runs no hits no errors ..? .. maybe has $23,0ish in it, if it has a great history then this may be your better buy ...

                     ============================

              I guess what all this dribble means is, if you can get a nice clean 03 "S" with miles in the low teens for in and around that $25ish figure, then you have done good ...

               Also, is there a trade involved ....?

                Let me know what happens ..

                       Terry

butchbr73 · January 2004

... wow. is this an Acura dealer? I bet you could have come close to that price a few months back, brand spanking new. In fact, I think our local Acura dealer has one '03 Type-S remaining, and I bet they would let that puppy go quicker than you can say - "I'll take it!"

mpp2 · January 2004

I agree with you. It can be hard to offer $3-4,000 off asking price, because it often seems to set the negotiations off on a negative foot. I don't know what the asking price was on the car I bought. It wasn't on the car,as it had just been returned off lease and it was the day after Christmas. We just test drove it, liked it, and based on the info Terry had provided me, I made them an offer of $25,500. They came back with $26,250 and I took it. My wife was a little surprised, because she said to me "You don't even know what they're asking for it." I said " That doesn't matter. All I'm interested in is what they'll actually sell it for." Sometimes, a little ignorance about the asking price can be helpful.

rroyce10 · January 2004

...... >>I made them an offer of $25,500. They came back with $26,250 and I took it<<..

The nice part was, you only saved 3 hours and 45 minutes, and you bought a NICE driver .. Bobst, he would still be there .l.o.l...

Terry.

kyfdx · January 2004

He would be spending his other 3 hrs 45 minutes at 5 other dealers offering them the same price.

mpp2 · January 2004

By the way, I should add that I did not buy my car as a Certified Pre Owned. My dealer wanted an extra $750 for that, and all it seems to add on a car still in the new car warranty is an extra 12 month/ 12,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty beyond the 4yr/50,000 mile warranty. It may also extend the power train warranty to 100k, but I'm not sure. I saw no need to pay that much money for that.

rroyce10 · January 2004

....... After 200 dealers Bobst would probably be in Tucson by now ..

Bobst: "the dealer in Mobile Alabama said he could give me a better price" ..

Dealer: "Hmmm, what part of that exit sign don't you see...?" ......

)

Terry.

mpp2 · January 2004

Exactly. My negotiation took all of 15 minutes.

If you really like a car, especially a high end used one, you are going to have to pay to get it. If you like it, buy it, and don't worry that someone else may get it for $500 less than you. Just try to be in the ballpark. I can guarantee you that others will pay less than you for similar cars later on. It's called depreciation.

joatmon · January 2004

kyfdx · January 2004

About two weeks after you buy, quit looking at what they are selling for.. It is no longer a valid comparison. And... no one is going to get that car for less than I do!! LOL.. (thats what I tell my wife, anyway)

regards,
kyfdx

driftracer · January 2004

whether you're a dealer selling a car, a guy on ebay selling stereo equipment, or whatever, the "asking" price is what they'd LOVE to get for it!

Never get hung up on that - what does the market show? Forget asking price. Do a little research, and make an offer. You're not going to hurt their feelings if your offer is realistic, not ridiculous.

tomcat630 · January 2004

Yes, once you buy a car, don't go nuts looking at other prices after the ink is dry!

I could have gotten a newer Altima for the same as my 97, but I don't like the 98-01 bodystyle.

mpp2 · January 2004

I tell my wife the same thing. (She doesn't read Edmunds).

steeler_fan · January 2004

Hi Terry,

Car_man from the leasing forum sent me over to you to inquire about my car that I'm thinking about buying at lease end (in March '04). It is in very good condition (black), no dings, very clean, 83500 mi, rims/tires are about 6 months old, sage leather int, AM/FM/cassette + 6 disc CD changer, traction ctrl, power everything, heated seats and sunroof. Buyout at lease end is about $15500, but the bank will negotiate. What type of money do you think I should ask for? Thanks!

tomcat630 · January 2004

...... >>I made them an offer of $25,500. They came back with $26,250 and I took it<<..

"The nice part was, you only saved 3 hours and 45 minutes, and you bought a NICE driver .. Bobst, he would still be there .l.o.l... " Terry.

Sometimes you just have to jump on the "cream puffs" and forget about bragging how you 'saved $25' by driving all over creation.

akangl · January 2004

I know, I know, I'm a pest, but if you don't mind too much......*bowing at your feet*.

I'm thinking about trying to buy my mom a cheap car to drive if the Cavalier should, heaven forbid, give up, believe me, its trying hard. Poor Cavalier only has 193k on it and no, she can't trade it in or sell it, she owes $2600 on it (don't ask). Anyway, that BHPH lot still has the Escort I sold them almost a year ago and I was thinking about going in there and seeing if they would sell it back to me for a *reasonable* price. So, now my question.....what's reasonable?

1994 Escort LX, 2-dr, 5-speed, 105k, am/fm/cd, a few dings and dents, sunroof, green/gray, good tires, alloys. I'm thinking $1500, I know the guy is asking $3k for it. He bought it from me for $900 and put about $500 or so into it in a new fender and stereo.

I just feel bad for my mom, she's driving that Cavalier 130 miles/day and its starting to show its age.

hightoptennyrx · January 2004

Akangl -- I think you mom should call Chevrolet. Maybe they'll buy her Cavalier for their museum or something. It's probably the highest mileage Cavalier ever.

buster6 · January 2004

Hi Terry,

Where would you hit this on dealer trade in vs private party?
98 lexus gs400
black/tan
75k miles
looks clean/no dents or kfc accidents
navi/mark levinson-rear spoiler
it was lexus certified (bought used a coulpe of years ago with 35k miles) not sure if the dealer will care?
in Phoenix Az.--will be traded in on a new lexus.

Thanks!!

superman5 · January 2004

I want to sell my 2002 IS300 , 31k , nav/htd seats/full leather/moonroof/auto,lsd,17 wheels, 6disc in dash changer, HID, pwr seats, etc, fully loaded, what is a good price? what is the real trade in value?

akangl · January 2004

I've told her that a few times, but then after checking around I found a couple people with Cavaliers in the 250k range. I guess that's fairly normal, not bad for a throw away car.

In 193k that car has only needed minor maintainance, a fuel pump, a battery, and a starter, thats IT. Its a good car, but I worry.

fxfan · January 2004

Hi Terry! Need a private party price on a 96 Honda Civic Ex, dark green, 108,000 highway miles in the Houston area. One owner, had a fender bender with replace front left fender and bumper with repaint and repainted hood. Car is immaculate, has one door ding. 85,000 mile timing belt change, owner states regular oil changes and maintenance (not all documented). Drives like it is 60,000 miles on odo.

Standard equipment, interior cloth front seats with a little fading, otherwise superb condition.

Oh, standard equipment is AM/FM radio with 6 speakers, sun roof, 5 speed standard, cruise control, auto door locks, good tires.

Also, receipt with 8 months/10,000 miles left on warranty for a/c rework. AC blows like it's new!

Would appreciate your expertise on value.

Thanks.....

juliec2 · January 2004

Hi Terry: I did mean Frick and Frack (oops)!!! You hit it right on with trade in on my Audi 01 a4 avant 1.8t. Chrysler dealer offered $15k, audi dlr offered $17.5k though. I think I am going to try to sell it myself for around $20k. I drove both the Audi a6 avant (01)and the new Pacifica and I am sold on the pacifica. It doesn't have quite the zip but an awd, leather w heated seats in front and back is less than $30k with 0% financing. Do you think these pac's will depreciate like crazy though? Your expertise is much appreciated!

rroyce10 · January 2004

..... **Chrysler dealer offered $15k, Audi dlr offered $17.5k though**

         It's kinda of hard to say how much they will depreciate, but they Will depreciate and the Audi's hold a better value ... right now, Pacifica's with all the stuff and miles in the 6/7k range are doing in and around the $26ish range at the auctions, these are the loaded up ones with MSRP's of "around" $37ish ... could be worse, you could be driving a new 04 $80grand BMW "7" series and watch $15,000 evaporate in a nano second, and they don't have any rebates or special anything .l.o.l.. "getcha some of that".!

               As far as the difference in the $15,0 VS the $17,5, it's just that the Chrysler dealer is being honest, I betcha there's not $200 difference between the Audi and the Chrysler dealer in "real money" .. at $17,5 they are showing you a "overallowance", a little shake and bake, a little smoke and mirrors, a little "tag, your it", they know their going to be shopped so you been "low balled", $17,5 is a Retail figure - they can go the Audi auctions and buy 01 Avant's with 15/20k "in the wrapper cars" for the $16's, why would they pay $17,5 for yours, got it.?

          $20,0 on the retail side ..? .. not in this lifetime, no matter what Any books say ... Do you want to sell it, or make a planter out of it.? .. get a great detail, superb 5 liner ad in the largest newspaper in your area, finish any service it may need, lock and load that puppy at $18,9 *asking* and drop kick-it at the first $17/$18,5, make sure you park the ego at the door, it's got 38k and red, not 18k and pearl white ....

                 Thanks for stopping by and let me know what happens ..........

Terry.

tdoma · January 2004

A local dealer in Metro Atlanta has the following 2003 FX35 with 8K miles, in Liquid Copper, and the following options, for $38915. I would like to offer them $35K for it. I would aslo be trading in a no-sell Green 2WD '04 Toy Sequoia SR5 (2.5K miles) with leather, roof rails, running boards, dual air, alloy wheels, 3rd row seats, dual power seats, driver side lumbar support, homelink, tinted glass, towing package, cargo cover, carpeted matts, 2 tone paint and fog lights, keyless entry, cruise and JBL sound audio system with 6 CD changer & speakers.
Do I sound like I am smoking something? What should I expect on the trade?
If that helps they are offering brand new 2003 FX35, equipped without Navi & DVD, for $500 below invoice. I hope I have not previuosly used my 'allocated' questions with you yet so you can provide your expertise again. thank u. Is it your auction day, today?

Their FX35
Heated Seats
Rear camera
Tinted Glass
Sunroof
Anti-lock Brakes
Traction Control
Alloy Wheels
Power Driver's Seat
Leather Seats
DVD Player
GPS Navigation System
Floor Mats
Compact Disc Changer
Keyless Entry
Security System
AM/FM Radio
Air Conditioning
Cruise Control

rroyce10 · January 2004

........ For starters, who's the lease co.? .. and you live in PA, right.? (or close too?)

          83k on a "98", as in ninety-eight ..? ... you leased a vehicle for 5 years ...? .. whoa, like in "f-i-v-e" years ..?

            I will get with your doctor later .. but in the meantime, it's black, we got some Big miles going on here, we have some new do-dads here and there and we have a residual that's bigger than the Mars Lander project, $15,500 ..? ... your payments better be like $159 a month .l.o.l.

            Right now, trade side, it's worth maybe in and around the $8's, maybe, could "might" see the $9's with it looking feelin' and driving like 35k ... what will they negotiate at.? .. it's a little too early to say, end of February is the time to be negotiating and whatever you do, don't tell them the miles ... ALL the money down Retail Rd would be $12.

                   whoa, a five year lease ..

                        Terry.

kyfdx · January 2004

I believe he said he leased it used in 2000.

regards,
kyfdx

rroyce10 · January 2004

..... See what happens when you only spend $150 dollars for Lasik, I don't see the "used 00" part, I should have been like Bobst and offered the doc another $50 bucks ... darn docs.

Terry.

kyfdx · January 2004

In the Lease questions--Ask here forum. I think thats where he started his saga.... It seems he is over mileage by 17K.. at $.15 per mile. Looking for options.. I suggested he eat the charges and move on.

regards,
kyfdx

mfletouva · January 2004

Hi guys...
Looking to trade 2 vehicles for an '04 Chrysler Town and Country LWB LX/Grand Caravan SE...
All the dealing is being done in MA--Boston/Worcester areas..

Wondering what to hold out for on trade:

1997 Grand Caravan SE
83500 miles
Grey/grey, a few scratches but clean--also has a tick problem with the fuel gauge (lights up like its empty and sometimes makes a ringing noise)
Drives nicely though, and has been trouble free except for the gauge...
All power & abs were standard along with cassette....

Also...
1999 Oldsmobile 88
49500
Red/Tan
Beautiful car, literally showroom condition--no scratches, immaculate interior with no signs of wear. CD player, all power was standard on it.

So far, been offered in the 2k range for the Grand Caravan and anywhere from 5-6 for the 88, but that was without any dealing and the prices on the vans were terrible (23500 for a Chrysler with a $1500 option package!)

--On the Oldsmobile, would consider selling it private party so if you have a range for that I'd appreciate it to. I know we're going to get hurt on the 88, its one of those instances were its a really nice car but probably not much market for it..

Is it unreasonable to shoot for dealing a deal for a net in the $10-12 range?

capjand1 · January 2004

I think i will give www.autotrader.com a try.
How much should I ask for a private sale price.
In Rochester NY.

Thanks again.

rroyce10 · January 2004

....... The one good thing about the Escort is, you know the previous owner real well, plus you said that the dealer has put a few bucks in it ..

$1,500.? .. you can't get much for $1,500 nowadays, have your guy that bought your Chevy get an eyeball on this, check it out and if it's good then make it happen .. a 200k Cavalier.? .. thats like a baaaad day at the slot machines.

Terry.

rroyce10 · January 2004

....... It's been awhile since I been there, so I don't really remember that area, but I have been in Corning quite a few times .l.o.l...

$29,900 *asking* and say goodbye at the first $28,5/$29,5, this should last about 15 minutes ..

Terry.

steeler_fan · January 2004

Thanks both of you for the info. My work situation changed in the middle of the lease and I went from driving 8 miles/day to 40 miles/day, and the miles added up QUICKLY. I didn't have much choice in the matter.

As far as negotiations, I was going to aim for $12-13K, which might be more than they get at auction, but at this point the best thing might be to drop it off and walk away. It's been a great car, but I'm at the point where things start to go south, and that car ain't cheap.

I do have a question - why does a black car have less value? I always thought black was a fairly popular color when it comes to cars...

rroyce10 · January 2004

....... Black cars do fine north of the Mason/Dixon line, in some cases up north they can be worth more $$ than other colors ... down south, they can be the "kiss of death" ...

Terry.

butchbr73 · January 2004

color depends on where you live.. black isn't that bad up north. down south, its the kiss of death. did I read something that inferred you leased a used car?

as for the car, Lexus' aren't cheap, but its a Toyota/Lexus, very reliable, very well built.....should run, easily, +150k miles as long as it is maintained properly.... there's something to chew on. If I were you, I wouldn't buy the car, then expect to trade it in the next year or two for another one... if that's the case, your better off walking away from it now.

juliec2 · January 2004

Thanks for your thoughts on resale of my sweet little red a4 avant. I will put an add in tomorrow and see how it goes... Now my dilemma is should I buy a used 04 pacifica with 14,000 miles (in service date of May 03)black with graphite leather, AWD and every option available, sticker was $42k bought at Fla. auction, was a Chrysler corporate car?asking $31k will take $29.9k or should I order a brand new AWD silver with light taupe leather interior and heated seats as the only options for $29k, msrp was $34.4k. Thanks!

driftracer · January 2004

here's a familiar one - 2003 PT Cruiser GT (Turbo), in the NW Philly area, autostick, 34K miles (I know.., but it's 1.5 years old), silver, interior is sharp, no rips tears, cigarette burns, coffee stains - exterior has one ding (no door dings or scratches, otherwise) on the left rear quarter, I have the State Farm check in my hand that I'd sign over to a dealer.

The book says $14,500 w/s, and I was offered $15K about 4 months ago (with 25K miles), but now the same dealer is offering $11,500.

I want a new Dakota R/T, but these guys are playing games...

rroyce10 · January 2004

....... There is no such thing as 14k "corporate" vehicle .... are miles like 14,680/14,700 ..? .. auction sale date 1/7/04 ..?

just give me the vin# ...

Terry.

tomcat630 · January 2004

"83k on a "98", as in ninety-eight ..? ... you leased a vehicle for 5 years ...? .. whoa, like in "f-i-v-e" years ..?"

1998 as of 2004 is 6 car model years ago. Divide 83K by 6 and it averages out to about 14K miles per year.

rroyce10 · January 2004

...... Great description, thanks .. 1 minor little detail .............. 2DR.? .............. or 4DR ...........

and your were doing so well ...

Terry.

juliec2 · January 2004

Hi Terri:
I am told that it was a Chrysler Corporate vehicle, with 14,680miles. The Vin is 2c8gf68424r179305. It just came up North to N.H. last week supposedly? Do you know this car? I think they said they got it at auction for around $27,990? They just sent the summary and there is nothing that this car doesn't have, could it be too good to be true??? Thanks for your help????

rroyce10 · January 2004

...... Or, he could have leased it in 99 ...

Terry.

kyfdx · January 2004

He leased it in 2000... It had 6000 miles on it. 4yr/60K lease.. giving him 66K miles.. he has exceeded that by 17K.. giving him 83K total miles... I wish he would come back. No wonder I can't remember my anniversary, with all this crap floating around in my head.

regards,
kyfdx

tdoma · January 2004

Terry sorry to bother such a generous person like you. I am anxiuos about post 16798 from earlier today. I know you are a busy man, and you do such a wonderful job.
Thank a lot for your understanding. I will try to wait patiently in the meantime.

tomcat630 · January 2004

Or how about leased in spring/summer 1997 as a 'new 1998'? That would be 6.5 years ago. There are a few 98 models that were brought out in spring 1997, like the Escort ZX2 or Lincoln Navigator.

With more and more "spring" intros, it gets real confusing. What looks like a 5 year old car could be up to 7 years old.

rroyce10 · January 2004

Report Run Date: 01/21/2004

VIN 2C8GF68424R179305 2004 Plymouth Truck

Event Date Event Location Odometer Reading Data Source Event Detail

01/07/04 FL 14,680 AUTO AUCTION REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION AS MANUFACTURER VEHICLE

01/10/04 CONCORD, NH 14,680 DEALER RECORD VEHICLE IN DEALER INVENTORY

                  ===================

           Yep, thats the one, the funny part was it probably drove right past me and I didn't even notice it .l.o.l. it's a small world ... paid $26,8 for it, so after the auction fee $300, transport $400, a little this and that, then $27,9 is dead on ..

           I feel $29,5ish would be ALL the monies, the miles are super tall on this one, but it's your money .. remember if you drive 10k a year, that would mean you have 10k on the new one and 24k on the pre-owned ......

           It get's back to: buy and drive what YOU like ...

                   Terry.

rroyce10 · January 2004

...... **No wonder I can't remember my anniversary, with all this crap floating around in my head** ... l...o...l.....

I can't remember anniversarys , ss#, wallet, birthdates, weddings, dinner parties, keys, how to spell, but I never forget a car or a boat ....

Terry.

kyfdx · January 2004

You do it for a living.. I just started reading Edmunds boards about a year ago, getting ready for my next purchase. Well... I bought a car for my wife a month ago, spending so much that I will have to drive my own car until its frosty down below, and I'm still here. MAKE ME STOP!!

OH, never mind.. I kind of like it here..LOL

regards,
kyfdx

juliec2 · January 2004

Terri:
why would the vin show a Plymouth truck? What kind of miles do you think is put on a MFG car? Does that mean they did some crash testing in it and took a few corporate road trips? My brain tells me the non loaded one would be fine, but the greedy side of me thinks a LOADED car for the same price would be SWEET!!! I only drive about 10k miles a year so in 4 years it would have @ 44,000 miles on it. What would resale be in 4 years on the used($42msrp) vs. the new ($35msrp) I hope you get paid for all of this great information? If not give me your address and I will send you something ! Thanks!!!!

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