Trading Manual GTS for Auto
 

So...i'm planning to trade in my manual for an auto at the dealers. I got a call saying I could just pay couple of thousand for the gearbox.

But the thing is, my car(white) has been driven a little over 10,000KM and it has a few dings around the car including lightly scraped rims on the left side.. while they have a good condition (In black) one with 17,000km.

I'm expecting to pay more than couple thousand but how can I reduce it by speaking to them ? Should I point on the damage and explain before he points it out ? Any tips ?

I'm hoping to pay a little over 5K all together. Is that crazy talk? This is my first time trading in a car for the same car but with different gearbox, colour and condition.

Don't point out damage let them find it. They could care less about explanations. Just be prepared (sounds like you are) to lose money since it will cost you.

I'm sure they aren't going to point out any defects in the car they are selling you. Why would you help them out? Any time you trade a car into a dealer,
they are always getting the better end of the deal, always. Just realize they will take your car in and resell it for thousands more than they gave you for trading it in so keep that in mind.
Look at the auto being about a grand more you are paying for but then 7000km more mileage which detracts some of that. Not much though as that's only about a third of a year in average driving extra.
If your car was exactly the same as the other car and had the same exact mileage, they still would be making out in the deal. You probably know it's better to sell yourself but obviously
you must be in a position that trading it is faster maybe?

Probably owes money on it.

I'm in a similar boat, given my situation has changed (work gave me a truck that I daily, the FRS has become a toy that I drive 4 days per month, for maybe 200km, maybe a little more depending on if I go up to the cottage or just stick around in town.) and the reasons for buying an auto (100km commute and approximately half of that is stop and go traffic, and I have a persisting injury that makes stop and go not fun in a manual) aren't relevant anymore. I'm waiting out until my car is about 75% paid off (next august hopefully) and then it'll be getting traded for a manual. Is it a burning desire for me? Nah, not really. Is it a want? Definitely. Can I justify it? Hell no. So, all in all, it won't happen.

At the end of the day, not having a third pedal doesn't bother me. There's tons of arguments for both sides and its beating a dead horse.

To OP, I'd put some serious thought into whether or not it's worth it. Realistically, I'll get this car paid off, sell it and buy something a bit more... grown up and practical

Why not just ask people on here if they want to trade for manual?

I'm sure there'd be a few who would be interested.

Bergen23, I recommend this when you start looking for that "adult" car:
http://motorlust.files.wordpress.com...sozoku-car.jpg:D

Is this a dig at me? Or did the joke go way over my head?

Just go with the flow ...

Yes, I see this option as a much simple and faster way. I'm just hoping theres not much loss on my end..

Dealers are there to make money so they can eat. They will not be charitable.

It's up to your needs
 

If the benefits out weigh the cost then by all means go for it. I catch hell for driving an automatic, but with the stop and go traffic in the UK it's entirely worth it. Plus it is still an incredible driving experience. As far as normal wear and tear, by all means make the dealer work for it.

Yes I agree, but I'll have to price it so low on private sell as well because there not many or any car with minor paint damages on car sales and they all have similar KM's.

But I'm still thinking....

I was hoping the title would've attracted potential traders to come and ask :)

Maybe the Australia sub would be a better place for that (if you haven't already)?