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Real-World Trade-In Values

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  • ghuletghulet Member Posts: 2,564
    My mom's old friend:

    88 Mercedes 300E automatic
    light ivory (inside of a banana)/palomino leather, interior EXCELLENT, no tears, good wood & rugs, Sony CD about 5 years old w/factory speakers. EVERYTHING works except the tilt on the sunroof and the odometer (here's the kicker) is stuck at 300,600 (actual miles are about 305k). Body is very good, no rust or dents, slight fade on the mostly original paint (car has been kept about 75% garaged). Car has ALL records, she's second owner, bought at 20k miles ten years ago. Original non-rebuilt engine and transmission, runs excellent.

    I told her it's worth very little on trade and to sell it herself if she wants a new car (I also told her just to keep it at this point, she's got big bucks in it I'm sure). I'd just drive it til something catastrophic happens.

    Whaddya think it's worth in the paper? She's in Indianapolis area (this is Buick country). Thanx again folks.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    .... These are odd vehicles, like Bill was saying a couple of posts up.

    I'm not standing there with my "hands" on the vehicle -- But, I'm thinkin' if it's all there, ya know ... the records, the tires, the interior and if the vehicle shouts, "look at me" the dealer might be thinkin' $3/$4,000 even with all the miles.... if the TMU, is only 5K off, and can be proven with all the service records ... who knows.

    This is a great "Retail" unit for your friend ... if it's the "baby doll" that you think it is --- I wouldn't be afraid of a great ad in the paper -- you know, private owner, books, records, MB serviced, garaged on sunny days, etc, etc, etc. People who know and love these vehicles, are like the Volvo buyers, they ain't scared of the miles, if you drop 200 sheets of service records in their lap, they think their at Disney World.

    Through it the paper for let's say ..$8,999, and see what happens ....
    I will bet the vehicle can get $7,000+ ...

    What do ya think Bill ...?

    Terry.
  • qwallsqwalls Member Posts: 406
    Bill/Terry,

    What do you guys think about this one? '99 Acura 3.5 RL, no NAV, 44.5k miles, black exterior, tan interior, good condition, Columbus, OH. Dealer is asking $30k. I'm thinking around $27k.

    Thanks,
    Quentin
  • zapatista2000zapatista2000 Member Posts: 33
    Good idea. I'll try a Jeep board and see what happens. Thanks.
  • qwallsqwalls Member Posts: 406
    I just got back from looking at it. The interior was very nice, but it had a few dings on the pasenger side, and both bumpers had been repainted by the dealer after they got it from the auction.

    Quentin
  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    Are you kidding me?

    Where is it? Is the car all original and the engine not messed with?

    If it were me I'd have that car in Hemmings and the Old Car Trader in two-shakes.

    Well, if it were really me, I'd restore it and love it forever.

    That thing is worth mega-bucks if its all original. But if anything doesn't check out (VIN, build sheet, non-matching numbers on engine block, too many aftermarket parts, etc) then the value drops quickly.

    Miles mean nothing. Originality is everything. There had better be paperwork to back it up.
  • rbrenton88rbrenton88 Member Posts: 186
    All original as far as I can tell. No aftermarket anything. The interior vinyl needs replacing though..some rips and tears on the seats and doors. A local enthusiast estimated that the engine is running at about 65% power at the moment, due mainly to leaky gaskets and such, but it's being repaired.
    It was bought from a guy who sort of forgot about it in his garage for a number of years, for about $10k.

    Even at 65%, it melts the rubber even at 65mph on a downshift. I haven't felt that kind of torque since a brief ride in a friend's chipped vr1 corvette.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ......... The reason why I'm not sold on the "Certified" kick is that it is nothing more .. or .. less -- than an Extended warranty supplied by the manufactor and sold as a "In stone" guarantee of satisfaction at a huge cost, if there is a failure of some sort.

    I'm a Dealer with 5 stores and 7 franchises. When a salesperson uses that particular phrase, the consumer immediatly figures that everything from the front bumper to the rear bumper has been re-built, replaced and re-done with a 526 point inspection. And, if there is any type of failure it's handled.

    The reality is: that most dealers, not all, give an oil change w/filter, check for a possible oil leak -- and perhaps, on the "around the block road test" picks up a noise or a potential problem and perhaps, the Used Car Mgr will do it .. or not. Once the warranty is placed on the vehicle they will think "let the Warranty co. pay for it, in another 1/2/3,000 miles.

    I just favor giving the consumer the option -- If they feel they want to spend the xtra $$ for the their "own protection" -- that's up to them --- I guess, my biggest beef with this program is that "most" dealers don't address this properly -- See, I would rather have salesperson explain the difference, and the cost between the 2, instead of the false sense of - "It's Certified" .. and all is well.

    I'm not recommending any particular Warranty co. -- I just "highly" recommend them --- ( remember, if it's a bad Warranty co. it's my butt on the razor blade ..not.. the Warranty co. ) ----- I think Edmunds and others have done a fine job covering all the "good guys" from the "bad guys" ..... Like I mentioned to Bill a couple of posts back, I don't feel it's correct to charge, let's say $1,900 for a warranty that has cost the dealer $595 because it's "Certified" -- profit is not a 4 letter word, so what about earning it ..?

    My stupid opinion ...

    Terry.
  • tgif888tgif888 Member Posts: 351
    Bill/Terry,

    Want to know the trade in value of this vehicle

    2001 I30t
    Navigation and Audio package
    Touring Sport Package
    Wood kit
    2800 miles.

    Thanks. Oh, I am in S. Cal.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    Other than you gentlemen, what source do you feel is the most accurate in giving trade in values of cars? Is it Edmunds, KBB, or the Black Book? Or is it none of the above?
  • rbrenton88rbrenton88 Member Posts: 186
    Thanks for the clarification Terry. I too was a consumer under the assumption that the certified car was given all the luvin'. Now I know what to look out for.

    There was one incidence where a dealer refused to discuss the sale of a car he had just taken in trade. Although it looked pretty good, he told me the car had a suspension problem that precluded it from certification. Therefore he was going to wholesale it right away. I guess that had helped form my opinion that certified meant 'cream puff'.

    C'mon guys, no numbers on the E55??
  • mmcbride1mmcbride1 Member Posts: 861
    You want an I35 now, don't you? :)
  • tgif888tgif888 Member Posts: 351
    Yes. talking to dealer about the price now.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ...... OK, Ok, ..... it's a 2001 I30T, with the Nav and the tunes package huh.... .. Hmmmm, it's not light Lilac.. or whatever that color is, is it ..? l...o...l.....

    Sounds all torn up to me, with all that mileage piled up -- 2,800 miles ---

    Are you sure you don't want a 01 Maxima SE..?

    If this thing is like new ( I guess it would have to be ) I'm thinkin' you are in and a round the high side of $25,000ish .. and maybe, just maybe, the very low side of $26ish ----

    I hope this helps ...

    Terry.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ........ These little pocket rockets will do all the monies, especially with the right buyer ...

    99's that are "In the wrapper" .. records, no parking lot kisses 20K -- Ya know, Puurrrfect, are doing in and around low side of 50 large (real money), so without looking at a NADA, I'm thinkin" high 50's on the retail side....

    Terry.
  • tgif888tgif888 Member Posts: 351
    Thanks Terry.
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    Yup.

    Or, you could save a bundle and look at an XJR...

    Much more fun to drive as well (I have owned both)

    Bill
  • amadeus131amadeus131 Member Posts: 43
    ... with a question that I alluded to earlier but didn't come right out and ask, I'd like to come right out and ask it now. :)

    How exactly does color affect resale on a vehicle? There is much talk of "right" and "wrong" colors, and it seems to vary from one model to another, or perhaps one class of vehicle to another (a color may be fine for a minivan but the kiss of death for a Miata), and probably even from one region of the country to another.

    Although I don't think I need an explanation of why, for instance, silver seems very popular now and thus must always be "right" (at least for now, or maybe not?), or why "Light Lilac" and the "Star Wars colors" are "wrong"... Still, I find it illustrative when rroyce or brentwoodvolvo admits that a color is "right" although they don't personally like it, or that they like a certain car in a certain color although the color is "wrong" for it.

    Maybe I could also phrase my question this way. Since apparently I have no taste in colors (beyond being able to avoid the aforementioned Light Lilac), are there any rules of thumb for picking the "right" color if you don't have a strong preference? In my case, I'm looking at a mini-SUV next time around, perhaps a CR-V or a Santa Fe or even a Tracker. For better or worse, I don't even like silver, and the only other color I'd refuse is black, since my current vehicle is black.

    Thanks in advance for the color-picking lesson! :)
    -- Jack

    P.S. -- Part of me thinks that my question is at best difficult to answer. The "right" color at any one time, must be one that the majority of buyers will like. Surely this changes from year to year, and from region to region? And surely the success of any attempt at picking the "right" color for a 2002 vehicle, depends on what buyers in my area will like in 2005 or 2008 or whenever I sell it? Have I perhaps just answered my own question?! :o
  • dardson1dardson1 Member Posts: 696
    My guess as a an observer and a car guy....don't buy the latest and greatest color...no one but the new car dealer gets a premium for a color(teal comes to mind). Fashion colors come and go too quickly. Don't buy black in a climate where you can fry an egg on the hood most days. Dark cars are impossible to keep and anyone who's had one usually swears off. White is never bad. It is forgiving, easy to keep, a great color to have if you have a fender-bender and have to repaint. Most of the light metallics are around in one form or another year after year. I'd guess that purple is never a good idea. Yellow....I don't think so. Green.....you stick your neck out with a green car....people point at you when you're in a green car and say "hey, look at that green car....never seen a car that color". Blue...just as long as the resale is to someone with blue hair, your safe. Red "is a good thing", in for the long haul. Stick to the colors that are in the line-up year after year and while you may not get a premium for the color, you won't get spanked for it either.
  • dardson1dardson1 Member Posts: 696
    Go to the dealer, pick up the high dollar brochure on the car you're interested in, and look carefully at the car on the cover. These guys have thought long and hard about what color looks best on their particular vehicle. Buy that color!
  • ghuletghulet Member Posts: 2,564
    Buy the color you LIKE. I don't want to say 'period', cuz if you wanna sell it, you should use your head. Don't buy any color too strange, unless you plan on keeping the car a LONG time. I made a point, in another post, that everyone in 94-98 bought hunter green with tan interior, and now nobody wants it. Buying a car based on a color that you think will resell well is like buying clothes that you think will be in style in five years, more or less. Everyone now is buying silver. I'm SICK of silver. The joke here (North side of Chicago) is to see how many new Jettas and Civics you can count in one block in SILVER. It's wearing out its welcome. Why would you want to spend $15-30k on a car that you can't tell from the one next to it in any parking lot?
    That said, of course the 'normal' colors are gonna sell OK: silver, gray, black, white, blue.
    I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that if you get a burgandy car that may be unusual this year, it may sell better when you get rid of it, or maybe not. I have to think that the person who is buying your used car in 2006 might actually want your car in a color OTHER THAN silver. Bottom line, who cares? Get the color you like.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ..... There is no doubt that Geographic area has alot to do with re-sale value.

    Black vehicles in Chicago, Memphis, NY sell well anytime ... get below that Mason Dixon line and the black vehicle is the "kiss of death" ... bring a black Corvette to a dealer in Ft Lauderdale, and say goodbye to about $1,000++ --- on the other side of the coin, bring that same Vette to Philly and the darn thing is worth more -- even in winter --

    Terry.
  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    I agree with GHULET in that you should buy whatever color you like, with two exceptions:

    1. Never pay a premium for a car that is in a certain color. When it comes time to sell or trade, no one will pay you a premium to buy it (I'm referring to unique colors like Ford Mystic)

    2. Do not be suprised if you car is hard to sell or trade because you bought it in some oddball color. A couple years ago the Explorer could be had in metallic orange or root beer brown (aka Poo Poo). Now, if you like those colors, I say buy them. But don't expect to get top dollar on a trade or have buyers knocking down your door when it comes time to sell. You paid for the poo poo, you live with it.
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    Basically...

    Don't mess with the "Status Quo" :)

    Stick with Silver, White, Black, Champagne (Well, no Black in FL.. and especially no Black/Black!) and you will be fine. A Pearl White LS400 will always be worth "all the money" much as a Black one up north will be.

    Dark Greens, Black Cherry, Bronze, Brown, etc.. those can be fickle colors.

    Bill
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Almost have the following paid off and I'm starting to get the itch:

    1998 Honda Accord EX
    I4 - auto
    Tan leather
    Heather Mist is the color (silver)
    41,000 miles
    Dealer serviced as per severe schedule.
    New tires 5K ago
    I'm in Boston.

    Minor fender bender with a replacement of front bumper skin and r/r right fender as well as respray of rear bumper skin. Paint overall is very shiny and interior very clean.

    I'm itching for a wagon less than 30K. I hear rumors of an Accord wagon in 2003. Bill - you think the Sportcross will do poorly and I could buy one for a song???
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    .. .... .Can you be a little more specific ..? l...o...l....

    Now here is a person that has really looked at their vehicle ..

    These vehicles can go at a premium .. it will be interesting to see if the appraiser will pick it up. If the paint was done well, no mess in the door jams, sills, etc .. and it's super nice and clean, the vehicle would be in and around the $14 ish figure, but if the replacements stand out and the paint shows, I thinking you are more towards a high $12,000 ...

    Terry.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ........ Bill, about 10 posts back you were talking about "crazy" prices that some vehicles will bring at the auctions.. remember ..?

    What's this worth ..? 90 4dr. GEO Chevy Prizm, 45K original klicks -- brand new Dunlaps all the way around, red car..grey cloth interior/exterior "looks" like a 2000, drives like it, air will blow you silly, auto w/o, cassete, p/locks ..no tilt , cruise and no power windows ...

    Terry.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    I know how you guys like as much info up front as possible!!!

    As for the repairs - it blends in pretty well with no overspray that I can see. The shop did as much paint work off the car as possible ie front bumper was new and painted before being mounted.

    Thanks for the info. The websites said anywhere from $12.5K to $14.5K for good condition and dealers here are advertising certified EX no leather in the $17K range with kisses and scraps.
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    Worth?

    $2,500 is to the moon.. I think $2,250 tho..

    I bet it broke $3K though.

    Bill
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    .... If it would have done $3/$3,300, I would have been an owner -- it was a baby doll, (if there is such a thing for a Prizm ..l..o..l. )
    ... $4,500 -- with 3/4 buyers on it --
    OK, so there was these 2 blondes and the one blonde said to the other ---- ooooop's I will tell you later ...l...o...l...

    Terry.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    .... I was kidding, I thought that was a great "read" on the vehicle -- Good Job !

    Terry.
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    LOL

    Yeah, I could see $3,000 I guess. But sheesh... Its' still a 90 Prizm with Crank windows....

    $4,500? What could they possibly retail it for?

    I got ya beat tho :)

    1992 Jag Vanden Plas. A really nice car. Flamenco Red/Barley guts. Nice shape, 49K on the clock. Miami MasterCars (I'm sure you know em) was running it at FAAO.

    No-saled it when the bidding stopped at $8,800. Guy was stuck on $10,000.

    An hour later I paid a little more for a 94 that was even nicer with 68K on it from McNeil

    Back to amusement Land...

    1994 Camry LE Green, obvious paintwork on RF Fender, otherwise clean car. 4cyl.

    202K.

    What's it worth? :)))
  • paul164paul164 Member Posts: 11
    Can someone give me estimated trade-in value for '97 Mercury Villager GS - 85,000 miles red/silver; quad buckets; rear air; power driver's seat; ABS; alloy wheels; good condition (well maintained/new front tires/brakes) clean but some scratches, etc. (no dents). "good" not "great" condition. Located in CT (06109)

    Thanks!!
  • rbrenton88rbrenton88 Member Posts: 186
    Bill, tell me more. I'm not familar with that one.
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    I'm thinking.. Hmm.. $5,500 or so...

    Bill
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    370HP 389 ft/lbs of torque.

    0-60 in 5.2 seconds.

    Jaguar XJR. A wonderful, monster of a fast car. Much more "fun" than an E55 and cheaper to boot.

    Bill
  • rbrenton88rbrenton88 Member Posts: 186
    Ok, I'm sold. But there seems to be a big spread in prices here in NJ. I see some '98s asking low 30's...and then some 99s asking close to 50k. What's a fair range?

    There sure aren't many of them listed though. Maybe a kind-hearted ex-Jag salesperson might be able to locate one for moi?
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    Shoot me an e-mail if you'd like to discuss pricing...

    Figure a 98 with low miles is a Low $30s car for a nice Black one, upper $30Ks for a nice 99...

    There arent many out there because..well.. they are rare cars. Less than 1,000 or so are sold per year.

    Again, miles..color..etc...Greatly affect pricing on these.

    Bill
  • creidcreid Member Posts: 54
    Wanted to get a real accurate estimate for my van due to wanting something bigger for camping & trips with 3 kids & dog.
    2001 SLT AWD Teal w/tan bottom
    Leather, quad seat, dutch door, tow pkg, LS rear, front/rear a/c,heat. running boards and 4200 miles. Cincinnati, Oh area.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ...... This thing is almost new right ..? 4,200 miles ..

    These things can carry a ton of stuff, what are you lookin' at now ... a Surburban ?

    Anyway, It's a AWD SLT with all the stuff so you are going to be "in and around" the $18,000 mark.

    Terry.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ...... A 94 with 202 klicks LE Camry ..Huh ..?

    Hmmm, well if it's knee deep in rubber, has all the eyes except for, the "blemish" on the fender .. l..o..l.. it can pass for a 99, air blows you out etc.. I'm thinkin' a Gee Whiz, --- $1,5/$1,700 if I could unload that 400 day old purple Sportage 4x4 ---

    Ok, now scare me ---

    Terry.
  • carruth98carruth98 Member Posts: 1
    Interested in trading in my 98 Toyota 4Runner, 4cyl, pwr dr, pwr locks, am/fm/cassette, tinted windows, roof rack, 42K miles. What should I be able to get for it here in Houston? Thanks
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    Wanna get scared real bad?

    Some doofus paid $4,200 for it at Imperial.

    Shoot, if you can buy em for that in PA.. Ship em down to Imperial AA and I'll rep em for ya if you want.

    Got Manheim Online? Look at their post-sales... you wont sleep well tonight...

    Bill
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    Is that a 2wd or a 4wd?

    If its' a 2WD I am thinking in the $12,000 range or so.. This assumes that it is clean, no paintwork, no french fry stains..etc :)

    Maybe closer to $13,500 or so if its 4WD But did they make any 4WD 4cyls?

    Bill
  • dmitry9999dmitry9999 Member Posts: 12
    Hi,

    Could anyone please enlighten me about how much I can reasonably get for the following car (both private sale and trade in):

    - beige 94 Corolla DX sedan, 1 owner, 141K mostly highway NJ miles
    - auto, am/fm/cassete, everything power including sunroof, a/c, alarm, cloth seats
    - no KNOWN mechanical problems, the very few that did happen were fixed promptly
    - all reasonable maintenance performed, including oil and timing belt changes, breaks, tires, etc...
    - roughly $500 worth or body damage. Let's assume it's all cosmetic, no frame damage
    - small crack in the windshield from the flying rock that I was unable to fix

    I realize that I will not get $5K for the car, but not $500 either. Is there anything I can do to substantially increase it's value? Does it make sense? I wouldn't want to fix the body for $500+windshield and get $800 more during the sale.

    Currently I have an itch to replace it with the 02 Highlander when they become available at a reasonable price. Could anyone recommend a good Toyota dealer in Northern NJ area? (Sorry, I know this question belongs to another topic)

    Thank you for your help

    Dmitry
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ......... OOOOH, that will leave a mark. Hey, nothing surprises me anymore .. well, just about ....

    I'm online with Manheim all the time, and I have bought a few vehicles at the Cyber sales, I would still rather be lookin' at em' .. I'm still not convinced thats the way to go. A lot of the dealers I know, are trying to go that way -- Too many "send backs". What do you think ... ?

    Terry.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ......... Ok .. --- It needs a windshield, $500 of repair work (where's it at ..?) -- and last but not least, it has 141 "big klicks" ...

    So where is the good news ... ?

    Let's just say this vehicle ( other than the small details ) -- is knee deep in rubber, the interior has never seen the "french fry invasion" has been pampered, and looks.. and drives like a 98 with 30K on it ... you could be lookin' at the close side of $4,000+ ( real money )

    But, you need to fix it up ... shop around, you can find someone to put a windshield in for less than $250, probably do the body work for less than a Nik, have it cleaned up via a detail, and have all the sevice stuff hanging on the dash and probably get $2,5/$3,000 on a good ad....... Or, have a dealer hit you in and around a Gee Whiz....or less.

    Terry.
  • dmitry9999dmitry9999 Member Posts: 12
    Terry,

    Thank you for your help.

    I'll be lucky to get $2.5-3K from a dealer? Oh well... By the time 02 HL prices drop down to a reasonable level there will be more miles on a car and trade-in value will be even less.

    Dmitry
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    Terry is thinking $2,500-3K retail as am I.

    I'm figuring $1,000-1,500 trade-in...

    Bill
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ..... Sorry .. car slang .., It means a dealer is probably looking to put a number or a value on your 94 Corolla --- that number is based on your description, and would be in and around $1,000 or less because, of the high mileage, condition etc.

    I recommended that you fix up this little Corolla and put it in the paper and get probably around $2,500/$3,000 from a private buyer not a dealer ..

    Terry.
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