Dealer emailed me and said they want to buy my car back.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I took my 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe to the stealer for the timing belt replacement because it was barely more than I'd have spent on parts to DIY it. They just emailed me what I'm sure it a marketing ploy saying they flagged my car as one they want to buy back. I pretty much stole it from a neighboring Buick dealer after I walked out and let them keep calling me until they accepted my offer almost a week later. So is this an attempt to really buy my car or to get me to trade it in for something newer (which I don't want)?

onewhippedpuppy · 04-08-2014, 05:59 PM

Trade in ploy, I've gotten it before. They'll waste your time and eventually throw you a lowball offer. "We really need used inventory!"

WPOZZZ · 04-08-2014, 06:01 PM

Same old BS to get you to buy a car from them.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Ok, will ignore.

Jess · Jess's Garage

Yes on older cars, it's usually a ploy to get you in. Right now good used cars are in short supply, though, so if they liked it they really may have been prepared to make a good offer. I know I'm paying too much for trades right now if it's something I can find a home for.

On the other hand, if you're coming up to within six months of the end of a lease, there can be outstanding offers made. Right now BMW is calling lessees at thirty months into their lease offering to forgive the remainder of their lease if they'll lease another BMW. They'll even forgive over miles in some cases.

In an attempt at full disclosure I'm an auto broker but if anyone ever has questions like this one, I'd be happy to try to answer them.

Jesse

slakjaw · 04-08-2014, 08:00 PM

maybe they destroyed your motor and it would be cheaper to buy you a new car

Steve Carlton · 04-08-2014, 08:24 PM

It's a come-on to see how dumb you are.

t-tom · 04-09-2014, 04:58 AM

I get them from Hendrick toyota all the time. We'd like to buy your 2001 tundra

onewhippedpuppy · 04-09-2014, 05:32 AM

There's no such thing as an "outstanding" trade in offer. It will always be below market value to allow them to make a profit.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Anything in the dealer's interest isn't in yours. If they're reaching out to you they've got an agenda and it's pretty likely that it involves screwing you to benefit them somehow. Pretty simple. Automatic round-file.

FLYGEEZER · 04-09-2014, 05:56 AM

Been getting the same BS letters from the Honda dealer that sold my wife her Element.