Real-World Trade-In Values

bowke28 · July 2004

if the body is clean and solid...

obviously its not. the windshield will cost more than the car is worth. tell her to take the $250. its a gift with a busted window.

akangl · July 2004

Would bring an easy $1500/$2k up here, broken windshield and all. The dealers up here won't replace a windshield, they don't have to. My mom's 96 Cavalier was sold recently for $2500 with a windshield that was cracked all the way through, had been that way for 180k.

Guess Alaska is different.....the Chevy we traded had a busted windshield too, its sitting on a used lot with the same windshield. Course they gravel the roads up here, its hard NOT to break a windshield.

jlawrence01 · July 2004

Seems to me that that is the type of car that someone who is heavily in debt, out of work for 15 months, etc., should be driving until they get their situation in order ...

isellhondas · July 2004

In Fairbanks, almost EVERY car it seems has a busted whindshield.

That's a fact. They get busted so often, people don't bother replacing them!

Right, Jolie?

akangl · July 2004

Exactly!!

Kevin's Dodge got hit the other day with a rock, if we make it in to have the bullseye fixed before it cracks we will, but if not, it'll just join the ranks of a typical Alaskan truck.

The Focus and the Titan are ok so far, the Dodge was until 2 days ago. I don't usually replace a broken windshield unless its obstructing my view very badly.

rroyce10 · July 2004

..... ** They get busted so often, people don't bother replacing them! **

Whatta ya expect.? .. you got Jolie rolling over everything from Beer cans to Bears .................................

)

Terry.

bowke28 · July 2004

i just hope she doesnt confuse the focus and hook up a trailer to it...

akangl · July 2004

*****you got Jolie rolling over everything from Beer cans to Bears*****

I will have you know I haven't hit anything more than a stump since 1994 when I hit the mailman.

akangl · July 2004

The manual says it has a 1000 lb towing capacity......

Don't worry, I think I can tell the difference, the trucks are red, the car is silver.

dkuhajda · July 2004

I think she is kind of stuck.
If she keeps the car, she needs $268 by the end of the month for a new windshield. If not she loses here current insurance carrier at $450 a year and will have to move up to a higher risk carrier at $800-$900 a year (and pay the first 6 months up front, $400.

Started her out of college job in June, so has I think 3 pay checks so far. Making more than minimum wage, but not much more. At least she is only 30 days behind now on the student loan payments, and should be up to date next month (unless she loses her job).

I'm thinking she needs to beg, borrow, the money for the windshield. Drive it for up to a year and then move on to something better, but she lives 35 miles one way to work, ouch, and her current well running beater has no warranty at all.

tmylynn · July 2004

2001 21' Bayliner Capri Open Bow

sandman46 · July 2004

Tell me the details on the Focus. Might have to buy a car for my 2 college girls to commute with and had the Focus on the radar screen as an inexpensive ride for them.

The Sandman :-)

corvette · July 2004

Makes me glad I have $0 deductible on the glass in my car... I had 2 windshields put in the VW I had, and 2 in 1 month on my Altima. I'd just had the new one put in the Alti when a rock got caught in the wipers and put a nice, arcing scratch in it! As I posted in CCBA, I have bad luck with cars... Maybe I need a Gelandelwagen, H1, or Abrams tank.

puretcrazy · July 2004

Hi, thank you for helping. I have a 92 hi-top chevy conversion van (g-20) power windows(driver window out), power locks, electric bed/couch theft deterrent, ac tv/vcr, 4 captain's chairs (backs lean a little toward center). It is making a noise in the rear (has been for 3 years) I thought from a front blowout that caused minor body damage to rear tire well. it is white and teal and has running boards, roof rack and ladder. 125,000 miles.
I also have a 92 cadillac deville. it is in good shape in the interior for it's age. good cold ac. right front passenger window wouldn't close so had mechanic fix it shut. the trunk latch is broken. may need an alternator, but still going well with jumping occasionally.
I need the one with the most value to trade in. As i am on a very fixed budget with a son starting college next month. Thanks again!

akangl · July 2004

The one we bought is a 2004 ZX3 (2-dr hatchback), its pretty basic, manual trans, only option was ABS. Base MSRP was $13,510, add ABS $400, so MSRP of $13,910 - $3k rebate= $10,910 + fees (I had checked invoice and there isn't any real money in a Focus, so we just did MSRP-rebates to leave the dealer a little bit to keep the lights on).

The warranty was what got us, 3/36k b2b AND 5/100k powertrain, pretty good from Ford.

Can take that same car and add A/C and be at $14,820 MSRP-$3k rebate=$11,820. A/C wasn't important to us, so we went without that option.

So far in mixed driving its hanging around 33 mpg and we have 800 miles on the car. Real solid little car, even has 15" tires which surprised me for a car in its price range. I like it as well if not a little better than the 94 Escort I had.

sandman46 · July 2004

I have these on my '03 Sentra and it's really a perfect size for these smaller cars, rides very smooth and they never seem underwhelmed. The wifes Altima also has 15"ers, but I personally think that car should have the 16's.

The Sandman :-)

akangl · July 2004

I wanted to go look at the Sentras but hubby said no. Then again that SVT Contour was sitting at the Nissan dealer, he was doing everything in his power to keep me away from there. He was right though, the Focus was what we needed, if I'd had my way I would have bought a Jetta 1.8T or something stupid like that.

dkuhajda · July 2004

Lets see, you have two vehicles that are certainly worth less than a few hundred on trade in. Possibly even worth less than a gee-whiz with so little information.

puretcrazy · July 2004

I'm sorry i provided so little information, I guess I'm not sure what info I needed to provide. The caddy is grey and is of course loaded. It has a new motor put in at 193,00 miles and now has 210,00. I read in an article that someone on this page would give me a trade in value. I didn't know that I would also be insulted! My grandma always said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". It would have been nice had you just said, "Maam, that ain't enough information for us to help you". I know they are not worth a lot, but I would like help to make sure I get the best trade-in that I can. Dealers frequently will take advantage of a woman's assumed lack of knowledge.

driftracer · July 2004

You seriously have two vehicles that have absolutely NO retail market value, as in a dealership paying good money for them. A dealership (new car/used car, not corner lot used car guy) has to wholesale vehicles like the two you described, so between $200-1000 is real money. You can't finance a 12-15 year old vehicle that has either 125k or 210k miles, so a dealer sells them for what they can get, with no intention of putting it in the shop or detailing it, and the wholesale guy takes it down to his buddy at Mom and Pop's Used Car Sales.

The ONLY way to get a decent value out of either one is to have them detailed, make sure the service is up to snuff, and put a "for sale" sign in the window.

Am I reading it right that the Cadillac has 210,000 miles?

I'm sorry of my compadre was less than warm and fuzzy with you - we're not politically correct here, we're just honest and straight up, and we're several car business people who either own dealerships or work as managers.

None of us have time, while volunteering here, to give people a false sense of worth on a vehicle that we'd pay a few hundred dollars for - it's not fair to you, the consumer, nor is it fair to us for all the warm, fuzzy posts we'd have to write.

corvette · July 2004

I am really hacked off after taking a third look at the repair (replace rear bumper) on my car. First, I specifically asked (and was promised) that the car itself not go in the paint booth. The pictures here show a combination of poor masking and overspray. Second, I was told they would color match the bumper. Hard to tell in the pictures, but the car is more of a golden white, and the bumper is a greyish white. Finally, look at the gap between the bumper and left taillight! I don't know or care if it's OEM or not, I just expect it to look and feel like it. I really hate having to be an annoying comeback customer, but it's going back before I attempt to sell it. Am I being picky, or is this just a pathetic job?

dkuhajda · July 2004

I'm not sure what you mean by insulted, unless you felt insulted by the real world trade value of the beaters. I was maybe brutally honest. With the added information on the Caddy, it definitely is worth less than a Gee-Whiz. In other words the dealer will go Gee-Whiz when they see the car, meaning it has ZERO value on trade, the dealer probably will not even break even after expenses taking it to the auction.

The Conversion van at least might have some value at auction in certain market areas, maybe a couple of hundred bucks. Any actual cash value of more than $500 is a gift on trade.

You very best bet is to sell them yourself. Ask $500 ($700 if it has zero rust and the body is perfect in every way) on the Caddy and take whatever cash offer comes your way. Ask $1000 for the van. You are looking for a buyer that probably has a big extended family, really does not care too much how it looks, but wants it running in good condition, and can pay cash money for it. You should be able to clear over $1000 for a down payment between the two of your vehicles.

dietcoke1 · July 2004

Hello,
Does anyone know why there is such a big difference between the Edmunds and KBB's trade-in value for a 2002 or 2003 BMW M3 with SMG? It differs like $10,000. The KBB trade-in value is much lower than that of Edmunds. So, which one is more close to the "real" trade-in value and why.

Thanks in advance.

rroyce10 · July 2004

Well, I went to the dealer and he only offered me, initially, $2500 for this van! I showed him the KBB/NADA trade-in value, which is 6600 & 6900 respectively. He offered another $1500, which is now $4000. I'm a little shocked that he is so far from these values. Am I being ripped off, or, is this right? Can anyone help or offer suggestions?
Western area of VA
1999 Chevrolet Astro LS AWD
Rear Dutch Doors & Rear AC
Silver w/factory chrome wheels
Rear dark tint
CD, overhead console with trip computer & outside temp/compass
Wheels look great, shiny paint, carpet looks good, no rust, excellent mechanical shape
95000 miles

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

             For starters, there's lots of vans for sale .. second, the size and the MILES make a Huge difference ... this one is a 99 Astro LS with 95k (this is not good) it has the AWD (this is good) we have the dual air and the dutch doors (thats good) Silver w/factory chrome wheels Rear dark tint, we have tunes and the overhead console with trip computer amp; outside temp/compass (thats also good) Wheels look great, shiny paint, carpet looks good, no rust, excellent mechanical shape (more good) .....

                If we don't have that soccer Mom interior, no Popeyes chicken, no click click in the awd, we haven't bounced it off a few Steelers fans, the tires are deep and the service is glorious .. then trade side, in and around the the tall $3's low $4's .. KBB/NADA/Edmunds trade-in value can be off by $500/$3,500 depending on the vehicle, time of the year, geographic area and the miles - books don't buy vehicles, dealers do .. sounds like your dealer was right on the $$ ....

                                  Terry

rroyce10 · July 2004

..... The site won't open, so I can't see the vehicle .....

Terry.

rroyce10 · July 2004

....... Man that A6 is really burning up the sales counter at ebay ... NOT.!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1- &item=2485055544&category=6004&sspagename=WDVW - buy it now for $49,500! now, wheres my check book....

Terry ;^)

rroyce10 · July 2004

.... " 2001 21' Bayliner Capri Open Bow " .... thanks for the update.

Nice ski/party boat .. who would have "thunk" it 5/6 years ago, 18 to 33 ft Open Bow riders in the market ... need a nice a 29ft Cobalt CC.? .l.o.l...

Terry.

rroyce10 · July 2004

"" Does anyone know why there is such a big difference between the Edmunds and KBB's trade-in value for a 2002 or 2003 BMW M3 with SMG? It differs like $10,000. The KBB trade-in value is much lower than that of Edmunds. So, which one is more close to the "real" trade-in value and why ""

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

   Hmmm, is there an echo in here, didn't I just answer this .?

                  There is Many variables when it comes to the value of vehicles, "Miles" for starters especially on imports and especially the "Euro types" ..... an 03 with 20/25k on a Euro type might seem low for most, but unless they have 5/9/15k they are considered high, color is a big decider, light colors down south are good and dark colors can be a killer .. where the vehicle is at can make a big/huge difference, you can sell converts 9/10 months of the year in most states south of the Mason/Dixon line, but try selling a Audi Cabriolet or a Mustang GT in Milwaukee after November - you will have better luck selling Aardvarks in Alaska .. options on the Euro vehicles can make em' or break em', try selling a base model Bimmer 3/5 series - you would have better luck selling tickets to a Bobby Sherman concert ... paintwork, you can "lightly" back into your Mother-in-laws garage and get a $2,500 love tap on your Benz/Bimmer, but it will clock the value by $5,000+ or more, depending on the year and the miles ...

       "Edmunds and KBB's trade-in value" ... can't say who's accurate today, it's only Monday .. sometimes it's KBB and sometimes it's Edmunds, sometimes it's neither .. it's a ballpark figure, a guess, a paranormal thought process, a zipcode, a direction, it's better than asking your Mother-in-law, maybe ..... drop your *Complete* info and I can tell ya where ya stand.



                   I hope this helps .....

                               Terry.

wmiller4 · July 2004

1999 Chevy Blazer 2 Door LS 4 WD, 50,000 miles on the clock , V-6, air, power everything, automatic 4 speed transmission, AM/FM/CD Audio Sys, Overhead Console, Black with gray interior. Looking to trade in central Michigan.

Thank you in advance!

driftracer · July 2004

to reset a point.

If your vehicle has over 75,000 miles (less in some cases), it cannot be a "retail" vehicle, where they change the oil, detail it, and paint the windshield with a price that's more than they gave you in trade.

On a 95,000 mile vehicle - we'll use the Astro AWD listed above as an example - there's not a lender out there that will loan money on it, not an extended warranty company that'll touch it, and the dealer is afraid to put a 90 day warranty on it - since it's worth more than $500, all three would be necessary for your normal payment buyer to get into it.

People get all bent out of shape because they're hit at $2-3-4k under book on vehicles like that. Get over it!

The dealer is going to wholesale it, so the whole idea of reselling it on the lot is gone, along with any profit from a retail sale - there've been a few times where I've made money when the wholesaler showed up, but it's usually a wash - I'd get $500 more than I paid for one vehicle, but lose $600 on another.

Then, we get into folks with super duper high mileage rides, like the 125k miled 15 year old conversion van, or the 210k mile Cadillac. Having a reman motor installed at 190k doesn't change the fact that there's over 200k on the rest of the car.

Folks, when you mile up your vehicles, or just own them a long time so the high miles are natural, that's the price you pay - period. Throw the books out the window, because they don't calculate properly for the market on high mileage vehicles -

Check your ego and feelings at the curb, because to "use up" a vehicle, in a retail sense, and then still expect retail money, is not only foolish, it's impossible.

Understand that for a dealer to make money on your trade, thereby allowing them to step up and pay good money on it, they HAVE to be able to retail it. If you've forced them into a wholesale situation, you certainly don't have the right to expect a bunch of money on it.

cstowe · July 2004

Right now they actually have 2 Certified 2001 430s on the local Lexus lot...both of them Black.

1....Black with black guts, slider, only options are heated seats and spoiler (no NAV or ML) with 51K on the clicker...asking 31,900!

but wait

2....Black with tan guts, slider, heated seats, but no spoiler, NAV, ML or anything...41 clicks....34,900!!!!

I think if he can get that money for a black car in the middle of summer then God bless him...certified or not.

dbgindy · July 2004

Good post!

Duncan

driftracer · July 2004

I just get frustrated reading how everyone blames those "lying, stealing, dealer scumbags" when they bring in their 150,000 mile, Mickey D's fry infested, worn out tires, oil leaking, ticks when you start it Blah Mobile and cry holy terror when they don't get whatever the NADA site figured up for them based on their "excellent" self-appraisal.

You can't have your cake and eat it, too. You either keep the miles off the car, take care of it, and maintain it, and can sell it for a good price, or you mile it up and pay the piper - that's just life.

kmag · July 2004

It's a 96 2 door, four wheel drive, automatic, AC, AM-FM-tape, PW, PL. 75K miles. Red with gray interior. In great shape and needs no service or repair, but the windshield has a six inch crack along the top on the passenger side.

I'm in central Ohio, he didnt have any luck trying to sell it in his small town the past month. He's asking $7000, I think he needs to drop the price to 6 asking and take mid 5's, what do you guys think?

akangl · July 2004

****You can't have your cake and eat it, too. You either keep the miles off the car, take care of it, and maintain it, and can sell it for a good price, or you mile it up and pay the piper - that's just life****

Exactly why I'm miling up an $11k car vs my $34k truck. I know that a 3 year old Nissan Titan with 150k on it is worth --0--, so I'd rather mile up the Focus knowing darn well its a toss away car and keep my nice truck nice. (my son already has his eye on the Focus as *his* car when he gets his license, too soon for my liking)

driftracer · July 2004

I was directing it the folks with the 100-200k mile rides who get angry because they don't get offered what the "book" says.

akangl · July 2004

I know it wasn't directed at me. I learned the hard way that miling up a ride will flat kill its value. Ever try to trade a 1 year old truck with 42k on it?? I guarentee the dealers are not kind.

mpp2 · July 2004

That was a very well reasoned, clear and intelligent post. It's one that should be refered to every so often for the new people who post here. (I'm a lurker and occaisional poster). But information like that is essential for people to understand the car buying process.

driftracer · July 2004

Thanks, I feel we're doing a disservice to folks if they don't understand how the car market actually works. I like the idea of preventing fisticuffs in a car dealership because someone's neighbor looked up their car on the NADA website and told them what it was worth, then they went to a dealer and was offered half as much.

Kinda goes right along with my barracks lawyer comparison a while back.

deb1 · July 2004

Let me lay it out straight-I have a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 that I have been using to haul a two stall trailer with to and from the auction market (cows and horses) I have been having to make 5-6 trips to get the animals there since it was such a small trailer. I bought a stock trailer that will haul a lot of cows. I found a 2001 Ford F-250, crew cab, lariet, 4x4, diesel w/ 82,000 miles, excellent condition for $24,000. 00 which is a good deal (?)compared to what I have been looking at. I have 2,000 cash for a down payment, I owe $43000.00 on the Jeep and I am anticipating that they won't give me more than $3000.00 trade (even though the Jeep is perfect inside and out) , this website said the trade in value is $5200.00 but I am anticipating a wholesale quote from the dealer.(as per usual when they are dealing w/ a woman--but I am not stupid) I am fully expecting the #'s game. Should I pay the Jeep off (I can do that easily) then go and get the new truck or should I for convienence sake (and since I think the Ford will not last long) go trade in the Jeep and be done w/ it? HELP HELP HELP!!!!!!! I know someone out there can look at this objectively and tell me the truth about what I should do!! Thanks!!

mirth · July 2004

And they mean $4300, not $43,000 in case anyone else had a heart attack. ;-)

bowke28 · July 2004

before you start calling it a #'s game, and assuming that you will lose because of your sex, read post 20851.

you never mentioned the miles on your jeep, nor the part of the country you are in. post a DETAILED description of the jeep, from top to bottom, including how many miles are on the brakes, tires, oil, coolant, xmission fluid, etc...

also post the location and the size of any dings, dents, or scratches. any tears or burn holes in the seats.

good luck

p.s. i find it difficult to comprehend that you haul horses and cows and the jeep is as perfect as you suggest. nothing personal, ive just seen too many.

kyfdx · July 2004

Pay off the Jeep.. Put it up for sale privately, then go get whatever you need with the least down payment possible. That takes the trade-in out of the equation, and you will probably get more from a private sale, anyway.

regards,
kyfdx

sap1227 · July 2004

Since I now have 2 kids under 3 in car seats, I will be either trading in or selling my Integra. The kids have never been in my car, but now that my wife is working part time, I need to be able to get them around.
Here is the info:

Zip 32712 (Orlando area)
1998 Acura Integra LS 3DR Hatch
Man Transmission
49500 Miles
Dark Green Exterior
Cloth interior (color is Partchment)
No accidents, a 3 minor dings on the side and a couple of small scratches.
The interior has very minor wear
Garage kept for the last 3 years
One owner
No mech problems.
Tires are good (less than 2000 miles)
I have the maintence records.
I have the original Acura Radio/CD, but currently it has a Rockford Fosgate CD player, a Kenwood EQ, a 500W amp, a 250W amp, a crossover and a 12in Crunch Speakerbox.

Thanks for any input.

some_buddy · July 2004

Terri,
What should I expect for a reasonable lease-end buyout on:
2001 BMW 540 6-spd (sport pkg) - 45k mi
premium sound w/DSP
in-dash CD
cold weather pkg
elctrc rear sunshade
17" alloy wheels

Anthracite/Black (ext/int)
Clean
45K mi (right on 15k/yr)

Lease expires Oct '04
contract residual = $33,044

Thinking about purchasing, any hope for a better price than residual?

some_buddy · July 2004

Boston, MA

rroyce10 · July 2004

............ Good post ...

By the way, who p****d on your corn flakes this morning, whatever, they should do it again ............

Terry.

rroyce10 · July 2004

1999 Chevy Blazer 2 Door LS 4 WD, 50,000 miles on the clock , V-6, air, power everything, automatic 4 speed transmission, AM/FM/CD Audio Sys, Overhead Console, Black with gray interior. Looking to trade in central Michigan.

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


                  You live right down the street from Mathias ..

             99 Blazer 2dr LS, its a 4wd, color is good for the area, V6, auto and the miles are way low for the year ... if the sneakers are deep, no repaints, no Ted Bundy interior, no click click in the 4wd, service is 100%, looks feels and drives like an 02 ... then trade side, in and around the low/mid $5's, maybe "might" find a dealer to go towards $6,0, If your lucky .. even with low miles, 2dr SUV's just don't do well in your area, or any other area for that matter ......

                         Good luck and let me know ....!

                                       Terry.

lglblond · July 2004

1998 Ford Escort ZX2 - okay don't laugh - 2D Hot Coupe, Manual, A/C (but blows hot!); Am/fm/cassette; after-market 12 disc changer; cruise control; tilt wheel; remote entry (not power locks); power steering; 109k miles; two previous accidents - front end - repaired very well; paint decent, some scratches though; glass in good shape; probably needs new tires & brake pads.
Looking to sell it to Carmax for cash, not trade-in?

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

                I'm laughing I'm laughing .. whats this heep worth.? .. it's a 98, it blows hot air, it's a handshaker, it's a coupe, it's got 110 klicks, it needs new stoppers, rubber and it's been used as target practice (twice) by the al-Qaeda .... other than that, it's like: Brand New.! .. I dunno, $500/$900.?

                                          Terry.

_+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Went to Carmax today and got a quote of $800 - i'm mostly pleased - was expecting closer to $500.

rroyce10 · July 2004

........ Where do you live again.? .. GS's, right.? ..


                    The "certified" stuff is what increases these figures, also don't forget that most buyers aren't as savvy as you, they get a Nada KBB book whatever, and they will want $12,000 for their 99 ES300 with 95k when it's worth $8ish - so the dealer needs the "room" to bargain .. I'm sure door #2 can be bought for the super tall $29ish low $30ish figure ..

                                      Terry.

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