Maximus1000

I've been pondering trading in my Maxima lately (as always) and wanted to know if there was some sort of website or something that listed residual values used in leases for various cars after yearly increments. I'd like to know how much the Maxima is worth at certain periods so I can decided when to trade. Also, I'd like to see which of my possible future cars will be worth the most at the end of a certain period.

NYC2SD

Are you leasing your Max or are you financing it??

Maximus1000

Financing, but I just wanted to know the predicted residual value of certain cars.

TimW

iTrader: (6)

only what I was told. I heard the residual on Maxs is set alittle high to compete with Honda and Toyota on leases. Supposedly this is part of the resale problem and what got Nissan partly into so much debt, buying back cars with residuals higher than their actual value.

Plyfender

www.kbb.com (kelly blue book's website). The site is pretty straight forward, just type in the mileage of your car, and some other stuff, and it will tell you what a dealer would give you versus, what a private party might give you for the car.

Green 2kSE

Unfortunately kbb.com gives unrealistic numbers and raises people's expectations only to be cold showered at the dealer. You can go to the Smart Shopper forum at edmunds.com and post your car in the "Real life trade-in values" thread. You'll get feedback from car dealers that would be alot more accurate than kbb.

AE Majestic Blu

www.Edmunds.com is amazing they have everything search under new car they even have price for a year to own!

Maximus1000

I know about kbb.com, I was just looking for information on what a 2002 might be worth in say 2005. KBB wouldn't have that information, only what it is worth right now. It is funny the WIDE variations in appraisals I've gotten on my car. They've ranged from 15K to right at 20K. Ofcourse I'm sure it has something with the dealers just 'moving money around'. Well actually, when I called my salesman who sold me the Maxima about a 350Z, he said he'd sell the Z for MSRP and give me 3K less than what I paid for my Maxima...in other words, $21,000.00. Thats tempting but I dont know.

NYC2SD

You really can't estimate the long term residual of a 5th Gen at this point because the 6th Gen is coming next year . The best way You can compare the drop in value is to compare the value of a 98 Max (two model years b4 the next gen cam out) after 2000.

BuddyWh

The best way to do that is to look at a 1997/98 Maxima and see how much it depreciated to today's value in the KBB. Then apply that depreciation to your car's purchase price. It's still a guess, but an educated one at least.

It's impossible to predict how the car buying public will perceive your Maxima in 1995... it may become known as a freaky good car for long term reliability and the Maxima styling becomes a trend setter... so you your depreciation is less than you thought. But it could also work exactly opposite.

Also, if the economy turns around, by 2005 buyers may be back buying new cars, not used, so the used car market depresses in general and you can't get what you thought you would. Or exactly opposite and people are still buying used instead of new.

If only we had a crystal ball....
BuddyWh

BuddyWh

I don't think so... I've always gotten at LEAST average wholesale for my car at trade-in. In fact, just trotting out the KBB and letting them know I have the average wholesale number guarantees that with no discussion... once without the used car appraiser even driving it. Then it becomes a matter of my convinceing him he doesn't have to do much prep work so I can get a piece of the average retail (very hard, I can tell you that).

I think the problem is people simply look at average retail, fail to adjust for condition, miles and equipment, and assume they will get that price. Equipment makes a major difference: non-operating AC, manual tranny, mis-matched/worn tires and crappy after-market radios drop price like a rock and are almost always adjustments DOWN from the listed price.

BuddyWh

TimW

iTrader: (6)

EC, youre in the resale free fall right now. It will level off about 18-24 months. Its not really what will happen in 2 years, its whats happening right now. I guess you've already seen that at the dealer.

Playero

iTrader: (2)

my s h i t is $18,670 ? what the *&%#*@% is going on here!!! i have a 2k2 SE and i get this for it!!!!!!!!!! Thats crap!!!

Triple8Sol

iTrader: (29)

I've been on just about every automotive website, while preparing for my new car purchase. I'd have to say Edmunds.com has the most comprehensive info. of any I've seen yet.