Hey guys,
I'm thinking of selling my car to CarMax, I own a 2003 Honda Pilot EX-L with 38K miles on it. Its served me well over the years, but it consumes too much gas for a vehicle that all too often gets used by one person. There are a few scratches on the right half of the front bumper, and the driver's seat has saggy leather with a few creases on it. Should I opt to fix these to maximize my return from CarMax, or should is the cost going to be too high?
2007-02-26 14:48:45 · 11 answers · asked by Treebeard 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Buying & Selling
if the scratches arnt too bad, go to your local autozone or advanced auto and pick up a paint touch-up pen in the right color. its only a few dollars and if it doesnt bring up your price a little, youre only out a few dollars(one less burrito at Taco Bell for you!) The seat, I wouldnt worry about, its leather and too expensive to redo, leave it as is.
good luck man!
2007-02-26 14:56:36 · answer #1 · answered by anzati_15 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, don't fix a thing and leave jsut a 1/8 of a tank of gas in it. The #1 rule when you sell a car is YOU are gonna loose. The dealer has to make money on what he sells the replacement car to you and than is has to make money on the trade your turn in. All you can do is minize the effect. My advise is to keep it until it falls apart. Gas is still cheaper than a new car. Save up for a new car. Later on get a new car. Go to the dealer and order a car with the fewest options. Do you really need a power mirror I bought a new 2003 Toyota for less money than one CarMax offer which was used 6 months and had 8K miles. Now if you really must sell it put and ad in the newspaper.
2007-02-26 23:09:27 · answer #2 · answered by taji 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No way! You will never get your money back out of it. Not to mention, the wear you are describing is normal for the age of the vehicle. Besides, when you trade your car in a dealer knows to expect something wrong -no matter how minor - to a used vehicle. They have a detail team to fix it up for resale.
2007-02-26 23:07:20 · answer #3 · answered by jimmyd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll gain more by getting it detailed than you will spending money on repairs. The paint pen is a good idea, but I would get it from a Honda dealer, $5 more but guaranteed to match. If they don't have it in stock, then check the other sources.
And good for you for being eco-conscious, two thumbs up!
.
2007-02-26 23:07:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No the defects will be repaired by the dealer. Just clean the car really well inside and out. The change the oil.
Happy Selling.
2007-02-26 22:58:33 · answer #5 · answered by devil dogs 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just put some wax on the scratches and don't worry about the leather. If there small scratches don't worry about it. This will not affect the trade in value.
2007-02-26 23:02:04 · answer #6 · answered by Macgyver with Crosby 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't sell to Carmax...... you can dip the car in 24k gold and they'll only offer 50% of wholesale value.
2007-02-27 00:01:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree that fixing it is a waste.
You wont get any return on that investment. If you're getting <100% of what you paid, why bother?!
2007-02-26 23:07:53 · answer #8 · answered by Ram 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i own a shop,and its not going to make it bring you anymore money than it will now,they,ll go over it real good once they get it,so id save my money,let them repair it,there only going to pay a certain amount for it any way ,no matter what you do to it,good luck,i hope this help,s.
2007-02-26 22:58:41 · answer #9 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
leave very little gas, loosen up the bolts on the tires, make oil is dirty then trad 'er in
2007-02-26 23:58:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋