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Real-World Trade-In Values

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Comments

  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Accord on trade is a $5000 car if it doesn't need work.
    Figure $4-4500 as it sits.

    Pathfinder is prob worth $6000
  • epineyepiney Member Posts: 462
    If you really want to dump it, I'd put an ad on Craigslist asking $5995 or best offer.
    Should go pretty quickly.

    A colleague of mine just sold a 1995 Celica GT with automatic and 100K miles for $5,500. I couldn't believe it until it was delivered and paid for. He put an ad on Craigslist and got 6 calls in a hour. He had to pull the ad before one day.

    Apparently, there is some kind of niche demand for Celicas. I would have guessed $2500 or so for the car, but not a line up to pay over $5K. :surprise:
  • scottinkyscottinky Member Posts: 194
    Dump the Pathfinder. Great vehicle, but you are potentially looking at
    some expensive maintenance coming up on it with the miles. CV joints,
    possibly shocks and struts, 02 sensors, etc... throw in the posibility of
    an alternator as well. NOT cheap to maintain. BUT, it does offer
    more versatility than the Accord. Hell with it, sell them both. :)
  • jaedleejaedlee Member Posts: 59
    haha.. yeah, i guess i could dump both. But that would mean i'd have to drive our odyssey minivan to work (since wife's work is further and i'm buying the BMW for her to drive). I've driven the minvan to work a few times but damn, it just doesn't feel right. No disrespect to other minvan drivers out there, but i'm 34 years old with a 6year old and a 5 year old, and i don't mind driving the minivan on an outing over the weekend and what-not, but it just feels so "not right" taking it to work.

    So the pathy huh? ... but would you recommend selling on own or trade in. Thanks.

    Jae
  • jaedleejaedlee Member Posts: 59
    sorry again, but do you own a path yourself and are those listed problems what you went through? Thanks again
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    Maybe you should ask the experts here what you could get for each selling privately--I've only seen trade in ##'s so far. It seems like either, or both, would be good candidates for craigslist. Heck, put 'em both on craigslist, see what happens.

    Same with carmax--altho I suspect they might pay up for the Pathy, but not an 88K mile accord.....

    And don't forget looking up the used value of each on edmunds--not perfect, but can be a useful guide.
  • jaedleejaedlee Member Posts: 59
    thanks for the advise. I'm leaning towards selling pathy on my own. We'll see what happens ... looks like the going rate on 2001 Path LE is about 9500 to 11000 from what i've seen on craiglist with more miles than my 58000.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Yes 9500 to 11500 would be right on the money for a Pathfinder LE private party sale with under 100K on the clock.
  • jaedleejaedlee Member Posts: 59
    thanks Mr.shiftright. I'm a rookie to this car selling thing, what are the thing i need to ready in terms of paper work, DMV, etc. Again, i apologize for my rookiness and ignorance on the matter. I'm selling the car in california.
    If you don't mind me asking, what's your take on 2001 pathfinder LE versus 99 honda accord Ex-L coupe... i'm looking to sell one of 'em (please refer to my previous post). Which would you rid of and why.

    thanks
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You may want to keep the Pathy, why have 2 smallish cars?

    It'll cost more to operate, but it's a lot more practical, and the only vehicle you'll have to haul home that (insert big gift here).
  • jaedleejaedlee Member Posts: 59
    No i also have 2006 odyssey that i purchased last year as a family car. I'm just not sure how well the pathfinder will hold up for the next 3 years or so versus the accord. Obviously the accord has about 5mpg edge on fuel consumption but maintenance???..
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Oh, in that case you're fine.

    You may give up 4WD, but just get snow tires for one of your 3 rides, you should be OK.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    In terms of practicality of course, the Pathfinder wins. 2D coupes are about the most useless of designs (also often the most fun I might add). But a Pathfinder is not exactly a joy to drive.

    It kinda depends on your lifestyle I guess. Also I prefer to ditch modern cars at around 100K--120K.
  • chigirlintexaschigirlintexas Member Posts: 73
    FYI to anyone else looking for real world numbers....

    Sold my Camry to CarMax for $12K....this was much better than any of the dealers would give me, and was about what I owed, so I'm done with it. They made it possible for me to get the deal I wanted on my new car without the hassle of the trade.

    ChiGirl
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    In theory, it should sell in that range but....

    I shopped HARD for this exact vehicle in October/November and they either aren't selling or, if they do, they don't bring book. It seems like the selling market for SUVs just isn't good right now.

    Got into a bidding war over one on ebay - a very nice one owner '01 LE with 65K. I was high bidder at $9200. It turned out that his reserve was $12,000. He then offered to sell it to me at $10,300 and I turned him down. He contacted me again a couple of weeks later (and, presumably, was ready to deal) but I'd already bought something else by then.

    I think Max is on the mark here - it won't bring much on trade. My two cents is to keep it and sell the Accord privately.
  • jaedleejaedlee Member Posts: 59
    thanks for your insight. But is it likely that i'll have more problems with path or the accord ...
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well I was talking ASKING prices 9500--11500 so we are really more or less on the same page. I searched and found 135 2001 Pathfinder LEs with under 100K and the average asking nationwide was $11,500. So let's say they knock a grand off that, and let's say some of those were inflated dealer prices, so knock another $500 off for that, and then the sweet spot is $10000 for most really clean, really low miles 2001 LEs I would guess.
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    It seems to me that by definition, an SUV (except perhaps a RAV4 or CRV) will always be more costly to repair and fuel than an Accord. That said, it likely has somewhat more life left and certainly has more versatility.
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    And that may well be at a dealer. They ask (and often times get) silly money for stuff. My point was that in a private sale, one would be lucky to see 9 right now. The problem with a nice (and pricey) vehicle of this age is that you're often fighting competition from newer ones.

    I'll give you another for instance here. I looked at an '01 SE in the Cincinnati area in mid-October. It was priced in the mid-8s with just shy of 100K, right where the books said it should be. Nice clean truck. He's reduced the price but he's still got it. He'll be lucky to get 7.
  • ddeliseddelise Member Posts: 353
    Hello -

    Last week I was looking at a Q45 - this week an STS...

    Looking for cash value of:

    2005 Cadillac STS V8 Luxury Premium
    FL
    4 Door Sedan
    V8
    RWD
    27000 miles
    Silver exterior, tan interior
    Has Bose 15 speaker, Navi, Moonroof
    Excellent condition overall.
    Recently serviced, but will need new tires sooner than later.
    Clean One owner carfax.

    As always, thanks in advance!
  • scottinkyscottinky Member Posts: 194
    I probably should have kept it. the only thing I had go wrong with it was
    a driver's seat motor failed, $500 to fix that. But, normal wear and tear
    got me, brakes, belts, alignments. I had 67K on mine when I traded it
    a few weeks ago for a 2008 Armada LE. The dealer gave me $14K on trade
    for it, as they really wanted to move the big truck. at 5'9, 200lbs, I always
    felt a tad cramped in the Pathfinder, but it was 100% reliable. With older
    kids, you need not worry about losing the ability to fold down your seats for
    more cargo room, BUT, you do have a minivan. Do you need to have 3 cars?
    yeah, sell em both, pay off the minivan and enjoy NO car payment!
  • jaedleejaedlee Member Posts: 59
    Yeah i read about the faulty seats on the pathy. My seats are fine except my 6disc CD changer is messed up; down to 2 working CD slots. I'm sure you may have read about those being unreliable as well. I'm thinking the buyer will want to shave some money off the asking with that being jacked up. Other than that, my car is in perfect condition. Again, i have, i suppose, very low mileage on the car with only 58k being that it's a 2001 model. I'm thinking that's probably the main selling point. I hear you about the car payments though... but since i currently have only odyssey payments, and again, i'm still not feeling comfortable driving a minivan to work (no offense to any of the minivan driving dads out there), i'll keep the accord as my commute car. Plus i just had the timing belt, water pump, and new tires put on within the past year. I also just serviced the EGR valve which my model apparently has issues with. I'm just hoping that i don't have any major issues with the accord.

    Thanks again for all your advises and inputs as i do appreciate them greatly. Nothing better to do on my alleged "vacation" than to be a ice skating dad (my 5yr old dtr ice skates at el segundo ... i like going there to watch the L.A King's practice and get a glimpse of Lakers practicing) and to get educated on auto sales and purchases through edmunds. Again, thanks all.
  • x2hlmx2hlm Member Posts: 7
    I actually really like my car, but it looks like I'll need a mini-van soon, so I'm looking for an approximate real world trade-in value.

    Location: Portland, Oregon
    Vehicle: 2003 Honda Accord LX
    Body Style: 4 dr Sedan
    Engine: 4 Cylinder, Automatic
    Driveline: FWDMiles: 50,500
    Color: White/Tan
    Options: Standard Options
    Condition: A couple tiny rock chips on the hood. Windshield is cracked ($500 deductable, so I'll probably just trade it with the crack). 2 of the hubcaps are scratched from snow chains one winter. Floor mats need to be shampooed, but the interior looks great.
    Tires: 6 months old
    Brakes: Not sure, but Honda replaced the brakes under warranty 2 years ago because I took it in for vibration 3 times. No problems since they replaced them.
    Maintenance: Current on regular servicing. Hasn't needed any other work.
    Other: No accidents
    Thanks in advance :) Chrissy
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Prob a $9,000 car in its current condition.
  • x2hlmx2hlm Member Posts: 7
    Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to respond.
  • ddeliseddelise Member Posts: 353
    Repost:

    Hello -

    Last week I was looking at a Q45 - this week an STS...

    Looking for cash value of:

    2005 Cadillac STS V8 Luxury Premium
    FL
    4 Door Sedan
    V8
    RWD
    27000 miles
    Silver exterior, tan interior
    Has Bose 15 speaker, Navi, Moonroof
    Excellent condition overall.
    Recently serviced, but will need new tires sooner than later.
    Clean One owner carfax.

    As always, thanks in advance!
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Auction prices are running between $22-24,000
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    San Francisco California
    1999 BMW 528i sedan
    6 cylinder
    Automatic
    110,000 miles
    Dark Green
    All usual options except NAV
    Clean Condition
    One Owner car,
    Clean CARFAX
    Owner says rear quarter dented and repainted...can't tell.
    BMW-dealer maintained its whole life, like clockwork.

    AC compressor is BAD. Estimate $1,800.

    I'd like a fair private party retail price. Your opinion?

    I'm thinking of offering about $7,000, given the AC issue.

    (And in case you are wondering, the 2003 MINI owner refused $16,000).

    Thank you!
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,565
    I'm not an expert like you.. ;)

    But, with a non-working A/C, that will be $1800 to put right?

    $5500-$6000, tops...

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  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    With paintwork and a bad AC unit, plus a saleproof color, the car would prob only bring $4-5000 at auction.
    $7000 is generous.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    Private owners always want more than it's worth. Give him $6,200
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    Personally, I love that dark green, but I've learned here that it doesn't help the value.

    Can you live w/o the AC in SF? And I'm sure you know about "potential" auto trans, & cooling system issues with E39's. If it were me, with no A/C, bodywork, high miles, I'd offer $5200.

    Or go back to that low-mileage Mini. Sometimes it's worth it to pay more for a low mileage mint condition car with no issues; but that's my own bias.

    Unless you do your own wrenching & really want to take on a 110K mile bmw with "issues"......
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Print this page out, then make a reasonable offer. :D
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Thanks all for these thoughts/suggestions.

    Hmmm...never thought that dark green metallic was a BAD color. It's quite attractive. Live and learn.

    Oh, the car DOES have GPS.

    I wasn't aware of transmission issues with the E39. I though it was only the 3 series of that era that was plagued with radiator and transmission issues.

    So I'm too high....okay.

    No, I'm NOT paying more that $16K for a 4 & 1/2 year-old, MINI Cooper S out of warranty. I'm diggin' my heels in on this one....especially since it's a black on black car---not exactly the "Jolly" MINI image. If it had NAV I might have kicked in another $750.
  • robbiegrobbieg Member Posts: 350
    I have a friend that has a 2003 530i with the dark green. I initially thought it was black because it was so dark.
  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    New here. Hi. :)

    Looking to buy. This is what I am looking at and I am trying to figure out a reasonable offer to make. If I should post in another forum feel free to direct me there.

    Winston-Salem, NC
    2007 Chrysler Town & Country LX
    3.3 V6 4sp auto FWD
    27323k miles
    White ext./Gray cloth int.
    Fairly plain, only option I notice is roof rack
    Good condition, no apparent damage

    Showed up on dealer lot about a week ago. Carfax shows owner 1 corporate lease and sold at auction on 12-6-2007.

    Dealer asking $15,995.

    Accordingly:

    What is RWTIV for this van?
    What would seem to be a reasonable offer?
    Any red flags I should be aware of?
  • sebring95sebring95 Member Posts: 3,241
    99.99% of vans you see like that are rental returns. Which the carfax pretty much backs up. Lots of arguments for/against buying rental vehicles. Should be able to get a good idea what was paid for it as i'm sure it came straight off a Chrysler auction. It appears there are still some brand new '07 T&C's out there and Chrysler has $5,000 in marketing support to the dealers according to Edmunds. That means a brand new basic LX should be selling for around $20,000. Just something to keep in mind while looking at that used one.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    These are going thru Manheim between $12-12500
  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    Thanks. Not sure I'm too afraid of a rental return. Anything you think should be kept in mind when considering one of those?

    Another lot has CPO's very similar listed in the $19-21k range. I am really looking no higher than that $15k realm. I do appreciate the info on the incentive though. I'm in no hurry so if things change in the next few weeks, who knows.
  • mattandimattandi Member Posts: 588
    thx

    That helps me get started.
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    There are a few bmw colors that I've loved over the years, that may/may not help the "value". Calypso Red, Sienna (dark red), a dark blue on some E39's, also a medium blue, & maybe last, the dark green.

    I'd guess that color would affect the value much less with an older 100k mile car than a 2 y.o. model.....(so just get what you like) :)

    Used Mini shopping is almost a science unto it's self--I think there's a guy on the CCBA board who knows a lot about it......
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    If I get that Bimmer I'm going to pull the radiator, water pump and thermostat housing and replace them, and probably remove the electric fan, too. These are all trouble areas for these cars.

    Doesn't the E39 have that GM 4-speed transmission rather than the 5-speed ZF? That's too bad :(
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    Doesn't the E39 have that GM 4-speed transmission rather than the 5-speed ZF?

    The early years have a 4-speed auto. transmission, & not the later 5-speed "Steptronic". Like mine, a very early production 2000 M.Y. has the 4-speed auto; then they changed it during the 2000 model run.

    But there are cats on the E39 boards who could give you way better/more detailed info. As could maybe Volvomax, or the guy who writes "Tech Talk" in the Roundel. (Hint: if you don't already get the Roundel mag, subscribe, &/or look for the last couple years of back issues on Fee-bay).....
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,565
    One other thing.. though having the NAV is sort of cool... the old CD-based NAV only adds about $5 to the value of the car... Especially BMW NAV... :surprise:

    A slushbox 528i from the '90s doesn't really do much for me.. Are you seriously considering this as a replacement for your xA? (not that you have to justify it to me.. ;) ).

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  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    So old NAV systems worth much?

    That's interesting. It sure COST a lot to install!

    Sure, thousands to install one, and you get $125 extra on trade-in. Gotta love it.
  • niteswmer2niteswmer2 Member Posts: 20
    Hi. I'm looking to trade-in a 2007 Mazda CX-7 and want to get a 'real world' trade-in value. Several dealers have given me a range from 15.5 - 18.5k and the online research places (like Edmunds, NADA, and KBB) are between 21-22K. I'm guessing the real world estimate will come in close to what the dealers are saying but I want to make sure I'm not getting screwed. Details of the car are below:

    Location: St. Louis, MO area
    2007 CX-7 Touring FWD (includes htd leather seats, bose 6-disk stereo)
    Mileage: 9,400
    Color: Black Cherry Mica
    Options: cargo net, wheel locks, pwr moonroof, all weather matts, trailer hitch (non manufacturer)
    Condition: perfect. Only 9400 miles and looks new.

    Thanks in advance for your help!
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    a few have gone thru Manheim between $18-19,000
    None in the St Louis area it looks like.
  • niteswmer2niteswmer2 Member Posts: 20
    Thanks volvomax!
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,618
    Somewhat randomly, this might be the time to thank you for stepping in & carrying the load after Terry went AWOL. Terry replaced someone even earlier (whose name I've forgotten (imagine!)).

    In any event, it's the season, & thanks for carrying on this very worthy tradition here on Edmunds.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    +1
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