Possible to do even exchange a car dealership?

alm99

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2000
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Is it possible to trade in a vehicle for almost an even exchange?

Say the dealer offers $6k for my vehiicle and I am looking for something in that price range.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
I'm pretty sure the answer is yes. Obviously the car that you get will be much crappier than the one you trade in.

You might even be able to make money in the deal...say you're trading in a newer BMW for an old Taurus. But it's almost always to your advantage to sell the old car private party. The exception is if the dealer is offering you more than it's really worth.
 

GagHalfrunt

Lifer
Apr 19, 2001
25,284
1,997
126
Originally posted by: jagec
I'm pretty sure the answer is yes. Obviously the car that you get will be much crappier than the one you trade in.

You might even be able to make money in the deal...say you're trading in a newer BMW for an old Taurus. But it's almost always to your advantage to sell the old car private party. The exception is if the dealer is offering you more than it's really worth.

Exactly. It's possible to do it, it's even possible to come out with some cash in hand. But you're ALWAYS trading down. You could walk in with a new Mercedes and after 5 or 6 trades you'd wind up with a '97 Hyundai with 200,000 miles.
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,085
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Yes but you do realize that a $6000 vehicle at a dealership is a $3,000-$4,000 vehicle on the street?
 
Nov 5, 2001
18,366
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yes, but as others said, the dealer wil still expect to make his profit and likely won't deal on price unless your vehicle is more saleable for some reason