Trade in value sucks

[Vigilante375]

So the wife wants a 2017 Highlander SE and we went to the dealership to check them out. We wanted to trade in my 135i to help bring down the price. Well, that didn't go so well.

Last time I looked, which was months and months ago, the trade in was in the high 20K range. I saw most were selling in the $23k range with the mileage and options I have at the moment.

Anyways, smurfing dealer said they'd give us $16k! He showed me the KBB and they listed it as "good" condition, which I'm very sure my car is in the very good category. There is nothing they have to do to my car except take off the protective clear bra and give it a good detail. No accidents or anything mechanically or physically wrong with the car.

I know dealers make their real money from upping the price on trade in's but seriously. We've bought 2 cars already from them and are (were) about to buy our 3rd. We just left. Sales guy said if this was Florida (or a state that gets lots of warm weather) the price would have been better.

Needless to say, depreciation sucks on these cars. I guarantee if we had traded the car in, they would have up'd the price to the mid $20k range.

[Cavpilot2k]

On a completely unrelated topic, but since you are talking about Highlander vs. 135i, I have my own Highlander vs. 135 story:

Two and a half years ago I was sitting stationary in traffic in my 135 and was rear-ended by a Highlander doing close to 40 mph.
There was damage to my 135, but nothing critical and nothing that affected driveability (no impingement into the wheel well, no axle damage, etc). The highlander's entire engine compartment was smashed and leaking multiple fluids. I drove home and the Highlander was totaled.
Tell your wife that in the interest of safety, you'd rather keep the 1er

[desertman123]

Depreciation on BMWs is depressing. Also tradeins suck too, you're (obviously) better off selling it yourself. But tradeins are also really convenient. Good on you for leaving, if he can do better he'll call, otherwise there's plenty of other Highlanders to go around.

I priced together my parents 5 series they just bought, it was like $65K new and now 2 years later (it's a 2014) it's at less than half that value.

[1and1]

As a general rule, don't ever trade-in unless you bring your own KY lube. Rather, be patient and sell it yourself, you will always come out several thousand ahead...

[swagon]

Sell wife, keep the 135i.

[Dthltm]

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

So the wife wants a 2017 Highlander SE and we went to the dealership to check them out. We wanted to trade in my 135i to help bring down the price. Well, that didn't go so well.

Last time I looked, which was months and months ago, the trade in was in the high 20K range. I saw most were selling in the $23k range with the mileage and options I have at the moment.

Anyways, smurfing dealer said they'd give us $16k! He showed me the KBB and they listed it as "good" condition, which I'm very sure my car is in the very good category. There is nothing they have to do to my car except take off the protective clear bra and give it a good detail. No accidents or anything mechanically or physically wrong with the car.

I know dealers make their real money from upping the price on trade in's but seriously. We've bought 2 cars already from them and are (were) about to buy our 3rd. We just left. Sales guy said if this was Florida (or a state that gets lots of warm weather) the price would have been better.

Needless to say, depreciation sucks on these cars. I guarantee if we had traded the car in, they would have up'd the price to the mid $20k range.

It is certainly an issue of preference but I would never ever buy a soft top convertible, and I think many other people out there think the same; which likely severely limits the target audience. From the lack of visual appeal, to lack of security, it is simply a deal killer...that is unless it is a 2nd or 3rd car...and then I would still find one that came as a hard top!

[VRG_135]

The reason I'm in a 135 is the depreciation! It was by far the best deal on a performance car I could find. I paid $20,035 for my 2012 135 with 52k miles on it.

[HyeWarrior]

Might be because of the open airbag recall. Try Carmax

[davis449]

When I went into BMW here for the Z4, the book trade-in value (excellent condition) on my 2012 135i M Sport was $23K and change. My car more than met the qualifications for excellent condition. I knew they could sell it down here in a heartbeat. They low balled me at $18K. They threw every excuse in the book at me (i.e. Which book are you looking at? Well, we look at the local market and auction prices, too..). I made it very clear what I would take for the car and that I didn't NEED what I test drove.

2 trips to his manager, and the car was taken on trade at $23K. Don't let these fools push you around. They're not being dicks, they're doing their job. You fall for it, that's on YOU.

2 weeks later, my buddy spotted my former car on the road. I am positive they made good money on it, still. Also, note that mine was under recall for airbag as well.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by 1and1

As a general rule, don't ever trade-in unless you bring your own KY lube. Rather, be patient and sell it yourself, you will always come out several thousand ahead...

This. I've sold cars before and more profit is made on selling the trade in. It's crazy how much they can rake in on selling trade ins.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by swagon

Sell wife, keep the 135i.

What if wife makes more money than you?

Sell children, and household pets, keep wife and 135i.

Problem solved.

PS - wives are good for other things too. Very important things.

[The Wind Breezes]

Trade in value ALWAYS sucks unless you have a secretly broken car and manage to defraud the dealer. That's how they make money.

[1and1]

Or, you know, put children to work...

tho I hear there may be some pesky law type things about that

[Dthltm]

Originally Posted by Esteban

PS - wives are good for other things too. Very important things.

Making sandwiches?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Dthltm

Making sandwiches?

Yeah, that's just the thing I was thinking about.

[tommyb13662]

Wait your women make samiches? Damn I got a raw deal :-/

Now On topic.... My second 135i had only 27k miles for a 2009 and was only $18k before tax tags etc. So much cheaper than the civic type R, subaru STI, GTI, Pretty much any car with comparable and worthy performance. Hell you cant even get a shit Kia Optima SX for that price! And a used buick regal RS was MORE than my car... Makes tuning and modding this beast Totally worth it!!!

[Cavpilot2k]

Originally Posted by Esteban

PS - wives are good for other things too. Very important things.

In my experience, it's girlfriends who are good for those "other" things.
Wives tend to be less so.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k

In my experience, it's girlfriends who are good for those "other" things.
Wives tend to be less so.

You need a new wife. Haha

[Cavpilot2k]

Originally Posted by Esteban

You need a new wife. Haha

Nah - had one (two actually). Reverted back to the girlfriend approach. Have had a great one these last 4 years, and she's even Bavarian (born and raised).
Those Bavarians know how to build some seriously beautiful products!

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k

Nah - had one (two actually). Reverted back to the girlfriend approach. Have had a great one these last 4 years, and she's even Bavarian (born and raised).
Those Bavarians know how to build some seriously beautiful products!

Touché.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Esteban

What if wife makes more money than you?

Sell children, and household pets, keep wife and 135i.

Problem solved.

PS - wives are good for other things too. Very important things.

[HyeWarrior]

I'm trying to sell my car now, that pic isn't helping