trading in at dealer

[318tifan]

just wondering if folks have experience trading in car at the dealership....
my specific question is...
would dealer take in a car that is worth more than the car trying to purchase?
i.e. let's say that my mr2 spyder is worth more than the ti i'm looking at, would the dealer take the trade in and write me a check for the difference?

darn it, if not for the fact that the mr2 has next to none cargo space... i really want to keep that car... especially when it gets 35+ to the gallon on regular gas, with mods! but the ti may be my compromise for fuel efficiency and fun to drive with cargo space... (at least enough for golf clubs, and hopefully somehow fitting snowboards... hehe)

[blndweasel]

Generally speaking, the dealer will do anything they can to present your car as overvalued, identify "upcoming maintenance needs" etc etc until the number he's got for "what it's worth" matches the value of the car you're looking at.

But then again maybe you're working with an upstanding dealer... which seem to be few and far between.

Your best bet is to sell the car privately, even if you have to take a hit off the street value... inevitably you'll make more than if you were to trade it in.

[elchicano]

Yea you will get more for a car if you sell it than if you trade it in.

[thesk8nmidget]

trade is far from fair!!

if you want you could post your car for a fair amount maybe a little low privately and it will sell quick and you will still get a lot more than any dealer will want to give

[teetime4one]

dude got $800.00 for my car...i could have sold it for $2,100.00 the next day.
that should be your guide.

[b.u.ti-ful]

Try a craigslist ad for the MR2 and see what happens.

The ad is free and craigslist is very effective.

[anthonyl]

You will take a huge loss by trading in a vehicle. Chances are they are going to want to make a car for car trade in your situation.

[naustin]

Yeah +1 on Craigslist.org Sell it yourself and then go buy the ti. I sold my '99 Passat on craigslist in Austin in less than 24 hours. Guy came with cash in hand too!

[PettitWC]

Originally Posted by elchicano318ti

Yea you will get more for a car if you sell it than if you trade it in.

true, i would never trade a car in. i don't even like to buy from dealers