The trouble is that people 99% of the time have unrealistic expectations of the value of their car. Kelley Book is useful ONLY at Fair value, which reflects a wholesale number, and even then it is usually high. This shows the amount the dealer can sell your trade for at auction once they take it on trade. Over the past few years with the rediculous rebates on cars, and all of the 0% offers, cars depreciate much faster than they used to. The Mits Galant is the primary example, the 0 down, 0 interest, 0 payments for a year option they used a couple of years back meant that after 1 year, when you BEGAN to start paying for the car, you were negative approximately $10,000, on a car that retailed for 15-20k. Next time you are trading in a car, think about this: What would someone pay for your trade retail off of a dealers lot, and then factor in the reconditioning of the car, the work it may need, brakes, tires, tune-ups, etc. and then leave profit for the dealer in there. That should give a reasonable estimate, if you are a reasonable person.
If you are having trouble thinking of what a good retail number would be, think of what price would make your car worth buying used opposed to buying a new one. If you can get 0% on a new one, your trade is worth less. If theres a big rebate on a new one, you car is worth less.
Bottom line is, if you have the time and energy to sell your trade Privately, DO IT, you will get significantly more than a dealer can offer.

posted by 207.158.49...

• Little story about Saab City and Shaw Saab...., turrbo , Sun, 30 Jan 2005 09:24:47
  • Sue me, sue you, John J, Tue, 1 Feb 2005 05:03:59
    • Re: Sue me, sue you, Christopher 2006, Tue, 14 Mar 2006 13:04:13
  • Got the same letter from Gary Blake Saab, Doug in NH, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 19:24:44
  • Any other manufacturers use these tactics?, JamesD, Sun, 30 Jan 2005 14:18:55
    • KBB "Market Value" is a software program...., Mike Lynch , Mon, 31 Jan 2005 17:31:10
    • Re: Any other manufacturers use these tactics?, Saaaaaaab, Sun, 30 Jan 2005 15:47:21 <-- Viewing This Message
      • Good point, KBB trade in at "fair" condition...., Mike Lynch , Mon, 31 Jan 2005 17:23:13
      • Reasonable?, fsik, Sun, 30 Jan 2005 17:48:14
      • Market value = how much could I sell the car for myself, JamesD, Sun, 30 Jan 2005 16:16:01
        • One thing you're forgetting, Elmotickler, Sun, 30 Jan 2005 22:20:52
          • I disagree...advertised price MAY be selling price, JamesD, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 14:48:46
          • I don't know why anyone is surprised by this..., Noel, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 06:46:46
            • Shame on you dealers...shame on you!, JamesD, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 14:55:43
              • Oh get off of it, it ain't just dealers..., Mike Lynch , Mon, 31 Jan 2005 17:36:29
                • Mike's right. I'm rarely one to defend a car dealer,, Noel, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 17:51:39
            • NO, Urby, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 07:19:29
              • Lots to be said, Saaaaaaab, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 13:39:31
                • You are a rare breed then..., Saab Hubby, Mon, 31 Jan 2005 16:25:13
                  • Re: You are a rare breed then..., Saaaaaaab, Wed, 2 Feb 2005 16:50:42

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