Used Car Buffs. Do you think Kelley Blue Book or E-Bay Autos is a better indication of TRUE market value?

Question

I'm a retired man not involved with either, just interested in other's views.

Answer 1

KBB is nonsense.. You will NEVER see those prices on a trade..Dealers use Galves, which is an internet service for a FEE (not for free).

My best method is autotrader.com. It will give you an idea of the RANGE that people are ASKING for similiar vehicles in surrounding areas. If you ignore the highest (dealers looking for a fool) and the lowest (flood cars/salvage/wrecks), and focus on the middle, you will have a good GUIDE to what your car is worth.

Good luck
ED

Answer 2

I personally feel that Kelly Blue Book has become a tool, or shill, of the car dealers. Too often, the Blue Book prices are way too high, and it is common practice for dealers to advertise they sell several hundred dollars under Blue Book.

Seems to me Blue Book is supposed to be the going rate for a car, or the true value, but since almost all dealers sell lower than that, it can't really be, can it???

I also think their Trade In values are too low. When's the last time a dealer gave you below Blue Book on trade in. Again, just another tool for the dealer.

I was just shopping last weekend and a dealer offered me a 2006 Lincoln LS. Blue Book said $28K. Dealer offered me $23k. Blue Book was $5k too high. You better believe this particular dealer would have gotten $28k for it if that's what it was truly worth. The guy was a shark.

Now the private party sales numbers seem to be OK. No dealer influence there, so no reason to fudge the numbers.

If I'm buying from a dealer, I assume Blue Book is too high, or use Edmunds or NADA.

Answer 3

Blue Book

Answer 4

I always used Kelley Blue Book and found it great, so has everyone i know

Answer 5

In all honesty, both are accurate to a point. it all really boils down to your car, and what kind of shape it is in. KBB only goes back to 87, so if your car is older than that, but has low mileage and is in excellent shape, you would have to make a judgement yourself based on what you paid for the car, its age, and the mileage and body condition.

Answer 6

i would go off of Kelley 's Blue Book. For me it has been better.

Answer 7

As my dad used to tell me. If you sell anything, the only true value that you get out of what you sell is what you put in your pocket. Then on the flip side of that, if you are the one buying, it is what you keep in your pocket that makes it a deal.

Answer 8

Kelly Blue Book...
but NADA is the best...I know dealers use this guide more then any other

Answer 9

They are all pretty good. I use NADA. I look up a car on each one and average it out.