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That way there's no compromises - I have the biggest minivan on the market, and the most affordable/fun roadster, a used Miata.
Having said that, my '93 Miata is starting to feel its age. I'm thinking about trading up to a newer, still used, 06 model.
So, trade-in values?
Potomac, MD and DC area
1993 Mazda Miata
1.6l 5 speed manual
RWD
just 71k miles
White exterior, tan leather interior, newish tan top with glass (2 years ago)
C package - so leather, power windows/mirrors, alloys
Aftermarket CD/MP3 player, fairly new
Top is new, body is good for a 93 but not perfect, one small dent in front fender
Tires about 50%
Newish brakes
Had some front end damage so the bumper is new, hood and fender also, no frame damage however.
Hard to appraise, given the age, but miles are low.
Condition is average, but may be considered good for a 14 year old car, I'm not sure.
I figure a dealer would offer me chump change, probably $1000 or so. What do the pros think?
I will probably private party sell and ask for $3000. Am I dreaming? The top alone is worth a grand.
Hearse doors in back/3rd row seating
RWD, 454 engine with factory towing package
86K miles
Two-tone, Navy/Gray
Cloth interior
Very nice condition.
Maintenance up-to-date
Front/Rear A/C
Full factory trailer towing package
Used by retiree to tow his 32' travel trailer.
No issues... he's just too old to camp any more.
Looking for a private party price.. Could be coupled with the travel trailer as a package deal.
Thanks!
kyfdx
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Maybe if my kid were older than 5. That would be a great project to do with him.
Honestly, though, I'm pretty handy but that might be a bit much for my skill level.
I've heard that clean NA Miatas are sought after and have actually increased in value lately. It's all pre-OBD.
Well, it seems things may change anyway. My wife wants another kid ... sooner rather than later (discussed for the first time this weekend). If we are to afford that, then we definitely need to do something about the car payments. So it looks like we gotta wait out the lease and do a cash deal on something. I better start saving!
Maybe I should consider a CPO volvo for myself. But the wife knows I really want a bimmer for my next car. BUT, if I'm going to have another baby, that really changes things. Looks like the 1-series ain't gonna happen.
So a used 3-series sedan is probably the best I will get away with. woe is me.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
On the BMW, be careful with the 3 series sedan. The back seat might be a bit too tight for the car seats. That is one reason I liked the wagon, it seemed much roomier.
You might not think it, but 2 small kids take up room exponentially in a car!
I'm almost at the other end of the spectrum. My oldest can drive himself in June, and in 19 months or so will leave for college. So, I won't need as much space! Just a daughter left, and she is a lot smaller. And a gymnast, so she should be able to get into any back seat.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I'll buy it for 3K, and I can't even fit in one anymore (well, I can still get in, but probably would need a crane to get me out!)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Then, of course, after my son went forward-facing after just 1 year, it changed everything and I feel I could get away with something MUCH smaller. SO, even if I get something smaller, I will just have to cope for that first year with the new kid. My wife will just have to walk.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
At least with one you can put it on the passenger side. Not a problem if you don't travel together, otherwise your wife jsut has to sit close to the windshield!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
If you are looking to buy an '06 now I would think you would get a bigger deduction dollar wise for buying it now than waiting for the spring. That is if you need the money from to '03 to buy the '06.
The 1.9% is for 2 yrs,rates go from 2.9-9.9% depending on term and credit rating.
CPO rates exist to move product.
The reason the V70 isn't included is because VFNA didn't finance or lease that many V70's over the last few years.
With more S40's and XC90's coming off lease, the motor company wants to give dealers a reason to buy these cars. Hence, the low rates.
An 04 V70 2.5T is prob a $14-15000 car on trade.
An 05 @ $2k more.
Private party a couple grand more.
A dealer knows they will have to do cosmetic work on a car,and they can do it for less than you can.
Plus, they would rather have a car that hadn't been painted than one that had.
As for value, your trade is worth what it is worth to that dealer. Regardless of what you buy.
Now,a dealer can SHOW you more for your trade on a used car, because you don't know what his used car cost him,and there are no incentives to take into account.
However, I think selling it in the Spring for $3-4000 is very possible.
It's a shame the V70s aren't included.
I probably could have swung at an '04 based on those numbers.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I'll probably do the latter. I've sold 2 cars using the bulletin boards here at work, no problem. Plus it's free.
Your car would probably bring $4-6,000 on trade, depending on condition.
As soon as I start talking about selling my Miata the weather warms up, she's running like a top. It's like she doesn't want to be sold.
The RL is a nice car, it was just overpriced,outgunned and in the wrong market niche.
Still, I'd rather have an RL than a TL of the same vintage.
I esp liked the Legend GS.
The 2nd Gen coupe was a nice car too.
I'll be sure and tell my wife none of you liked her choice in color schemes. On second thought, I'll let you tell her that.:)
I'm looking to trade or sell a 1998 Toyota Tacoma.
Los Angeles Area
Black SR5 Extended Cab, 2WD, manual transmission, 4 cylinder engine, just under 67,000 miles
It has a bed liner but no major options (no power windows/locks, cloth seats)
I would probably rate it in "average" condition according to Edmunds' appraiser - has a small ding or two but nothing major, interior shows some wear, pretty new tires
Solid mechanically, regular oil changes, never had any problems.
Any idea what I could expect from a dealer? Or private sale?
Thanks.
Private party is probably the way to go.
Could see $8000.
'95 GMC Suburban
Hearse doors in back/3rd row seating
RWD, 454 engine with factory towing package
86K miles
Two-tone, Navy/Gray
Cloth interior
Very nice condition.
Maintenance up-to-date
Front/Rear A/C
Full factory trailer towing package
Used by retiree to tow his 32' travel trailer.
No issues... he's just too old to camp any more.
Looking for a private party price.. Could be coupled with the travel trailer as a package deal.
Thanks!
kyfdx
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
V6, 4WD, 60,400 miles, metallic green w/gray leather, single CD, spoiler, alarm system, overall excellent condition and everything works, body looks new except for one small dimple and a couple small scratches, tires about 75% tread, new brake pads recently installed and rotors resurfaced, regular dealer maintenance
I'm planning to trade on another brand of vehicle. The dealers are only offering $8500-$8700, but internet research indicates I should get more. Any information appreciated. I can't devote the time and don't want the hassles of a private party sale.
Auction values are @ $8000.
02 Volvo
V70 XC cross
78,000 miles
owe 15,500
Couple quotes 10,500
I really want out of this Volvo....Would I be better off leasing for a lower payment or buying? Please Help!!! Thank You
as far as lease vs buy, it really depends on your personal situation and needs. However, I personally don't normally endorse leasing unless it is with special manufacturer subsidizing.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Anyone want to take a stab at why KBB and Edmunds used car values are said to be high??
Another factor that consumers sometimes don't take into account (deduct from value) is work that's needed. Things like chipped windshields, worn tires, scraped bumpers do make a difference at trade time. Also, folks tend to believe their vehicle is in better condition than it truly is. It's a rare car that nicer than described by an owner.
I do think that dealers take advantage of consumerws with these books, though, at times. I have had dealers NOT add options when using the book claiming that it was a standard feasture, when in fact, it was not.
Overall, though, I think most people just think their stuff is always worth more then they can get.
By the way, Ccompson, we did trade the Acura to the dealer for $6100....appreciate your interest very much!
So if Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book are "wildly inaccurate" and Manheim is not available to consumers, where are consumers supposed to get the correct and up-to-date info so that they do not completely give away their trades to the dealers??
Right here & not much of anywhere else.
The guy who started this board did it precisely because the stuff that's available to consumers isn't accurate & the general public doesn't have access to wholesale auction (redundant, but oh well) values. A car is worth what it can be sold for at the auction, period, so far as dealers are concerned.
There's a reason this board has 34.65K posts.
You should reconsider. Your Mazda sounds like an excellent candidate for a private sale. Only by selling it yourself can you hope to extract the maximum value from it. Moreover, the whole process of acquiring a new car becomes vastly simpler & clearer when you're not trading in your old car. You can concentrate on just one number - the actual purchase price - without worrying if you're getting a fair trade-in allowance for your old car.
Give it a shot. Chances are that some of your neighbors have kids who have just reached or are close to driving age & are looking for safe, reliable transportation. Let them know that your car is available. You might be pleasantly surprised by how quickly it sells & how much you get for it.
A comment: the auction value on my Mazda as suggested here was about $8,000, yet I checked the various car sites (eBay, Autotrader, etc.) and found dealers selling approximately the same vehicle for around $11K-$13K. I realize they probably don't get asking price from their retail used car customers, but that still seems like a pretty good profit margin to me.
Finally, what would be the typical profit margin to the dealer when a car is wholesaled? I read (possibly here) that dealers can make more off the trade-in than the new car sale.
Thanks again for any info.
It depends.
If the car is a nice low mile car that can be sold retail,esp if the dealer sells CPO cars, then a dealer may step up a little.
If it is an edgy car, and the dealer knows what it would cost to make it right,then they will just wholesale it, and try not to lose money doing so.
A comment: the auction value on my Mazda as suggested here was about $8,000, yet I checked the various car sites (eBay, Autotrader, etc.) and found dealers selling approximately the same vehicle for around $11K-$13K. I realize they probably don't get asking price from their retail used car customers, but that still seems like a pretty good profit margin to me.
Yep.
U/C sales really are the last profit point in selling cars.
However, selling used cars for a profit involves more of a gamble than selling new cars.
Plenty of dealers lose money on used cars too. sometimes you put too much money in a car,sometimes the reconditioning costs kill you, sometimes you just don't get any action on a car or the market for a certain car just tanks(big SUV's).
Then you take your lumps. A dealer can make $2 grand or lose $2 grand on a given used car.
FYI, I stopped by the store yesterday (on the way back from Anderson's) and it was nowhere to be seen.
You have to find a buyer, or dealer, who's willing to pay what you want. If you can't, you have to keep trying to sell, or lower your price.
Here's a clue: 1. a lot of dealers will try to low-ball your trade, & 2. As soon as you go into a dealer & start talking about prices on edmunds, kbb and nada, they'll know that you don't know what it's worth......
We bought a GMC Acadia at a dealership in Urbana and that was the dealer that we ended up trading the Acura RL to. We seem to like taking drives out in the country to these small town dealers!
I did sell a car once on consignment instead of a trade. The dealer got a way better price and I paid him $500 which was really cheap. I figured I made about $2,000 in the end bu not selling directly to a dealer.
We were in a strange situation as my wife and I suddently ended up with each having company cars and OUR car was a lease. So, we decided to sell but I did not want to deal with the hassle.