TechSuperstar

I didn't see one of these threads so I started a new one. Recently I've thought about trading in my 02' C230k coupe for a new C class sedan. I went to the dealer and looked around while their car guy looked over mine. My car has a little normal road rash on the front end but other than that its perfectly fine other than having a little high milage (100,000mi). Anyway, the MB dealers first offer was $5,000 for my trade in. I've looked on edmunds and kbb and the going trade in value says $9,000. Looking on Autobytel.com there are a couple in the area for sale but they have 60,000mi and are selling for around $16,000. I'm wondering if I should call the dealer and say give me $9,000 and it's a deal?

So for this thread anyone that has gotten an offer or has traded in a C class in the last 6-12 mo please post your #'s

MJ50

try to sell to private party instead of trading in at the stealer...

amdeutsch

You don't state what options it has or what condition it was rated at.

rtking

I was, at one point, looking at a used 2003 E500 and considered trading in my 2002 C230 Coupe. 75K Miles, COMAND, Sport Package, Brilliant Silver on Grey leather, Pano Roof, built-in phone, etc. The dealership offered me $7K on a car that Edmunds says should sell for $11K. IMO, $7K is too cheap to give up a reliable and fully functional car. So I kept the Coupe and will probably drive it until the wheels fall off.

Bob

rpayer

Last week...

2001 C320 42,xxx
Very good condition

All options except Nav and bi-xenon.

MB deslership: $9,000
Acura dealership: &9,000

If they are offering you $9k I would take it. It's amazing how little these cars are worth.

dnegri

I hate to say but your trade in value is based on what the vehicles are averaging at auction, current incentives on new cars etc. Edmunds, NADA and KBB are only guides hence the reason why they state on the disclaimer "this is only a guide..... true value is based on current market conditions." The only book that is accurate is the "Black Book" which the dealer can only get. And if you can get your hands on one expect to get average trade in or less.

Carz

This is the guide dealers in my area use to determine trade in value:

http://www.galves.com/

dnegri

Almost forgot....it doesn't matter if one dealer gives you 5K and the other gives you 9k your car is still worth X. Its all a numbers game! One may have the ability to show you more by putting your discount in your trade or right off the top of their vehicle. Bottom line is if you ain't happy then sell it on your own. Who cares what the dealer can retail it for.

TechSuperstar

Thanks.. Keep it going. I think we all know about the numbers game and all the other secret things the dealers try. Let's get more numbers in here. If we can get a pool of values we know where to set a goal.

kevblah

I work for a dealer, so I'm going to speak from experience. When we evaluate cars for trade-in, we look at current NADA values and sometimes auction values for cars that have a very small market i.e. high mileage vehicles.

I don't know what options you have, but assuming it's base with auto trans, leather and power seats(no bose, no nav, no sunroof, no sport) the values for your car are as follows:

Clean Trade-In: $8,500
Loan: $7450
Clean Retail: $10,875

In today's competitive pre-owned market, cars retail somewhere between retail and trade, mostly closer to trade. Dealers will often settle for selling the car at trade-in value if the car has been on the lot for more than 90 days.

So, as you can see, the MB dealer's offer of $5k is somewhat conservative but if you're looking to buy an '07 C-Class Sedan (which the dealers are most likely giving away at near-invoice to make room for W204), they're relying on the trade to make money off the deal. Calling them up and saying I'll give you $9k is, IMO, out of the question. You're almost doubling what they offered you.

Expect no more than $6,500 for your trade. If a dealer offers you more, seriously evaluate the car that you are buying and what you're paying, because chances are...you're paying too much. Good luck.

TechSuperstar

Kevblah, mide does have the bose, sunroof, and a CD changer in the trunk. And your right about the 07's selling cheap (right now they offered to take $3k off which puts it under invoice).
So I wonder if asking $9k is out of the question if I propose to put an order in for an 08' (they just got their first one).

Buellwinkle

Around here they use KBB as a guide but the reality is, they go by Manheim auction prices and they know the differential between KBB and Manheim and drop it 2K or so for profit. Figure they take your car as-is to auction, make 2K, they are happy, they won't make that selling you an '07 at cost.

Also consider this, from a bank perspective (you'v heard it from a sales guy's perspective). Most banks will not floor (lend money to the dealer to hold the car in inventory) cars with over 60K miles or more than 5 years old. Dealers have to use their own money and they don't like doing that often, more fun to play with other people's money. So the people that buy at auction are usually lower end used car lots. This drives the price down dramatically on these type of cars. I've been telling people on this forum for years, dump your car at it's experiation date (the warranty period) because that's just before the value tanks and you can still get a decent buck for it. People think that if they keep the car another year or two it will save them money, NO, it costs you more. Look at the price guides (Nada, KBB, Edmund...) and see for yourself. An MB will drop more in dollars years 4-6 than 1-3 and the guy that had it the first 3 years had a warranty, new car smell and the latest features and safety items, the guy that had it the next three just has a used car.

dnegri

Rene
Black Book Value
Average= $10,800 - 3400 for miles = $7400
Fair= $8400 - 2700 for miles = $5700

You should be able to get somewhere between those two figures pending condition and wether or not its been smoked in

dnegri

BTW....Kevblah couldn't have said it any better.

"Expect no more than $6,500 for your trade. If a dealer offers you more, seriously evaluate the car that you are buying and what you're paying, because chances are...you're paying too much."

kc2007

Never ever, let me repeat, never ever trade in!! You are being ripped off. Yes dealer has to make profit, they ONLY pay you auction price. My 02 Passat was quoted at $5000 at Carmax!! Three weeks later I sold it for $10180!! You just need to be patient, list in paper is NO use. Cars.com and Auto.com sites are ok but you will face a ton of competitions. I listed in Cars.com for a couple of weeks, guess what no matter how low my price went it gets ZERO response. Believe it or not, the best site to advertise you car is Craiglist!!! IT's FREE! I got a response with in days after listing. Yes expect to get several thousands if not more if you trade in. That's it, simple. If you have some patience and smart about doing it, you pocket the thousands when you sell it. In private market you can reduce price to a "give away" pricing point, it will be sold at much higher than dealer trade in/auction pricing. Good luck

ramenbuoy

Keep it dude. Give it to your kids or something. Or see (if you can't keep it) donate it and get a tax write off? Just a thought.

RDD

This makes it sound like the only two good options are keeping a car for 3-4 years (where leasing is probably the best bet) or keeping the car forever. Nothing in between.

jan ken po

I've got an '05 C230 Sedan w/ 35k

19", tires with 20k on them
MB factory MP3 CD changer which wasn't avaible option this car
carbon front lip spoiler
rear deck spolier & tint
sunroof
60/40 rears


and the inifiniti dealer quoted me 22k. I'm sure I can get at least 26k for it.

JasonOne

where is this car? I'm looking at W203 cars right now. The main thing for me is to get one before it gets turned in so I dont pay 2K extra right off the top before the first auction. Then it goes to a used dealer and they get another 2K. It's not worth trading in a car that was purchesed new. I think there are three times as many used cars than new cars sold every year. It's a really big business. Just my two cents. I appreciate this board. I've been driving W124 cars for a while and after borrowing my friends W203 car I have seen the light. I've been looking at all years and all options and powerplants. Went and checked out the new 2008 car. It's got what it takes but the front end will have to get some acceptance.
This is a great thread for me. I thought I would get a 2002 sport C320 but now I think I might be able to swing a more recent model. Still the early version appeals to me.

Regards,
Jason

jan ken po

Which car, mine? Sorry man its in georgia.

onecoolloser

Kevblah..you're 17 and you work for a dealer? Waht do you do?

JasonOne

Jan Ken Po,
I meant the other car at the top of the thread I guess. Not sure why I even asked. Maybe I was comparing asking prices nationally or something. I've been looking at literally hundreds of W203s across the country.

TechSuperstar

I'm actually the original poster and I'm in MA. Thanks for the numbers dnegri!

accbenz

I'm in Mass too, and I've worked at 3 dealerships (2 w/ Benz), and they all use Galves for trade in values. Galves basically is the value that the car is bringing at auction, which is generally going to be a bit lower than KBB Average condition.

kc2007

Here's a simple answer, and is based on my experience.

Dealer will give you the "wholesale" rate, which means they won't pay you anymore than what they can get at wholesale. I went Carmax recently valued my trade for 02 Passat GLS, all the sites says it is worth $10K, they offered $5K firm! Was explained to me as wholesale. So wholesale is about half of your car's market value plus and minus few bucks. So in this case they offered you exactly what any dealer would offer.

My suggestion, put on Craiglist with GOOD pics, and a GOOD price, it will sell! Why trade>? Doesn't make sense unless you are looking for a fast sale but you will lose a TON of money. My 2 cents, a lot of peopel do trade.