Real-World Trade-In Values

jayrider · June 2010

You can check trade in prices on a variety of sites. They vary some but how close to actual auction prices are most of the quotes? Auction prices reflect condition as well --below-average-above. Is there a % either way that would enable someone to get a fair estimate on the auction price by averaging several price sites like kbb-edmunds-blue book etc?

icedog97 · June 2010

My observation...as someone not in the business of selling cars...

Unless you have a trade-in that is something a dealer thinks he can throw on his lot and make money on, they are almost always going to offer you very close to the latest auction price for your vehicle...at least to start...

Of course, depending on what vehicle you are looking at...and how much the mark-up might be on that...the dealer may say he is giving you more or less for your trade.

If you run KBB...and see your trade-in is $17K...but the dealer shows you $14 or $14.5, then it's a pretty safe bet that $14-14.5 is very close to the local auction value.

It seems in my area, south of Pittsburgh, auction prices are typically $3K below trade-in on KBB. Black Book (I think it's called) seem to be closer to auction prices.

At least that is what I have seen from my experiences.

As a side note...one thing I really hate...when dealers show me a KBB for my vehicle that is LESS than what I get when I run the same KBB. Sometimes 2 or 3 options are left off...sometimes thay take the KBB numbers and throw them it into a word doc and subtract from them. I'd rather them just say..."we will only offer you the auction price"...than to try and show me KBB numbers different than what I get running a report myself. In the end, I EXPECT the dealer to make money off the deal...but don't try to take me to the cleaners...

ateixeira · June 2010

My brother-in-law is looking for one of those. Let me know how you price it.

The miles are very high, but that may actually not scare him off. He's pretty handy.

It'll have to be a bargain, though, he's on a single income with a school teacher's salary.

qbrozen · June 2010

I've been told (can't remember, but I think it may have been Terry) that there are 2 KBB prices. There is a paid subscription for dealers and it is lower than what we see as consumes getting a free quote. I can't confirm this, of course, just passing along what I've been told on 1 occasion.

qbrozen · June 2010

sorry, but this one is beyond my capabilities with my lousy Galves subscription.

As someone else suggested, take a look at all within a couple hundred miles of you and try to give it a best price for private sale. But if you want trade-in, you might just have to shop it around to a couple of dealers and get a feel for what they are offering. You may even want to see if a Toyota dealer would want to buy it outright.

kinsale · June 2010

2008 Subaru Tribeca Limited 7 pass.
DVD/NAV
48k miles
Perfect condition.
Tires new.

Dealer is asking $28k for it. Wondering what to offer. Was wondering what it is worth?

jayrider · June 2010

They are advertising 2010 tribeca ltd's for 28k. I'm sure that is the base but it still is brand new. Used subaru's are almost always way over priced.

ateixeira · June 2010

Just looked and right now a brand new 2010 would be 35,999 at a local no haggle dealer.

That's 2 years+ old but the miles are high. You gotta take at least 30-40% off the new price. That's $25,200 on the high side. Price seems way high to me.

A while ago they had bigger discounts. Now Subaru just reduced production and build and sell fewer of them. Outbacks are in short supply so they're just building more of those (on the same assembly line).

Dealer is on crack, so don't even begin dealing at that price.

kinsale · June 2010

thanks guys. It's just what I expected. Way too high for a car with 48k miles on it. It seems these days it's almost not worth buying used. For example where I am in NH a 3 year old XC90 with 60k miles ia adcvertised for 28k. It;'s crazy. Once you pay 1-1.5k for a warranty you're almost better off buying new.
I think I'll pass on it. My wife really loves the Tribecas but I don't think I could justify paying 27k for this one when she could get a fully loaded CRV/Rav4 for the same money.

ateixeira · June 2010

Or a Forester XT Limited and a Garmin.

The Forester grew a bunch, so now most people see it as "big enough". Try one of those.

The new Outback is also bigger.

The Tribeca is nearly redundant. It needs to be cancelled or redone to be much bigger, with a true 3rd row (and side curtains that protect that 3rd row).

qbrozen · June 2010

Trade-in on that Subie is about $21k-$22k. So $24k should get the deal done.

An '07 XC90 6-cyl AWD, with premium, NAV, and DVD and a similar 48k miles is about $500 more.

kinsale · June 2010

If I could get the Volvo for 24.5 that would be great. They have one advertised for 27k. I should give it a go. Thanks again!

tbone_rare · June 2010

KBB prices are almost always inaccurate. The retail values and the trade in values seem to always be very high. You're correct about the black book values. It shows a nice cross section of what vehicles are bringing at auctions. From a dealer's point of view, he is buying your car. That's what happens in a trade. You buy mine and I buy yours. It isn't very good business if we can buy one at auction for $3000 less that what you're asking for yours. As far as showing KBB values, I always run it with my customer present. I have no knowledge about being able to change numbers on that report. A lot of customers will print out the retail value of their vehicle. That is a pretty common mistake. Again, as a dealer, we can't give you retail value. Sometimes we can't even give you trade in value. It depends on how much profit is built into the vehicle you're looking at.

Always look for the black book value of your trade in. That's the accurate number to find.

tbone_rare · June 2010

I can't speak directly about Tribeca values but the entire used car market is high right now. I'm seeing wholesale prices that are absolutely crazy! In some cases you ARE better off buying new. I always try to present my customers the option....but a used vehicle that is in a high cycle right now....or buy a new one and use some pretty decent incentives that are in place

ltwlaod · July 2010

2005 Subaru Outback Legacy XT Limited
41k miles
Perfect condition. Still under extended warranty.
Color: Red
Interior: Taupe Leather
Located in Chicago (60601 zip)

carmax offered $14,000. autotrader trade-in offered $14,147.

What is the RWTIV? Thank you.

steine13 · July 2010

$14 sounds great.

Keep in mind that Autotrader "offered" nothing -- it just spit out a number.

I don't think I'd pay that kind of money for a six-year-old car with 40k miles in a place that gets significant road salt.
There's no such thing as "perfect" condition at that age, either.

Is it automatic or stick? A new one can be bought for about twice the money, but you can't get a stick in the new Outback XT... but the Legacy sedan only comes with a six-speed manual. If your is a stick, you may run into someone who's looking for just that car, but it'd be a bit of a crap shoot.

Others may have more "real" information, but I'd take the $14.

Cheers,
-Mathias

qbrozen · July 2010

$14k is right on the money for a nice one with auto trans in the northeast.

brando124 · July 2010

Can you please help me? I have an Audi A6 3.0 Liter FWD. 2003, 83k, ming blue w/ pearl effect. moon roof, leather interior, power locks, windows, auto w/ sports shifter. tires are one year old, minor wear
(25%). brakes replaced last year as well w/ warranty.
no claims since i've taken ownership.

front bumper has scratches that could need fixed up i have to assume this could be about $500.
no repaints. The major issue comes now. The transmission has just gone out. My question - is it worth fixing? how much does this depreciate the vehicle. this car seems to have a plethora of issues (brakes have needed to be replaced twice since i bought it (i've put only 40k miles on this car in three plus years) from a repair perspective. what is the current market value for this car.

is it worth fixing or do i sell it and/or trade it in and cut my losses?
columbus ohio is the metro area.

jayrider · July 2010

If it drives you might consider trading it. If it doesn't, there are any number of charities that will haul it away and give you a tax write-off when they dispose of it. You might do a search for a used tranny at junkyards [ plenty of chevys-very few audis] and calculate the install cost. My guess is that you have a parts car depending on the body and interior. Could be a project car in Europe -- not so much in Ohio.

qbrozen · July 2010

There is a pretty important detail missing .... what year is the car??

corvette · July 2010

2003, from his post.

qbrozen · July 2010

ah. thanks. guess the placement threw me off.

qbrozen · July 2010

Ok. Well, trade-in value is about $4500... IF the tranny was OK. So, as it sits, its worth maybe $500?

Donating it was a good suggestion.

explorerx4 · July 2010

how much is a transmission installed? 5 figures at least?

steine13 · July 2010

Well, come on, we're talking about Audi here, not Vlad the Impaler.

An installed transmission at the dealer isn't going to run $10k.. but probably $4+.

I might do it if it were my car... except I'd find a *good* indie repair shop that knows Audis... Go ahead, read the comments people make about their cars on the used-car pages of edmunds... Ppl LOVE these cars. But every 5th or so owner is totally turned off because of reliability and expensive repair issues.

A friend of mine talked to a lady who worked for Audi's call center.... she said 85% of complaints came from people who stretched their finances to buy an A4, then had trouble keeping it maintained. Audi simply priced them too cheap and buyers though they could buy an A4 or a Camry XLE... big difference.

Note to Americans: Changing a blown head gasket is considered "maintenance" in the Fatherland.

But these cars have serious cachet... if the transmission can be repaired -- much better than replacing -- for $3 or less, I'd do it and then decide if i want to sell it.

German car manufacturers are still in business because nobody in Germany buys Corollas and Camrys...

Cheers -m

bvdj84 · July 2010

Hello,

I lease an 2008 G6 sedan. Loaded with leather and everything, except for the V6.
I have 33,000 miles on it. I am allowed to have 39,000 NEXT July at lease end. Now, I drive a minimum of 1,000miles per month. I am taking a FL trip soon and will be another 2,000miles on it. So I will really be pushing the limits of my mileage!! I know, I know....I wasn't expecting to drive this much this time around on a 39mth lease with 12k a year. Next time, I will use a 15k lease.

Question of the day: Should I go over my miles and wait until closer to lease end OR try to trade out of it this fall early winter? The longer I wait, the better the pay off, but then you start eating into that with overage!

Apparently, trade in value on my car is $10,000 right now. When I checked with my dealer for trading it in back in the Spring, it was too bad, so I am getting better, but what would you do? Trade it sooner or let it go over and eat that later. Either way it will hurt me some, but which will hurt less?

I will not be going back to another GM lease, so I am hoping to walk away with minimal issues..lol.

Any suggestions are very much welcomed!!

lemmer · July 2010

Rebuilt transmissions are around $2K on car-part.com. Used ones in working order with a 90 day warranty can be had for $600. I have no idea what it costs to have one put in.

I'd be tempted to put it on eBay with no reserve. It might bring close to $2K.

corvette · July 2010

I don't think the A4 is underpriced, and I'd suspect that due to the large percentage of leases, the car is on its second or third owner by the time serious repair issues crop up.

corvette · July 2010

You need to either start saving for the over-mileage charge you will have to pay (I'm guessing $2,000 or so), or buy a beater to drive and keep the miles off the leased car. You generally can't cost-effectively trade out of a lease.

qbrozen · July 2010

Well, at 1k miles per month, you will be 6k over. At 15 cents per mile, that's $900. Not too bad.

However, putting on a 2000 mile trip is another $300. You may want to look into an unlimited mileage rental for this trip. It would probably be cheaper.

rayainsw · July 2010

"I am taking a FL trip soon and will be another 2,000miles on it."

One other option might be to rent a car
[ with unlimited mileage ]
for the FL trip...
A week rental around here [ ATL ] for something reasonable
[ not the cheapest deal ] is around $250 w/fees.
About $0.12.5 per mile if you drive 2,000 miles...
What is your over miles charge rate?
- Ray
Just a thought........

kyfdx · July 2010

Yup... I just rented a car from Alamo for 9 days... for $182... all taxes and fees included...

1500 mile trip... I think I came out ahead...

explorerx4 · July 2010

i remember reading in a car magazine years ago, that the trans in their long term audi needed to be replaced and it cost 15k.
after looking around, they have come down quite a bit in price for the newer models to the around the level you posted.

bvdj84 · July 2010

I think at this point, I need to allow my pay off to become lower and wait a bit longer. I did figure the overage fees and I see it being fairly reasonable. I do not plan to lease another GM, so a bit closer to my lease end date and closer to my mileage of 39,000 I will get out. I figured going over a bit on mileage is cheaper than taking a hit on pay off and depreciation.

You all made good points. Yes, I could get a rental car. We still might.
Next time, I'll get more mileage allowed on my lease.

jayrider · July 2010

That was a great renta car deal! Did you get upgraded the the Grand Marquis ? Rented one in Florida and developed a craving for marshmallows. Kept a bag of them handy throughout the trip. The car was fine--gained 3 pounds.

fezo · July 2010

Heck of a deal. How did you pull that off?

kyfdx · July 2010

I've rented from Alamo and National over the last couple of years, and I get weekly e-mails on specials..

I just went on-line and put in the numbers.. Always look for a weekly or weekend coupon on the website...

National was about $100 higher, but that was with my corporate rate that allows for extra drivers, etc....

A couple of keys... keeping the car over a Saturday night generally results in much lower rates... You can rent a car from Saturday through the next Sunday at a better rate than Monday through Friday... Of course, if you are flying in somewhere, that may not work... but if you are renting from your home area, then check all the possible combinations..

I reserved a large car through Alamo...When I got there, none were parked in the large car lane, so the agent told me to go the National Emerald Aisle, and pick out any that I wanted... The Emerald Aisle is mostly mid-sized, but there was a Ford Explorer there, and I grabbed it (really needed the room). When I returned my car the next weekend, I noticed a couple of Grand Cherokees and a Chrysler minivan in the same aisle..

Final bill: $182.75.. I always decline every extra... when renting/returning to an airport location, I've never been hit with an extra fee..

Bonus: Not having to clean off pine tree sap, or vacuum sand out of the vehicle...

smallcar · July 2010

Location: Philadelphia
2004 Subaru Forester XS
Engine: 4 cylinder, manual
Driveline: AWD
Mileage: 45000
Color: Black/grey int.
Major Options: auto dim mirror, 6cd changer(standard on XS?)
Condition:
  Clean and great condition
  Tires - new
  Brakes - 20%
  Maintenance: all maintenance done at the dealer and up to date

Can I get trade in and private party value? Thanks!

qbrozen · July 2010

Trade in is going to be about $8k-$8500.
Private party? Fair number will be right around $10k. So maybe start by asking $10,995.

ateixeira · July 2010

They're easy to sell privately. I sold mine quickly to the 1st person who test drove it.

tommister2 · July 2010

I have a 2007 Honda Odyssey EX, 34k miles (just the regular old EX model, cloth interior). I'm in Virginia. What the expected trade in value? Thanks.

foundationcars · July 2010

Cleveland, Ohio
09 Pontiac G8 GT
V-8 Auto trans
just under 10K miles
Liquid red (bright red) over black leather
Sport package, premium package (leather seats), factory bluetooth. NO sunroof.
Car is like new, all maintenance up to date.
No dings, scratches, paintwork, etc.
Stored winters.
Thanks!

qbrozen · July 2010

not much to go on here, but probably $16k-$17k, depending on condition and history.

qbrozen · July 2010

Ohio may be a bit out of my radar, but you might expect $22k-$23k.

tommister2 · July 2010

Thanks. That's what I figured based on kbb and edmunds.

dirtyjerz · July 2010

Jersey City, NJ
2008 GMC Yukon SLT2
SUV
5.4 liter V8
4WD
15500 miles
Summit White exterior, Black leather interior
Navigation, Rear entertainment, sun roof, Bose, rear captain seats, heated seats, power lift gate, 20 inch alloys
Condition: Interior/exterior good, no scratches or dings
Tires - only 15k miles on them
Maintenance performed reguarly, synthetic oil every 5k.

Looking to upgrade to an Escalade..

autobuy1 · July 2010

Location: Boston, MA
Year/Make/Model: 2006 Mercury Mountaineer Premier AWD V8
Body Style: mid-size SUV
Engine: 4.6 liter V8, 6 speed automatic
Driveline: AWD
Mileage: 40,000
Color: black exterior/black leather interior
Major Options: all standard Premier options, running boards, moon roof, tow package, cross bars, 3rd row seat, dual climate control, multidisc cd/mp3
Condition: Very good, small ding in one door; excellent interior condition, new mats
Tires: Need replacing
Maintenance: Followed factory schedule; synthetic oil every 5K
Other: No accidents, 1 owner

Looked at KBB, etc. but wondering in reality, what's a good trade-in figure to expect? Thanks.

qbrozen · July 2010

They'll probably hit you in the $33k range.

qbrozen · July 2010

$15k ... give or take.

souled · July 2010

Newport News VA
2010 Lexus RX350
4dr SUV
3.5 liter 6 cylinder, automatic
AWD
22000
White/beige
Condition is excellent, no interior or exterior blemishes
Tires- new
Brake- new
all schedule maintenance perform by the Lexus dealership

Real-World Trade-In Values

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