We love our 2011 Honda Fit sport (sport auto, 60k). We owe a little less than 2k on the loan. It is in fairly good condition with the exception of a dent in the back hatch and bumper where a geezer backed into us at a parking lot (5mph damages, I'll post a pic soon).
We also are looking into getting a new cx-3 for the wife.
What can I do to get the most out of a trade in? Should I just be patient and sell it private party? I know that will yield The most gain, but requires patience.
Should I wash it and detail before presenting? Or does that even matter? It's been pampered it's whole life, interior is great, synthetic Mobil 1 since new, new tires.
Financially, I'd be happy with 5-6k (kbb trade in at fair condition) so I can pay the loan off and have a few thousand for the down.
NGTD
UberDork
1/6/17 6:15 p.m.
If you want the most for it you can get, sell it privately. I never trade in.
Up here if you trade you only pay tax on the difference between the 2 prices, but that only really matters if your trade is worth $10K or more.
Shine it up, put it on Craigslist, get your idiot filter on and be patient.
Grind the best cash deal you can on the new car, then mention the trade. That will give you the real dollar figure. No dealership in the world is going to give you a trade value that won't let them pocket a kilobuck on the used lot.
You can sell it for the same amount of money as the used lot, except the used lot will add $4000 to its selling price, and give a $4000 trade value on the 76 Chevette they have to take in trade, which will then be auctioned or crushed.
(Goes off to wage war against Craigslist)
Good luck, we're rooting for you!
