Real-World Trade-In Values

akangl · November 2001

We finally did it, we dumped the GMC!! We didn't get as good of a deal as I wanted because the dealer was married to the truck that we bought. Here's the deal, we got $13,700 for the GMC and paid $24K for a 2001 Dodge T2500 SLT 5.9L V-8, short bed, alloys, with 12K on it. The dealer ended up with a negative $2300 deal. The Dodge that we bought was an ex-rental from a camper rental place. Its white with gray cloth.

Now the bummer, we bought the Dodge and went to lunch then headed home. We got about 10 miles from the dealership and the check engine light came on. At first we thought, no biggie, then we decided to go back in case it was serious.....we had 300 miles to drive home. Turns out the torque converter was going out of the Dodge, so at the moment we are driving a 2002 Dodge 3/4 ton. They are going to bring our Dodge to our house and pick up the one we are driving. I was pretty upset, but I guess looking at the whole picture its no big deal. The GMC was in far worse condition, it needed at least $2K put into it. Made for a very long day.

ghulet · November 2001

I guess trucks in AK do way better than here in Chicago (no surprise, I guess). No way any 96 GMC or Chevy anything (alright, maybe a super loaded Suburban or Yukon) would get near $13k here.

abtseller · November 2001

'97 Volvo 960 wagon. Auto. Blackberry/ Graphite leather, heated seats, all options, roof, 57,000 miles, tires not new, but ok. My used car manager put a number on it, I think he's off by a few thou...

Anyone want to stab at it?

Ed

rroyce10 · November 2001

........ This is a pretty easy one, I see about 20 of these a week.

The miles are right -- if it's nice and clean ..

No big parking lot kisses, needs -0- ... it's worth somewhere, in the low to mid $12's ...

Terry.

abtseller · November 2001

also, but our guy is afraid of it at $10K. Deal breaker for sure.

Ed

rroyce10 · November 2001

..... Volvo's are great vehicles ... with a wonderful reputation and will sell easily (properly maintained) - with 57K..or 157K ...

I go to a lot of auctions, and I still shake my head when a 92 GL with 150,000 miles still pulls $4,000 at the block....

Your Used Car Mgr needs to spend a little time at the auctions, instead of reading some auction reports... If you can't see, feel or touch em' -- you don't know what any vehicle is really worth.

I recommend he calls a few Volvo dealers .. or some of the sharp wholesalers in the area ...

Terry

rroyce10 · November 2001

...... That would be a GS-R ..

Is it a 3 or 4 door ...?

Well let's just figure it's a 4dr.

Ok, for starters..it's a "meatcleaver" ..

If it's "cleaner than board of health" ...etc, etc, it's worth in and around $9,500 ish -- (real money)

And on the retail end .. a good saleable price would be around $12.

I hope this helps ...

Terry.

lancerfixer · November 2001

If by "meatcleaver," you mean a manual transmission, I don't know if points can be deducted. All GS-Rs are 5 speeds. But you knew that, right? :-)

rroyce10 · November 2001

.... That's why their called "meatclevers" ..l.o.l.

Terry.

stickguy · November 2001

Thanks. It is a 4 door, and could be the poster child for the BOH. I think he was figuring on about 13-14 private sale, but I will send along your figures.

I would also buy the '97 960 for 10K right now. Just let me know where to pick it up.

im_brentwood · November 2001

abt, you in the SE?

You got a $11K buy bid from me!

Seriously.. thing is worth $12K all day long.

Speaking of Volvos.. Terry, where I am, you know the area.. VOlvos do well for me if theyre perfect.

Hit this car:

1989 740 GLE 16v. White/Black. Aside from headliner (Guy down the street can do it for 185.. he does work for the dingmans.. so itll be perfect) the interior looks new. Literally. Its super super perfect. No real wear on leather (Which is as soft as new), switches, steerinbg wheel..etc.. all perfect.

Paint super smooth and clean and glossy. Repainted, but Its a $2K job easily. All the outside chrome, lenses..etc.. all mint.

It looks like a 10K mile 99 or 00, but has 111K on it.

What would you put on it?

Bill

93fsu1 · November 2001

Only option is a/c, has the 5 speed manual (why anyone would drive an Integra automatic is beyond me)and is the 3 door. Has 99,300 miles and is in great shape. The color is white and is garaged in FL. What should I expect on a trade-in?

ghulet · November 2001

abtseller · November 2001

I'm in NC. I don't know what our guy was thinking, but he bounced it off a local Volvo dealer who backed him down to 9K (sandbagging him probably). They're obviously both crazy. The customer has had $12K plus offers elsewhere (we're putting the deal together over the net and the phone) but he wants to get in the 14 range. We're already to invoice on the vehicle he wants to buy, but I'm trying to sweeten the pot somehow. He's talking about running an ad and trying to sell it himself.

Ed

sobers · November 2001

Terry thanks for the figure on 99 Accord EX. I thought you were atleast $1000 off on that.

I have one more for you......

2001 Acoord Lx 4 cyl, 15,000 miles Dark Green, Clean, Good condition On eparking lot kiss

im_brentwood · November 2001

$14K?

Maybe last year. Not now.. $12K is the number I think.

But 9K from a Volvo dealer? What, they got 5 of em already?

Bill

im_brentwood · November 2001

Terry was off? $1K? I am not sure on that.. its worth 13,500 wholesale I think also.

The 01 LX? $14,500 or so if its nice..

Thems wholesale ##s

Bill

bretfraz · November 2001

Here's one for ya:

1996 Lexus LS400. 90Kish miles, Beige gold on tan, been in a couple minor benders like backing into a pole but always repaired by Lexus dealer, always Lexus serviced, needs a detail like nobody's business, pretty new Michelins, don't think it has Nak, has roof & CD & I guess the usual stuff.

Owned by my employer. Almost always driven by Japanese execs. Used to be driven daily but now sits mostly until a bigshot comes to town and they give him this to drive.

Gonna have to go bye-bye soon so I wanted to get a wholesale number for our VP Finance. Might sell it to an employee if the bosses allow it.

Thanks as always.

robr2 · November 2001

I'm not a tax expert, but if you do decide to buy this car from your employer you may want to check out the tax liabilities on the deal. If it is a sweetheart price, they may need to 1099 you on the difference between the sell price and the wholesale market value on it. But then again, maybe paying taxes on a hypothetical discount is better than paying the discount amount itself.

im_brentwood · November 2001

Hmm

90 klicks and paintwork. Even so, these are capable of huge mileages.

Personally, I dont think theyre much fun to drive and all.. but they are super nice cars. Terry likes them, they put me to sleep

I hit it at $13,500 due to the miles and paintwork.

Bill

sobers · November 2001

I was a bit surprised to see 13500 as it has low miles & new tires ! Thanks for the # on 2001 Lx !!

93fsu1 · November 2001

1996 Acura Integra RS. Only option is a/c, has the 5 speed manual (why anyone would drive an Integra automatic is beyond me)and is the 3 door. Has 99,300 miles and is in great shape. The color is white and is garaged in FL. What should I expect on a trade-in?

SEVENPIN · November 2001

Bill/Terry:
I have found a 2000 Cadillac Deville.It's cabernet exterior with shale interior.No dings or dents,very clean,Indiana car with 38K miles,CD,and leather . Seller was asking 22,900,I bid the car down to 21,500.What is the wholesale (17,500 to 18,000 K?) on this car and a reasonable purchasing price for this car?

Your response as always is appreciated!!!
sevenpin

im_brentwood · November 2001

True.. but its also BLUE

Bill

im_brentwood · November 2001

Assuming its clean and the air is cold, even though the miles hurt it, I'm thinking that's still a solid $5,000 car.

It is a White Honda product in FL..

Bill

im_brentwood · November 2001

Hmm,

$21,500? Super clean? That's actually a very good price I think.

I think this puppy is still a 20K car at the auction easily, if not even $21K in the Midwest.

I say grab the checkbook, price is very fair.
Bill

ddelise · November 2001

4X4, 6 cylinder, trip computer, not much else. Black exterior, black cloth interior. Very clean, located in NJ, and has 38K miles. Also has a Jeep extended warranty to 70k+ miles.

What would you peg as trade in, and what about a private sale price?

Also, I am looking to get a Subaru Forester. 1999 or 2000. This is for my mom, and she only drives 8K miles per year. What year/mileage combination would you recommend, and about how much should we look to pay?

Thanks - Damon

rickpct · November 2001

First...I wanted to complement the auto professionals on this board that provide info to consumers. I think you guys are doing a great job helping people out. Now I need some help..

Looking at a 1999 Saab 9-3: 5-sp, lthr, moonroof. Dealer pricing for a 30K mile car is about $18.5K for a SaabUSA Certified car. I have an old Volvo - 10 years old 130K miles, mechanically very good with all service records (but A/C is shot). Body is good.

I expect a dealer to offer me $1200-1500 for the brick, and hope to get the Saab for about $16.9 - $17.5K Live in CT.

Does this seem reasonable?

Thx

lancerfixer · November 2001

I'm not an auto professional, but I am a Volvo enthusiast and I can tell you that if A/C is all your car (240? 740?) needs, you'll get a lot more throwing it on EBay or putting an ad on the brickboard or the local paper, especially in New England.

93fsu1 · November 2001

$5,000 sounds good. The only problem is that now that I have had it all detailed and everything it suddenly looks, smells and drives like a new car. I may just have to keep it!

rickpct · November 2001

Thx. It's a 740 wagon. I'm torn between dealing with the B.S. of private sale v. getting what I can get from the dealer. I suspect that I would probably get $2K for the brick via private sale - given that the AC is dead - compressor shot and AC hose leaking($1-1.2K repair cost).

Will probably post to brickboard and ebay to see what offers I get.

rroyce10 · November 2001

..... Good morning ... how's NJ ..?

I have been there so many times in the last 2yrs, they are going to start checking my passport ..l.o.l.

The miles are right for this little 4x4 .. and on the overall, these are pretty nice little rigs, run forever and no brain damage...

The only real hang up on this is .. "no toys" and there is a lot of 4x4's for competition out there...

I was just at the "big" Manheim right down the street from you, and I have seen probably ...2/3/4 hundred of these run in the last month. --- Your advantage here is, it's almost cold..and the 4x4's are starting to pull "bigger" numbers...

On the trade side, a dealer will probably shoot you $8,500/$9,000 ....IF, it's super clean, tires are new and it ..Stands tall.

On the retail side, $10,900 would be a nice start price... get it cleaned ..detailed , make it look like a diamond and it will sell ...

Subaru Forester, ugly little ducks ---l..o..l.. But VERY popular up north and in demand 24/7 ..

Is this an S.. or an L,..?
Well anyway, let me use an "S" .. 99's that are clean, with miles in the 30's are doing the high $13's at the block, so figure $16 on the retail side -- 2000 S's with 20k, clean ..etc, are doing in the mid/low $15's at the block --- So look for them at a store near you for the $18's ...

Good Luck,

Terry.

rroyce10 · November 2001

..... Good morning ..!

How are you this nice, sunny day ( hey' it's 3:30am ..what am I thinkn'..?)

I can't speak on the "brick" ... there is no info on that ..why ..?

Don't knock these Volvo's -- they do stupid money at the auctions, and the dealers know it -- If they get out at all..l.o.l.

I just saw an 89 740 TD with 181K, white wagon , slider, leather looked good for the year, just pulled $2,300 at the block, and that's a Turbo. That tells me it's a $4,500 vehicle on the start -retail end.

Ok, it's a 99 Saab .. and let's hope it's a 9.3 5 door, these are doing "around" the low $14's, with 20/30k and they are puuurrrfect ..

You better be looking at the low side of the $16's on this one ...Ooop's it's certified, high $16's, and that's about it my friend.

I hope this helps ...

Terry.

rroyce10 · November 2001

..... Bill is "dead on" this one ... Go now !

Terry.

rroyce10 · November 2001

..... Good morning.. how are ya...?

Those crazy Volvo's, I wouldn't be afraid it at $3/3,500 ... Ya know, just a headliner and a detail, and throw it in the paper for $4,950 ....

110,000 miles ...? -- who would be afraid of that ...? -- did you read what that 740TD did, up 2 post's ...?

I paid $45,2 for the TBird (what was I thinkin')... and yesterday at Butler, 2 ran -- black and red/390 miles both tops..did $45,700 -- and the stunner of the day was that "fireball yellow", I'm thinkin' it would do..you know, 43/44 ...$45 on the push - $46,700, this friggin' thing glows in the dark..if I drove it on Johns Island, I would get arrested..l.o.l.

Terry.

rroyce10 · November 2001

Terry.

uclakav · November 2001

this is my first time on this site and i've been on all night. (now 5 am) i'd like to thank bill and terry for giving car sellers a hand.

i'm looking to either trade in or privately sell a 96 honda civic ex coupe with 65K, small dent in rear bumper, otherwise clean. i see numbers vary wildly on the different websites from dealers and private sellers so i just want to get your opinion.

also, do you have a recommendation on which board to go to for someone looking to buy a coupe with 20K cash plus value of the aforementioned honda?

your comments are appreciated.

uclakav · November 2001

should i get the dent on the bumper fixed? it's kind of a hassle but would it be worth it to fix it?

ddelise · November 2001

Thanks for the info - but I left out one thing - it is a Laredo - does this make a difference ($2K at least I hope!)?

NJ has been treating me pretty good - I am up here from sunny Tampa. But I went into the city on Wednesday, and it was about 70 degrees - not too bad for two days before December. If it was always like this, I would never have left! I ended up going to the Letterman show, and sitting in the first row - prety cool.

Thanks - Damon

lancerfixer · November 2001

If you're asking $2k for your Brick, I'll be right over! LOL.

rickpct · November 2001

Thanks, this info was very helpful.

Btw....lousy morning here in CT...fog and rain..but a nice warm weekend to buy a xmas tree with the kids.

Of course, as I'm driving to work this morning the muffler decided to nearly fall off the Volvo

rroyce..it's a 9-3 5 door yes...good info on wholesale so it gives me a range to play with. I guess I'm one of the few people stupid enough to like Saab's - either like them or hate them.

Have a nice weekend.

rroyce10 · November 2001

...... NOW, that would be a great time ..!

I have always wanted to do that ... well, one of these days..

Either that, or Jerry Springer --- I would love to see the crazy "psycho's"..in person

Yep that's what I was thinkin', it's a Laredo ... If you look on your Vin#, that would be a Z58 right ...?

Terry.

im_brentwood · November 2001

Youre in agreement with me on my old 740

In fact, I got it for less.. I'll be "in" it for about 2800 with headliner and a new tire.

I was looking on MMR and saw that a T-Bird sold at Butler.. figured that was you

One thing tho.. if that Black 4X4 Grand Cherokee is in Tampa.. I'm not sure I;d be in the 8500-9K range though..

Up in Jersey, sure! Here, I wouldnt wanna have over 8K in it.

Bill

rroyce10 · November 2001

..... The miles are fine for the year .... Ok, this a dumb question ...handshaker, or auto ..?

Let's figure it's an auto..and you have fixed the dent ...

If it's clean, tires are newish .. and looks like a 99.. the you are in the low $7's...(real money) .. if you decide to retail it in the paper -- the $8,950 would be a fair "asking" price ..

Good Luck ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · November 2001

........ Yeah, that's what I was thinkin', after I posted ... North..? ... South ...?

Yep.. that was little ol' me ... I might have to drop it in the driveway .. and throw a canvas over it..l.o.l.

Terry.

ps. You will do fine with that "old beat up Volvo" .. I wish I had 10 of em'..

isellhondas · November 2001

In my neck of the woods, nobody wants them!

Took in a NICE 94 900SE yesterday. One fussy owner, 107,000 miles, automatic. Black with every option.

Call for bids..."Oh, another %$#@ Saab, eh?"

Top bid was 3500.00!

I guess people are afraid of them or something.

suvshopper4 · November 2001

Saab is a car I've always liked (most models, anyway) but would never own. They are different in an appealing way.
But...too many s.o.b. stories.

zoomzoom79 · November 2001

I drove a 2000 Saab 9-3 down to Atlanta from Maryland. I loved the way the car drove. It's ergonomics were a little quirky but I could get used to that.

What do you think about a 1998 Lexus GS300 with 63k. Black over black leather. Rear spoiler and chrome wheels. Car looks pretty good, there are a few scratches and the right fender has been repainted. It was a Florida car but the guy has it here in Atlanta.

im_brentwood · November 2001

Yup. Thats about the going rate actually. Where I'd have hit it, especially if it was a V6.

Nice cars (And boy will Terry Laugh) but I'll buy every clean SAAB I can find, I sell them quickly and do very well with them.

That being said, 2.5 months ago I bought a super clean 94 900SE V6 5-speed, and it had 9-3 16" Wheels and new Dunlop 8000s.. I still only paid like 3900 for it.

Nice cars, but virtually worthless.

Bill

im_brentwood · November 2001

$21K wholesale on a push... $23K oughta buy it retail I think..

Bill

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