What should you offer above the trade-in value a dealer paid for a used car?

Using KBB.com, Edmunds, nadaguides:


2004 Toyota Matrix XR AWD 62,091 asking price: $11,990





KBB


Retail Excellent: 13,530


Private Party: Fair - 9,440 Good - 10,465 Excellent - 11,230


Trade-in: Fair - 7,230 Good - 8,390 Exellent - 9050





Edmunds


Retail: 11,803


Private Party: 10,863


Trade-in: 9,617|||If that car were at my lot, and those were the numbers, I would buy it around $7k. Add in recon, and I would own it around $8k. +/- a few $ if it needed more recon. Matrix is not a hot seller here, so if it were on a local lot, I would go in offering $8k and be willing to go to $8700|||Each used car, truck, and SUV is unique. This individuality is what makes used car value appraisal an inexact science. Tools such as Kelly Blue Book, N.A.D.A., and Black Book serve as guides to car dealers to help them appraise the used car. Ultimately, the vehicle's physical and mechanical condition, local market conditions, potential reconditioning costs, auction results, the dealership's own assessment, and wholesale guides provide the most accurate and realistic assessment of a used car's value. Try to find alternative trade-in value.|||A dealer won't sell you a car for the trade in value. They'll try to sell it to you for the retail value.|||Negotiation skills are what will get you the price you want here is a free guide http://www.adviceontime.com/weak%20credi鈥?/a>|||There is no exact answer to your question but there is one more things you need to do.





Do a search on autotrader.com for the same vehicle for a 100 mi radius? This will tell you how many alternative vehicles there are for you. If there are not many available and the dealer knows you want a particular model, you are at a disadvantage.





Now go to the dealer and "look around." When you come across the vehicle you want, say something like - maybe something like this one will be ok for me. Never provide any indication you like the vehicle. Don't test drive it until you are at or close to the price you want. Don't tell them you have researched the price - this is a give away that you want that model.





Your threat to leave and find a vehicle closer to what you are looking for is your best negotiating weapon. If they allow you to leave without selling you a car, it is a lost opportunity for them.





If you can maintain an attitude of complete indifference about the vehicle they have, you have a good chance of buying it below dealer retail.