Trading In for a New Car?

Question

I'm trading in a used car and buying new. The used car has problems. How 'up front' do I need to be when making the deal?

Answer 1

Being 'upfront' about a trade-in is a matter of integrity.
You do not have to offer information but if asked you should tell the truth.
New car dealers have intelligent appraisers & they may also run a report on a trade in. So if they ask you about anything .... they may already know the answer... so do not misrepresent yourself or the vehicle.

Answer 2

You dont need to say anything. They take your trade in, on an agreed number. Maybe that number is what the Kelley Blue book says, and maybe they are going to be "nice" and give you more for it, either way they just fudge the numbers around until it looks good to you, and you agree on it.

If the car is new enough and worth something, then they may keep it to sell on their lot, if so, they will inspect it and have their service dept fix whatevers wrong with it. tis will happen long after your deal has gone through.

If it`s a clunker, they`ll sell it off to the Gypsies or an auction, and they wont care whats wrong with it.

Answer 3

First, always be polite. A dealer has no reason to respect you if you don't respect them first. (and vise versa)

Second, its entirely up to the dealer to determine your trades value. If you know the engine will fail in 500 miles, and the dealer doesn't figure that out, its just the cost of doing business.

If I sold you a new car for 5,000 more than you should have paid, that's on your end for not researching the deal better. It goes both ways, go for max trade, keep quiet about ANY negatives!!

Answer 4

Im sure if it has problems,they will figure it out..The one doing the appraisals will know if he checks it like he should..They would not put him buying trades if he just fell off the cabage cart yesterday..So, that will be up to you as to how much you want to tell them..If you have no concerns of your own integrity,then just let them find the problem on their own..I can tell you that most people will be treated as human if they go in and act human..

As for Adam D's statement,,maybe one of his friends purchased that car..

Answer 5

You don't have to be upfront about your old car being a lemon, its the dealers fault that they could not see that your trade-in was a lemon.

I got away with it 2 years ago when I sold my car to Carmax. They were elaborating on the fact that they give every car this huge test to make sure it was never in an accident. My Volvo that I was selling to them was in such a bad accident that they had to re-alter the frame of the car, Carmax took it off my hands for $10000 and I saw it on their website for $13000 two days later.

Answer 6

Do all of your research ahead of time, figure out what you want to spend, go in and demand it. If they do not give you that deal, walk away. They'll eventually call back, or another dealership will be more than willing to make the deal.