Real-World Trade-In Values

bretfraz · November 2001

The Springer show studio is in the same NBC building as Jenny Jones' show. The building is on Columbus St. in Chicago, a short walk to Navy Pier and Michigan Ave.

When I lived in Chicago my bank was inside the NBC building. It was a short walk from my apt and there was always a line out the door with people wanting to be in the studio audience. Lemme tell ya, some interesting folks were wanting to get into Springer. Far cry from the Oprah crowd.

There's a very nice Sheraton across the street. Take the wife to the new Van Gogh exhibit at the Art Institute. Have dinner at Rosebud or Gibson's or Iron Mike's Grille or Heaven on Seven or the Chicago Chop House. You'll have lots of fun.

SEVENPIN · November 2001

I bought me a 2000 Cadillac today!!The seller listed the car on ebay and had offers from as far away as California. I was the first to come up 21,500 cash. It sure rides nice. I am very pleased with the car. Thanks for your timely responses.The detail shop has the car now, courtesy of the seller. Do you think it would be wise to purchase an extended warranty? If so from whom? I plan on owning the car for 3 years and average about 10,000 miles per year.

Again,many thanks:
sevenpin

uclakav · November 2001

thanks for the help on the trade in value of my civic. my dad told me i would be lucky to get $4K...i'm gonna love showing him the residual value of hondas. (he only likes american cars)

rroyce10 · November 2001

........ Congrats on the new ride..!

I'm sure you will enjoy it ... I would recommend a warranty -- there is some great info on this "Edmunds thingy bob stuff" for warranties..l.o.l.

So have fun this weekend ... and let her rip..!

Terry.

rroyce10 · November 2001

....... Your quite welcome, I don't have to worry about your dad tracking me down .. do I ..?

Tell him I just bought a Ford, that will calm him down ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · November 2001

........ I promise ----- I won't laugh.

Terry.

ha!

isellhondas · November 2001

Bill...yeah, I hear ya.

I have noticed that Saab buyers are always, well...different!

allroy · November 2001

Do you get hit if you bring in a car that is dusty? I mean if the interior is prestine but the outside has a little dust...

rroyce10 · November 2001

........ Gee whiz ...!

How many times do I have to tell you ....?

Get it to a nice carwash, a church social, boyscouts... Topless dancers, whatever...

Now go to your room ...!

Terry.

im_brentwood · November 2001

SEVENPIN:

Good Job! For $21,500 I'd imagine people'd be ready to fly in from Cali. But I sell a ton of cars on eBay so you do tend to get people from all over.

Isell and Terry: No kidding. But see above re: where to sell em. Terry, swipe me some more 900SEs

)

Allroy: Clean it!

Bill

zoomzoom79 · November 2001

We (when I say we I mean the dealer I work for) just bought this car for $19,000. If it stays out for 14 days I can get it for the $19,000 + any recon fees. I really love the car. The black leather is incredible.

Ahh...love.

im_brentwood · November 2001

Thats cheap..

Color hurts it a lot in FL though, but even so..

Bill

handsfree1 · December 2001

You were so helpful with our last deal (thank you!) that our neighbors are literally standing here, and wanting to know what you think about "their deal".

They have a 99 Acura 3.2TL, white with black, nice car, all services, gets cleaned at least once a month, new tires 4,000 miles ago, scratch on the lower rear bumper area, about the size of a soup can top, a ding on the rear pass side dime size, and one on the lower driver side, with 45k. Whats it worth? I think it's worth more.
The dealer offered them $16,500 on a new GS430.
should they trade it, or sell it themselves.

Thanks in advance.
M.

facewest · December 2001

I have a 96 Sunfire SE 2dr with a manual transmission that I bought new in late 95 that just turned 101,000 miles. I've been real happy with it. 36 to 40 MPG.

Only problems I've had were a hairline crack in the water pump at 34,000 that was replaced under warranty and the alternater at 92,000. I changed the front brake pads at 60,000, without turning the rotors and replaced the spark plugs at 98,000. They looked great but the gap was too big. My mileage started to drop (32 MPG) right before I changed them but jumped back to 37 MPG after that.

There are no noises from anywhere, unless it's raining, then I get some road noise from the back wheel wells. I'm shooting for 200,000 and was thinking of getting another used one with low miles until I started reading the reports under Town Hall.

akangl · December 2001

What's this worth? My mom thinks her car is still worth $3000, I disagree. Its a 1996 Chevy Cavalier, 2 dr, base model, no A/C or pwr anything, auto, am/fm cass, blue/dark gray cloth, it has a dent in one fender and a big time broken windshield, the paint is rather dull on it. Oh yeah and did I mention it has 140K on it??

cupholder1 · December 2001

sounds like she'll be lucky if the dealer doesn't charge her to have it towed away.

akangl · December 2001

Yeah, I know. She bought the car in 1997 used with 12,500 miles on it. Its been a great car and she will have it for a loooong time since she still owes $7500 on it (long story). She is convinced its still worth $3000 in trade. I am still amazed its run for so long with so few problems, I think she has put a starter and a fuel pump in it, along with brakes and tires, it still runs good and is her daily driver. She drives 120 miles every day for work.

im_brentwood · December 2001

You sure you wanna know?

$500-1,000.

Sorry

Bill

sdt2 · December 2001

New to this discussion. I have a 99 Camry that I want to trade. Actual miles 22,800. LE 4 cyl, CD, power drivers seat, sunroof, keyless entry - perfect condition. Problem - SPEEDometer didn't work correctly and dealer replaced ODOMETER to correct this (without my approval). Now the car's value has fallen drastically. Any advice? Do I have recourse through the dealer? through Toyota USA? The places I have tried to trade the vehicle state they must classify it as a "true miles unknown" even though I have all the documentation for the replacement. Doesn't seem fair!!!

thel · December 2001

I know that auto transmissions are easier to sell but does it really give you an advantage at resale time?

If I buy a new Accord, I will pay about $800 more for an auto than a manual. But according to used TMV (I know, it's ONLY a guide) after one year, the auto Accord is worth only $631 more than a manual. Therefore, I am losing an additional $170 in depreciation when I look at overall costs.

Sorry for all the figures but I thought an example might help make my point: Automatics are worth more on trade-in but since they also cost more to buy initially, you're actually better off going with a manual and save some money up front and in future depreciation (if you like maunuals of course).

So does my case hold water?

rroyce10 · December 2001

....... Hey, all this time I thought Jerry was in NY ... Duh..!

But I have been to the Chop House, and the food is great..

I will be back in Chi-town in Jan, for some auctions..maybe, I can get on the show and see "I want to marry my dog", or whatever.. that show just breaks me up ..

Thanks for the info ..

Terry.

rroyce10 · December 2001

....... Good morning thel, how are you ..?

It's not that manual trannys are bad things. It's what happens when you go to sell em' ..New or Used.

The vast majority of the buying public .. just doesn't have a need, a want or a desire for em'.. .. The auto's of today, get as good gas mileage and obviously they run longer, they tow more, and as far as performance is concerned, they are neck and neck ...

The biggest thing is: Convenience.
Mom, doesn't want to shift and watch the kids at the same time. Dad had one 10 yrs ago and he loves his auto, he can go to work now, without the workout. Granny had one 30 yrs ago and now she can barely see, let alone shift between bingo games. The good lookin' blonde that works in the office, doesn't want to shift gears in her new outfits every day on the way to work ..... and the business guy, doesn't want to be shifting in his new Armani suite and talking on the cell ... etc.etc.

I know I kid around about em' a lot ... but the reality is -- people just don't buy em'.

Can you get the kid down the street to buy one...of course, it's his 1st vehicle. Can you get the guy going through his mid-life crisis to buy a 6 speed Vette or 540 Bimmer ...Yeah! -- But what happens when they go to trade it ... Where is that market ..? -- Can you duplicate that buyer ..? .. No.! ---- They sit.

It's just that market has diminished to less than 7% ... look at the New Beatles .. 85% of those, are auto's. And these are vehicles that were "Aimed" at a "flower in you hair market" ... but that market today, wears $150 tennies.

Now that I have bored you into a stupor ... what's the difference in price ..?

Around a Gee Whiz ... and if it's like some of the others mentioned .. $1,500++

I hope this makes sense ...

Terry.

uclakav · December 2001

I agree with Terry...don't know too much about resale values, but i've been looking at the acura rsx and from what i hear, the only reason to buy it is for the 200HP 2.0 engine with 6speed manual. Only problem is i never learned to drive a stick and i don't wanna learn on a brand new car. also my dad, who only drove sticks when he was younger(trans-ams, camaros, bmws), is now an old man (his words, he's only 52) who loves automatics and said i was a fool for even thinking about getting a manual. he said the first time my cell phone rings and i have to put down my milkshake to answer it during rush hour traffic, i would regret not just buying an automatic...

suvshopper4 · December 2001

There will never be any 'new Beatles'.

Rest in peace, George.

lancerfixer · December 2001

What the heck are you doing drinking a milkshake and talking on the phone while driving, anyway?

robr2 · December 2001

Terry lists very valid points. I owned sticks for 15 years. 3 years ago I got an automatic for a number of reasons including:

in-laws and parents visiting always had to rent a car because they can't drive a stick

kids are enough of distraction in the back seat that adding a stick to mix makes it harder to fully concentrate on traffic

traffic - I commute into Boston everyday - 'nuff said.

I will admit I miss driving one and look forward to someday owning a toy vehicle with one for weekends and the such.

robr2 · December 2001

I think everyone should learn how to drive a stick because someday you will need to know how when an emergency comes up. The person that drove to the party gets snookered and they are the only one that drives stick - not a fun walk home.

Personally, one summer in college I worked for a landscaper. No one else on the crew could drive a stick so I got to drive all summer. Nothing better than driving all day for a 20 YO even if it was a 1 ton GM dump body.

bretfraz · December 2001

Hey, let's beat this to death ;-)

Value is more than just dollars and cents. It's about what something is "worth". What is something worth? Exactly what someone will pay for it.

So who is gonna buy a Honda with a stick? Paper worth is one thing but if you go to sell it and the phone doesn't ring because buyers are afraid of a stick, was it "worth" it?

Car dealers think the same thing: "Who in the hell is gonna want this thing?" Even if the car is the right color, right options, right condition, a stick automatically eliminates maybe 80% of the potential buyers. So, if you want to hold out for that 20%, fine. But realize that you are giving away all your marketing leverage. See, the stick buyers also know that no one buys a stick, so sellers are a bit more desperate. A stick buyer can hold out for their price if they want to. And they can always drive an automatic in the meantime.

Stick buyers have a choice. Stick sellers don't.

tboner1965 · December 2001

I traded my 99 Contour SE with an Automatic for a 98 SVT Contour (stick shift only) at a dealer no less.

My 99SE had 14.5K and the 98 SVT had 35K. The deal was done for my 99 and $2700 cash.

The SVT was a "limited" production car. I told the sales rep that I know he could sell the 99 SE with an Automatic easier than the 98 SVT stick shift.

The two cars stickered for about $4500 difference. (I don't know if new SVTs in 1998 sold at a discount, but SE's did) If miles are worth $0.15 each, that make the difference in value about $1500.

Most other trade deals were in the neighborhood of $5000-$5500 difference.

I think they realized they better grab the buyer willing to pay for a stick shift.

Bill (brentwoodvolvo) said I stole the SVT last January. I wouldn't go that far, but I paid what I was willing to pay and it took all of about 60-90 minutes time over two days.

It is a lot more fun to drive than the 99SE (V6 and automatic) but I've only put about 6000 miles on it as I usually only drive it on weekends.

However, there are times when commuting with a stick is no fun.

TB

rroyce10 · December 2001

....... Well based on the information you have given us ( and it's a lot ..thank you! ) -- It sounds like a nice vehicle ..

All the service records .. 3 minor dings and a scratch, it's the right color, whether you are north or south, and new tires ...

If the dealer has offered you $16,500 --- I think he musta' had a long weekend and looked at the wrong page --

With the miles being a little stiff, it's still worth $19..in the dark.

I might recommend you go to another Lexus dealer ..quick.! --- because I'm paying a whole lot more than $16,500 at the auctions for a nice TL, that's for sure ...

Good luck..and let me know ....

Terry.

im_brentwood · December 2001

$16,500 for a 3.2TL?

You sure its not a 98?

Yeah, Im with Terry. Color combo is great, and even with high miles, that car is worth well more than $16500. I'm temted to be closer to $18,500-19K.. but even so..

Theyre WAY off.

Bill

im_brentwood · December 2001

Yeahup.

A solid $1,000 whack.

Seems like even more on a Camry.

Problem is tho.. even at that price theyre tough to sell.

Bill

thel · December 2001

stickguy · December 2001

Fot the die hard stick drivers, the supply/demand curve isn't always in our favor. Some cars in stick are so hard to find, buyers don't have much of a choice, and some sellers know it.

lancerfixer · December 2001

I waited nearly a full year to find exactly what I wanted- A well-maintained, non-turbo Volvo 740 with a manual transmission. I almost caved a couple times when I found some really nice automatic 740s, and a couple other times by manual-equipped non-Volvos (most notably a Saab 9000) but in the end I'm glad I waited. I found a car that might as well have been sitting in storage for the past several years, so good was its condition.

I am a diehard stick buyer. I simply will not, at this time, consider a car with an automatic (even with a young daughter in the back seat.)

markjenn · December 2001

Hi Bill, enjoy this forum a great deal.

I'm about to trade-in a 98 GS300 for a 2002 M3 in the Seattle area. The car is silver/black with the common options (everything except nak and nav), one-owner, dealer-maintained, low 23K miles, no dings, about as nice as they come. I'm anticpating an offer around $20K. I feel like privately it should get around $25K, and with the sales tax hit, an offer from the dealer of $23K would be about a wash. What do you think?

If I am forced to sell privately, what would be your strategy? Local paper, Ebay, Autotrader, all of the above?

Thanks,

- Mark

rroyce10 · December 2001

.... I will fill in for a moment, til' Bill get's back from the rest room ...

Great color and No miles .. that's a treat, if it's nice as you are telling us .. it's gotta be worth at least in the "high" $22's ...

What do you think Bill ...?

Terry.

im_brentwood · December 2001

If its clean.. No paintwork, no french fries between the seats (lol)... ashtrays and lighters look like they came right from the Lexus parts dept..

I think youre both light here.

Silver/Black... No miles.. Mint?

Ya want $20K as a trade-in? I'll give ya $22K ;-)

Seriously, I think that car is easily worth $23,500 blindfolded. I could see $24K on it easily also.

eBay for a 22K mile car? Nah. eBay is where ya put the Green 80K miler you pick up for $16,000 or so and ya get $18K for it there.

Put that car in the paper for $26,900/bo. Write it like this:

1998 GS300 Silver/Black Leather. Moonroof, CD only 23K miles, original owner, as clean as they get. No excuses here. Ordered new car,must sell! Only $26,900

See what happens.

From what I know.. youre gonna be at full pop on an M3.. so shop the trade. Youre prolly gonna be ordering the M3 too so you have some time to sell it on your own.

Good Luck!

Bill

im_brentwood · December 2001

sdt..

Sheesh.

TMU Kills that car..

See if there's a way they can maybe reprogram your speedo head unit for the right miles?

I dunno what your recourse might be. My guess is against Toyota,INC.

That sucks tho

Bill

uclakav · December 2001

the milkshake comment was my dad being facetious.

but it's true that i should probably actually learn to drive a stick. the comment made by robr2 is funny cuz i've been in that exact situation. My roommate is tanked and i have to get us home (no, not nearly as intoxicated). i don't know how, but i was able to get that piece of crap jetta home so in a pinch, can get by, but commuting to work...nah.

sobers · December 2001

My frined is almost into the final talks to buy this car...the car is in immaculate condition superclan with only 9500 miles color black (gray interior) & original in-service date is August 2000. i.e. 2 years of warranty left !

Bill/Terry please get back on this one

im_brentwood · December 2001

Geez,

You buy a Honda store yet?

Wholesale is about $17,500 or so.. so what can ya get it for?

Bill

rroyce10 · December 2001

....... I forget where you are from ...

But, If you are up above the Mason/Dixon line, that black, 9500 mile, EX V6 is worth a little more than $17,500, Bill goes .. NaNa every once in a while...l.o.l.

I will bet the dealer has at least $18/$18,500 in it ....

But the question is, what's he want ...?

Terry.

cupholder1 · December 2001

You can tell who the automatic drivers are at the stoplight. The bozos just keep creeping foward like they want to run the redlight at 3mph. What knuckleheads. Clueless and totally out of control.

im_brentwood · December 2001

You missed the GS300 tho =P

lolol

Yeah.. I got that "Black Cars suck" mindset down here...

Bill

strausy · December 2001

Hi,

Could you give me an idea on the trade in value or private party sale for this truck. I'm located in Southern PA.

98 Toyota Tacoma V6 4x4 SR5
Automatic
Extended cab with TRD Offroad PKG
55,000 miles
Green
All power options with ABS
New tires
Alloy wheels
Has a couple of small dings and a some surface scratches

Thanks,
Tony
tjstrausy@yahoo.com

sobers · December 2001

Asking price for 2000 EX V6 is 19500 & it is pretty much non-negotiable !! With 9,000 miles it is as goodas new & it is from a private seller & not the dealer......

My friend is pretty much psyched for the car !!

salsarev · December 2001

Any idea as to what my truck is worth? Bought new 9/4/01...has 6200 miles; SLE pkg; bed liner; heavy duty suspension;privacy glass; white with graphite cloth interior; perfect condition. I live in north Louisiana.

im_brentwood · December 2001

I'll defer the trucks to Terry (I have no idea about pickups or their worth.. About all I know about em is when I need one I rent one from U-Haul).

Sobers, $19,500 for the Honda? Buy it.

Bill

seahawks · December 2001

Does anyone know what Galves has listed for '97-'01 Porsche Boxster with avg. miles, Good condition, and other standard equipment?

Thanks,
Dave

Real-World Trade-In Values

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles