My friend went and was looking at a 2006 Z06 and was looking at trading in his 2000 C5 with 38K on it and they were going to give him $9400 for trade value! lol He just laughed at them and left. That is rough I thought.

I went in with my 98 with 35K miles and they offered me 9,000 as well. I was like :wtf: you have to be joking. The guy said nope. I said have a nice day and walked out.

I wouldnt go to the dealer to trade in anything, ever... EVER they will always screw you. DO NOT do it. They will make on average $2000 trading in on something, and another $2000 trading out on something. That is what I have heard while I have been in the dealerships and overheard some of them talking about their commissions.

Now know that I have been a salesman, and I also am a businessman too. So I know and realize that there needs to be money made, but come on, they do not need to make that much money on each person. And especially now a days with the way that money is for some people.

I was in there last week at a dealership and was looking to trade in my 2000 Durango 4x4 loaded tree rows of seats, factory tv, leather, towing and much more, low miles too, and they wanted to offer me like a little over $2k for it on a trade for vehilce that had almost half the miles and it was a 2008 Pontiac G6. I also had Cash in hand, yes dead presidents in hand for what I thought was a good deal plus my durango and they basically was having an attitude with me like I was trying to rip them off?? I researched all the things that I was doing before going there and had a good deal to offer them. But they kept on trying to say this and that, which basically was running around in circles, WTF I really hate dealerships and they way they do business, it is no wonder that they are in the hole....

I wouldnt go to the dealer to trade in anything, ever... EVER they will always screw you. DO NOT do it. They will make on average $2000 trading in on something, and another $2000 trading out on something. That is what I have heard while I have been in the dealerships and overheard some of them talking about their commissions.

Now know that I have been a salesman, and I also am a businessman too. So I know and realize that there needs to be money made, but come on, they do not need to make that much money on each person. And especially now a days with the way that money is for some people.

I was in there last week at a dealership and was looking to trade in my 2000 Durango 4x4 loaded tree rows of seats, factory tv, leather, towing and much more, low miles too, and they wanted to offer me like a little over $2k for it on a trade for vehilce that had almost half the miles and it was a 2008 Pontiac G6. I also had Cash in hand, yes dead presidents in hand for what I thought was a good deal plus my durango and they basically was having an attitude with me like I was trying to rip them off?? I researched all the things that I was doing before going there and had a good deal to offer them. But they kept on trying to say this and that, which basically was running around in circles, WTF I really hate dealerships and they way they do business, it is no wonder that they are in the hole....
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You would probably have the same problem building a home or paying attorney fees in a court case bro!!!!! Everybody wants to make a buck "EVERYONE"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!wholesale /retail?????I personally hate trying to buy JEWELRY!!How do you really know what is in that ring mount,:ownedbutton: I hate it too ,but, it is not just the car business:beerbang: :beerbang: :beerbang: JMO

I wouldnt go to the dealer to trade in anything, ever... EVER they will always screw you. DO NOT do it.

EXACTLY.

an easy way to pre-determine your cars value for trade-in is to take the worse of all guides ... NADA comes to mind... and look up your vehicle.

IGNORE any low-mileage benefit the guide may want to add; even though your car has just 5000 miles.

IGNORE any added-value due to options; even though your car has these options.

INGORE the "Clean" and "Average" columns... go straight to "Rough" - even thought your vehicle might be showroom perfect.

Then navigate to "dealer trade-in" and that's the most they would ever give.
For a 2000 C5 coupe, I found $10,400 listed.

EXACTLY.

an easy way to pre-determine your cars value for trade-in is to take the worse of all guides ... NADA comes to mind... and look up your vehicle.

IGNORE any low-mileage benefit the guide may want to add; even though your car has just 5000 miles.

IGNORE any added-value due to options; even though your car has these options.

INGORE the "Clean" and "Average" columns... go straight to "Rough" - even thought your vehicle might be showroom perfect.

Then navigate to "dealer trade-in" and that's the most they would ever give.
For a 2000 C5 coupe, I found $10,400 listed.

You are probably sooooo right, with your theory, good point, and all that do not realize this should make note of Mike and my posts, because we do know and have done our homework on this topic.....

I just ran the 1998 coupe numbers; came back $9100.

Sad and sick; but that's what the dealer is most likely to offer for a trade-in.

I just ran the 1998 coupe numbers; came back $9100.

Sad and sick; but that's what the dealer is most likely to offer for a trade-in.

If they offer(ed) you more it was probably because they marked up the other vehicle that you want to trade in on more then it should be. That is only to make you think that you are getting a good deal. when you evaluate the numbers on the papers you'll see you are still getting the same crappy deal and still getting screwed....

It was so funny the day i went in just to find out. I had my girlfriend at the time with me. She was so discusted when we drove off the lot she threw both hands up "the top on the vert was down" she gave them two pretty birds. It was great. I think 4 or 5 of there sales reps along with the nut job who low balled me where outside and saw the whole thing. It was great. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

i traded my ws6 trans am in on my 2000 c5, they gave me $9000 i think for my trade and sold it within a week for $13000.

i traded my ws6 trans am in on my 2000 c5, they gave me $9000 i think for my trade and sold it within a week for $13000.

After they ran it through their service dept. and spent money to make it road safe.State inspection.Emissions. oil change.Brakes, ETC... Now they put a Warranty on it$$$$ ,recondition it and put it on the lot for sale!!! Don,t forget the tax credit you got trading it in and they are in business to make a profit like Home builders, Jewelers, lawyers,and other entities to name a few!!!!!!Sounds like you did o.k cause you got a nice corvette and you did not go through the hassle to sell your trade on your own!!! Good deal!!:thumbsup3: :cheers: JMO * You have to do your homework and protect yourself I agree w/Mike and Co. on that one!!!!:burnout: :beer-fresh:

I understand the reason for the lowball trade is because their business really sucks and don't want the trades now, they want cash, by discouraging a trade you can take note the low prices reflected on ebay for some decent Corvettes. If the dealer is discouraging your trade ya gotta sell it somewhere. I myself am looking for a second Corvette , a C5, and expect to locate one at a decent price for the reasons above. If someone here has a 99 or 2000 they are looking to sell so they can upgrade, send message.:thumbsup3:

I think it all comes down to the retail/wholesale formula:

if you buy the new car at retail, they'll gladly give you retail for the trade-in

if you buy the car wholesale, then they won't give you any more than wholesale on the trade.

Too many want to buy the new car at wholesale, but get retail for the trade. Ain't gonna happen.

I am too affraid to see what they would offer me!:doh:

If you are serious about trading cars do your research first. Know what your trade is worth and what the vehicle you are interested in is worth, and have a figure in mind as to what you are willing to pay. If you make a reasonable offer and stand firm you will be suprised as to how many times you will trade, but remember dealers have to make a profit also. No matter what profession your are in I'm sure someone thinks your service or product cost to much. If you have a CarMax dealer near you, call for an appointment and they will inspect your car and make you an offer to purchase. Granted they will low ball you because they are committing to purchasing your car. This will at least set the bottom figure your vehicle is worth.

:iagree: you really need to do your homework in order to get the best price available!

I think it all comes down to the retail/wholesale formula:

if you buy the new car at retail, they'll gladly give you retail for the trade-in

if you buy the car wholesale, then they won't give you any more than wholesale on the trade.

Too many want to buy the new car at wholesale, but get retail for the trade. Ain't gonna happen.
Mike couldn't have said it better my self. I manage a dealership and go through this every day.All i want is to be fair with my customers but like you said Mike most want to pay wholesale for the new car and want retail money for their trade. And we have to remember dealers are here to serve you but we also have to make money to pay the bills, commissions, and everything ells.

Most people miss a basic fact when car dealing. A car is only worth its wholesale/auction/instant cash value. Any price above that is pure salesmanship. With that in mind sell your car privately for the best price you can get above wholesale and then buy your new car for the closest you can get to wholesale.

Car dealers and people who deal in cars are successful because they abide by one principle: the profit in a car deal is made when they buy the car. They know that if they buy a car cheap enough they will have a profit when they sell it. Threfore, you can figure out what they paid for the car you want to buy and make your offer accordingly. Dealers will never buy a car for over wholesale, period. They just give you an illusion by adding on to the car that you want what they appear to give you above wholesale on your trade...........Clear the decks by selling your car yourself and then buying the new car for the best deal you can get which should be just a little above wholesale..........:thumbsup3:

Mike couldn't have said it better my self. I manage a dealership and go through this every day.All i want is to be fair with my customers but like you said Mike most want to pay wholesale for the new car and want retail money for their trade. And we have to remember dealers are here to serve you but we also have to make money to pay the bills, commissions, and everything ells.

Well stated "BAD C5":cheers: :thumbsup:

Let's not forget what the dealer makes on accessories, service and extended warranties. If your willing to pay without dealing or knowing the true value of your car and the asking price of the new one you'll be at their mercy.

Let's not forget what the dealer makes on accessories, service and extended warranties. If your willing to pay without dealing or knowing the true value of your car and the asking price of the new one you'll be at their mercy.

Correct and you deserve to get less for your car! Get all your ducks in an order before you go!