at least on their trade in practices. My FJ books at 28k for dealer trade-in value on KBB and Ray stated they would give me the fair condition value for trade-in (23k) without even looking at it. I am looking for any other mini dealers that are honest and dont try to screw people because they are the only mini dealer around. Please let me know if you have any to recommend. Thanks!

 

I don't think dealers use KBB. The values in it are inflated. Don't dealers use values from a national wholesale black book (or something like that?)

 

Actually a lot of the big dealers and even small car lots are hooking up online to the live auctions, these websites give the dealer a snapshot of the current value of the trade-in vehicle. Looking over the shoulder of one of my friends computers, it gives low, medium, high for the hour. It appears to be based on region, but it what he uses to offer a trade-in value as well as the KBB and a couple of other books.

It is really a black art and it does not favor the person trading in the car. You have to figure they buy as low as they can via trade and sell as high as the market will allow.

SPDinNY, you getting another MINI to match your new 07?

 

the only thing trading-in gets you is a tax break... if the dealer won't put the car on their lot, then they'll generally give you $500 to send it to auction.

 

I was going to get a new mini, but if they are going to practice the "you will get what we give you" practice then I will just wait til spring for a bmw 135i. At least there are BMW dealers I can shuffle around to.

 

does anyone get a fair price for a trade-in? Edmunds seems to be more realistic on the trade in prices and even then, the dealer low-***** it. Also, being that this is a MINI dealership, they will have a harder time selling your car than major car dealers. At my local MINI dealership, they turn the used cars over to the parent BMW lot to sell. I don't think you should feel like your MINI dealer wants to screw you. They probably just don't want to deal with the extra hassle.

 

lol I have bought a lot of cars, it feels like they are trying to screw me. And since the FJ is the "mini" of SUV's I am sure they would have no problem selling it there...not to mention Towne has about 10 different brands they sell. No matter, I know what path to take =)

 

National Base Price$21,242$22,750$23,984
Optional Equipment$5,043$5,431$6,387
Locking Rear Differential$487$525$617
Cruise Control On Steering Wheel
$32$34$40Roof Rack$1,339$1,442$1,696
Remote Power Door Locks$44$48$56
Daytime Running Lights$32$34$40
Fullsize Matching Spare Tire$588$633$745
Rear Parking Sensors$105$113$133
Trailer Hitch$219$236$277
17 Inch Alloy Wheels$884$952$1,120
Front Side Airbags$293$315$371
Front and Rear Head Airbags$628$676$795
AM/FM/CD Changer Audio System$392$423$497
Color Adjustment
Silver$77$83$87
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code 14615$64$69$73
Mileage Adjustment
11,000 miles$-114$-114$-114
Condition Adjustment
Outstanding$810$833$900
Total$27,122$29,052$31,317


there you go..Edmunds price Dealer trade-in 27,122

I also have 3k in aftermarket options (Viper 2 way alarm-remote start, rock sliders, Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ, upgraded audio)

like I said they can take their 23k offer and shove it =)

 

yesss! never pull your pants down to swap cars

I have before and regretted it, knowing now that I threw away thousands of dollars. I'll be selling my current car privately once I have the MINI.

Good luck on your quest!

 

I had the same issue when I went to trade my Scion in at the MINI dealer. The salesman took me aside and explained a few things (some mentioned in this thread such as auctions and also the fact that Edmunds/KBB are normally several weeks old data wise and they are using "live" data). He recommended I take my Scion down to CarMax and I got pretty close to what KBB said I should get for "Excellent" condition.

 

Howsthat? I was expecting the FJ to be the size of a wrangler but now that I've seen a few I'm always surprised by their monstrous size!

 

they are built on the history of the FJ40 with retro styling, such as the new mini is based on the English mini. Also the FJ roof is white while the body is a diff color (except the TRD)

 

SSSSSSHHHHHHHH...... I work for a car dealer in NYC (at work right now, obviously being very productive ) All the car dealers use Galves to appraise trade-in values. The books are issued every two weeks. The dealers only add for major factory options (leather, moonroof, nav, etc...) and low milarge. Dealers for the most part will NOT add for aftermarket audio systems, alarms and definatly not for tires. With a vehicle like your FJ, the dealer will most likely be interested in retailing the truck. The less they give you for it, the more money that allows them to make on it. Most people don't have the time or patience, but you will ALWAYS get more for a trade-in doing a private sale instead.

 

Most of the major points have been covered, but a couple of small points...........

Did the dealer actually see your Yota? Or was this just a phone bid?
They're not going to offer you top dollar over the phone, because when you get to the dealership and they try to back it down to it's real value, then you'll really howl! So they start low to leave some upward room to negotiate....

But until you actually sit down and write up an offer, get management involved etc, it's all just conversation, and not worth getting upset over.

There's nothing that says the dealer has to buy your car from you, and that is what they're doing. You can sell it yourself, and reap the extra $$ benefit. You'll also be responsible for detailing it before the sale, advertising it, taking your time to show it to prospects, many of whom will be lookie loos wasting your valuable time, and when and if you do get some offers, most of them will be either low ***** or wholesale offers. All the things the dealer goes thru......

It takes time and effort to find that perfect buyer who will pay close to what you want for your car..............

Most aftermarket stuff -while it may add to the appeal of the car - will not get their value back in the sale. That's part of why you see so much of this stuff for re-sale "lightly used" or even not at all here on this forum.

So, relax, take a deep breath and take your Yota in for an actual appraisal from the dealer, but only if you're ready to make a deal. There's no point in trying to get a commitment on your trade if you're not ready to buy their car, again it's all just conversation till you're ready to write the check.

 

oh, forgot to update. A dealership offered me 25k cash for the FJ. Luckily they had a car on the lot I liked for a very reasonable price. So instead of taking the cash, paying off the loan...then ordering a new mini... I settled down on an 05 Cabrio S loaded. I knew if I went to the mini dealer I would have lost 2000 in taxes due to no trade-in. So now I have a mini that I will drive at least til spring, then decide if I want a new 08 or a 135i.

meet Winnie

 

Nice setup. Time to update the Sig.

 

lol definately

 

Great find, and viper stripes too!