Real-World Trade-In Values

budsbrother · April 2004

Actually, I'm visiting here from New Hampshire and this time difference has my sleep schedule all messed up. I'm going back to look at the Sentra later this morning. They're going to do a smog check and a detail, so at least I saw it before the detail.
Price wasn't really discussed. My daughter and I spent about 2 hours with the salesman looking at a bunch of cars in the under $5000 range and came across the Sentra towards the end. I think we were the only customers on the lot. It seemed like the salesman was having fun looking at the cheap cars, so I don't think I'll wind up on Inconsiderate Buyers. I'll let you know how it goes.

driftracer · April 2004

in the Jayson Williams case (local for me) - maybe there's some "wink, wink" stuff going on between the defense team and the jurors.

I wonder if any of those jurors need a new Escalade or Navigator?...

thel · April 2004

I called up and asked if we could get into the $4's. The Sales Manager said he couldn't go any lower than $4,500. I said "Sold!". Including the doc fee, it's about $4600 OTD! I'll go up and pick it up tomorrow!

Again, thanks for all the help Terry!

chadwick32 · April 2004

when would he have bought them if he was stocking up for the spring? I bought another vehicle back in December (I initially started to look at the I30 back then but went another route)and he appeared to have many at that time too. I could be wrong of course but I thought I was on to something there.

icedog97 · April 2004

Terry,

I also have blonde-gray (sounds funny but it is a nice color) '02 Axiom...S model with 4WD and leather interior (the TAN color). Ours has a very low 11,800 miles on it. Any idea if 15K is reachable for a trade-in value? We're in Pittsburgh, PA.

Thanks
Sean

jratcliffe · April 2004

Ooh, a 98 or 99 SLK/Boxster? Well, first thing I'd say is that, with 12k miles a year, these cars will have what, 72-84k miles on them? I hope you've got some available cash for repairs, since neither of these are legendary for their reliability, esp. in the high miles, and they ain't cheap to fix.

beach15 · April 2004

Considering the possibility of trading our 2002 Chevy Avalanche for a new Suburban or Yukon XL for more room, but I want to know what it's worth.

It's a 1500 series, 2wd, with the Z66 Premium on-road suspension, OWL tires that have 65-75% tread left, dual power bucket cloth seats, Onstar system, auto climate control, and has just under 32k miles. We've had it for over 2 years, and have had almost zero issues. It's immaculately cared for (spotless inside, out, and under the hood), and has swirl and scratch-free black paint with matching neutral tan cloth.

Only defect I can find is that it has about 10 pin-sized chips on the leading edge of the hood, all of which could be touched up easily (haven't gotten around to it yet).

I'm in southern Delaware, right by the beach. What's it worth?

chuck1 · April 2004

It is an "S" Model 2004 w/automatic tranmssion, no options-just what comes standard. It has 19K on it and is Light Blue.

kyfdx · April 2004

I think he means he is going to drive them 10K-12K miles per year for a couple years and which one will hold more of its present value. (Shoot me if I'm wrong).

This is an interesting question. Assume you are looking at '99 Boxsters and SLK230s. With about 30K miles, they should both be in the $23k-$25K area. I'm betting on the Porsche, personally. With a stickshift, that is more of an enthusiasts car and you should be able to find a buyer who is looking to get into a Porsche cheap. I think all of that year SLKs are automatics. Most Mercedes buyers would be buying an SLK new or close to it. I'm not sure who would be looking for a 7 year old SLK. The people that could afford the $16K-$18K for the car probably couldn't afford to maintain it.

I'm not the expert, though.. just interested.

regards,
kyfdx

chuck1 · April 2004

I forgot to mention the model. It is an "S" model. Therefore, the $16,999.00 the dealer is asking for with 13K on it. Is about the sticker price of a new "S" model. Not counting the rebates, discounts.......
C'mon-dealers do not price any used cars at "a price that wants you to jump!"

chuck1 · April 2004

It is an "S" Model 2004 w/automatic tranmssion, no options-just what comes standard. It has 19K on it and is Light Blue.
Sorry- forgot to mention is info earlier. I guess it's kinda important

rroyce10 · April 2004

...... It will be a fun summer with a Miata underneath ya .....

Terry.

richandkay · April 2004

We are looking at a 92 Roadmaster Sedan. It only has 42,000 miles on it, but has many flaws in body. A bit of rust behind the rear tires, and many door dings that have been touched up by the past owner.
KBB lists this car on the high end and in excellent condition as 5100.00 retail, trade in only 2200.00.
The party I am talking to wants a minumium of $6000.00 Seems kinda high to me. What do you folks think? THanks

rroyce10 · April 2004

......... 04 "S" model, auto with 19k .. lots of miles for an 04, lot's of miles for an 03 .. dealer might have the $10's in it, "could" of buried himself in it with the $11's ..

I would think ALL the money on the planet would be the mid $13's on the retail side .. whats he asking, $16,900 ..? ....... Oookaay, it's a 04 Suzuki not a base model 03 Subaru Impreza ..

Terry.

driftracer · April 2004

car that needs a $1500 paint job..

I'd day the guy is optimistic - there's no way that a car with rust and body damage is worth MORE than retail book. It's a Buick, not a restorable Ferrari...

Decent cars, run for days, good starting mileage - it's a $2500-3000 retail car.

1ruoregon · April 2004

Terry,
Just turned 81,000 miles on a 2000 Excursion Limited. It's a 4X4 with the V10-dark green exterior and tan leather interior. What can I hope for here in Oregon?

isellhondas · April 2004

I'm not sure why Honda even builds LX V-6 coupes because they sure don't sell.

Great cars, but a car that is VERY hard to sell.

The EX's are a totally different story!

I've learned that cars that are slow sellers when new are even slower to move as used cars.

jlawrence01 · April 2004

I would walk from the Roadmaster. While I like the cars, the people sound like they will be difficult to deal with. And the car doesn't sound that great either.

I have a friend who has been trying for a year to sell me his 1992 Crown Vic with 120k miles for $5k. It is a nice car in better than average shape but the price is way too high in my book.

superman5 · April 2004

2002 IS300 auto w/ full option including leather, nav, roof, etc w/ 34k miles, is 24k a fair price to sell? what do you recommand? thank you for your help in advance!

georgia00 · April 2004

I own a 2003 Camry. My financial situation may be changing soon and I need to downsize to an older car. My payoff is around $21,000. I checked the trade-in value and it is around $14,200 with the miles I have on it. So, that makes me nearly $6,800 negative equity right? Would a dealer take the trade-in with the $6,000 down? Or, do you think I could get by with a maybe $4,000 or $5,000 down? Also, I need to get a car for my daughter by summer next year. So, I was looking at trading in the Camry and getting two older toyotas -- maybe one for around $3,000 for my daughter and a $6,000-$7,000 for myself.

Thanks for your input.

townwise · April 2004

So I have a deal for a '99 Boxter, pre-owned, certified by an Infiniti dealer for 3 months or 3000 miles for $25,800. It has 47,000 miles on it right now. Would you recommend against getting it b/c of maintenance problems? I will be on my own after the 3 mos of course, but looks like the car should be in good shape right now. I can also pay $250 to get a buyer's inspection from a Porche expert. Also, looking to sell it after 2.5 years - will likely put total of 62K miles, and hoping to get most of the money back minus $3-5K... Is that realistic?

kyfdx · April 2004

47K miles may seem like low miles on a '99, but there are a lot of boxsters out there, and I would be looking for one with miles closer to 30K. You should be able to find one for that kind of money, but maybe not from a dealer.

I have no idea what your resale is going to be like... Not really much to compare it to.... but, I would pay that $250 to the Porsche expert...it might open your eyes to maintenance and repair costs.

regards,
kyfdx

isellhondas · April 2004

If high repair and maintenance costs are a big concern to you, there are LOTS of better choices!

woodyww · April 2004

I have to agree with kyfdx, both about maintenence, & miles. Have you asked any of these questions on any of the Porsche boards, like on Roadfly.org, or checked there for used Boxsters FS? Also, do you have a Porsche mechanic lined up, convenient to you? I suspect taking one of these to a Porsche dealer for service could be really expensive, & God forbid anything breaks. I know a guy who has a '95 911--he pays $250 to a Porsche dealer for an oil change, altho they do pick up & deliver. He hasn't had any problems, but he shopped & shopped for a perfect, low mileage one. There are lots of other cars out there--you can buy a brand new Honda S2000 convertible for what, $33K? Or brand new Acura TL for the same? Brand new Mini loaded at $25K? They'd all have great resale (I think?) & almost zero maintainence/repairs for 3-4 years. That being said, I have considered buying a used Porsche myself. But, you have to do your research & have the budget for repairs/maintenence. Sometimes being "stuck" on one used car idea can get really expensive..........once I convinced myself that I "had" to buy a 3 y.o. Range Rover instead of a brand new Acura MDX for about the same price because the RR was so much cooler........not good.

chuck1 · April 2004

YOU ARE GREAT!!!!!

mseenviro · April 2004

Terry,

1999.5 Pathfinder checked out very well at the Nissan guru. He said they have one almost identical on their lot for $13,999.00, (which I realize is a pipedream), so my $9250.00 seems pretty good. They're cleaning it up and I'll surprise my son with it on Saturday.

Now if you could just help with the insurance costs for a 16 year old son! Ouch........

Thanks for helping me make an informed decision.

Mike

steine13 · April 2004

"Also, looking to sell it after 2.5 years - will likely put total of 62K miles, and hoping to get most of the money back minus $3-5K... Is that realistic? "

No. $20++ for an 8-year-old Boxter with 60k miles? I don't think so... If you're looking for less than $2k depreciation per year in a '99, can we show you something in a stripped Tacoma... or maybe a Buick?

-Mathias

kyfdx · April 2004

Exactly.... but, if you find one with 30K miles... You'll be selling it with miles in the low 40K's... Porsches can go a long way, but people are always looking for the newest, lowest mileage ones they can find..... Starting out with lower miles will probably result in less depreciation, even if the initial cost is a little higher.

I'm not saying don't do it... I think it is a great idea, it just won't be as cheap as you hope.... A little more fun than a Tacoma or a Buick, though.

regards,
kyfdx

ldbricker · April 2004

3 series convertible or any of a number of other cars less expensive to buy and to maintain?

stickguy · April 2004

theres a 2000 MY S2000 at a local used car dealer (high end lot, sells nice cars, not a fly by night). 33K on it, asking $19,995. Entirely possible in 3 years with 45K clicks it will pull 14K if you keep it nice (although YMMV). Plus, should be cheaper to own then a Porsche in the meantime.

kyfdx · April 2004

Thel is buying a '91 Miata for $4500.... He can keep it for five years and get $3000 out of it.. but, if it isn't what you want, then what is the point?

regards,
kyfdx

odd1 · April 2004

Grandma needs to trade her high mile grand baby visiting machine- 43K, 02 Sedan, Gold, auto ,AC, balloons on the doors, traction action, plays the silver disc, pwr locks, everything else is strictly do it yourself. Visits the dealer for all suggested maintaince, needs a little cleaning inside. Down in Austin.

Second question. She is a Saturn gal thru and thru. We're forcing a Vue on her because of all the highway time she racks up and now wants/needs to carry the babies around. How do we ask about dealer certificates? I've seen on Edmunds someone that works in a Saturn dealership mention they are availible on the Vue in addition to all the rebates.

Thanks everyone.

anonymousposts · April 2004

georgia: Even if you do find a suitable Toyota on a dealers lot for $7,000 the truecost would be $14,000 with your negative. Then you have to consider the increased repair/maintenance costs. If you have $6000 available why not use that to subsidize the Toyota payments until it's more financially feasible to trade down?

rroyce10 · April 2004

....... It's the right color for anywhere, miles are waaay low, it's a 4wd, S package with the leather and all the junk ...

These are funny critters, some dealer don't know what to do with them, some do .. $15,0 on trade ..? .. I would love to say yes, but there only doing the "around" the $14's for the XS's .. I dunno, I wish ya luck ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2004

......... Porsche's are another funny vehicle .. what "seems" low in miles for one type of vehicle can be tall miles for another ...

          A 99 Boxster with 47k is actually kinda on the high side, now the ones with 20/25/30k, those you can blow and go with like Kyfdx and Mathias mentioned, trying to unload one with 60k+ can put you on the far side, cuz' they need to be as "jam-up" bulletproof, serviced-out, buffed-out and maxxed-out, as someone can sanely afford ....

             $25,800 with 3mo and 3,000 miles .. eh' what can I say it's $19,0 vehicle, add a this and a that and the dealer probably has all of $21,0 and "maybe" some change in it and $24,0 would be the far side of the moon - 99's with 25k that glow in the dark are only seeing the $22 figure at the auctions and $27,0 (or less) on the Retail side .. you would be better off to spend the extra $$ to buy the low miles, then you would have something to sell at 40k or less, kinda remember there is oodles of Boxsters for sale ~ make sense .? .... the same goes for the SLK's .......

              Not trying to bum you out ......

Terry.

steine13 · April 2004

... I guess what Terry just said is you could buy this today for the price you mentioned and you'd "depreciate" $5k by tomorrow morning...
-m

georgia00 · April 2004

anonymousposts: thanks for your tip. I did not think about the true cost being $14K -- financing the $7,000 older car plus paying the $7,000 to trade in the car. So, I would be better off to take the $7,000 and pay down my Camry and refinance it? My FICO score has improved since last year. So, I would be in better shape and knock off at least $160 maybe off my monthly payments.

rroyce10 · April 2004

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

Sounds like a nice one, color is good for the area, miles are low for the planet, a little Z66 action, 2wd .. if it's as nice as you say it is, then trade side, in and around the $20ish figure, "might" maybe "could" crawl towards the $21,0 number if it's really a bad boy, we have that day-glo look and it needs -0- .....

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2004

....... I know it seems like a silly question -- BUT .....

         is it a base LE, SE, XLE, sunroof, leather .. base with wheels .?

         Oh ya, and what about those miles ..?!?

                     Terry.

wdd6 · April 2004

Thanks for the info & advise.

akangl · April 2004

The guy who was buying our Chevy has fled the state. I guess he owed a bunch of people money. Cleared his house out and is gone, didn't even quit his job, just didn't show up.

Looks like it was a great thing that the Chevy broke down when it did or we would be out the $$$ and the truck.

Guess its a lesson in don't take anyone's word as anything other than noise. Sad.

steine13 · April 2004

more likely, he was a reasonably honest man who was in over his head and picked a convenient time to give back the truck rather than steal it. After all, the transfer case was much less than the value of the truck.

IIRC, you got some decent cash up front plus a couple of payments, the truck is fixed up better than it was, and all you've lost is the use of it for a few months and it's got a few extra miles on it.... for all the drama, seems like you came out ahead, no?

Since I haven't been watching TV for a year or so, I'm getting my comedy-drama fix on edmunds every day....
-Mathias

anonymousposts · April 2004

georgia: I would refinance the Camry if I were you. It's newer, you know it's history, and it's a safer car than what you would get for $7,000 on the used market. Interest rates are fairly low on used cars right now. I know one of our credit unions has 3.25% for up to 60 months on all 03-04 cars and our other credit union is at 5.5% for 60 months.

akangl · April 2004

He ended up paying us a total of $1250, he put new tires on it, not sure about anything else.

He also dented up the entire passenger side of it, that irritated me, but oh well, its an old truck. According to people who live in that area, this is the second time the guy has done this, I doubt he will come back a third time. Owes too many people money now.

Won't know until we get my little brother to fix the truck and get it going again if there is anything else wrong with it. Ah well, such is life.

rroyce10 · April 2004

........ That darn Mathias, God bless him he's always thinking on the positive side .. me I'm a realist, thank goodness the transfer case took a #^&+ now or you would be looking for that truck in the lower 48 ...................

As the world turns ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2004

.......... Are we talking about the planet Saturn ... ??

                               I N F O ...................



                                  Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2004

....... $9200 ..? .. you did good .. $13,900 and "it's just like it" .. except it's a few years younger, half the miles, more options, yatty yatty yatty .............

Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2004

........ 92 Toadmaster .... ?


                 Low miles are a wonderful selling point and a huge benefit .. but it has to have low miles, be Clean and show a good service history ..

            Stuff like rust, hand grenade interiors, AK47 bullet marks down the side and tar for oil have a tendency to lower the values, I don't know why, they just do ....

             Based on your description it's worth in and around the $2ish figure on a trade and probably $3,5/$3,9, maybe $4,500 on a "push" on the retail side with tires from yesterday and ALL the service done ... $6,000 ..? I guess he's been reading them funny books again, keep reading .............:)

                         Terry.

rroyce10 · April 2004

......... Well the good thing is the truck matches all the tree's there ..

IF ~ it's clean, no I bounced off MT St Helens, no re-paints, interior looks and feels like 25k, no click click in the 4x4, deep sneakers, just a nice truck with all the service .. then trade side, in and around the high $15's, low $16's .. the 81k will have a tendency to hold it back ..

Terry.

manamal · April 2004

I have a 2002 Camry LE....12K miles. Gold. DC area. A few scratches. Spotless interior. Only options: Auto, Keyless Entry (ase Camry well equipped).

I am debating on trading her in on a cheaper drive. Commute is only 2 miles each way.

Real-World Trade-In Values

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles