Real-World Trade-In Values

sk8ermaiden · April 2007

Thanks for that insight.

The dealers were actually offering me $500. Now I KNEW it was worth more than that!

bpizzuti · April 2007

Ok, I got one of those dumb offers to buy my car from my dealer and I get a free $10 for taking a test drive. Since I'm gonna be there for service anyway, I just want to see how much they lowball the offer on my car:

Poughkeepsie, NY
2004 Mazda3 s
5-dr hatch
2.3 liter manumatic
21k miles
Velocity Red/Black cloth
Sunroof, AT, ABS, CD/MP3 player
Interior just needs a vacuum
Exterior has one minor ding (driver side rear door) and one paint chip in hood
New tires up front, 50% wear on rears
all maintenance performed on schedule

1 insurance claim, some kid on a bike "encountered" my driver's door. Didn't need filler or anything, just push out the dent and re-paint.

mgfarmer · April 2007

Location: Winston-Salem/NC
Year/Make/Model:1997/Honda/Civic/HX
Body Style: 2dr
Engine: 4 cylinder auto
Driveline: FWD
Mileage:82000
Color: Silver/gray interior
Major Options: alloys, cvt transmission
Condition: Very minor scratches, slightly faded interior
Tires - new
Brakes - replaced last year
Maintenance - no problems. all mileage services done

volvomax · April 2007

This is another sell it yourself car.

jamesp880 · April 2007

Here is mine....
Location: Tampa, FL
Year/Make/Model: 1999 Mazda Protege LX
Body Style: 4 door
Engine: 4 cylinder manual
Mileage: 130,000
Color: Silver/gray interior
Major Options:
Condition: Scratches and small dents and one slightly larger dent, slightly faded interior.
Tires - Replaced 6 months ago
Brakes - Also replaced 4 months ago
Maintenance - A few things: The air works 70% of the time, then goes out. If you turn it off for 15 minutes, it'll work again. I just replaced a engine coil that had shorted. Most of scheduled maintenance has been completed.
I've had two insurance claims, one was very minor, I was reared at around 15 MPH. The other included some front end damage, but all cosmetic.

mjfloyd1 · April 2007

Looking at 2007 M35x with low miles and wondering what wholesale and buying prices are:

1) Silver ext with Dark gray leather - advanced technology pkg, 5200 miles, wheels and dash trim from M45 sport. very good shape and CPO

2) white ext with tan leather with dark wood trim, tech pkg, nav, 3400 miles. very good shape. No cpo

Please let me know,
Mark

mgfarmer · April 2007

I know you say it would be better to sell my 97 civic myself, but do you have a ballpark of what I would get as a trade in. With my work hours I dont really have time to sell it myself.

explorerx4 · April 2007

honda has a cvt back in '97? :confuse:

mgfarmer · April 2007

Yeah it was one of the first CVT's to hit the market.

kyfdx · April 2007

Is the HX a coupe or a hatchback? What kind of MPG do you get?

You may be busy, but used Civics in nice condition can really bring top dollar in a private sale, especially a low-option, high-MPG model.. and, you can usually move them quickly to a cash buyer.

Just my amateur guess... but, $3000-$3500 in a private sale vs. $1000-$1500 from an import dealer.

mgfarmer · April 2007

Its a coupe. Gas mpg is pretty high not sure of exact number probably 30+. Surely I would get more than $1500 from a trade in. Both KBB and edmunds list the low trade-in value at $3000. I figure I could at leat get $2500 but I guess I might be wrong.

vinnyny · April 2007

Gents:

I'm considering trading my BMW in the Norfolk, VA area (zip code 23662) and need a trade value.

Miles/condition: 33,500 miles, excellent condition with fresh tires, dealer maintained;
Colors: silver w/ black top and alcantara leather interior;
Options: performance package, auto trans, telematics, adaptive xenon headlights.

Thanks!

ateixeira · April 2007

MPG will be the big selling point. Let's do a little research...

Looks like 37/44 mpg, 40 mpg combined on the EPA cycle, per fueleconomy.gov.

That is a HUGE selling point. I'd pay extra for the ad to have "44 MPG HIGHWAY" plastered at the top. It will sell in about 5 minutes for the full asking price.

I sold a Chevy Sprint this way. 50mpg highway. Sold it that first weekend I advertised it. Buyer told me it was the MPG number that sealed the deal.

It may seem silly to a lot of us, as gas mileage is only a small % of your TCO, but still, a lot of people obsess about it.

bigman35 · April 2007

I am carsalesman Ive noticed that alot of people come in expecting 2-3k more than what edmunds or Kelly blue book is saying it is worth. Why is that? Do they honestly think that it is worth that?

bpizzuti · April 2007

It might be worth it to them...in which case they're better off keeping the car anyway.

Me, I'd be happy with what Kellys or Edmunds says my car is worth. So far I've only been offered 2-3k LESS. But several of the dealers around here seem to prefer using the more dealer-friendly Galv's numbers to evaluate trade-ins. Just as an example, Edmunds and Kellys both say my car is worth 13k, yet a MAZDA dealer only offered 10.5k.

volvomax · April 2007

$500 car

volvomax · April 2007

I would figure $1500 is all the money.
Like I said, sell it yourself

volvomax · April 2007

People have all kinds of rationales for what their car is worth.
Sometimes its what they see in the paper, sometimes they want what they owe on the car.

volvomax · April 2007

Should be somewhere between $27-28,000

british_rover · April 2007

Galves is what cars actually do at auction Edmunds and Kelly are often times just imaginary numbers.

bpizzuti · April 2007

Yes, but why would a Mazda dealer auction off a 3 year old Mazda3 instead of putting it right on their used car lot next to the other 3 year old Mazda3 that they have stickered at 17k?

kyfdx · April 2007

They won't.. but, they still won't give you more for your car than they can get it for at the auction.. That is why the auction value is the one that counts...

british_rover · April 2007

Exactly...

Now if your car is in really, really good shape and needs little recon(few if any dings, few if any scratches, fresh tires, fresh rubber, no damage to the interior) then they might offer a little above auction value but that is it.

If I can go to the auction and buy 12 X-Mobiles for 10,000 dollars a shot all day long why would I pay 11,500 dollars for your X-Mobile?

bpizzuti · April 2007

This is assuming there are plenty of them to buy at auction...what if it's a car that doesn't crop up as often? I'm assuming that's how Hondas maintain their value as well...lower supply has an effect on price, because people tend to keep them.

mgfarmer · April 2007

Thanks for the replies. Any chance Carmax would give me more than $1500? I have heard at the local auctions the 97 civc is going for around $3500.

thenebean · April 2007

why not bring it down and find out? carmax appraisals are free and there's no pressure to buy or sell that day...

thenebean · April 2007

this is for my sister in Hawaii - she is looking to possibly buy this, and only needs it for a year before she moves back to CT. per the description on craigslist...

It is in good condition both interior/ exterior (little dent on right hand backseat door). Just recently had new front brake pads, 2 new front tires (1 yr old), oil change,new car registration and safety inspection. Other features:
Air Conditioning- may need freon
Power Steering
Automatic
Power Windows
Power Door Locks
AM/FM Stereo
Alarm/ Automatic Door Lock
Dual Front Air Bags
*@ 113,500 miles
*Check Engine Light is on...discussed w/ auto repair n stated that oxygen sensor needs to be fixed estimate $100-$200 to fix.

It is white with a gray interior and it looks like its in average shape for a car of that age and mileage - but its hard to tell from the pictures. She is asking $3600, but i think $3000 would be a good offer...i am not good at appraising used cars though, so any help would be greatly appreciated! she's buying this from a private party (if that wasn't already obvious!)

Thanks!!!

-thene

im_brentwood · April 2007

It did, replied!

dylcon · April 2007

Would very much appreciate knowing what this vehicle is worth for both trade-in and private party. Thank you!

Tampa, Florida
2004 VW Touareg
3.2 liter, 200hp 24 valve V6
Permanent 4WD
Mileage: 26,340 miles
Exterior: Campanella white
Interior: Kristal gray leather
Premium pkg I includes:
-12 way pwr driver seat w/memory
-power folding/self dimming ext mirrors w/memory
-manual rear side sunshides
Bi-Xenon headlamps w/headlight washer system
Power glass sunroof
Sound system I -300 watt, 8 channel, 11 speaker audio system
Condition: interior/exterior...excellent
Tires: brand new
Brakes: no issues
Maintenance: up to date

british_rover · April 2007

Well if it is a car that doesn't show up very often then that changes the equation and the car might be worth a little more.

The thing is most cars are plentiful so that situation almost never happens.

Hondas maintain their values because...

1. Honda does not give them away. You never see UP TO 5,000 DOLLARS IN REBATES AVALIABLE in a Honda ad.

2. They are very reliable

3. They are just plain good cars

They make a ton of Hondas you can always find Hondas. The very low mileage new ones can be hard to find and the older high mileage ones in good shape can be hard to find but that is it.

volvomax · April 2007

there are usually plenty of Honda's at the auctions.

volvomax · April 2007

Personally, I'd go find another car.
If the seller can't be bothered to fix the o2 sensor or the A/C, what else is wrong???

thenebean · April 2007

i guess the story behind it is that the girl who is selling the car is selling it for her roommate, who is heading back to the mainland. my sister only needs it for the year, and is going to have it checked by her mechanic before she buys anything. perhaps she could use the o2 sensor issue and the a/c issue as a bargaining chip. she's gonna give me a buzz back once her mechanic takes a look, and i'll be able to give her more advice later i s'pose...

volvomax · April 2007

Looks like they are going over the block for $21-22,000

woodyww · April 2007

Just a 2nd amateur opinion: The Check Engine Light could mean almost anything, & the a/c could need a whole lot more than freon. And a 113K mile 10 y.o. car could need, who knows what else, when?

Personally, I'd use all that to make a much lower offer than you mentioned, but then, I don't know the market for '97 maximas in Hawaii......

thenebean · April 2007

that's what i was thinking woody - she just needs it to last a year, and plans on taking it to her mechanic to get a professional opinion on the real condition of the car. i gotta wait to hear back from her before giving her more advise. thanks all for your help!

-thene

kyfdx · April 2007

I could go over there and check it out for her.. Just FedEx me a plane ticket.... No charge.. (I can bunk at her house, right?)

guss · April 2007

Hey kyfdx, watch the shameless plugs or I will report you to the hosts. Although I am sure FedEx will rewarding you handsomely for the effort.

The Hawaii car market is strange in that they have alot of 20 year old beater running around. I guess rust is not a problem and how many miles can you put on a car while living on an island.

thenebean · April 2007

if it was a matter of going to check it out, i'd be going myself, believe me!

besides, her apartment is too small for any guests. just enough room for her and her roommate...

its tough to find a cheap good car on an island like hawaii that will last her for a year...im sure selection is limited :P

-thene

the4lams · April 2007

Would appreciate if someone could tell me what this car is getting for trade-in:

Baltimore, MD
2003/Mazda/MPV LX
Minivan
Auto
41,000 miles
Silver
rear a/c, brand new tires
In normal condition for year and mileage. There is a small dent from a shopping cart (no paint missing) on the sliding door. Regular maintenance has been done.

Thanks!

jpmiller99 · April 2007

Kinda a general question. I've been keeping my cars for 7 years then trading them for 2-3K. Domestic sedans/minivans.

It would obviously be cheapest to keep the cars for 15 years then throw them away, but I don't want to drive one that long.

For example, I bought a silver 2007 camry xle with 4 cyl, auto, leather, all the bells and whistles last year for about 26K. In 4 years, can I probably get 12-13K for it, where in 7 years would I get 4K?

Sorry for rambling, but I am tired of driving a car for seven years and having it cost as much in depreciation as it would have to lease a new Accord every 3 years.

Thanks for your help...

volvomax · April 2007

Should be between $7-8,000

kyfdx · April 2007

Try buying 2-year-old cars and keeping them 3-4 years.. You'll probably do better on depreciation, and you'll never have a 7 yr old car..

the4lams · April 2007

So, do you think $10,000 private sell is asking to much or would it more realistic to expect $9,000 from private party sale? Thanks for your quick response!

volvomax · April 2007

You can always ask, and then come down if you don't get any responses.

Kirstie_H · April 2007

And remember - don't ask $10,000. Ask $9,995. It's just psychological, plus if people are looking for something under $10K, yours still fits the bill.

vinnyny · April 2007

Thanks!

ateixeira · April 2007

Doesn't that have the 2.5l V6 and the 4 speed auto trans? If I were shopping for an MPV I'd be looking for the more recent one just to get the new engine and 5 speed JATCO transmission.

I think your worst enemy is that the new LXs were selling for $18k new just last year. That makes semi-new ones a relative bargain, and pushes down values of ones like yours.

Any how, good luck.

the4lams · April 2007

Not sure what engine it has, but it isn't the original MPV engine. It is the 200hp V6. I think the LX's were selling for cheap because it was Mazda's last year making the MPV. I was figuring on the around $8,000 trade-in and hopefully $9,500 private sale.

esteeze · April 2007

What do you think about the trade-in value for this vehicle. I kind of hate getting rid of it... it's been a great car; I'm just interested in something else in particular.

Birmingham, AL
2003/Honda/CR-V EX
SUV
2.4L I4 AWD auto trans
52K mileage
Tafetta White
has sunroof and 6-CD changer (came standard on the EX)
In what I'd call good to excellent condition. Has one parking lot ding about the size of a quarter on the left-rear side panel below the D-pillar that is barely noticeable. Some small spots, mostly on the front of the hood, where I've applied touch-up paint.
Inside is immaculate. Non-smoker.
All convenience features are in good working order.
Tires have 10K miles on them, and are 10 months old.
New battery.
Original brake pads, that are still in good shape.
All maintenance up to date, and performed at dealership.
No body shop work ever done; no insurance claims made.
It was rear-ended in one accident that shows up on the CarFax report, but no damage was done to the vehicle (not even a scratch)-- obviously, the rear bumper is well constructed.

I'd appreciate any feedback you may have.

Thanks,

Jeff

Real-World Trade-In Values

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