Real-World Trade-In Values

driftracer · January 2005

Did you disclose the title status? Not accusing you of deceit, just didn't see that mentioned in your post. If not, that can, and will, come back to bit you on the keester.

uga91 · January 2005

gooddeal2: Even our sales person was surprised at what we got. Apparently, since our ION was a "pedigree" meaning all service had been performed by Saturn dealers made it worth more to them. I'm not arguing!

uga91 · January 2005

Thanks, Terry. Saturn dealers usually do me right. This VUE is my 4th Saturn.

gooddeal2 · January 2005

Yeah, sometimes that service record can be a plus but my Envoy is only 3 months old.

Terry,

I managed to get 21k for my Envoy. I just completed the deal over the phone on this past Sat. and will pick it up later next week. I got a "05 G35 coup as a replacement for about 1k over invoice (price may be a little too high?).

Thanks for your information, Terry.

Mike

bokonon · January 2005

Thanks Terry. Those numbers are in line with what I've been hearing from some dealers. What do you think about retail road on this one?

A Jets fan in mourning.

inneedofhelp · January 2005

Wow I haven't been on this board for a few months

what happen to the Explorer, Dodge and Focus ?

kyfdx · January 2005

If it were me... I'd keep looking for that Legend...

corvette · January 2005

Explorer was a long time ago, in car purchases, for akangl. She traded it on the first Titan, which was a lemon, then traded the first Titan on another Titan. The dealer's service department is proceeding to ruin the ownership experience on the second one. They still have the Focus and Dodge.

idntnvu · January 2005

Wow...well, I can't say that it didn't surprise me. I just hope that akangl survived the shock. Maybe she had enough wine (or some other kind of alcohol) in her to lessen the blow.

A friend of mine works at a gas station, and a guy came in the other day with a newish Titan. She likes them too, and asked him how he liked it, about buying experience, etc. He said he picked out two Titans, both identical with the exception of color, and the difference between dealerships was almost $10k. She said that he stated he thought about trading (which made me believe he went with the more expensive one, could be wrong), but said the value would have dropped at least $8k with the 1500 miles he'd put on it so far.

Hopefully your dealer will get on the ball there akangl. Hopefully too, Nissan will get this rig right in a couple years.

qwalls · January 2005

"If it were me... I'd keep looking for that Legend... "

Thast's why the Avalon has to go.. :-)

yutakagi · January 2005

Hi, I live in Los Angeles, and have an '01 Acura CL Type-S. No Nav. Silver Exterior, Black Interior. Just shy of 48000 miles.

Condition-wise, it's got some scratches on the rims (stupid things stick out beyond the tire) and I had to get a new transmission about a year ago because of the problems they had with 2nd gear. The thing drives as good as ever, though. Some bumper scratches have been repainted, as well.

Would like a ball-park trade-in value. Thanks.

rroyce10 · January 2005

..... I wouldn't mourn too much, they played a heck of a game .. of course, if the kicker was found in a back alley with a fish in his pocket I wouldn't be surprised .l.o.l.... I guess the cards keep reading the Pat's ..

Down Retail Rd .. super detail, a wonderful 4/5 liner Ad in the biggest paper in the "hood", $16,900 *asking* and cut and run at the first $15,5/$16,5 ... don't get real greedy, it's a Passat GL, not a Piaget ..........

Let me know how it goes ...

Terry.

cadillacmike · January 2005

Terry, I'm confused probabably because I didn't make it clear that I was considering buying not selling. Were your prices trade in values (dumb question) This is a Cadillac CPO car. Edmunds doesn't list 2005 used prices yet. Also, Edmunds 2003 and 2004 CPO shows a large 2,500-3,000 increase over non-certified. I checked and this car was built 1 Jun 04 and sold 1 Jul 04 and the original selling dealer is the same outfit that has it now - must have been too small for grandpa. Either that or he forgot to let off the parking brake one time too many (this car is the only current cadillac that doesn't have an auto-release parking brake). Black is an ok color for my wife (although I hate beige interiors or any shade) The dealer has it for some silly figure of like 37,500.00.

Here are the specs again and your initial response:

Location: Tampa FL 33607

YMM 2005 Cadillac CTS (not a CTS-V)

Style: 4 dr sedan

Engine: V6 w/ 5 sp Auto trans

Drive: RWD

Mileage: 9,800

Color: Black w/ lt neutral (tan) interior

Major options, EVERY AVAILABLE OPTION,

Officially it has option package 1SC which is the sport package and the luxury package PLUS the sunroof, highly polished 17" wheels, Bose audio system with Navigation system and XM radio, split rear seats, Xenon headlights (HID).

Condition: Outstanding - I see no wear on it

Tires: 9 or 10/32s

brakes: 80-90% remaining

Maint: one headlight assembly replaced (from the inquiry I had the sales mgr run for me)

no abnormalities in carfax, no evidence of prior damage.

Thanks, Mike

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



        Morning Mike, another (not) Buck fan .....



             Lets see here .. "05" CTS with 9,800 miles - CPO.? trade or auction vehicle .? ... miles are a little tall for the year, the color is a rough for Florida, we have the Bozo sound, we have the sport and the Luxomatic, slider, Nav, blinders, shiny Bling things, no such thing as "outstanding" in this hemisphere, unless your driving a 9,000 mile light color DB7 .... trade side, in and around the super tall $27's low/mid $28's, might get reeeal lucky and get a dealer to drop $29,0 into it, maybe, and thats a big maybe .... the color and the miles aren't your friend here, the color kills it, but probably a good buy at $31/32ish .....



                       let me know how it goes ....



                            Terry.

rroyce10 · January 2005

.... In the land of the once great Chargers ....

           01 "S" el coupe' ... We have 50k, the color is right, we have have some curb burners, rebuilt tranny (rare) and a few little K-Mart kisses here and there ... if the service is complete, deep in round things, looks/feels and drives like 25k .. then trade side, in and around the super tall $12's, low $13's ....

                 Let me know what happens ..

                           Terry.

rroyce10 · January 2005

.... "05" CTS, 9,800 miles .. black, tan guts with all the stuff in FLA - right.?

Dealer might have paid the tall $27's, low/mid $28's on a push to make the deal ... drop the CPO in there $900, a detail and a this and that and it might hit the table at the low/mid $29's .......

$37,500.?!? ~ thats a great price if you live in Bulgaria .. it's a black vehicle in Florida, and anything below the Mason/Dixon line has the resale value of 3 day old Guacamole with a dark color, plus it has high miles for an 05, you must be new to the neiborhood - dealers can buy 05's all day long for the $28/$29ish range at the auctions with a light color ..... like I said before, $31ish and $32ish would Flat kill it on a purchase, now if it was a lighter color you would be spending more $$ .......

Let me know how it goes ..

Terry.

akangl · January 2005

*GULP, CHOKE, GASP* Couldn't you have like sugar coated it a little or something? I mean I thought we were friends. *CHOKE, GASP* *grabs bottle of wine and downs the whole thing*

Holy cow, can we say *GASP* no resale value??? I'm glad I leased that thing.......$17k residual at 4 years 48k miles.........YEAH RIGHT. *falls down laughing*

Wow, I won't even look to see what I owe on it, don't know, don't care.......its LEASED!!! *falls back down laughing* Poor NMAC!!!

Let's see, $36,560 MSRP, invoice around $32k, so about a $10k fall off the curb.

Where my Focus (bless her little heart) I was offered $8300 hard money for her (yeah right, like I would take it) when she was 4 months old and 9k miles plus a little road rash. Only paid $11k, MSRP $13,400. I love my perfect little car.

Thanks Terry.......I think I'll have another case of wine.

idntnvu · January 2005

I never realized just how much the color of the vehicle actually affected it's value.

jeffsxyz · January 2005

I am in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and am trading my '03 Infiniti G35 Coupe, graphite color, 3.5L auto, has all available options including navigation except no satellite. CarMax rated car as "excellent (interior, exterior)" 15,500 miles. Taken good care of. My shock was that after reviewing KBB and Edmunds, the dealer quoted me a much lower value. Despite the fact the car is listed in some of the car magazines as "consumer most wanted", the sales manager was telling me the car "was" wanted but now isn't so much. Of course when I bought it I paid MSRP and waited 5 mos for delivery and I know I will loose much much money, I don't want to "give it away" while also purchasing a new car (am getting the Audi A6 3.2 sedan). Again, car has all options (premium bose sound, cd, wheels,) Tires are good. Needs only a detail to be placed on a lot...no scratches, windows tinted, looks absolutely great! CarMax said 26k. Dealership started with 25k and when I gasped, he said maybe 26k......I really go the feel he was playing me...you know..."Ive got the perfect car on my lot which you need...and you've got this trade which nobody wants...and I suppose I could take off your hands...but I'm doing you a favor..." sort of thing. Am I way off? I was expecting something closer to 27400. My car is closer to "excellent" condition than "good"... please, anyone, offer feedback and e-mail me: JeffCaron@bellsouth.net Thanks

idntnvu · January 2005

Terry will be happy to oblige, but might I enlighten you a bit before he gets here?

Basically, it's the fact of "how can a book or a website determine the value of a vehicle?" The quote the dealer gives you will be lower than "book value" 99% of the time. If you're really that afraid of losing money on it, you have the option of selling it yourself, or as Terry would say, "taking it down Retail Rd." Depending on how much he tells you it's worth, you could get a couple thousand more out of it on a private sale than you would trading it in. But, enquiring minds want to know: why are you trading an Infinity for an Audi? Anytime you trade vehicles, you're going to lose money, and lots of it. It's a no win situation. The best advice is to at least try to get your moneys worth out of the one you have, unless you just absolutely have to trade it. If thats the case, you're pretty much stuck with whatever the dealer says they will give you. Plus keep in mind, it's a 2003 with 15k miles on it. While it's not a Taurus, the mileage does affect greatly what it's worth, no matter what model it is.

Depreciation on these things can be outrageous. Just ask akangl. Better wait for her to recover from the hangover first though.

rroyce10 · January 2005

..... Famous last words: **I don't want to "give it away"** ..l.o.l..



              American translation: I paid too much - I drove it 2 years - I put miles on it - and I can't stand the pain of losing one itsy bitsy Nickel on a depreciating item - so why doesn't the dealer eat the loss just to make me happy and earn my wonderful business .... in a perfect world with Dorothy and Toto I'm sure that happens .. but in the Real World - "not" ...

                It sounds like a nice vehicle, miles are ultra low, color is kinda ok, we have all the stuff like the Bozo sound, wheels, and Nav's are only good for "around" $500 come trade side .. so what price glory.?

                 KBB and Edmunds are kinda like the Weather Channel, sometimes they're close and sometimes they're waaay off, it depends on the day, the geographic area, time of the year, the month and what the barometric pressure is in Minnesota vs Maryland - besides, since KBB and Edmunds won't send you a check for $27+, then it's kinda like taking your Mom to the Prom, wouldn't you agree.? ....... $26,0 is -all- the money, especially now when every G35 coupe is being shipped south because they can't give them away from Philly to St Paul ~ it's a winter market thing ...

                If you feel more comfortable with getting more $$, then send that puppy down Retail Rd: finish any service, a superb Day-Glo detail by a pro, and a big Fat Donald Trump Ad in the Miami/Lauderdale paper, $29,900 *asking* and wave bye bye at the first $28,5/$29,5 ... remember, tax savings in FL .................

               **I don't want to "give it away"** .... you will be hearing alot of that at the Miami Boat show in another month ..... :^}

                       Let me know how it goes ...

                                Terry.

mnrep2 · January 2005

2000 VW Passat GLX, Auto, CD Changer, 71,000 mi. Tires are good. General condition is good.

I have gotten very interested in a 05 G35x All wheel drive. What is the passat going to be worth in real trade dollars?

gooddeal2 · January 2005

"..... Famous last words: **I don't want to "give it away"** ..l.o.l..





      American translation: I paid too much - "

I think part of this problem is when people try to get cars that just come out (new or redesign). Usually, people pay at or close to MSRP to get those cars because most dealer have only like 5 to 10 of them in stock. I have a friend who paid sticker price when the "03 Accord just came out in late 2002. One year later (in late 2003), another friend got the "04 Accord closer to invoice price. That's about $2600 saving there.

sbaker · January 2005

Just a word to the wise... you might want to use a bit more verbiage about your VW. Right off the bat, your request is pretty much DOA without the colors listed. Also, a slightly more detailed explanation of "General condition is good". Check out the template at the bottom of the page and make sure you have covered all the bases (i.e. repaint, damage, etc...). The better the description, the more accurate the estimation will be that you receive. Good luck.

bokonon · January 2005

Thanks, Terry. I'll let you know how it goes.

lemmer · January 2005

birmingham, AL at the local Acura dealer

2004 Acura TSX

CPO

6 speed manual

37,617 big miles

silver with gray interior

no navigation

exterior and interior in good but not new shape

cheap aftermarket wheels/tires (stock size)

no apparent prior damage.

They have it listed in $24K. They had it on ebay twice. One time the bidding reached $18,500, the second time $17,500, but the minimum was never reached.

What do you think they need for this oddball?

stickguy · January 2005

my interest was peaked right until yo ugot to the aftermarket wheels. Considering the stocks are nice, why would someone pay to replace them, if they weren't doing a +1? I would want to know if they might have been stolen, or maybe trashed by a pothole?

18ish sounds about like the sweet spot for this one, assuming it checks out OK.

Perfect car for someone like me that drive low miles (about 8K/year). After a few years, it goes from high miles to normal.

driftracer · January 2005

on ebay have shady pasts.....while ebay serves to bring a much wider audience for your wares, it also serves to help you move vehicles that would never move in a normal retail environment - be very careful of this one, and those miles are radical, given its age.

lemmer · January 2005

It was on Ebay from the local Acura dealer, and I have seen it in person several times. It doesn't seem shady to me, because I have noticed this dealer often puts cars on ebay if they sit on the lot too long.

However, the aftermarket wheels do bother me. I wonder if maybe the local tire store was going to charge him $1000 for a new set of tires and he decided he could get new tires and wheels for $800 on the internet. Or maybe he just curbed the living crap out of the original wheels.

kyfdx · January 2005

On the good side, '04 TSX came out on April 1st, 2003... So, if it was an early one, at least it hasn't necessarily had the crap driven out of it... It could be almost two years old.. (or is that five in Terry-math?).

But, like stickguy and yourself, those aftermarket wheels bother me... An accident or the mother of all potholes seems like a likely answer..

Even if the car checked out fine, with those wheels and the big miles, I'm betting $20K at best...

agt_cooper · January 2005

Terry, I've got to tell you, you're expending way too much effort on this pricing thing...I've found a car where the owner has used a much simpler method of determining the value...

"Ford Motor Credit? Yes? I'd like to know my payoff, please."

"28,000"

"Okay, thank you. Price must be 28,000 then!"

A 2003 Ford Mustang GT Convertible, in January, in Bloomington, Minnesota...28 big ones!!!

Even using KBB "excellent" condition, they come up with 18,580 for a private party retail. I guess it will be time for a trip to Home Depot in the spring for a load of topsoil for this one...

Take a look here on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1- - - - &item=4519483013&category=6236

woodyww · January 2005

How much are you saving over the price of an '04 TSX with normal miles & stock wheels? And how much would it cost you for a set of stock rims? And, of course this is the kind of car some kid may have driven the cr**p out of. Have you done a carfax on it? There could be "more to the story" on this car........

ksccts · January 2005

That ad is a classic. Thanks for the link. Everyone needs to see this auction. CLASSIC!

rcmpjames · January 2005

Do you help us hosers up north, too?

Location: Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA

Year/Make/Model: 2002 GMC Jimmy SLS

Body Style: SUV

Engine: 4.3L Auto

Driveline: 4WD with "AUTOTRAC"

Mileage: 55000 KM (34000 miles)

Color:Pewter Exterior,Pewtercloth int.

Major Options: Alloys, Floor shifter, overhead console, compass/temp indicator in console

Condition:Interiot - very good condition. Shampoo'ed every 6 months

  Tires - worn, but marked as "Green" by service

  Brakes - good

  Maintenance - all records, still under warranty

corvette · January 2005

Slim feedback, one picture, and he is asking for a miracle price. Where do I sign up?

driftracer · January 2005

I sent the guy some suggestions....

andy · January 2005

What's this I keep hearing that having a dark color (esp black) really hurts resale value in the south. Is this really true? Hard to believe if so.

Must be the theory that in warm climate the car will be doubly uncomfortable if it has a dark exterior. I for one don't buy this argument. Does anyone have proof of this. What about a dark interior, does that hurt it also, or does having a light interior in a dark car offset this, etc. Just sounds like hogwash. Plus most people that are buying a decent car, have a garage to put their car in or they have a garage at work.

Why is black one of the most popular new car colors if it is so bad. Why do about 40% of Mercedes S Classes have a dark color.

dbauer · January 2005

check this out...

dbauer, "Nissan Frontier 2005+" #374, 17 Jan 2005 3:41 pm

woodyww · January 2005

Just a wild guess on my part: Given the (low) resale value of Saabs, you *Might* get enough for it to pay it off. You might have to sell it privately in order to do that. But Terry is the pricing expert here.

The good news: It's low miles, in nice shape, & you're selling it in New England. And this may be your best chance to get some good $$ out of it, as the "depreciation curve" for Saabs is not pretty. Selling it to buy a Honda sounds like a great idea to me. Good luck!

driftracer · January 2005

Hogwash? Hardly a respectful word....Hogwash aside, even though many people order their vehicles in darker colors and love the way their dark vehicle looks (when it's clean), they're hard to sell in hot climates, especially when you have a white one, a gold one, and a red one next to it.

They generate more heat inside, and of course, are harder to keep clean - issues the average buyer, especially an "appliance car" buyer, just doesn't want to deal with.

Mercedes S Classes in black? Sure, why not? It ain't like the owner has to wash it....they either have it detailed once a week or drive through a car wash.

anotherwagon · January 2005

Looking for a little look into the crystal ball for some shopping feedback.

Considering new: Ford Freesytle LTD AWD, Toyo Highlander LTD AWD, Honda Pilot EXL - all right at $30k - give/take...

how will they hold value in a couple of years?

or used Acura MDX (2002 or so) for a little less than the 30k....or used Volvo XC90 - heard of problems...

So looking for the feedback I hope I will get!

(Need to be able to have the 3rd seat/not always in use - no minivans - please!)

dbauer · January 2005

nissan pathfinder

anotherwagon · January 2005

May be a dumb observation on my part but...smaller kids can't reach back door handles?

robr2 · January 2005

I for one don't buy this argument. Does anyone have proof of this.

Terry, I understand you might have a little proof that dark colered cars are a hard resale in the South.

corvette · January 2005

I sent the guy some suggestions....

Hilarious. Let us know how he reacts. :-)

dbauer · January 2005

only kids under about 5. my son is 7 and can easily handle it. if your kids are under 5, how often do they open the doors by themselves anyway?

i would suggest going to see it and try it out for yourself...dont rely on others that you dont witness.

mnrep2 · January 2005

Minneapolis, MN

2000 VW Passat GLX

4 door sedan

2.8 liter V6

FWD

71,000

Auto Trans. / 6 disc CD changer

exterior paint very good. Rear fender was dented and repainted and repaired 2 years ago. Minor rock chips on hood. Interior very clean, everything works as new!

Tires 80% left.

Brakes re done less than 3K ago

All Maint. done by dealer, just had all oil seals on engine replaced (under warranty thank god!)

What would the trade dollars be on this vehicle

cnew21 · January 2005

Hi. I just posted about the fact that I'm upside down with the loan on this car on another board. I'm interesting in finding out what I can expect to get when selling this car.

Location: Washington DC Metro area

Year: 1998

Make: Mitsubishi

Model: Diamante ES

Body Style: 4 dr

Engine: 3.5L V6

Driveline: FWD

Mileage: 52K

Color: Interior is gray. Exterior is silver

Major options: NONE

Condition: Exterior is in good shape. I did back up into a pole a few years back and there is a small area where the paint peeled away. Other than that no major dings or scratches. The interior is also in good shape. Even with two small kids I keep it very clean.

Brakes: Front brakes were replaced in 2002.

Tires: Car has new front tires.

We've kept up with the maintenance. Oil changes and all of that.

No accidents or damage.

I owe $8,736.00 and realize I won't be able to sell for that amount but would love to get as close to possible.

andy · January 2005

ok sorry about the hogwash thing, but i would love to see some evidence. Sure people who buy their appliance cars would seem to be more practicle, but the same camry buyers will buy dark blue, green or red new....which are just as dark as black.

driftracer · January 2005

Terry and I aren't scientists or CSI dudes, but with my 20,000 vehicles at auction, bought, sold and otherwise evaluated, Terry's 100,000 vehicles, plus his 25 years and my 10 years in the car biz, you'll have to understand we're not making it up...

You'll get analysis paralysis if you try to find true sources, so 35 years of experience and 120,000 rides under our belt will have to substitute for science.

dkuhajda · January 2005

Lets see, you are trying to sell it with paint peeling away from hitting a pole and then go on to say no accidents or damage????? Hitting a pole hard enough for the paint to peel away sounds like damage to me.

Me thinks private party side, asking $5500, real world sale $4,500-$5,000. It better have 4 matching good tires though.

Real-World Trade-In Values

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