Real-World Trade-In Values

volvomax · August 2006

What a crock!!! Yeah, and then the dealership turns around and sells it for $14,000! I'll stick to my guns and keep the price I'm asking for it -> $9500.

Weeelllll, if you are asking $9500 then $7k wholesale is right on.

steine13 · August 2006

Ya know, next time you ask people to use their spare time to help you with their expertise, you might want to be nice.

That car was, what, $25k street price when new?
It's eight years old. OF COURSE it isn't worth $14. Or $9,500.

But it's a Toyota, so it'll still bring decent money. Congratulations.

-Mathias

dkuhajda · August 2006

Both of the above are not good low maintenance and repair choices. Late 2003 and newer Focus are when you are getting away from the lemons. The Couger/Mystique/Contour are also not that great on repair parts cost.

On the other hand, a ultra nice 2001 Taurus with 70K is in the 3-4K price range and has low insurance rates. Plus if driven carefully with the SOHC 3.0L gets in the high 20mpg.

breld · August 2006

Alright, so here's the deal I have on the table. Due to the relative low supply of used 530xi's, I'm looking nationally, and decided to work through a broker for that reason.

Purchasing (car is in California):

2006 BMW 530xi sedan
Silver/black leather
8,000 miles
Loaded with options:
Premium package, Cold weather, Sport pkg, Premium sound, Park distance control, Navigation, Heads-up display, Satellite radio. $59k MSRP new, for what it's worth.
AND - six speed manual trannie.

It's not certified, though I'm asking if they would do so for this price (it is a BMW dealer).

Purchase price: $49,500, which includes shipping to me in Denver.

My trade (through the broker):
2004 Acura TSX
Meteor silver/grey leather
39k miles
Non-nav model, 6 speed manual trannie.

Trade value offered $18,500.

So, my TSX plus $31k gets me this 530xi.

I'm not in a rush, and had planned on waiting for more of these to show up on the market, but the relative rarity of the manual trannie has me tempted to go for it.

Any thoughts?

Thanks a bunch.

corvette · August 2006

Very, very rare to find one of those with ABS.

Could you source a "take-off" suspension from someone who bought new components from Tire Rack or another performance shop?

kreuzer · August 2006

First to volvomax: Thanks for your experienced opinion. You're probably right about any dealership only offering me $7,000, but I think you may be a little off on the retail price from what I've seen. A vehicle such as mine could easily be found with a sticker price of $14,000 on a dealer's lot. I believe you're correct in saying the dealer may not get this much but I bet they don't come down too much - maybe $1,000. I wouldn't pay $14000 for it either. I do feel that my asking price is very fair after looking into a various number of pricing outlets. I know a dealer won't give me $9500. I would say most would agree that dealerships in general don't do anyone's car justice. I'll just have to see what happens with my asking price.

Secondly to steine13: What a crock!!! Yeah, and then the dealership turns around and sells it for $14,000! I'll stick to my guns and keep the price I'm asking for it -> $9500. I wasn't trying to be mean with this comment. I was only stating a very true opinion.
Now I will be pissy with you! Who are you to say it's not worth $9500?! You must not be up on vehicle pricing!? :mad:

cccompson · August 2006

Not that he needs any defense but steine13 has been around here just a bit longer than you, kreuzer, and he's usually on the mark.

Sellers can ask whatever price they wish. The market will determine the value. You will, of course, be finding out exactly what your's is worth in due course. I don't envy anyone trying to sell an SUV right now, especially one that's eight years old and pushing 90K (even if it is a Toyota).

tidester · August 2006

Let's all take a deep breath and move on in a civil manner.

tidester, host

ghulet · August 2006

Boys, boys.....you're all pretty.

Steine, this Prism sounds, perhaps, like a repo from kid back to grandfather (or perhaps father) based on a defaulted family loan (or breeched agreement otherwise). In any case, if you can make it look/sound/seem fairly 'factory', sounds like a good car, as usual. I try to stay 'informed' here, but did you 'need' a car? Not chiding, just asking.

Back to my question, please (sorry!): does anyone know about the oft-forgotten Mercury Cougar of 1999-2003 (see post 31065 above), other than the vague 'probably high maintenance' comment? Thanks!

steine13 · August 2006

[..] but did you 'need' a car? Not chiding, just asking.

Don't make me take away your CCBA privileges. "Need"? Sheesh.

Seriously, I missed the dropped suspension, and I would have probably stayed away... but my wife put 5,600 miles on her Sienna in 60 days, and I know she'd love a hi-mileage runabout. Plus, it's a stick, you can't find those...

She was less enthralled with my latest "spare" car: http://www.msu.edu/~steine13/dat.html, but at least it wasn't expensive... I've posted about this elsewhere, so forgive me. My "normal" car is a 96 Millenia, so I'd better have two, no?

As far as the Cougar, your best bet is to find some enthusiast's forum for these cars on the web.... no "normal" person is gonna know about these due to short tenure. I rarely see 'em anymore and never knew anyone who had them. Good-looking car, but as an only driver, I'd go with a Taurus...

-Mathias

kyfdx · August 2006

When someone walks up to the front door.. do those bushes reach out and try to grab them?

I'm just getting sort of a mad scientist vibe, there... Time to get out the hedge clippers..

bretfraz · August 2006

Yeah, it looks like Doc's house from Back To The Future.

kreuzer · August 2006

Are we still in Jr. High? Not that he needs any defense but steine13 has been around here just a bit longer than you, kreuzer, and he's usually on the mark.

That's great that steine13 has been around a bit longer than I, but I feel that my opinion holds up as well as his!

Enough said, tidester right, let's move on.

corvette · August 2006

My cousin had a Cougar (I think it was a 1999 or 2000), but I don't remember its repair history. He bought another Ford product, so it couldn't have been terrible.

volvomax · August 2006

Well, there is asking and there is getting.
Also, you have to be careful that the $14,000 car you saw is the exact same as yours, same color, miles, equipment.

cccompson · August 2006

Ah, no, I've finished college - a couple of times. However when I ask the opinion of others, I am not thereafter critical of the views received. As I said, the market will determine the value of the vehicle, not anybody's opinion.

kreuzer · August 2006

I wasn't being critical of those who replied to my question. I just couldn't believe that the trade in value would be so low and was expressing myself of that. I agree with everyone saying that the market and time will tell what my truck is worth.

I would think a person of your stature to have recognized this, especially since you've been to college a couple of times!

newdavidq · August 2006

I'm thinking of selling/trading the following vehicle and
would appreciate an estimate from the experts as to price:

I'm north of Chicago
2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD 4D 5 pass
4.0 V6
74K miles
Gold ext, grey int
tow pkg, blk htr
Excellent cond-complete 60k dealer service
Pirelli STRs 9k miles ago
Brakes 50% wear
Has had 3k oil and filters, new wipers, etc.
No dents, few very minor scratches. Perfect interior.
No known defects (only repair was new right front wheel bearing about 8k miles ago)

After reading the above, I probably should keep it, but I need a more powerful truck to pull a trailer.

P.S to Kreuzer: if you get 13k for your 99 4-runner please ask the guy if he has a twin brother.
P.P.S I wouldn't mind a wise [non-permissible content removed] reply.
Regards, davidq

anonymousposts · August 2006

Trade in on the above-mentioned 4Runner is from $6400 to $8200. As people have said in here before a dealer can "ask" for any price. What they get in the end is another story. If it is as clean as you say it is with no damage then you should be able to get someone to pay your asking price as long as the market in your area isn't flooded with similarly priced-similarly optioned vehicles.

qwalls · August 2006

So I'm gone for a few weeks hanging out in the photography and cycling forums, and I come back and you've gotten two cars since the Mazda?! You don't have to worry about losing your CCBA membership. :-) Actually both seem to be good deals. I probably would have bought the Prizm myself for that price. If nothing else, flip it for a quick $1000 profit.

Q

jims63139 · August 2006

Need an opinion for the wise guys i mean wise ones here.

in Memphis TN area

Looking to trade
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
4WD 4.0 lt six/auto
pw/pl/cruise/ac
10 disc changer (factory)
fog lights (factory)
43500 miles
no paint/body work
2nd owner - all service records
no paint/body work, color - dark purplish/brown
dark grey interior, rips/stains tears
tires about 80-90% worn (need to be replaced)

for a one owner 2004 Mazda3i sedan
2.0 lt four
automatic
ac, cruise, pw/pl-keyless entry
alloy wheels
Mica Red metallic (no dings, paint work, etc)
black cloth interior
excellent tires
all maintenance history from selling Mazda dealer

negotiated a deal to trade the jeep for the mazda3 and i get $400 cash also.

What do you think?
Jim

robr2 · August 2006

She was less enthralled with my latest "spare" car: http://www.msu.edu/~steine13/dat.html, but at least it wasn't expensive.

Well you've got a gardener's vehicle - now all you need is a gardener. It's old - it's a Datsun.

qbrozen · August 2006

how many miles on the Mazda?

volvomax · August 2006

Depending on the Mazda's miles, the wholesales of the 2 cars are similar. Mazda may even be a little less.

Sounds like you are getting a more fuel efficent vehicle and it isn't costing you anything.

british_rover · August 2006

Yeah that was my thought to. Depending on the tax advantages of trading you might just be able to swap out and break even.

jims63139 · August 2006

Sorry, thought I had all of the info :mad:
The Mazda3 has almost the same mileage as the Jeep about 43K.
I think it's a fair deal. The Jeep is my daughter's (free and clear). The Mazda I'm sure has a better repair history + will get about 2X the mpg. Now,if she'll just listen to dear old dad this time......she really loves her Jeep but the gas bill is overwhelming her.

jims63139 · August 2006

We can actually "trade keys" AND drive away with $400

qbrozen · August 2006

I dunno. I mean, i know jeeps have bad resale, but if they are both '04s with similar mileage, it seems to me like you should come out further ahead on this deal.

Not that edmunds is accurate for numbers, BUT they show there is about a $3k difference in value for these 2 vehicles. I think you should be getting about another grand in the deal, personally. Ok, maybe after tags, license, and doc fees ... $600? On top of the $400 you are already getting, that's about $1k total.

volvomax · August 2006

Edmunds is pretty useless for up to date trade info. No offense.
Looking at the online auctions, which is in real time, the Jeep and the Mazda have similar values. Same year and mileage.
SUV's are being hit hard right now.

graphicguy · August 2006

SUV's are being hit hard right now

No bout a doubt that. Buddy just dropped nearly $40 large on a new Tahoe a couple of months ago. Nice vehicle. But, talking to him last night, one of the other dealers he spoke to before he bought called him to tell him they just took an '07 Tahoe (yeah, the new ones) with 2K miles on trade equipped exactly the same and would let it go for low $30s. That tells me the dealer has high $20s in it.

How's that for depreciation.

qbrozen · August 2006

Edmunds is pretty useless for up to date trade info. No offense.

no offense taken. I don't work here.

i did preface by saying edmunds is not accurate. But I thought the difference would still be somewhat useful (ie, if they were off $2k for one vehicle, they're off ~$2k for the other).

But, I see your point that SUVs are continuing to decline faster in value right now, so that will mess with the numbers even more.

Well, if the poster's deal is only $600 off where I think it should be right now, its certainly not the end of the world. If the daughter will be happy, go for it.

robbieg · August 2006

You got me curious. How much is the retail for the jeep? Is retail for the mazda the same?

qbrozen · August 2006

as volvomax pointed out, the wholesale numbers on suvs are changing rapidly, so maybe he can help you with that.

If he is saying they wholesale about the same right now, then, if I had to guess, I'd think maybe $13.5k asking and $11.5k taking. (??)

audia8q · August 2006

But, I see your point that SUVs are continuing to decline faster in value right now, so that will mess with the numbers even more.

In our area pick ups and SUV are so far behind wholesale book that consumers fall off the chair when they hear the values. None of the "books" can keep up with the truck/suv market right now. We had a guy this past weekend with a mint 2005 dodge truck with a Hemi that the local dodge dealer wouldn't take in trade at any price.

british_rover · August 2006

I am taking in a 2004 Dakota 4x4 extended cab at the end of the week that that has less then 14,000 miles on it for just around 12,000 dollars. It is a pretty stripped model though doesn't have any options besides the extended cab and 4wd.

SUVs, unless they are high end luxury models and then even those have taken hits, and trucks have just been crushed in the past few weeks.

corvette · August 2006

Gas prices aren't that much higher in my area--but fears about gas prices are a lot higher. Add that to the summer travel season, which will cause a lot of people to drive more than normal, and it's a buyer's market for pickups and SUVs.

metro123 · August 2006

2005 pontiac vibe, pewter in color, 21K miles. Auto, grey cloth interior, power windows, cd, ect. In Ft. Lauderdale.

Thanks

[Deleted User] · August 2006

Looking to buy...thanks in advance!

Location: Denver
Year/Make/Model: 2002 Toyota 4Runner Limited
Body Style: SUV
Engine: 3.4 liter, 6 cylinder, auto
Driveline: 4WD
Mileage: 64.745
Color: Green/Silver, Tan Leather
Major Options: Loaded
Condition: Very nice truck, no dents, dings, etc

They're asking $19,900

02 4Runner Ltd

volvomax · August 2006

2005 pontiac vibe, pewter in color, 21K miles. Auto, grey cloth interior, power windows, cd, ect. In Ft. Lauderdale.

Thanks

wholesale @ $11,000

explorerx4 · August 2006

after labor day is usually a better time to trade in a 4wd, in our neck of the woods. i think gas has been high enough for long enough that people are actually feeling the effect.

jbollt · August 2006

You gave me a value about a month ago on an 03 Highlander, V6 base model, almost loaded, with 32,000 miles .... ACV of $15,000 you said.

I traded it on an '07 Camry Hybrid loaded w/leather and NAV at MSRP, with no extra dealer add-ons, and got $16,000 for the Highlander.

Thanks for your help!

BTW, anyone know what happened to Terry? Probably got a life away from Edmunds, which is good, altho I miss his humor. I do hope he is ok.

Volvomax, we all appreciate vey much what you are doing here by providing values for us lay(persons).

volvomax · August 2006

Glad to help. Congrats on the new car.

felke001 · August 2006

In North Carolina--

2003 Audi A4 1.8T automatic with quattro

dolphin grey with platinum interior

leather, 6CD, sunroof, etc--pretty much everything but Nav

33,000 miles

Tires replaced 6000 miles ago and in great shape

Small (nickel size) parking garage ding in passenger side door, no paint

single owner, no accidents, clean title, absolutely no problems (mechanical or otherwise)

Any guess on a trade in value (i'm hoping to upgrade to A6 or 530i)

Thanks
Mike

explorerx4 · August 2006

Go Blue!

volvomax · August 2006

Sounds like a pretty nice car.
I'm going to say wholesale $15-16000.
I don't know how strong Audi's are in N Carolina.

steppz71 · August 2006

Hello. First post. Can you tell me the value of my 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71?

Location: Jacksonville, FL
Year/Make/Model: 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71
Body Style: 4dr SUV
Engine: 5.3L Flex-Fuel V8
Driveline: 4wd
Mileage: 27,200
Color: Silver Birch Metallic
Major Options: All Z71 Options plus dual power seats, Bose, Sunroof w/Dual A/c, 2nd row captains chairs, 3rd row seat.
Condition:
Interior: Normal leather wear on driver's seat, otherwise immaculate.
Tires - 80-90% tread left
Brakes - Perfect
Maintenance - All records. Service by dealer.
Other: Still under mfg. warranty until 36.3k miles.

Karen_S · August 2006

A large local newspaper is looking to interview consumers who have traded or tried trading in their SUVs and have been shocked at the prices they are getting from dealerships. Please send an e-mail to ctalati@edmunds.com no later than Friday, August 18, 2006 by 2:30 PM PT/5:30 PM ET containing your daytime contact information.

breld · August 2006

I am now considering ordering a new BMW 530xi (as opposed to a used one, based on some of my previous posts). Here's my trade question:

The broker has "shopped" my car and come back with the following:

In Denver, 2004 Acura TSX
Meteor Silver/Grey leather
40k miles
Six-speed manual, no navigation
Nice condition, couple of chips in windshield, minor scrape on one of the fenders.

Broker came back with $18,700 on trade. Considering I get the tax savings on that (8.1% for me), that's equivalent to selling it privately for about $20,200.

This seems like a strong trade to me, and is consistent with an estimate Volvomax threw out previously, of $18-19k.

I'm not opposed to selling it privately, but it doesn't seem to me I'd get much more than $20-$21k.

Any thoughts?

volvomax · August 2006

These are super tough to figure right now.
Value could be anywhere from $19-23,000.
Alot of wholeaslers will shy away from these unless they have a ready buyer.

volvomax · August 2006

The trade value is more than fair

Real-World Trade-In Values

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