For those who have traded...

[Seawolf]

For those of you who have ordered and received your car (or bought off the showroom floor), I was wondering if you traded in an older vehicle and how your dealer treated you on your trade.

The reason I ask is because that is the only real aspect of this whole process that scares the heck out of me. I'm not concerned with getting approved for a loan as I have really good credit and make good money (I'm not rich or anything, let's not get crazy ). Anyway, I will be trading in my truck (check below my avatar for details) when I get the car and worry that my dealer will really low-ball me on my trade value. I know that's typically what they do in general, but typically you can talk them up and "haggle". My fear is that my dealer will know I want this car real badly and not budge from a low trade figure. It would be real hard for me to walk away from a deal after waiting (I don't expect mine until September at earliest).

What puts me in an even worse situation is that my truck is my only vehicle, and I work 31 miles from home; so selling the truck before the deal isn't a possibility because there is no public transit that will take me that far where I live. Buying the car out-right and selling the truck later is a possibility, but I don't want to put myself in a tight spot if I can't get rid of the truck.

Anyway, I was just curious if any of you that have taken delivery and traded an older vehicle got a "fair" price for your trade, or did your dealer really stick it to you.

Edmunds appraises my truck at $14,579 for trade-in and $18,725 dealer value. By September, which is when I expect my car to come in, I should have my loan for the truck paid down to about $17,000. Anyone think I will have a hard time getting at least pay-off from my dealer? That's really all I ask. I'm not greedy...except when it comes to the Camaro...

[firstmate]

I have read that dealers don't use Blue Book, but use Black Book. You should be able to find a site that will allow you to view Black Book for your vehicle, this might give you a bit more clear picture. I also recall seeing something about they also always go with the "rough" value, which I believe is the lowest. Probably because they know peeps are going to haggle... Good luck!!!

[nards444]

dealers do whole sale price on cars not retail when they do trade in. You figure they want to make a profit off your car which to me i think they should give you what they think they can get for it and not what they can make a profit on it or that much anyways. But then again they would just be a half way point for cars, and they do probably have to make repairs on them. Its always easier to trade in, but you will always lose money. Your better off trying to sell by your self first. If that doesnt work then trade in.

[DDustiNN]

Yes, just do your research and know what to expect as your trade-in value. Realistically, you will probably get $1-2k less than that I'm guessing. But you should be able to get it close. Last time I did that, my car was worth around $6,000 on KBB. When the dealer appraised my car, they wanted to give me like $2,000 or something. I laughed and said no way, go back and run your numbers again. She went back to her manager multiple times, and each time it got a little higher. $5,000 was my goal, and I would not budge on that... it was the deal breaker for my car. I would even mess with her sometimes, haha... I randomly called her and whispered "FIVE THOUSAND" when she answered... then just hung up... she knew it was me of course, but it was amusing

Anyway, after a few days of haggling, I ended up with a check for $5,000 and the price I wanted on the car I made sure not to include the trade-in with the financing itself... I didn't want any "hidden" charges or anything. That was why I worked out the price with her first, and then went the route of the trade-in... then of course took the check for the trade-in amount, instead of rolling it in with the payments (especially because it's a lease).

Just know what you want, be realistic, and you should be fine.

[01pewterz28]

Expect $8-10k for your truck or less. I was looking at a 2SS/RS I had them apraise my 2006 Silverado 1500CCSB Vmax, 6.0L, 3LT, loaded w/ 35k on the clock in cherry condition. I was offered $13k the truck was $40k new.

Sean

[Lee9710]

My dealer flat out told me I would be better off trying to sell my 2007 Z71 Silverado lifted myself through Ebay or in the paper. He told me I would take a big hit on it since gas is going back up and the demand is not high for a truck in the summer. Luckily my Dad wanted a truck so he bought it from me.

[Iwantone2]

i would recommend that you sell your truck on your own if you can, but i do understand your situation...i'm in the same boat except my mom said that i can borrow her van until my Camaro comes in. my dealer told me the same as others, that it would be better for me to sell it on my own so that i can get the most $ out of it.

can anybody lend you a car to borrow for a while?

[diaboli]

i went in to check the numbers my dealer would push to see if the deal was even do-able for me.

the Blue-book on my Tahoe ranged from 14000 to 18000. he quoted me 14000.

he also quoted me the Credit Union price as i showed them the printout of where I was financing through and had registered for the special price 2k below MSRP.

so as it is, i might have gotten low balled on the trade, but got better than MSRP. as long as they stick to their word at delivery, no problem.

[LnLSS]

I'm in the same boat. I owe 16K on my Monte. Edmunds and KBB tells me 14.5k on trade the dealer said he could give me 11.5 for it and that they go by a current auction report for trades. I called a used car deal buddy of mine and he tells me the auction report states high 13s low 14s. They are really trying to lowball me. I've had my car listed on cars.com and autotrader for almost a week now and not one bite. I may just have to take the hit which really sucks.

[Crowley]

Originally Posted by Iwantone2

i would recommend that you sell your truck on your own if you can, but i do understand your situation...i'm in the same boat except my mom said that i can borrow her van until my Camaro comes in. my dealer told me the same as others, that it would be better for me to sell it on my own so that i can get the most $ out of it.

can anybody lend you a car to borrow for a while?

I was going to trade my 135i in and they were going to pretty much rape me ... I ended up selling to carfax. they offered 4k more than the dealer was going to for a trade ..

Crowley

[Vash]

Originally Posted by firstmate

I have read that dealers don't use Blue Book, but use Black Book. You should be able to find a site that will allow you to view Black Book for your vehicle, this might give you a bit more clear picture. I also recall seeing something about they also always go with the "rough" value, which I believe is the lowest. Probably because they know peeps are going to haggle... Good luck!!!

Art Bell is that you?

lol

No they have to use what the banks use. NADA and KBB.

But they use the trade in not the retail value.

Sell it yourself if you want the most.

[DDustiNN]

Use craigslist, that place is great to sell... just watch out for scammers.

[UCF w00t]

Originally Posted by LnLSS

I'm in the same boat. I owe 16K on my Monte. Edmunds and KBB tells me 14.5k on trade the dealer said he could give me 11.5 for it and that they go by a current auction report for trades. I called a used car deal buddy of mine and he tells me the auction report states high 13s low 14s. They are really trying to lowball me. I've had my car listed on cars.com and autotrader for almost a week now and not one bite. I may just have to take the hit which really sucks.

Wow... I guess that is what I have to look forward to (since I ordered from the same place). My plan is to put my truck on all the auction sites, autotrader, etc once my Camaro gets a VIN. If it doesn't sell before the car gets here, see what the dealer is gonna offer. When they low ball me, keep the two vehicles until the truck sells. I can afford to keep both for a lil while but definitely not forever. I have a friend that might want to buy my truck from me so that may be an easy way out. We'll see. I would rather lose my ass on it directly to another person than lose my ass on it to a dealership so they can make money on it.

[Bell040]

I looked up what the trade in price for my current car on Kelley's Blue Book. Then I offered that price to anyone that can wait to take possesion of the car when my car comes in...

It sold to a distant family member who already sent me a check. We both come out good in the deal.



btw, what do you want for that Tundra (or your GMC UCF).... I need a good truck since the Camaro can't haul anything.... and I can wait for your Camaro to come in.