DrCloud

So, we're thinking of replacing Claire's Subaru Forester.

(Yes. Well, actually, I'm thinking of replacing it. We've got a big road trip coming up that needs a car that can haul stuff, so the S is out; the Forester is at the "trade or commit" point. I expect that I have something of a sales job to do.)

Anyway, I'm just too lazy or stupid or something to sell cars through the want-ads, and E-Bay is definitely out for me, so what I do is trade them in. And every time I've done this, I've felt somewhat violated. To the extent that I've been a repeat customer at a couple of dealerships in the past, it's mostly because they made me feel pretty OK about being violated.

So I decided to check out CarMax, the national used-car chain that buys cars outright (and, of course, sells cars, too). At the worst, I thought it would be a reality check about that company; at best, it could provide me with information to use when I go to the new car dealer to replace the Forester -- and this is pretty much what happened.

While it may have been the individual franchise or the person with whom I dealt, I expect that they have standardized training (they're in Fortune's Top 100 list of employers) so that this experience may be generalizable.

And that training or whatever worked. I got a bid from them for what the Edmunds web site tells me that my car (uh, Claire's car) should be worth as a trade-in if it's in "average condition" (and the appraiser at CarMax said that the car's interior and exterior conditions are "consistent with its age"). The whole thing took about 45 minutes and was about as painless as any car-related experience I've ever had.

Now I can take that information to the new car dealer and see what they offer for trade. It's one thing to say "Edmunds [or Kelly or whatever] says such and such"; it's entirely another to have a written offer as a trade-in alternative. You just say, "OK, maybe I'll be back later with more cash," and then you're in an even better negotiating position.

This car is a 2004 Forester XT (the turbo version), and I think we need an Outback XT -- same engine with more horsepower; longer wheelbase; better transmission and other drivetrain goodies; better overall build with better insulation, etc. The Outback XT Limited seems to be the closest thing available to the Audi allroad I had a few years back -- the best overall multi-purpose car ever, IMO.

Now, if you'll excuse, me, I have to work on my sales pitch. HPH

CitadelBlue

I had a good experience with them in trading a 1992 Toyota Corolla - I got the amount the blue book said I would but I also did a real good cleanup (in and out) and wax job.......

On th eother hand, I tried tried my daughters 3 year old Hyundai Santa Fe V6 L model and about dropped my jaw when he offered $2500. Took it to the dealer and got 3 x that on a trade in.......

GL

MsPerky

What we did when the +1 bought his car last week was check Edmunds for the "value" of his 2005 BMW. We got that, but I *also* checked Edmunds for his model for sale in the area. I found three dealerships that had his car - got the mileage and price. So he used that to negotiate his tradein. It worked well, I think. When I was negotiating to buy the new S last summer, Edmunds figured to some extent on the tradein of my old S. Glad you had a good experience with Carmax.

valentine

Sorry for the hijack, Dr. C, but I've just got to say, BEAUTIFUL AV, MSP!!!

MsPerky

Thanks, Val...

Grannyrod

Got the "M" word written all over it. (ducking)

valentine

MsPerky

A week from today will be two years together. Not bad for a confirmed bachelorette...

OK...back to cars!

Grannyrod

Uh-huh, okay, but I'm taking the "car" by Macy's on the way home.

paS2K

"Marquesa"