Trading in Explorer, need advice

[davidrob]

I'm planning on buying a new 2004 ford ranger and trading in my 94 explorer since there are many rebates and I got a new great paying job. The problem is that they are definatly screwing me on my trade in. It is in incredible shape for the year with low mileage it runs great, and has small amount of surface rust on the quarter panels but other then that the paint still looks new. But since I have the skyjacker 1.5 inch lift on it they are using that as the basis for screwing me. I figured that because of the small lift I would price it out on edmunds in only average condtion, which means it needs significate repairs, to copensate for the lift. Since lifting does reduce the value. The price it comes out to be is for a trade in value of 2300. Every dealer has told me its not worth a cent more than 1000. The edmunds and blue book retail value of it is 3700. I know this is a rip off because i could part it out for well over that. I am not trying to make a profit on it or rip off the dealer I just want fair value for it. I'd even be happy with 2000 for the trade in. Has anyone else had any success trading in a explorer similiar to mine.

 

[NusenseSD]

if edmunds shows it at 2300 for trade in value and they are willing to only give you a 1000 bargain.. You should be able to get them to atleast 2000 for th trade in.. Wash it, clean it up.. if the lift is limiting your trade in can you put it back to stock?

If you walk in there and tell them you are ready to buy, either take the money off what they are trying to sell you or give you the 2G's either way, get your money out of it.. Trust me they want to sell you a truck..

What I would do is go onto the web.. There is a site, not sure what it is.. a little digging and I could get it for you if needed.. Basically do a search for info on new vehicles.. They sent my info to 5 dealers in the area and they all wanted to sell me a new truck.. The one that gave me the most for the trade in is what I went to..

 

[MyExpWork]

Dealer will not give you what you want.

Just sell it private-party.

 

[MrShorty]

This is exactly why I haven't tried to sell either of mine for something new - it's almost always a losing proposition. Trade in value is too low to make any real difference towards a new car, and then the cost of the new car is so high that you end up losing more money after financing it.
I'm not much of a negotiator, but here's what I'd do. Decide how much you want for you Explorer ($2000) and how much you want to pay total for the Ranger. Walk in and tell the salesman, "I want to buy that Ranger over there for $xx,x... I want to sell my Explorer for $2000." If he calls your bluff and says he can't do it, then turn around and start walking. If he really can't do it, then he'll let you walk. If he can do it, he'll stop you. Of course, the risk with this strategy is that he'll let you walk out and drive you old '94 away. You have to be ready and willing to accept that possibility. but, since your '94 is, "in incredible shape for the year with low mileage [and] runs great," that really wouldn't be a bad thing.

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

Dealer will not give you what you want. Just sell it private-party.

I agree 100%. The dealer never will give you what you want or think the value of your truck is. Heck, I would give you a grand for the X site unseen. Go to CarMax and see what they will give you for it. I always do that first to find out a vehicles value and deal from there. It's a good starting point. Can't you just lower it back to stock?

Also with what shorty said, they will/may let you walk, but in a couple of days someone from the dealer will be calling you to try to make the deal. Especially if they ran a credit check on you already and you are approved for the sell.

 

[Jason94sport]

That's how it is. Used car market is in the crapper & so is resale. A dealer will not give you what you want for it. I don't agree with the walking away either cause that dealer can sell the truck you are looking at to someone else with ease, & 99% of the time will let you walk. I'd wait, sell the X on ebay, or put an ad in the paper.

Carmax is a good option if you have one in your area. However they may not give you much cause of the lift. If you go that route I wouldn't mention it. Let them notice it. If they care that will say so.

 

[spta97]

Private sale will always yield more money. Clean the truck up and look at posting it on cars.com. I've sold 2 cars this way. You may even find a buyer who wants a lift kit!

 

[JayTye4k]

I always use Autotrader.com to buy & sell cars. Works like charm everytime.

 

[plrs x45]

I am not defending the auto market at all. I know they screw you when they offer the good deals and give you nothing on the trade in. However, There is a very small population of people who are willing to buy an X raised. It is so small that they will offer you next to nothing (like they did) and hope to dump it cheap. Part it out or sell it yourself. Also, the 94 X is two generations removed from the current one. There is also not a market for that style or type. I am having the same problems getting my X traded in. It is a 98 V8 and they want to give me 2k for it. It is in very good condition and kept up well. Good luck.

 

[IAmTodd]

As dumb as this may sound, try a different dealer. If you have found the truck you like, the other dealer can trade with the 'bad' dealer to get the truck you want. Thats how they did it with my parents Explorer. It came from somewhere in Ohio. And there is really no way around a 10 year old truck. Dealers find older cars a hassle. It seems like anything older than a '98 is a hassle to a dealer or even a "better" used car lot. Hey, how do you get offord $4500 one week and then $3500 the next week at two different lots? They're all different.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Are you paying sticker for the Ranger? I'd sell the Ex myself, and work out a few thousand off the Ranger. If they tell you they can't go elsewhere. Don't let them pressure you, that is how they work. Play their game, and don't cave.

 

[stubborn1]

I agree with others - sell the X yourself. Most large dealers are just going to ship the X to an auction anyway since they won't want the risk of selling a 10-11 year old vehicle that's been modified.

Hopefully you've done some research at places like Edmunds, carsdirect.com, etc to determine a fair price on the new Ranger. Just make sure to negotiate based on the selling price and not on a monthly payment. Dealers will try to quote monthly payments which they can pack other things into besides the price of the truck.

Having financing pre-approved helps also. I've always had the dealer beat my interest rate, but at least you know they aren't hosing you.

 

[davidrob]

I understand everyone's point about it not being worth their time to try and sell a vehicle that old that is modified. However the kbb trade in price takes all that into account and I'm even asking for less than that. Plus explorers of that year in similar condition sell for roughly 4-6k. So I want them to make fair profit on it. Is there any chance of me getting 2000- 2300??

 

[MKoback]

I've had the opportunity to sell new/used Fords before and let me tell you one thing, never accept or believe the dealers first offer. Most likely the X is being looked at by a wholeseller and he won't give crap to begin with. Sell it outright yourself. As for the new Ranger, depending on options there is about $2000 mark up in the vehicle BEFORE rebates. If I'm not mistaken the rebate from Ford is now $4000 - 5000 considering the '05 is just around the corner. If you play your cards right, you can walk away with a real good deal on the Ranger and pocket some good money by selling your vehicle your own way. Hope this helps.

 

[plrs x45]

I went to purchase a new X this spring and they were trying everything they could do to get me into it. They lowered the price from 37.8k to 34.2 AND then took the 4k off in rebates AND the $1500 off for X owner loyalty. Trust us, there is a super markup on that ranger. Make them feel like you don't have to buy today and they will try to work YOU and not you working them. good luck.