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Location is Chicago, Illinois.
Terry.
I now need a retail number to use as a negotiating point with the insurance company. I've pulled a couple of comparables for sale off of some web sites and the big 3 values.
Here are the details:
98 Accord EX Sedan
Boston
87K miles
Heater Mist - silvery champagne color
Auto
Leather
Normal EX goodies
A couple of small dings, a slight scuff on the rear bumper, usual chips on the nose, and a little rim rash.
Dealer service up to date
Rubber about 50%.
Numbers point to retail asking price between $8500 and $9500. What say you and thanks in advance.
===============================
**and it looks like it is going to be a total** .... aaah yeah, not unless you have Gloucoma, that's what I would be thinkin'.! ... it should have been totaled at $$5,0/$6,0 ..... Retail Rd.? - I agree $8,5/$9,5 would be a "fair" *asking* retail price ...
When they finally get to the final figure (whatever that might be) "then" ask for the taxes ......
Don't forget to let me know .!
Terry.
I am posting for my father-in-law. See here is what happened: About 1 month ago, I bought an '05 Forester LL BEAN. Last week, wife and I headed from the east coast to Isellhondaland. We left our Subie with our daughter and car seat attached with my in-laws. My mother-in-law fell in love with the car, and now wants one. Father-in-law is cheap. He wants a 1 y/o one.
So, here is what I am looking at:
'04 Forester XS
~ 10-15K miles
Slider
Auto
Air
cow hides
6cd changer
other goodies as appropriate
Location: Land of the Cheese Steak, Home of the flying turkeys (I mean eagles). Philly, PA.
I am guessing about 20K; but since you can buy new for 22500, buy new.
======================================
I agree with you ...
Just like my Great Grand Daddy used to say: "Never spend time tripping over those dollars to get to them dimes" ..... dealers are dropping the $18ish figure into a nice 04 XS with miles in the 10/15k range .. so that means they need to get $19,5/$20,5 on the retail side .... if he can a new one loaded up for $22,5ish -- then thats the way to go ...........
Terry.
Location: San Jose, California
Year/Make/Model: 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible
Body Style: Convertible
Engine: Stock 4 Cyl engine spinning the tires via a 5 speed stick
Driveline: FWD
Mileage: 45K
Color: Dark Blue outside, tan leather inside
Major Options: Stock, but it is the convertible
Condition:
No major dings outside, no obvious problems inside, but nothing to write home about either. It's a clean car but it's previous owner clearly wasn't anal retentive either.
Tires - Almost brand new
Brakes - Not sure
Maintenance - up to date
Extended warranty to 100K
=================================
In the land of Aaarnold .... we have a 01 Saab 9-3 convert, we got the handshaker (that's a bad thing) we got 45k (that's a good thing), it's no-sale blue with the tan guts (the color kills it, but the tan guts keep it afloat) and you say "but nothing to write home about either", we do have the 100k warranty (that's a good thing) ....
He probably went to the dealer and they dropped the $13,0 figure at him .. then he got the "dead mullet look" in his face, and he said, "the books say: blah blah blah" ... so the dealer probably said, fine, sell it on your own or get the books to drop you a reader for it, cuz' were thinkin' the $13ish figure for it - it's a HANDSHAKER - and the warranty means -0- to the dealer .....
$19,800 ..?!? ... he must have been standing in the Star Wars line too long and got heat stroke .. is there a Piaget in the console.? .... $19,800.?? .. that's a great price if you live in the Falkland Islands ....
Even in your part of the country, where there's big money and little thought process and low miles are kinda scarce, it's still only worth the mid/high $15's low/mid $16's on the retail side (no matter what the "books" say) - and $17,0 would be aaaall the money if you couldn't live without it .....
PS: $19,800...? ... look in the guys ashtray, I have a funny feelin' there's some funny stuff in there ................... :P
Terry.
"what's the attraction of this car?"
I want a convertible. I need four seats. That makes my choices a 9-3, a BMW 3 series, an A4, a Solar, an Eclipse or a Sebring. The Solara and the Eclipse don't do much for me, and if you want to talk low-resale, then have a look at the Sebring. My budget can't handle the BMW or the A4, so it looks like a 9-3 is the best choice. (And yes, I'm paying cash.)
I'm one of those wierd guys that actually likes no-sale blue and a stick transmission (shhhh, don't tell the seller that), so this car is actually a good candidate for me.
I'd love lower miles and better condition, but I doubt i can talk this guy down to a more reasonable value, so it looks like I'll pass.
Thanks again for all your help Terry.
Location: Albuquerque
2003 Honda Civic EX
4 dr w/spoiler
1.7 VTEC
Auto Transmission
12,500 miles
Exterior: Champagne/ Interior: Beige
Condition is Good with routine service performed at local dealer, 2 tires will need to be replaced within 3-5K miles and the other 2 have ~%50 left. Paint is glossy but there are a few scratches and could use a good detail inside and out. I ran a Carfax and everything checks out with this being the original owner. Asking price is $13,600 and my current offer is $12,500. Owner is recently divorced and it was his wife's car. Seems like he wants it gone.
===================================
In Alber-kirky NM .. what a town ..
The miles are low and the rubber is weak ... good color for the area, it's an automatic and you say the history "seems" to be fine ..... I think $12,5/$12,9 is aaaall the money, even with the low miles ...
The funny part about Honda's are .. that most Honda dealers aren't going to put big money in their own product (not unless they're out of used inventory) ... it's not that it's bad mind you, it's just that 03's run as much as an 04, and 04's run as much as 05's, so even the dealers want to be waaaay back in the book .... make sense.?
Good luck and let me know .....!
Terry.
Terry.
The funny part about Honda's are .. that most Honda dealers aren't going to put big money in their own product (not unless they're out of used inventory) ... it's not that it's bad mind you, it's just that 03's run as much as an 04, and 04's run as much as 05's, so even the dealers want to be waaaay back in the book .... make sense.?"
No it doesn't. But I'd like to add my 2 Pfennig here.
Slbible: IF you drive lots, buy the car. If you rack up 50k in two years, it'll still be a very sellable, passably low-mile car. If you don't drive much, get something else.
Terry: What you said sorta clicks with what my friend Andre told me.... he goes to the Detroit Auto Auction a lot (not the Metro) where Honda Finance takes all their cars. He's stopped buying the 36k lease return Civics, because he says he only makes $500 on them -- I presume that means he gets them for about a grand less than he can sell them for.
Reason given, and this might disagree a little with what you're saying, that all the Honda stores hang big $$ in these cars, 'cuz they have the customers for them.
Isellhondas says that often he can sell a two-year-old Civic for $1,500 less than a new one, which even he thinks is silly, and he's a believer.
SO: Do the Honda boys, or don't they, put big numbers on these Civics? I would think they'd pay ALL the money cuz they have the customers...?
Either way, $12,500 for a 3-year-old economy car is strong money, but if the miles are gonna be a real benefit -- i.e. lots of driving -- then I think it's OK.
At a Honda dealership, they'd probably try real hard to get $14,500 for it. And might get it.
-Mathias
Never had a Honda.
Oh wait: 1974 Honda CB175 Motorcycle with 1,750 miles :-)
And my snow blower.
He's goes to the one in Carleton, right.? .. he's on the right track, and your getting it ...... 03 EX's with tiny miles are doing "around" the mid/high $12's, some will see the low $13's at the block .. the same 04's are doing "around" the tall $13's low $14's .... so figure the time you get them home with transport, they do a little this and that, a detail and some service, they probably have close to the $15's in em' .. and the 03's will probably have close to the $14's in em' ....
Now, let's shift from a "Mathias thought process" (because you're a cash buyer) to a payment buyer, so lets go to 90% of the buying market ... for $900ish dollars more - or for $20ish dollars more a month most buyers will shift to the 04 .. and the 04 buyers will shift to the new 05's, for $17,5ish --or-- for another $45 a month vs the 03's ..... some Honda dealers will buy them as "switch" cars for the folks that need to be at a "firm" payment ... unlike "let's say" a Taurus (for example) the stretch between the new and the pre-owned 05's are $9,000 --or-- $160+ a month ....... see what I mean.? ...
I have taken in hundreds of nice Civics on trade, but as a rule, I will get more money auction side then down Retail Rd .. so like your friend, I don't want to tie-up $13grand to make $500 in maybe 90 days, maybe .... got it.??
Die Gewinnspanne ist Weg zu klein, ist es besser zu drehen und sie zu verbrennen,..
Terry.
It only has 12,500 miles, and two tires already need replacing, and the others are over 50% worn? It doesn't sound like it has had an easy life... Tires on a Civic aren't exactly performance rubber...
Maybe a dealer wouldn't care about that, but if I were buying from a private seller, that would raise a big red flag...
regards,
kyfdx
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everything is good on it except it need new spark plug wires
I owe 15000.00
What is it worth and w/o having the title (still paying it off bank has it ) would I be able to sell it for less than I owe Say 10,000, take 3,000 buy a private car and pay off my car loan?? I just need to get out of this 300/month payment that is dragging me down and I dont know how. HELP!
If you can get $10,000 for that car, you still owe $5000 on the loan, which you have to come up with, plus you need to buy a car. If you spend $3000 on a car, you are out a total of $8000. Also, it will be difficult to find reliable transportation in the $3000 range.
The easiest/best way to get out from being upside down on a loan is to continue making the payments... And, make more than the minimum payment whenever you can, although I gather that may not be an option right now.
everything is good on it except it need new spark plug wires
I owe 15000.00
What is it worth and w/o having the title (still paying it off bank has it ) would I be able to sell it for less than I owe Say 10,000, take 3,000 buy a private car and pay off my car loan?? I just need to get out of this 300/month payment that is dragging me down and I dont know how. HELP!** ..
=========================================
You just must loooove Bike Week ..l.o.l.....
It's an 02 Sable LS with 54k in Daytona ... the color is right for the area, we have the leather, slider, V6 Duratec, some tunes and we need plug wires (?) ...... IF ~ we haven't been in any battles at Wal Mart, the rubber is from yesterday, no Love Bug damage, we have coooold breeze, no Bonnie and Clyde interior and no repaints ... then trade side, in and around the mid/tall $7's, maybe the low low $8's on a real good day ....
Down Retail Rd, super detail, finish any service, super Ad and $10,500 *asking* and cut this bad boy loose for the first $9,5/$9,9 .. the 54k is not your friend here ....... the Big problem here is the pay-off -- Yikes.! .. $15,000 ... did you call the lender or did you just add-up the payments.? .. unless you can get with a "personal" banker, you might be driving this one for awhile - you have a firm grip on this dude ....
Good luck and let me know ...........
Terry.
I'd tend to agree with you. However, OEM tires are notoriously bad ... even the M******* ones.
The worst tires I ever had -- these were "goodyear" tires, and I put the quotation marks on purpose -- were on my 98 Prizm. These were awe-inspiring in the way they had bad dry traction, -zero- wet traction (put me in a curb once, never happened in any other car), and wore like butter in the sun.
I wailed on those with a vengeance, and still got to 24k before they were ready for replacement.
Of course, I just sold the car then. CCBA, baby!
-Mathias
Terry.
Thanks for your earlier help. I sold the car today for $5,500!
Your expert opinion was right on!
I'm glad there are people like you who help out worried novice car sellers like me.
I wholeheartedly appreciate your help and continue to help others! You are doing a wonderful thing.
With much gratitude,
Henry
Personally, I wouldn't pay half that much for the vehicle.
For the record, I haven't seen too many police vehicles that did not have some interior damage (headliners, tears in the dash, drill holes into the body for the lights, etc.)
Good job .. it's kinda like having a winning lottery ticket ... thanks for the update.! ...
Terry.
LTZ .......?
Base model with some seats ....?
and you live in Minnesota or Miami .....?
Yikes .!
Terry.
We'll be meeting at my bank this mornig to cut the cashier check to pay off his current loan which is $12,280, he'll make ~$120 on the sale and I'll have a vehicle that should give me many years of ecomical motoring.
Thanks,
Steve
Year/Make/Model: 2001 Highlander Limited V6 4x4 Bluestone
Mileage: 49300
Options: Fully loaded (Leather, 6 CD changer, Sun Roof, etc.) except the Tow package
Conditions: Like new interior (not kidding, friends/co-workers all praise me for keeping the car so well). A couple of tiny scratches on the side. Tires will be replaced soon. Regular maintenance. No accidents.
I'm considering to trade it in for a Minivan. Edmunds gave 19900 but KBB gave only 16600 (assuming in Excellent condition). What's the deal with 3000+ gap, and what do you think it should worth? Thanks in advance. :confuse:
If the extended warranty is "HondaCare" then you did a lot better, since a 7yr/100k/$0 deductible HC warranty is around $750-800 at a discount. If is IS HondaCare you need to get the seller to sign a transfer form. It will cost you $50 and some work, but be well worth it. Note you only have 15 days to get this done - and without the previous owner signing off the warranty does YOU no good.
VII. TRANSFER OF CONTRACT
The original CONTRACT purchaser may transfer this CONTRACT to a purchaser of the VEHICLE for the remainder of the original CONTRACT PERIOD.
TRANSFER PROCEDURE: Return to YOUR DEALER, complete the Transfer of Contract form provided by YOUR DEALER, and present the following items:
A. This CONTRACT;
B. A $50.00 transfer fee payable to YOUR DEALER;
C. A complete copy of YOUR MAINTENANCE RECORDS; and
d. Documentation evidencing change of ownership and ODOMETER READING (the actual miles traveled, measured by an operative, unaltered odometer) on the date of transfer.
TRANSFER CONDITIONS:
1. THIS CONTRACT CAN ONLY BE TRANSFERRED TO A PRIVATE OWNER, WITHIN 15 DAYS OF CHANGE OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP. ALL REMAINING UNDERLYING WARRANTIES MUST BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW OWNER.
2. THIS CONTRACT CANNOT BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER VEHICLE, TO A VEHICLE DEALER OR TO THE CUSTOMER OF A VEHICLE DEALER, OR TO A LENDER. Cancellation rights are for the sole benefit of the original retail CONTRACT purchaser and lender. A transferee cannot cancel this CONTRACT.
3. If YOUR MAINTENANCE RECORDS are not available, AMERICAN HONDA may require inspection of the VEHICLE to assure that the VEHICLE has been properly maintained. If the inspection discloses abnormal conditions, the transfer request may be denied.
4. A transferee may not transfer this CONTRACT to a subsequent purchaser of the VEHICLE. Upon transfer of the VEHICLE be a transferee to a subsequent purchaser, this coverage is no longer in force.
If it is NOT a HondaCare, then it may not be worth the paper it is written on - so may not be worth doing a transfer.
Dennis
Good job and thanks for the update.!
Terry.
2003 Pathfinder LE 4x4, 3.5L V6
30,800 miles
new tires, new brakes, very good condition interior, a couple small dings in exterior
could use a wax. has all options except for DVD player. sunroof, indash CD changer,
running boards, VLC, heated seats, side airbags, rear cargo cover, all service records.
first baby coming SOON and thinking about trading it for a Toyota Sienna Minivan.
It's a 03 Pathy LE with 31k ... we have a few baby kisses here and there, we have a slider, new round things and new stoppers, we got the cold pack, side balloons and the service sounds up to date ..... if we haven't done any slam dancing with it, no paint by numbers, just a nice one ... then trade side, in and around the $18,0 figure, might maybe see the mid/high $18's if it's super nice super clean and it needs -0- ...... down Retail Rd, great Ad, super detail, $21,900 *asking* and cut it loose for the first "real deal" $20,5/$21,5 ....... you guys get tax difference credit in Kentucky, right ..?
Terry.
YIKES.! .. it is a Black 03 CLK 320 El Coupe' in Laudertrail ....... where's your black Cigarette boat.? did you dye your mustache black .....? ... Well ........ the miles are low, we got the cold pack, slider, blinders, getty-up and it's black with black guts ....... If ~ we haven't had any swirlomatic car washes at Sonny’s, no paint by numbers, no battles at Publics, the service is 100% and no curb burners .. then trade side, in and around the super tall $29's, low/mid $30ish range, might "maybe" could get a super brave dealer to march towards the $31 figure, Big maybe ....... the color just Flat kills it, and the miles could save it, kinda --- black in Florida...?
Me personally .. down Retail Rd it would go - superb detail, finish any service, a glorious Ad in the Miami Herald and $35,900 *asking* and get ready to cut this bad boy loose for the first $34/$35 .....
On the other hand ... we have a nice light colored 04 Aviator Ultimate AWD, we got the slider, 14k, moon tunes, cold pack, blinders and the quads ..... If it's super nice, super clean and no repaints .. then trade side, in and around the mid/high $31ish range, might see the low low low low $32 figure, maybe .....
Good luck .. and let me know what happens ..!
Terry.
____________________________________________________
Here's a quick update on the CLK and Aviator.... I traded in the CLK and Aviator for $31,000 each towards a 2005 Range Rover tonight. Thanks for your help Terry!
All of the Edmunds experts helped me a lot when I bought a new car a couple of years ago. This time I'm writing for a friend who is looking at a 2001 toyota sienna XLE minivan which is for sale in MA. She'd appreciate any expert opinion you can give her. Thanks in advance.
59K miles
4 speed auto, 6cyl, front wheel drive
210 HP at 5800 RPM's
5 doors
AM/FM Multi Disc CD
Dual 8 way power seats - heated
Power doors,windows, etc.
Moonroof (can't remember if it's power)
Leather
Alloy wheels
Dunlop tires - she say they're excellent
Carfax report is excellent - reports one oner leased from Bow, New Hampshire
No dings or scratches apparent outside, interior appear to be in excellent condition
Color - Dark Green
Interior - Tan
Dealer asked $18,900 and will go to $18,600. He's holding the vehicle till 9:00 am Eastern Daylight Time, Tuesday.. She saw it tonight... Monday
What say you, oracles out there? That is, if any of you are awake.....
Thanks,
Katherine
It's nice and the miles are low, but I wouldn't pay that kind of money for it, even though someone else might.
MA is salt country, I'd just get a new one or look at a Mercury Villager of similar vintage for $10 or less. And we own one of each.
Oh yeah, as a guess, it's worth $15 retail, give or take a grand. But I don't really know.
Good luck,
-Mathias
By the way, you didn't get a black Rover, did you.?
Terry.
All of the Edmunds experts helped me a lot when I bought a new car a couple of years ago. This time I'm writing for a friend who is looking at a 2001 toyota sienna XLE minivan which is for sale in MA. She'd appreciate any expert opinion you can give her. Thanks in advance.
59K miles
4 speed auto, 6cyl, front wheel drive
210 HP at 5800 RPM's
5 doors
AM/FM Multi Disc CD
Dual 8 way power seats - heated
Power doors,windows, etc.
Moonroof (can't remember if it's power)
Leather
Alloy wheels
Dunlop tires - she say they're excellent
Carfax report is excellent - reports one owner leased from Bow, New Hampshire
No dings or scratches apparent outside, interior appear to be in excellent condition
Color - Dark Green
Interior - Tan
Dealer asked $18,900 and will go to $18,600. He's holding the vehicle till 9:00 am Eastern Daylight Time, Tuesday.. She saw it tonight... Monday
What say you, oracles out there? That is, if any of you are awake.....
Thanks,
Katherine
===================================
Good morning Katherine ....
So it's for sale in "Massa chew sits" .? ...... it's an 01 Yota Sienna XLE, it's got 60k, we got some tunes, we got the no-sale green thing going on, cold pack, slider and some wheels .... If ~ the rubber is deeper than Oprah's voice, the paint is better than her make-overs and the service is longer than her hubby's .... then trade side, the dealer might have dropped the mid/high $11's "maybe" the low low $12's in it, could have dropped his contact lens for a moment and put the high $12's in it, maybe ........
$18,900.?!? .. and he will be nice enough to hold it til' 9am for $18,600 .?!? -- it's a friggin' 01 Sienna, not an 01 Mercedes SL500 .... tell him not to hold his breath, cuz' he'll be the bluest boy on the block ....
Is it worth $14,9/$15,9 on the retail side.? yeah maybe -- if it's like new, it glows in the dark, waaaay deep in rubber, we have a CPO and it needs -0- ..... $18,600..? only if it has the new Raymond Weil in the console and a free trip to Disney World ..........
Terry.
By the way, you didn't get a black Rover, did you.?
Terry.
______________________________________________________________
I was so close to buying a black Rover with gray or black guts, but at the last minute I decided to go with gray on gray. I don't see what the big deal is about black on black cars in FL. All cars are hot inside during the summer. The Aviator I traded in with tan seats was just as hot inside as the black on black CLK. Granted the CLK may have been a few degrees warmer, but that's the price I paid for having such a nice looking car.
In restrospect, it wasn't that great of a car. I drove it to about 118,000 miles. Probably would've gotten more miles out of it, but it was such a guzzler that when I bought an Intrepid a little over a year later, this car got driven very little. Never had a bit of trouble with the engine or tranny during that time, but something else was always breaking. Two power window motors, the fuel pump, distributor, several starters, valve covers, front seal, radiator, a freeze plug (evidently the Richmond VA police ran it with just water for awhile), and a few other odds and ends. It seemed like it was constantly breaking vacuum hoses, too, but then you almost couldn't take the air cleaner assembly off without busting one!
Now the engine wasn't original. It had died at around 73K miles...#8 cam lobe wore off. I've heard it was a defect, that Chrysler had a run of bad camshafts in '89, and they'd often go bad around 70-90,000 miles. The shop I bought this car from had put in a 318 out of a wrecked '88 Diplomat that had about 75,000 miles on it.
Overall, I guess it wasn't a HORRIBLE car, and I don't know if most of what went wrong with it was because it was an ex police car, or if that was just it being a Chrysler! :P I don't know if the experience would ever sour me to buying another ex police car, but just keep in mind that most of them, since they're beefed up, aren't going to get very good fuel economy. And I've also heard that a good rule of thumb is that whatever the mileage it has, figure it has about the same wear and tear on it as a civilian car with double the mileage! So a 75K mile police car is like a 150K mile civvy car. But then, I used this thing to deliver pizzas, so I don't know if that was much gentler than what police duty would be!
I think I'd be concerned about most FWD modern police cars, though...stuff like the Lumina, Impala, Intrepid, Taurus, etc. They might make 'em more reliable in general these days, but they're just not as beefy and durable, and can't take a beating like an old RWD Caprice, Gran Fury, etc could. A Crown Vic would probably be the best bet in a newer used police car, though, since they're still RWD, body-on-frame, and relatively simple and durable.
Thanks for your help.
2003 VW Passat GLS Sedan 1.8T Automatic triptronic
Candy white/ Tan Leather interior
Just under 22,000 miles
No dings, interior is good
Monsoon sound system
Cold weather package (heated seats, side mirrors, etc)
Leather interior
Homelink garage opener
no accidents
20148 area- Northern Virginia
We owe $17,900 and need to get out of it and into a minivan (baby #3 is due in September!)
Thanks!
Carrie
Mathias, I agree, the salt country thing is a bummer; personally, I think all of us who live in Massachusetts should buy our used cars in Callifornia, preferably in January and February... Someone could make some serious money figuring out how to make that happen.
Fish 8, congrats on the new T and C. Drive it in good health. My friend is turning in a Dodge minivan, can't remember exactly what model, so I don't think the emblem is the main issue. Getting a solid, reliable van that she can put a lot of miles on for a sub-20K allocation of funds is the "challenge."
Terry - brilliant... as always. Hope she gets something in the $ range you suggest.
Have you heard from Oprah yet?
I'll keep you posted.
Mathias, I agree, the salt country thing is a bummer; personally, I think all of us who live in Massachusetts should buy our used cars in Callifornia, preferably in January and February... Someone could make some serious money figuring out how to make that happen.
Fish 8, congrats on the new T and C. Drive it in good health. My friend is turning in a Dodge minivan, can't remember exactly what model, so I don't think the emblem is the main issue. Getting a solid, reliable van that she can put a lot of miles on for a sub-20K allocation of funds is the "challenge."
Terry - brilliant... as always. Hope she gets something in the $$ range you suggest. Aside from being dead on with the numbers you might think of stand-up comedy. Have you heard from Oprah yet?
I'll keep you posted.
Katherine