Quote:
Originally Posted by Tcoat
I overheard the two salesmen talking about my 4 year old 250K Lancer when I traded it in. The term "rode hard" was mentioned more than once.
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In 2001 I traded in a 1989 Chevy Astro for a 2000 Chevy Astro that was an off-lease with a few thousand miles on it, still under warranty, they were selling for almost 60% of the price of a new one. (right after 9/11 and they couldn't move anything).
The '89 had 250,000+ miles on it, the interior headliner was doing the "Sheik tent" bellowing thing, and the transmission had just started slipping in 2nd gear, and it needed tires. The full tank of gas it had probably doubled the value of the car.
The service manager did a good job of faking doing an evaluation of it out the window of the salesman's office. He came in and said, "Yea, I think we can give you $2,500 for it".
I told him, "OK, if it makes you feel better I'll believe you are giving me $2,000 over what it is worth for it". He looked at me with shock and then just cracked up laughing. He said, "OK, you got me, but we're still giving you the $2,500 to make the deal".
I'm pretty sure it went directly from the front of the dealership to the crusher, or maybe a demolition derby.