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Please Help with Trade-In Value

1K views 16 replies 12 participants last post by  amitkc 
#1 ·
I have an '03 IS 300, blue, leather, manual, 19.5K miles, immaculate condition and very well cared for. The first dealer I approached offered $18,500 for trade-in, despite my assertion that the KBB is $21,250. The dealer claimed to have checked around with other dealers, and because of gas prices it would be hard for them to sell a used IS. Can some of you please weigh-in on your experience and/or opinion of what I can expect to get for a trade-in?
 
#2 ·
I've found KBB prices to be a bit flawed, both upwards and downwards in price depending on the car, options, etc. I would also check NADAGuides, and the pricing on Edmunds, but I believe that the dealers have their own Blue Book price that is different from the publically available KBB.

I usually expect the online KBB to show values as being too low, but in this case, $21,250 trade in on an '03 seems a bit high. I would take your car to CarMax for kicks and see what they'll give you. Should give you a better idea of what to expect on Trade-in.
 
#3 ·
I just traded my 02 IS300 in on an 06 IS350 and got $20,000 trade in for the vehicle. Most of the market around the southern Virginia area showed mine to be worth $19,000 max. The dealer went a little higher because of the mileage (39K) and how clean hte car was. I have found that NADA and Kelly are the most accurate for the used car market where I live. Hope this helps
 
#7 ·
This is from Galves which the dealer used. The standard value is $18,400 with added miles it goes up to $20,225. Generally dealers will only add half or nothing for low miles based on demand. So 18,500 to 19,500 is about right. Im sure theres more demand here but at a Lexus dealer in Chicago that car would probably sit for a few months. Left over 05's can be found for around $27. Which makes retail on a 03 about $22,000. So if he owns for $18,500 add a $500. pack {lot fees, advertising } add $1300. to certify it and that doesnt include any repairs it may need to pass.Which at 19k it doesnt need brakes yet but im sure are under the 50% required to pass. Same with the tires. By the time it all done he could up owning the car for $21,000+ not much room for profit on his end. So $18,500 isnt far off. Defintely a car to sell privately.




..:: VEHICLE
2003 LEXUS IS 300


..:: DESCRIPTION
Engine Type: 6 CYL
Body Style: 4 DOOR SEDAN
Vincode: [BD1]

Standard Features: AUTOMATIC AC STD
CD CHANGER STD
POWER WINDOWS STD
TRACTION CONTROL STD


Base Price: @ 39,000 miles 19,300
Mileage: 19,500


..:: ADDS & DEDUCTS

DED: W/O AT (-) 900
As Equipped Price 18,400
Mileage Adjustment 1,825

GALVES VALUE 20,225


..:: COMMENTS
 
#8 ·
a dealer told me that kbb incorporates sales tax into their appraisal value and that's why it's so much higher than galves. he walked me through a mini calculation by adding the state sales tax to the galves value to obtain the kbb value that i had.

not sure if that's truly the case...but it was interesting nevertheless
 
#9 ·
no but KBB is a consumer site that doesn't take in effect true market value. If most people used the actual ratings on there they would be closer. Everybody thinks there car is excellent, but based on their description thats a car that has never left the showroom. So if your car has blemishes{scratch, dent} you should check off fair at best. Then you will find yourself closer. Here is KBB trade-in


More Photos Conditions Value
Excellent $19,625



Good $18,535
(Selected)


Fair $16,645


List Your Sedan For Sale
Shop for a New Vehicle

Vehicle Details Change Equipment
Engine: 6-Cyl. 3.0 Liter
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
Drivetrain: RWD
Mileage: 19,500
Selected Standard Equipment
Auto Climate Control
Power Steering
Power Windows
Power Door Locks
Tilt Wheel
Cruise Control AM/FM Stereo
Cassette
Multi Compact Disc
Dual Front Air Bags
Front Side Air Bags Anti-Lock Braking
Traction Control
Leather
Moon Roof
Alloy Wheels
 
#10 ·
Generally when you trade it in for a higher end car (Lexus, BMW, Audi etc...) you will get the KBB predicted value.

When you trade it in for a lesser car (Honda, Chevy, Ford) they will check whole sale auctions and see what dealers are selling their traded-in 03 IS 300s with similar mileage for. They will then match that amount.
By the way, what are you planning on trading that beauty in for?
 
#13 ·
Tell your Dealer here is the Manheim Market Report.

THIS REPORT IS WHERE THE $$ LIES! SCREW KBB, SCREW NADA!

TRUE "AUCTION PRICES" for around your mileage.

Vehicle Identification
VIN: Select Region: National
Year: 2003 Seasonal Adjustment: No
Make: LEXUS
Model: IS300
Style: 4D SEDAN

Transactions

Date Auction Sale Type Price Mileage Cond Color Eng Trans In Sample
12/29/05 MANHEIM Regular $21,000 16,050 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
01/10/06 FAAO Regular $20,200 16,996 Avg RED 6G A Yes
12/15/05 MANHEIM Regular $22,000 18,164 Above SILVER 6G 5 Yes
01/04/06 DALLAS Regular $22,100 25,633 Above SILVER 6G A Yes
12/14/05 ATLANTA Regular $22,000 28,195 Above GRAY 6G A Yes
12/29/05 MANHEIM Regular $19,900 28,314 Avg BLUE 6G 5 Yes
01/05/06 GTR TMPA Regular $17,000 28,954 Below RED 6G A Yes
12/21/05 CADE Lease $19,900 29,836 Avg GRAY 6G 5 Yes
12/23/05 MANHEIM Regular $20,900 29,880 Avg BLACK 6G 5 Yes
12/16/05 LAUD/MIA Regular $18,500 31,804 Avg BLACK G6 A Yes
12/23/05 MANHEIM Lease $16,900 32,018 Below SLVER 6G T Yes
12/14/05 DALLAS Regular $19,800 32,459 Avg BLUE 6G A Yes
01/10/06 FAAO Lease $20,400 33,203 Avg WHITE 6G 5 Yes
12/13/05 FAAO Regular $21,000 34,433 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
12/13/05 SKYLINE Regular $16,500 35,680 Below WHITE 6G A Yes
12/13/05 FAAO Regular $20,700 36,049 Avg GRAY 6G A Yes
12/20/05 FAAO Regular $21,000 37,473 Avg BLACK 6G A Yes


YES I HAVE DEALER CONNECTIONS, that's how I get this. This is NOT available to the public.
 
#14 ·
SeattleSheila said:
Bull ******.. Gas prices... People who want an IS300 instead of a Corolla don't give a hoot about gas prices.
Exactly....since when is a car that gets 21-22 mpg a gas guzzler.
I could see him saying that if you drove a V8 with a 30 gallon tank that gets 12 mpg. But the IS is pretty decent on gas, he was blowing smoke up your ass.
 
#16 · (Edited)
galves is avialable with a subscription to the website {galves.com} It accurately track what similiar cars have sold for at several auctions. The Manheim report is good but can be flawed. Alot of cars there especially Lexus are bought by retail buyers brought there by wholesalers for a fee. You will often see cars sell for$2000. over the wholesale value because of this. It more then the dealer would pay but less then the customer would pay at the dealer.
 
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