[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I'm honestly baffled how anyone trades in a car. We have a 2017 Toyota Sienna XLE Premium AWD with 30k in mint condition, loaded with Toyota service records, window sticker, two fobs, clean and clear title, etc. Basically a turn-key car for a dealer, it could go into inventory on day 1. My wife is tired of driving a minivan, and so am I, so we are going to get a Ford Flex Limited Ecoboost which is a really nice driving wagon. For the sake of convenience I considered trading as the book trade in value aligns nicely with the retail value of a low mileage 2016 or 2017 Flex with our desired options. Seems fair, right? So thus far I spoke with a dealer in KS with a left over 2016 demo with 2,500 miles, they made me a low ball trade in offer that was under even Carmax, didn't give me any relief on their Flex from MSRP, then quit calling me back. Second dealer with a left over 2017 demo with X,XXX miles (never could even tell me how many) that made me an even lower offer, didn't move off of MSRP, and didn't call me back. WTF? Seriously, how does anyone in their right mind trade in a car? I can easily sell this thing for at least $4k more than the highest offer, then buy a lightly used Flex for about $16k less than these morons have offered me for comparable cars. I still have access to Manheim auction data so I can even see what similar vans are selling for at wholesale auction, what I'm being offered for trade in would allow these fools to make $5k+ just taking my van to auction. Absolutely insane.

I have had a dealer actually tell me to take my car to CarMax instead of trade it because they could not compete w/ them on value.

We had a 2009 Ford Flex. It was an awesome car...best road trip car ever. We had the 2nd row captains chairs with the center console refrigerator/freezer and the glass roof. One of the smoothest and quietest highway cars I have ever driven.

Funny we actually got rid the Flex for a similar reason your wife wants rid of the mini van....my wife felt it was too big and didn't like driving it. As soon as the kids were out of strollers and carseats we traded it for a Volvo C70 hardtop convertible. Yes I said we traded it LOL.