jekv12

Thanks for the confirmation!

jekv12

Garsarno, I must me using the edmunds tool incorrectly or reading the results incorrectly. When I load the tool up with all the options the numbers I get are somewhat higher. Doesn't matter, as the common wisdom here is 23K is too high. Thanks!

jekv12

I've looked at the 2013 Altima (much better seats than prior years) and the Passat TDI. Both would be in the high 20s... I tested a loaded TDI last week, the SEL Premium. Sticker was over 33K, dealer was willing to sell it for 28,500 and that was the internet email offer, before any back and forth.

What Lexus has going for it is the location of the dealer for service and the loaner program. I drive a lot for work and not having to move customer (or service) appointments around is nice. Of course it is only a few times a year...

garsarno

That's what I got in redoing it. I based it on your vehicle being rated "average" in it's trade in condition. I had a 2007 Ultra, bought new,only problems were the transmission being replaced in the first three months of ownership and the passenger side window coming off its tracks, rear brake pads needing replacement at 19,000 miles. The rest was normal maintenance. Traded it in after 55,000 miles for a leftover 2011.

jekv12

Ah, "average." I had it higher since it was CPO. Interesting comment about the window - I saw replacement of the passenger side window in the service records. Everything else looked normal.

garsarno

The dealers rank our cars as average unless it is next to brand new.

pseconds

Hi, i just sold my 2007 with nav, hid, parking sensors, backup camera, push button, heated/ventilated seats with 59,000 for $18,000. I used craigslist and the buyer paid for a mechanic inspection at an independent shop. It worked out well, but 23k is too high, even for certified in my opinion. I sold knowing it was in good shape and there was nothing wrong with it.

jcat_350

You sold for well below book value. That has no bearing on what a CPO car coming from a dealer would sell for. Private party prices are typically 15-20% below dealer retail, because the dealer has more services to offer (financing, servicing, accountability for problems etc.).

That being the case, selling your car for 18k private party means that had it been traded into a dealer, you would have gotten 15-16k trade value and they would have then turned around and put it on their lot for 20k, or take the time to certify it (if a lexus dealer) and put it on the lot for 22k, with a value of 1500 being placed on the certification. So it's really not that far off.

pseconds

I wish! It would have been a lot easier to trade. I went to two different dealers one offered me $13k on a trade, and the other dealer, who I was really close to buying from, offered on $13.5.

It was frustrating, because I presented them with facts, like NADA, KBB, and Kelly, but they say they don't really go by that. Yet, when they are selling cars at inflated prices, they cite those same sources.

I really don't like dealers much.

jcat_350

the problem is the auctions. With ES350's being as common as they are, they can get their hands on a relatively high number of cars for relatively cheap money at the auction.

Example, my 07 with 77k miles books out around 14500ish. However, if they wanted my same car, they could go to the auction and find one for 10-12k all said and done, fluff it and put it on the lot for the same 16k retail that both cars book at. You wanna make 4k or 1500?

I usually blow their minds and take all the numbers between NADA, KBB and Edmunds, and average them all out. It's especially fun trying to get the sales rep to follow.