I just checked KBB.com for the trade in value of a Maxima SE, loaded with Meridian, etc and 40,000 miles. My car is worth $9,800. I paid $17,800 less than a year ago. This is just insane.

 

Whoa! I just checked Edmunds and have better news.
Total Values:
Trade In: 13,126
Priv Party: 14, 942
Dealer Retail: 16,923

2000 Nissan Maxima SE
Color: Black
Mileage: 52,000
Condition: Outstanding
Zip: 10703

 

That really sucks. For what it's worth, the new Consumer Reports 2003 Buying Guide says a 2K max will retail for around $16,000. I realize the depreciation on 5th Gens. is supposedly a lot, but I wonder why the big difference?

The trick in selling would be to find someone who only reads CR!!

 

I must have screwed something up because I just tried it again and I came up with $12,800. Thank God. That scared the hell out of me.

 

after all the money u dumped into ur car recently...you gonna sell it now?

 

3 weeks ago, my 2k GLE (same price as SE) fully loaded, 36K, emaculate condition - was offered 16.8K on an Infiniti lot for a G35C with no markup.

Thats not bad at all.

 

I think my VIAS is broken and I don't want to pay $400 for a new one.

 

Maxmia depreication rate is why i always buy mine used at two years old. We bought our 2000 SE (all options) for 14,200 with 45K on it. Once a maxima is 2-3 years old it depriciates less drastically

 

So, presuming you didn't pay cash for your car, you're going to lose about the $5-6,000 you're probably upside down to save $400??? If you're like the rest of us (upside down), bide your time or take it bent over like a champ...

 

I've also got new car fever. But, sadly, you are right. I'm gonna stick it out

 

in which case they make it up a little in the selling price you have to be crazy to sell now. In case you haven't noticed we are in a recession and the used car market is in the dumper.

 

Who doesn't? One of the most insidious and resilient diseases out there!!

 

Even if you trade in, you still end up paying the difference, albeit spread out over the length of the new term of the loan (my wife has done this to me twice...). The dealer isn't going to lose either way and their finance guys are pretty creative...

 

Dealers use NADA values. No one pays attention to Edmunds or Kelly, but they're all pretty close though (usually within $500-1000).

You'll definately get more money selling outright, but there are some things you have to weigh. I prefer trading in because my trade-in lowers how much tax I pay (you only pay tax on the difference) and it's more worth it to me to loose $500 and trade my car at that moment instead of waiting on someone to get a loan and/or check to buy my car privately.

I've never had a problem buying my cars for a fair price with a good trade. I figure out the value of my car and figure out the value of the car I want to buy. Once that's determined, I figure out the max difference I'm willing pay and then I subtract $1000. I go to the dealership and say, "I want this car and I'm going to trade my car. I don't care how you run the numbers, but I will write you a check right now if the difference between the two cars is $X." Usually we'll haggle for 20 minutes or so, then we'll reach an agreement which is usually just below my maximum price. NEVER be in a hurry to buy a car. There are plenty of cars out there.


Dave

 

To add to Dave's advise, wait till the end of the month. Some sales guys will do almost anything to meet their quotas...

 

Does anyone have experience trading in for a used car? I'm thinking about trading the fully loaded 2k1 for a 2k2. Any advise?

 

For real...I had a guy just dying to get me into an IS300 for a pretty good price at the end of the month...just not enough power

 

I find when they BUY an used car, they use NADA. But when they SELL you an used car, they use KBB, Edmunds etc..
When I sold the wife's Accord(private party), I got just under KBB excellent value for it. But the mileage/condition justified it also.

 

Now that I think about it, when I bought my wife's 98 Legacy GT in late 2000, the Subaru dealer offered something like $4500 for our mint 97 Altima with 35K miles. I laughed and told them to show me where they were getting their numbers from. "Straight off the press", they showed me the KBB value for a "poor" condition 97 Altima. I told them the car was in excellent shape and after they looked it over, they agreed. They upped their offer to $6700 which was $100 over "excellent" at KBB. Too bad they didn't realize the NADA value was only $6400 They ended up going NADA value on the GT.


Dave

 

Stop b*tching, you bought a new car, so take a hit and shut up. Everybody thinks their used car is worth more than it is....

 

WTF?

 

Actually, I agree with this (to an extent). People lowball the Maxima and try to walk out the door with a new one for 22k, but then are completely (and mysteriously) amazed when the car's resale value sucks down the road.

That said, realize that the car is three years old. The 2003 model has been out for some time now. Would any of YOU pay what you're expecting for your (used) Maxima?

If you can, lease the car. If you want a new car every 3 years, ownership is not for you. You'll constantly be upside down.

Craig
2kGLE - Grey Lustre

 

Idiot: I bought the car USED less than a year ago. I paid the KBB trade in value at the time. Now, LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, my car is worth $5000 less.

For a car that is already 2 YEARS OLD, a 35% decrease in value is INSANE.

Know what you are talking about before you post something.

 

here we go..........

 

 

Ok Mr. ASUwhatever,

I take offense your to comment about "Newbie Scum." Yeah, he did attack you but....why is it that you and some others on this board think that the credentials under your name mean that you know more about Maximas, cars, or anything for that matter than a "Newbie" on the org? This does not give you or anyone the right to have a holier than thou attitude. I have been a member for twice as long as you but I still have that moniker under my name. I read and make comments when they might be of value to others. You post more than 12 times a day to get a cool credential like "Needs Non-maxima Friends." Maybe there is some truth to it. You are always talking about the problems you have with your Max, you want to get rid of your Max, the value of your Max is so low, etc. If you are not happy I hope there is some way you can get there soon. You also don't put any information about yourself in your profile like age, etc. Why is that?

Just venting,
Chris

 

take it to PM

 

Why do you care? This isn't the Love Connection. But if you must know, I'm 5'9", 160 lbs, Brown hair, brown eyes. I am a libra that enjoys long walks on the beach and fine French cuisine. Oh, and I'm heterosexual......sorry.

Good for you. You have contributed nothing to this forum and you are bragging about it?

Actually, if you must know, I get paid a modest chunk of change to sit at my desk and read this forum all day. Maybe my status should be "Needs a more challenging job". My credential should actually read "Donating Maxima.org member", but they haven't changed it yet. Have you donated anything?

I help more newbies out than anyone here. I have rarely told anyone to search and always post useful information that will help them out. What have YOU contributed to this thread.....or to this forum for that matter?

The first time I even mentioned trading in my car was 3 days ago. Nice try, "cdog".

You are actually right on this one. I shouldn't have done that. It's frustrating, though, when you post something here and some know-it-all wisea$$ (like yourself and tolian21) comes in and starts flaming so this thread gets destroyed.

 

you think that is bad?wait til march when they release the 04 max....expect 3k less.......
if your thinking of trading do it now

 

That's my thought. It's either take a small hit now, or wait 4 years until it's paid off and get around $7000 for it. It's a lose-lose.

I'll probably just stick it out though.......

 

Man, I tell you if you ask me to just keep the car if you are a car keeper. Some people are not. I love this max and I plan to just pay it off and keep it. I am not worried about resale value coz I dont want any more car payments.

 

asu, do this
you know whenever someone ask for comments on .org, people are gonna flame......just ignore it if that's not what you looking for

 

I checked the trade in value for a 2000 SE with leather, sunroof and AT at at my CU website. The trade-in values are:
$15575 for CLEAN, $14860 for Average and $12340 for rough.