Hey everyone,

I am really excited to trade in my current car for a new TC. However, I went to two dealers today and ended up depressed.

Here's the deal... I have a 2004 Corolla LE I bought one year ago new. I paid around 19k for it.

So anyway, the trade in value based on Kelly Blue Book is quoted at $14,175 (kbb.com). So I went to Michael's Scion in Bellevue, WA today and they quoted me at $13,200 trade in value. Gah! Then I went down to Kirkland Scion and they quoted it at $12,000 trade in value! I'm using the exact same assessment of condition they put on the sheet as for what I put into KBB.

So what's the deal? Why would their trade-in value be $1000+ below what KBB states? Is this normal? Are they trying to get the best of me?

Any help/input is appreciated.

Bl@ster

 

you never get what the internet says your car is worth on trade. thats basically a guide. go with the higher of the two appraisals and try to work them for a few hundred more.... though on a tC i'm sure they'll have the if you don't buy it someone else will attitude. if you can hold off till the cars are more plentiful they may be more helpful with the trade in.... remember, toyota's saying this is supposed to be the high volume unit for the scion line.... the next civic they say.... everybody's gonna have one.... if everybody's gonna have one.... why do i want to be like everybody else?

 

What are the miles on your vehicle? One of my sales people just sold his Matrix on his own and made money. If took just 3 days! He now has a tC. He knew the dealership would give him wholesale only. I reccommend you do the same. Search autotrader.com for your vehicle in your area to see what your vehicle retails for and sell it alittle lower. Any questions let me know.

 

Sell the car to a private party. It might take you a little longer to get rid of, but it's worth it. You'll always lose money in a trade-in.

 

With that new of a car, I doubt you would have a problem selling on your own. Good luck on selling and then getting a tC.

Kevin

 

What kind of options did you get to make the Corolla $19,000? I bought a 2003 Civic EX coupe last year fully loaded with a automatic and it was only $16,000. At the same time I was looking at the automatic Corolla LE and it was less than my Civic EX.

 

how many miles have you put on it?

 

Thats seems good.

I'm trading in a 99 mountaineer. KBB says its worth $9300 on trade in, dealer offered $8000 and I'm very happy with that.

 

try carmax they always give you more then dealers...its worth the drive

 

yes, Carmax is way better than the dealership
They will give you quote from the KBB

 

It has 5600 miles. Quite low!

 

Carmax is pretty much out of the question for me. The nearest one is in California and I live in Washington. It sounds pretty cool though.

It sounds like selling the car myself is the best option. If i sell it for a couple hundred less than most like it are selling for I'll come out $1000 bucks ahead of the tradein (this factors in taxes I'd save on the tradein).

 

sell it yourself auto trader is a good bet......good luck