Tips and Tricks for reconditioning your car for trade in?

[86'd]

Originally Posted by #87

How did your AC go out? Mine went out because the line rubbed against the radiator and got a hole AND the condesor got holes in it.

My compressor went out. I used it a lot and now it sounds like marbles in a can. Luckily the pulley still spins. It's been out for over 2 years, lol.

Originally Posted by blur

How much are you expecting to get out of that civic?

I don't know. Around my area they go from (private sellers) 6k-9k (dealers) and I think I'd be lucky to get around 5k. With A/C I think I could sell it for 6-7k. But that's going to cost me at least $700.

I probably wouldn't sell until this time next year so I'd guess 3-4k around that time. Again with A/C 5-6k.

Obviously I'd post it for a bit higher when I do sell and hope for the best but I don't know.

Heck I might just keep it for another couple of years and run it to the ground.

Decisions.

[switchlanez]

In my experience you'll make more on a private sale than trade in. I've sold some of my cars for the same price or for more than what I bought for them this way and they were generally 2-3k more than quoted trade-in value at Toyota dealerships. I hear Carmax will take your accident and issue free car for 1k more than dealerships but 1k less than private party value.

Also, detailing goes a lot longer way for a private sale. For a trade in it makes minimal difference; dealers evaluate the true condition of the car beyond any dirt on the inside/outside. First and foremost, properly address any mechanical issues that can be fixed within financially feasible means.

[2nd86]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

In my experience you'll make more on a private sale than trade in. I've sold some of my cars for the same price or for more than what I bought for them this way and they were generally 2-3k more than quoted trade-in value at Toyota dealerships. I hear Carmax will take your accident and issue free car for 1k more than dealerships but 1k less than private party value.

Also, detailing goes a lot longer way for a private sale. For a trade in it makes minimal difference; dealers evaluate the true condition of the car beyond any dirt on the inside/outside. First and foremost, properly address any mechanical issues that can be fixed within financially feasible means.

I sold my car at Carmax. They use a different process than the dealer, so their estimate might be higher or lower. For me, the price was higher than the dealer and higher than KBB trade-in, but lower than private party value. I didn't want the hassle of selling it myself, so it worked out.

[2nd86]

Lowest effort: I took mine to a carwash that does interior and exterior for about $25. I did it two weeks before and again the day before having someone look at it. My interior was pretty dirty.