I'm trying to trade my 97 C280 Sport in for a new 05 C230K, but the dealer is only giving me $7500.

My 1997 is in great condition, fully maintained, only one scratch on the paint. It has 71000 miles, Sport Package, CD Changer, Telescoping Wheel, and Sunroof. But, it needs new tires, the windshield has a small crack on it, and the rotors may need to be replaced.
Should I give into the dealer? And trade it in for $7500?

Thanks.

 

sounds about right.

 

Actually that sounds very generous.

 

"generous"? are you serious?

why is the trade-in value on kkb.com around $8-9K and on carsdirect around 11K? I realize that the dealer has to put in some money into it, but I think they should give me at least $500.
it's actually my first time trading in, so I really don't know.
thanks.

 

im surprised they are giving you so much. it should be closer to 5k. but alot of it depends on which kind of neighborhood you live in.

 

Here's what you do...

1. "Shop" your car. Got to used lots that will pay cash on the spot for your car, and find out what they'll give you. Now you have the wholesale value of the car.

2. Check comparables in your area. Search allt he classified ads and see what people are asking retail. Look for the lower end of the prices, and new ads will have high prices from dreamers. But, this will give you the range of retail prices.

3. Decide what you want to do. If you HAVE to have the money from your car before you buy a new(er) car, you might want to consider trading, as it is simple and saves a great deal of time.

Don't forget that the dealer will not give you retail for the car. They must pay as close to wholesale as possible in order to make money reselling the car. The trick will be to come up with as fair a price as possible.

I have only trader a car once, as I have always found it more lucrative to sell the car myself.

 

that's pretty generous. Dealers almost always never give KBB or Edmunds trade in values. That gives you a general idea then knock it down a grand or two.

We just tried trading in our '97 A6 Quattro, 78,000 miles, loaded. In good condition, no scratches, accidents, etc. They want to give us $4000! That's the cash value that someone would write a check for the car (they called two different places for appraisal )

Good Luck! You could always try selling it yourself and probably make a little more than what the dealer is offering

 

I was talking to a ex-car salesman and he said that a used car salesman can make more than a new car salesman (a lot depends on the types of cars they are selling) and low balling trade-ins is probably how they do it.

So, $7500 for you and they will sell your car for about $12,000, maybe more if it can be starmark'ed.

 

I got my 1995 C36 AMG with 88,000Miles on it in Amazing condition for $9900. Now that's a deal for an AMG and one I would never sell.

 

Where are you located? I'm looking for a C280.

 

you need to realize also that Edmunds and KBB are useless in the real world.

NADA runs the show. when you look online, the "average" value is the most realistic value for that car.

 

Well if the NADA values are the most "realistic," then they're still off by almost four grand now. NADA lists the average as $12k, almost $3-4k more than everyone else. http://www.nadaguides.com/uv/viewres...wPr=1&wPg=2032

 

My Bad.... They changed the website and had a different display layout. Personally I would go with putting the car up on AutoTrader.com and setting a reasonable price for it. Sounds like a nice car. If you are in a rush, trade her in, if not, try to sell her privately and go from there.