Trade In

[mvukovich]

Has anybody traded in a use car for their new Smart car? I was wondering if you get a fair trade in price for your used car. Thanks.....

[stevenvillatoro]

There is really no such thing as a fair trade-in price, unless someone has monkeyed with some other financing numbers. My smart dealer didn't even offer to take trade-ins. Later, I asked him about that, and he said, "If you have a trade-in, you can bring it here anytime. We'll offer you the same price whether you're trading your car in or just want to sell it outright, and it doesn't depend on your buying a car from us." He also added that he recommended selling a car outright, which always makes common sense to me.

[Fredvon4]

A lot will depend on your region, the car, and a whole lot of variables...

Yes it has been reported here that some new owners traded in used cars...

Smart Center car dealers will be no different from any other car dealer... and in this case a littel less generous because they are not competing to sell you the new car... what this means is they have zero incentive to give you a high end trade in value for your used car....

If you have a marketable car and are not upside down on the loan, if any... you probably will do better selling your self....

[rwcmick]

It's always gonna be better to sell yourself, but some people simply don't want the hassle. My uncle, for example, just doesn't want to deal w/ people coming over and driving the car, haggling on price and then futzing with how to pay for the car.

I've had pretty good luck selling cars on both craigslist and ebay. However, I had a Saab Viggen coupe that simply would not move. It was a great car and still had factory warranty left, but no bites. I made the rounds of dealers and their rock bottom offers, but then I stopped by a high end consignment lot and spoke to the owner. He made me what I considered to be a fair offer and cut me a check on the spot.

I'd at least look at kbb.com to get a very rough idea what the private party numbers look like and then also search your local craigslist. You can then shop the car at various dealers and see where they come in at. There's probably going to be a pretty big difference!

In the end, however, it's all what your comfortable in doing.

[mvukovich]

Thanks, I'll try that. Timing is going to be everything. I hate to be without a car while I am waiting for my Smart car.

[jwight]

Trade in may offer you a reduction on your sales tax; only way to know for sure is to figure the numbers both with and without the trade and see if you save any on the tax.