Trading in my 2002 Discovery SD, located in Los Angeles, any help is greatly appreciated.

The GOOD: Only 65,000 miles; Clean Carfax; Engine runs perfect; no leaks. Also, new tires and brake pads.

The BAD: Front bumper cover damage (not thru accident, but will need to be replaced); 3 Amigos; Brakes work, but getting a little stiff; Right rear window is a bit wonky; two tears in front drivers seat; headliner starting to drop; and I had to get new keys made (still have the Door Fob with lock/unlock; but the actual key blade is not in it); one very minor door ding; paint fading on roof.

What should I expect from a dealer? Is there a minimum price these vehicles sell for at auto auctions for wholesalers?

Once again, thanks for any help in advance.

 

The intrinsic problem with trade ins is you can't have your cake and eat it. You can never get a discount on the new vehicle and top dollar for your truck, the economics for the dealer doesn't stack up. It's often better to sell your truck privately and then you are in a better position with cash to negotiate a discount on your new purchase. A dealer will be trading your truck out via an auction or runner for the most basic lowest price to cover his costs and that's what he'll pay you for it.

 

I second this. My father was a car salesman (and sales manager later), and I can assure you that you will be much better off if you can sell to a private party and put that money down on your new one. If this is your only car, that might put you in a tight spot.

I talked to a dealer about trading in my 2001 Silverado and they offered me $2100, because thats what they were going for at auction. I laughed in his face because it was worth $5-6k minimum to a private party (at that time, this was a few years ago), just because it was a V8, 4x4, Extended cab, pickup with a tow hitch.

Even if you only get $500-1000 more from a private party, you still come about ahead, because they can't play the "how much do you want your payment to be?" game. I hate that question. It's asinine. Just give me your best deal. I always say "Zero... A silly answer for a silly question."

 

Sell it yourself. Since you're here in SoCal, you should get a decent price for it. I got 3K for my '95 4Runner with 180,000 miles on it and the left rear dented all up.

I see a few on Craigslist with twice the miles and one with the ABS light on for around $3-4K

 

Thank you all for the advice. I guess I will try to sell it. I just didn't think it would be worth much considering the issues and figured the trade-in price would be pretty close to a private sale.

OC Mike: If I wanted to price it to move here in SoCal, do you think 3K is reasonable? And when I do sell it, is there paperwork I should draw up for the purchaser buying the car "as is"?

 

It doesn't matter where in the world you are always give and get the purchaser to sign a receipt with all of yours theirs and the car details on it and stating purchased 'as is' or whatever the local clause is in the US. If you take a cheque never part with the truck until it's cleared into your bank or alternatively take cash. Private sales of used cars are the biggest proportion of scams in the world.

 

If you want a quick sale then the lower the better. I don't see headgaskets under the BAD section so all of that other stuff is normal for a used Disco. I would price the truck at $5K so you have so room to drop the price. Everyone likes to think they are getting a deal so if price it a little higher than you really want for it (say $5K), you can work your way down toward your target goal (around $4,400) and see what they'll bite on. It's kind of like fishing.

I think $5K is a very good price for a D2 with that low of miles. In your ad title be sure to use the phrase "Low, Low Miles" or "lowest mile D2 on Craigslist" to focus the attention on the low miles of the truck and away from all of the little things wrong.

 

kbb excellent condition is 3900, good 3600. I don't know how much they go for in your area, research. Get estimate for all problems your car has and deduct from book value or your estimated value, based on craigslist/ebay etc.
my guess:
Headliner 150-200
bumper 700
brakes 200
window 300
driver seat repair 300
door "ding" 500
3600-2200=1400
You can post it high and then slowly lower price.
I

 

Tree fiddy.

 

^x2.....