I've been toying with the option of getting a different car lately, but I'm not 100% sure of what a good trade in price would be on my Tc. KBB listed it as 16.7k, while it said that I could sell it private party for 18.7k (lol, doubtful). My Tc2 is completely stock:manual nautical blue metallic with only ~7500 miles. I assumed 16.5k would be a reasonable trade in price, but a dealer I talked to recently laughed that off and said 14k was what they would go (guy was a douche anyways). I'm considering selling it private party now since I've seen them go for almost 19k here used (albeit at dealerships), any opinions?
Worst case scenario I see here is, I don't like the price I could sell it for, and I cleaned my car thoroughly for nothing.

 

Why do you want to sell your TC2? If you are actually determined to sell it, then yea try to sell it private party. Just craigslist / autotrader it and I'm sure you can get 19 for it...dependant on the condition and your state's market

 

Dealer will kill u on that car. I could see 13-14k on trade in and they turn around sell it for 16-17. There's two dilemmas your facing. Toyota will be flooded with scions soon due to frs release and the market value could potentially drop on trade ins because everyone and their mother will be clinging to scion for the frs

 

It's hard to describe, but I'm just not incredibly happy with it. It's similar to my old car in some ways, good sound system (but I never listen to the engine), I don't really have the desire to rev it out, I'm getting sick of moonroof rattling. I really just want to see what's available out there, I've been looking at gen coupes, mustangs, etc. (RWD mainly) If the selling point isn't where I want it to be, I could definitely keep the Tc and be happy, a turbo would definitely be in the future though.

 

Thing is, they aren't turning around and selling it for 16-17, it's more like 18-19. I just can't get over some cocky sales manager laughing at me for wanting 16k on a trade in. I've seen Tc's (manual) with dealers asking 20k here with 12,000 miles, and it's not even uncommon..

 

When did you get the car? You won't break even on trade in until after paying on it maybe 2 to 3 years, all you've been paying currently mostly is interest. You'll have equity roll over to the new car, is this what you really want? A new tC can be had for whatever potential price you place your used one, before financing.

 

I got the car in October 2011. (And yes I am well aware of the fact that it is incredibly new) One thing I'm really wondering is when a good time to trade it in would be, considering I don't know when the depreciation really hits for these cars. I bought the car at a time when I didn't think I could afford anything with TTL over $20000, that is no longer true. I'm just not looking to lose $6000 on the trade.

 

If I was you, I would fix the moonroof rattle with some adhesive foam (can be bought at walmart) and then boost it and call it a day. Everyone with a boosted TC2 is just about the happiest guy in the world

 

The minute u left the lot your car depreciated (to a dealer) 20+%. The best time to sell a car is when used car sales are up. When I purchased my 2011 tc last may used car prices were insane. The recession had caused a surge in used car seals because no one was trading in/buying new.
They were selling USED 2009-2019 tcs for $17-$18k!!!! 2006 civic for $13k! They were $16k new 5 years ago.
In short, your screwed unless someone is willing to pay the same amount of $$ on a private sale as they could from a dealer, which offers warranties etc. I know it sucks but one way or another your gonns eat $$$$............that's not to mention if your upside down in your loan (u owe Toyota $20k and your car is worth $15k) you could probably add the difference to a new loan but that's extra $$$ tacked onto a new car loan.

 

Problem is, I can't boost until my warranty is up. (Parents won't allow it) And just so you guys aren't confused, the original way I was paying for my car was with a scholarship, and my dad gave me the money ($2250 a semester). I'm now working as well. So maybe if I have enough extra cash laying around, they'll let me boost, so many options to explore.

 

Yeah, my rough estimates, which are incredibly rough because the way the paperwork went over, I need to contact my dad to see how much down we put on it. I probably am out at least 3-4k in the loan itself, assuming I get 18k. Adding an even more expensive loan than the one I had on my Tc to that, and I'll easily be out of pocket around $6-8k.

 

you wont get much from a dealer. (except avoiding taxes). Also the car is too new in order for you to get a real appraisal. These are things you think of before you buy it. If you have a younger sibling, keep it in the family. Thats what im doing once the frs comes out.

 

I'm the youngest, but I know what you mean. I normally think of every little thing before I make a purchase, but my parents forced me into a high pressure situation where they decided to put a deposit on the car before I even said if I wanted it. It's hard to say "no" to the people who can make or break your new car fund :/.

 

haha what happened to ISf?

 

you have to take one step at a time. It would be stupid to own a car equivalent to my salary. lol. frs is pretty sweet too.

 

Read this thread and you might get some insight. I was in the same boat a couple weeks ago and decided to keep the car instead. Its a great base, and you just have to learn how to love it. You can make the tc into a great car, just look at all the build threads around.

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=211449

 

I feel your pain Jtk, i have been checking out the 2013 model cars for around 25K...Soo many with around 300 h.p. factory.

 

If you guys were looking to get tons of HP factory, then you picked the wrong car lol the TC is designed to be a sporty economy car. It's not a race car, but it has GREAT potential to customize and boost

 

Yeah I know, just wish the car was half as quick as it looks. I bought what I could afford at the time, now I can afford more. I just keep telling myself because you can, does not mean you should..

 

Do what I did and take advantage. I bought a cheaper car being able to afford more, and have been saving money. $4000k for a turbo kit is reasonable and will give u the power appeal your looking for.