Do clean cars really matter?

[showtime]

When you trade your car in do you actually get what it's worth? I was pretty much insulted today at what I was being given. My truck looks better than new and needs no mechanical work at all. All books list it around $15k. They told me $13k. That's what it lists for in poor shape! Are there dealers out there that actually give what your car is worth? I have no problem paying full asking price for a mint condition car but I want full price for my mint truck, it's only fair. The car I was buying needed $1500 in cosmetic work, plus tires and brakes.

[Mike Phillips]

I've only purchased one new vehicle in my entire life as I prefer old Detroit iron instead of newer cars so I'll let some of our other forum members answer this question.

[Don]

Even back before I really *knew* what I was doing, I had a 1988 Chevrolet Beretta GT (completely loaded). I was looking at buying a then new 1988 Camaro and was told $6,500 for trade in. I decided to hold off until the '89 model year and when the 89's came out the dealership again quoted $6,500 trade in. So in a year's time, my car didn't depreciate. The saleman told me it was because I kept such good care of the car.

Maybe I just got a more ethical dealership??

[Don]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
I prefer old Detroit iron instead of newer cars

So do I in many cases, but with gas creeping ever closer to $3/gallon and a 100 mile 'round trip to work, the newer 4 cyl econo-cars are all I can afford

[Superior Shine]

How can a dealer make any money with a $15,000 truck if he paid $15,000 for it?

I believe $13,000 is more than fair. Out of the petty $2000 difference he has to pay DMV fees, taxes, inspections, smog, employees to clean it , wash it, handle paper work, salesmen, rent for the lot, ads in the paper, etc.....

[showtime]

Don, everybody at this place gets "rough" trade in value. Which means if a dairy farmer had the exact same truck and used it in the fields, traded it with 6 in of cow s#^& inside, scratches, dents, etc., he got the same trade amount in I got.

Mike, I like old cars too but I have no place to put them right now. I've got one older Mustang in my one car garage. Next spring I'm building a house with big garage on it. I'd rather drive a cheap daily driver and have a garage full of nice old cars than waste my money on a new car.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by showtime
Mike, I like old cars too but I have no place to put them right now. I've got one older Mustang in my one car garage. Next spring I'm building a house with big garage on it. I'd rather drive a cheap daily driver and have a garage full of nice old cars than waste my money on a new car.

Sounds like a good plan.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Don
So do I in many cases, but with gas creeping ever closer to $3/gallon and a 100 mile 'round trip to work, the newer 4 cyl econo-cars are all I can afford

I hear you on the price of gas...

Most all of my cars either had big block Chevy's, and a few had small blocks, so when our Pilot gets around 20 miles a gallon I pert near ready to do cartwheels in the front lawn!

[Murr1525]

Well, car dealerships tend to use the Kelly Black Book to quote trade in values, not the Kelly Blue book. So they are already starting at a lower price than you expect.

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
I hear you on the price of gas...

Most all of my cars either had big block Chevy's, and a few had small blocks, so when our Pilot gets around 20 miles a gallon I pert near ready to do cartwheels in the front lawn!

I was looking through the April issue of Consumer Reports last night, and they gave excellent marks for the Honda Pilot.

CR's subscribers send in a questionaire every year, and they inform CR about their experiences with their cars.

For the most part, people have had little trouble with the Pilot.

Looks like you made a good choice Mike.

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by Superior Shine
How can a dealer make any money with a $15,000 truck if he paid $15,000 for it?

I believe $13,000 is more than fair. Out of the petty $2000 difference he has to pay DMV fees, taxes, inspections, smog, employees to clean it , wash it, handle paper work, salesmen, rent for the lot, ads in the paper, etc.....

I agree.

A dealer is not going to pay retail for a car.

[Teak]

I think you should sell the vehicle yourself or find a dealer willing to offer you more on the trade-in.

Eric

[Don]

Originally posted by showtime
Don, everybody at this place gets "rough" trade in value. Which means if a dairy farmer had the exact same truck and used it in the fields, traded it with 6 in of cow s#^& inside, scratches, dents, etc., he got the same trade amount in I got.

My point was that my car retained it's value because I had kept it so well-maintained (the dealer's words). I seriously doubt the 'farmer's truck' in your scenario would get the same trade in as your pristine example. Did you even try to debate the point about poor condition VS excellent condition?

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Trade in quotes are just that. It depends if the dealer is using a wholesale to wholesale pricing or retail to retail. All that matters is the money "difference" in the price regardless of what system is used. If retail to retail is used, the value of the trade-in vehicle will be much higher on paper, and so is the value of the new vehicle. If wholesale is used, the value of the trade-in will be less but so will be the new vehicle. Either way, you are paying taxes etc on the money "difference", and in each case, should be quite similar.

Dealers do have room to move which is why they use the cleanliness of the car as a way to raise or lower the price. Many dealers do not even look at a vehicle as they will quote the book price based on the year and mileage as well as auto, air, tilt, crusie, etc.... Then they will look at the condition of the vehicle to bump the price up or down accordingly as you are getting closer to making the "deal".

But, I have found that if your vehicle is really clean, they will usually give you a far better trade in allowance as the salesman knows he can turn it over much faster. If a used car sits on the lot too long, interest is being paid etc and the dealer is not happy. So again, clean used vehicles appeal to the public and are easier to sell. Therefore, if a dealer offers a low price, try and use the cleanliness aspect to drive up the price of your trade.

I would go to other dealers and price the same vehicle and see what the trade-in difference is. Regardless of what they value your trade-in on paper, all that matters is getting the least trade-in difference. But again, you need to price the same vehicle at each dealer. Also, get them to write down their price on a business card. This gives you leverage at the other dealers.

Buying new cars/trucks is very stressful to say the least. But if you take your time, do a little foot work, things will work out just fine!

Tim

[Blr123]

Originally posted by Don
but with gas creeping ever closer to $3/gallon

$3/gallon................it's closer to $8/gallon in the UK.................fancy a swap

On topic, was that the salesman's first pitch? I usually find £500 to £800 in there somewhere and never accept their opening offer.

£500 = over $900 and £800 = $1500 approx.

Bryan