If buying a used car with cosmetic issues, whats best

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

If he can legitimately sell it for $30k vs $21k trade-in, I doubt the $1500 is of concern. Dealerships love to use the tax benefit as a selling point, but I'm yet to see the tax savings even equal the bath you take on value when you trade in. I've had that approach tried on me multiple times, the math never adds up. You trade for convenience, not because it makes good financial sense.

As I mentioned, just do and "in and out" where you have a buyer lined up, trade through the dealer but your buyer purchases the car from the dealer. You traded it in. You brought the dealer a buyer for your car at $xx,xxx. Will the dealer charge you something? Maybe, but it's probably not going to be $1500 (if $21K) or $2100 (if $30K). I typically charge $200 but it really depends on what's involved.

Most dealers will do it, and some buyers are happier doing it that way. They both have the opportunity to use dealer financing and dealer extended warranties that they may not have access to if a purely private party transaction.

YMMFV

[89911]

Originally Posted by matthew-s

Why get out of that car? It looks awfully nice. Are you ready for something else, or worried about it post-warranty?

I usually get out of them after 2-3 years max. Of all my BMW's, this one has been the best as far as reliability, performance, and looks. I sold my 545 when I bought this to a private party after the dealer offered me far less. I put it on Autotrader and the buyer flew in and picked it up days later. I did all right on it and the dealer did the paperwork to save on the tax so I've been down that road before. In fact, the dealer did a full inspection on the car, even telling the buyer that it may need new valve gaskets. Not a big issue. They even picked the guy up at the airport for me and took care of him. This car is close to falling off sharply in depreciation so thats my motivation. Nothing more.