They're out there to screw everyone.
Trade-in Value?
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2005
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Trade-in Value?
Went to my local dealer today to inquire about trading my 2004 S55 in on a used 06 CLS55. Get this - they offered me $68,000! I almost ______! My car is black/black, 17k miles, keyless go, phone, etc... and in excellent shape.
Is it me or does that number sound ridiculously low? KBB has it at approx. $76,500 trade-in. Any thoughts? And there offering me $2000 off sticker on a used CLS55 with 7300 miles on it - whoopie!
Is it me or does that number sound ridiculously low? KBB has it at approx. $76,500 trade-in. Any thoughts? And there offering me $2000 off sticker on a used CLS55 with 7300 miles on it - whoopie!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 269
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From: Wellington, FL
something fast
That is probably right, if you would like to check call a couple of dealers and ask if they want to buy your car outright see what number they offer you. You have to face the fact that your car is losing value fast, there is a new body style out now. Back in march I had a client who wanted to trade in a 04 s55 with every option and only 3k miles, he couldnt get an offer higher than 85k, we called several dealers. Don't trust kelly blue book they don't know their heads from their asses, they are always thousands off. I dont know why people always get bent out of shape on trade ins, you are asking the dealer to give you all the money your car is worth, what is he supposed to do with the car know? Sell it for how much, should he lose money on that? Remember they are in business to make money, you can't have your cake and eat it to. Your best bet is to have a realistic idea (call several dealers and get a qoute, not kbb) of what the car is worth when you go to visit the dealer and then you can determine if he is trying to screw you.
Last edited by ajf1; Feb 25, 2006 at 12:41 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 269
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From: Wellington, FL
something fast
Oh I didn't read the whole thing, the price on the cls 55 sucks, you can get a brand new car for $1000 off msrp, I know of a used silver/charcoal cls 55 with PARKTRONIC, LIGHTING PACKAGE, PREMIUM, TRUNK CLOSER, KEYLESS GO, 3M BRA, 360 MILES, TITLED, MSRP was $96,885, COST is $92,500.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Irvine, California
'10 MB E63, '08 ML550 ('05 E55, '05 SL55, '08 E63 GONE)
Originally Posted by ajf1
That is probably right, if you would like to check call a couple of dealers and ask if they want to buy your car outright see what number they offer you. You have to face the fact that your car is losing value fast, there is a new body style out now. Back in march I had a client who wanted to trade in a 04 s55 with every option and only 3k miles, he couldnt get an offer higher than 85k, we called several dealers. Don't trust kelly blue book they don't know their heads from their asses, they are always thousands off. I dont know why people always get bent out of shape on trade ins, you are asking the dealer to give you all the money your car is worth, what is he supposed to do with the car know? Sell it for how much, should he lose money on that? Remember they are in business to make money, you can't have your cake and eat it to. Your best bet is to have a realistic idea (call several dealers and get a qoute, not kbb) of what the car is worth when you go to visit the dealer and then you can determine if he is trying to screw you.
~ Ian
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Kenilworth, il usa
GT63S ePerformance 4dr, '25 Bentayga Black Ed.(wife), Wrangler and 250 MLB(kids)
Well,asking prices for '03 S600 with similar miles as yours are in the 60s.
$68k in trade is not bad,realistically,still hurts though....
$68k in trade is not bad,realistically,still hurts though....
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 845
Likes: 2
From: NEW YORK
cls63 ACURA NSX ESC-o-LADE
I went through the same shock a while ago when I wanted to upgrade my 01 s55. I couldnt believe it.I decided to just keep my car.Low Miles excellent shape still fast.Frig them!!
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 277
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From: SE FL
2007 S600
Why are you going from a S55 to a CLS? Personally I don't like the CLS.
To make you feel better my 2002 S55 was only worth half of what I paid for it when I traded it in 6 months ago.
They did give me a pretty good deal on my new one.
To make you feel better my 2002 S55 was only worth half of what I paid for it when I traded it in 6 months ago.
They did give me a pretty good deal on my new one.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 386
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From: Jupiter, Florida
2005 E55, 2004 E55(sold), 2001 Viper GTS, 2006 Viper VOI9, 1994 ZR-1 Corvette 2009 Viper ACR,
$70.5k is wholesale for that car. Figure a couple thousand to re-condition the car,service,detail,etc (thats assuming tires/brakes are in 70% or better condition, which they probably are not)... $68k isnt that far off... It hurts I know, been there, dont that many times..
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 464
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From: long island , ny
2016 G63 ; 981 boxster GTS
i dont think thats too far off
isnt that about 50-55% off msrp? not too bad for 3yr old car.
and its gonna get worse with w221 out now.
i've been sniffing at a few 2003+ s500's and think they can come down more soon also.
either way, good luck.
and its gonna get worse with w221 out now.
i've been sniffing at a few 2003+ s500's and think they can come down more soon also.
either way, good luck.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
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If you want to sell a used car, get a baseline quote from Carmax. IMO they are pretty fair in assessing the wholesale value.
or
Check on ebay. Search for your model/year. Take the buy-it-now prices from other dealers and minus 10-15%. That's approximately how much they bought it for.
Used car dealers (typically) are trying to profit from your ignorance and/or laziness to find the best value for your trade-in.
You can try a private party sale, but from my experience, a car that's not "hot" plus anything that's considered expensive is hard to sell private party. I've been through it many times and each time, it's a huge pain in the ***. People will buy a $2,000 piece of crap, no questions asked, but when it comes to an expensive car, they have unreasonable expectations.
KBB is complete trash. I wonder why they still exist.
or
Check on ebay. Search for your model/year. Take the buy-it-now prices from other dealers and minus 10-15%. That's approximately how much they bought it for.
Used car dealers (typically) are trying to profit from your ignorance and/or laziness to find the best value for your trade-in.
You can try a private party sale, but from my experience, a car that's not "hot" plus anything that's considered expensive is hard to sell private party. I've been through it many times and each time, it's a huge pain in the ***. People will buy a $2,000 piece of crap, no questions asked, but when it comes to an expensive car, they have unreasonable expectations.
KBB is complete trash. I wonder why they still exist.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2005
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Traded In The S55
We'll I Did It. Traded The S55 In On A Used 06 Cls55. In Feb. The Mercedes Dealer Was Giving Me $68k. Two Months Later A Luxury Pre-owned Dealer Gave Me $70k. I Guess The Car Went Up In Value? (ha! Ha!) Just Shows That Benz Dealers Will Try To Get You Coming And Going! The S55 Was Great Car, But Time To Move On. Love The Cls55! Great Handling And The Exhaust Note Is Awesome! I Will Probably Buy Another S Class Amg. Probably The S63 Once It Is Out And You Can Pick Up A Used One At Some Type Of Discount.
