Depreciating Like a Stone?

[BigWarpGuy]

Originally Posted by jose3030

Gas will go up again, mark my words.

I agree. This is just a temporary low. The 'greed' will kick in eventually and prices will go up again and the Fortwo will seem more of a Smart choice again.

[hissingsnake]

Originally Posted by markitect

I just had a dealer quote me $11,000 trade-in for my 8000 mile over year old smart passion.

Trade-in is different. The trade-in price reflects you buying another car from them that's jacked up extra to make up for the trade....they'll find some way(s) through financing, undercoating (that they tell you at the last minute), etc.

Carmaxx buys cars w/o the obligation of you having to buy anything from them, thus, they will give you less. Obviously, they are in business to make money. Plus they risk having to sit on it for a long time costing them money.

[sigpe57]

My local Porsche dealer is taking $25,000 off on either a 2008 Boxer or Cayman. That's $55,000-$25,000. It's like given a Brabus away with every Porsche purchase.

[VTC4198]

Originally Posted by sigpe57

My local Porsche dealer is taking $25,000 off on either a 2008 Boxer or Cayman. That's $55,000-$25,000. It's like given a Brabus away with every Porsche purchase.

Which dealer?

PM me if you don't want to post it

Thanks

[sherron]

My experience with Carmax is they will offer you a VERY. VERY LOW price. Sell it privately.

Several years ago I had a truck to sell. Carmax offered me about $6000. I sold it privately for $9000

[EdwardDennis]

I'd really recommend a Craigslist ad--particularly since you're not forced to get rid of it. I really don't see the logic in selling a car to CarMax (...or any dealer for that matter). Many folks wanting a nice, used Smart aren't typically wandering about a dealer's lot in hopes of running into one.

[a2jack]

Lots of beating around the bush here. If you are going to sell a car follow these simple steps.

1. Determine MARKET value by going on line and searching out the asking prices for local, private and dealer sales.

I use this one. Buy Cars Online, New & Used Car Search, Auto Classifieds

2. If you are not upside down in your car, basied on the above market prices, post a big price sign in the window, and also post on line.

Remember you will not ever get more than market price... and you will not get the same price that a dealer can command. Good luck. A2Jack

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by forestacademy

Ok Like I said, that price from CarMax is Wacked.
Search results at carmax.com
They have 8 smarts Nationwide ranging in price from $17,800 for a Cabrio to a pure for $13,998

Never assume the amount that CarMax (or any dealer of any brand, for that matter) is willing to pay for your car when you're selling has *any* relationship to the amount that CarMax will charge you for the same car when you're buying...

Car dealers don't turn a profit by giving the cars away.

[forestacademy]

Agreed. They should be making a profit, But offering $8750 when they are seeling them for twice that is a little insulting.

THing is, when I joined this forum back last summer everyone was telling us, "don't trade in at your dealer, you will get a better deal at Carmax" I don't see have the value as a deal.

[epbrown]

I think that price reflects the current market. I sold two BMWs to Carmax early last year and both times they came in pretty close to what I would have asked for them privately, and I avoided the hassle of dealing with looky-loos and other time-wasters. If I were going to sell a car, I'd at least see what they offered. Their price is only a bad offer if you can get more money as reliably and quickly, which is easier said than done, I'll bet.