Was ready to trade in my '02 996 C2 Cab for a '11 audi S5 cab, but put the brakes on when they appraised my baby for only $20K! I thought it was worth at least $25K with all the OEM goodies like full carbon fiber trim, sideskirts, bose premium w/ sub, deviated color stitching & belts...but nope...wouldn't budge since it needs about $2k in bodywork (front bumper respray & scratched panels).
Now I feel its worth it to do body work and sell privately...ugh, didnt want to go down this road and hoped to get trade-in deduct from total cost for tax savings but oh well...

 

Not really that surprising, is it? Porsche is notorious for high markup on options which nets them a tidy profit, but nets the owner just about squat on resale.

Hope you enjoy the S5 when you get it, they look nice!

 

Ive had dealers try to tell me "Well, its not really worth what blue book says because blah blah blah". Uh, yes it is. Thats the point of the blue book. I love beating up car salesmen.

 

Sell of the carbon trim stuff for stock here on the forums and you'll probably recoup a grand or so.

 

I hate it when you go there and they sweet talk you till they change thier expression and say "well you the economy, prices are drooping so I can only give you $1 for your $10 car" I feel like slapping them. Especially when they have the same kind of car in same condition on their lot for 1.75...lol

 

Funny thing, went to another dealer today and same $20K quote of course since they're using same wholesale listing system. She then punched up KBB and saw car was worth like $28K optioned out and was like thats y we dont use KBB or NADA. Then she added, "well if u go by this, we'd sell u our car at msrp"...i said go right ahead cuz i'd make out better that way!lol! she squashed that comparison real quick!
This internal wholesale appraisal system is built to screw the consumer, duh.

 

I used to feel that way and wonder why I was being offered a downright offensive value when KBB said something much higher (like a 10k variance).
Recently I was trading in my supercharged rover and KBB said 52k and they offered 43k. They said because they can get it at auction for that price and I verified that several other dealers said they will only give trade value of what they pay at aution but not what KBB says.
But then I had a friend who is an ex-dealer and he looked up my car on Manheim auction and showed that my car would sell for 48k on that auction so I was able to get much more for my trade in.

To the original poster
See if someone could do a search for you and go in with that value.
Good luck!

 

I traded in one of my cars at Carmax and they basically use KBB.com. I was given 'good' condition for my car even though I argued with them that it was in clean condition because it did not need anything (I had just taken off the clear bra and detailed it so there were no marks on it). The price they gave was much higher than anywhere else. I was given $19K for the car when I couldn't sell it privately listed at $21K.

 

Ended up taking the deal and trading the pcar in tuesday without the wheel/tire combo. If anyone wants them, I posted it on the for sale section.
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/automotive-parts-accessories-sale-wanted/216161-fs-19-iforged-essens-w-mich-ps2s-my-996-c2-2-extra-new-tires.html#post2897788

 

Trade in is BS for the most part. The notorious dealer line, when you buy "We only have about 1,000-1,500 mark up" yet when you go to trade in they try to bend you over as if you cannot put 2+2 together. I was going to trade on a Lotus the other day, and the dealership lost their mind, so I let them keep the car. However, as long as people still trade their car in, disgruntled or not, they will still keep ripping off everyone. Best thing to do is give someone else (private buyer) a deal vs the rip off dealer.

 

[quote=This internal wholesale appraisal system is built to screw the consumer, duh.[/quote]

And you didn't know this going in?

Porsche 996 values are way down anyway. I will be driving mine until the fenders fall off.

jorge

 

We had a similar experience the other day. Quite humorous actually...

My wife in her eternal quest for the perfect mom car wanted to trade her Blue Lexus gx470 in for a white Lexus gx470. Both cars were immaculate and were the same year, but mine had a few extra features- tow, rear dvd, backup camera and nav. Figuring I can add all that stuff later, I humored her and let her try to make a deal.

The dealer boasted how easy the deal would be since we both knew what we were getting. Being that I bought 4 new cars from the same dealership, I figured there would be a standard markup and I would cut them a reasonable check for their time.
When they valued the car, the salesman came back and said "We got you a great deal. We can give you 15 for your car, and you will only owe us 15 thousand to drive off with the new one." When I gave them a look of total bewilderment, it was explained to me-

"You know, gas prices are going up and with the economy in the trash- these big SUVs just don't sell for anything. We have to practically give them away."

I thought, "Are you even human, or are you just programmed to say the same line to everyone? I am trading for the IDENTICAL CAR in a different color! Whether they sell like hotcakes or don't sell at all, it doesn't matter. I am taking one and leaving one! The idea that my loaded trade in is valued at half of the one on the lot is rediculous."

 

I always start my car shopping on used car lot and look for a car similar to mine to get a feel what they are worth to the dealer on the used lot. I never arrive in the similar car, and often say I want to buy outright. Once you get a sense what they will sell their car for, you're in much better position to come back with your car and introduce it as a trade. Knowing what they think there's is worth allows you to challenge the markup they trying to make if lowballing your trade in. Doesn't always get you the car you want but boxes the dealer into being honest about where he makes his money. I don't mind a dealer making money but I don't want him gouging me on both ends.

 

I traded in my boxster this summer..there was a couple thousand difference between dealers but I was still offered a crazy low price...anyways...ended up trading in to this dealer and a week later found my car for sale marked up 7k then what I traded in for...not sure if it ever got sold or not hahaha

 

Thats why I normally take their best price trade in price, add the cost difference in tax credit I was going to obtain by trading it in, about $2k for the hassle of selling the car, and sell it privately to someone else so they can get a good deal (and you get a few extra bucks). At least its a win win for the owner and buyers end.

Dealerships used to have a reputation that you could trust buying a car from them as they would fix the issues (which is why they bought cheap, and sold a little higher), so you would actually pay a little more but get something good in return. Nowdays, they buy cheap, throw it on the lot (leaking, smoking, you name it...), say they have 15K point inspection blah blah, and pass it off to the next unsuspecting buyer at a premium cost.

No thanks, I rather deal with another porsche buyer and give him a good price. just my opinion though.

Speaking of which I'm also willing to trade for a Lotus (Elise, Exige, etc..), so PM if you know anyone, lol.