I'm a car salesmen, Go ahead and ask me anything

[TimSJ]

Hi Scrambler.

Don't really know much about them but as a trade i would say you would get around $2k maybe. As a trade it really would not be of much interest to a dealer. Would solely be a wholesale peice. i would say it is something that you could put in the autotrader for 5,000 and see where you get.

[Stranger]

I'm looking to sell a 2006 GMC Envoy. It is loaded except leather and has 19000 kms. It looks brand new. What would it be worth? It listed at $47000 when I bought it.

[TimSJ]

the average auction price is $16,700 with an average KM of 64,000.. With your low mileage it is a bit hard to call for me as i don't deal with them that often.
Sorry

[Bobblehead]

Tim, are you getting grief about the US/CAN price differential? How is it "in the trenches"?

[Kjesse]

This thread is very useful, thanks Tim!

My question: In a trade-in situation where the dealer receives a car that they do intend to sell on their lot, what's the usual spread between trade-in value and the price the dealer then asks on the lot? And how much does the dealer expect to have to "deal" on those used cars in terms of asking price to sale price?

[octothorp]

Earlier in this thread (several months ago), you suggested that someone consider clean diesel rather than hybrid. I'm actually really seriously considering clean diesel, but I'm a bit concerned about the long-term value of these cars, since diesel has just never caught on here the way it has in europe. I'm also concerned about cold-weather performance. Personally, I love the idea of getting the vastly superior fuel efficiency, and I'm a believer that torque is more important than horsepower in cars, which makes a TDI perfect for me. What are your thoughts on the future of diesels?

(The specific model I'm considering is the VW 2008 TDI Sportwagen, which apparently won't be released until next summer.)

[TimSJ]

Originally Posted by Delgar

This thread is very useful, thanks Tim!

My question: In a trade-in situation where the dealer receives a car that they do intend to sell on their lot, what's the usual spread between trade-in value and the price the dealer then asks on the lot? And how much does the dealer expect to have to "deal" on those used cars in terms of asking price to sale price?

Depends on the price level mainly i guess. for example in you have a car that comes in on trade at $12,000 and spend $500 to $1000 on reconditioning you would prob list it at $14,900 expecting to get $14,000 out of it and make $1500 - $2000

Generally i would say that most are looking to make 10% not really worth selling in my opinion if you can't make 10 points.

[TimSJ]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Earlier in this thread (several months ago), you suggested that someone consider clean diesel rather than hybrid. I'm actually really seriously considering clean diesel, but I'm a bit concerned about the long-term value of these cars, since diesel has just never caught on here the way it has in europe. I'm also concerned about cold-weather performance. Personally, I love the idea of getting the vastly superior fuel efficiency, and I'm a believer that torque is more important than horsepower in cars, which makes a TDI perfect for me. What are your thoughts on the future of diesels?

(The specific model I'm considering is the VW 2008 TDI Sportwagen, which apparently won't be released until next summer.)

I still think that diesel is the way to go. The new diesel technology is fantastic. as far as winter starting not an issue anymore.. we had diesels sitting out all last winter smarts and MB's and they always started... Also the biggest beef with people about diesel was that they were noisey, smelly dirty etc. With the new engines when you are driving down the road there is no discernable difference.

MB just had there Bluetec diesel engine certified for sale in California and will be going on sale in January.. If it is good enough to get past the California emissions standards that should give it a good leg up in the market.

The new VW tdi engines btw are built using technology bought from MB..

[TimSJ]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Tim, are you getting grief about the US/CAN price differential? How is it "in the trenches"?

It is brutal... Killing business like crazy. the problem is that people are expecting the prices to drop here and are afraid to "pull the trigger"

I have a ton of business on the go but everyone is afraid to say yes.

There are some real issues but the problem is not with the Canadian Prices it is with the US prices. If you compare the prices of Cars in Canada to the EU, Asia, Austraila we are right in there. The US is underpriced but the market is so huge they cannot raise the prices. Gotta keep all those Union Factories running.

In a lot of cases people are getting screwed on the cars they are buying in the US.. Flood cars etc.. CARFAX is not the be all and end all... Still be very wary...

The price gap appears to be huge but in a lot of cases it really is not when you boil it right down..

take a 2008 MB C300 for example

Base Price Canada $41,000
Base Price US $31,000
looks huge..
but the US car does not have the same level of standard features of the Canadian car... no sunroof, no bi-xenon lights etc...

Price in US with same options $35,725

so now we are a bit closer.

now add the 6% duty as the car is built in Europe. $2,143
Cost to certify and import $1,500 approx
Total $39,368

now on CDN C-Class if you are a cash buyer there is a $1000 rebate.

So now your diff is $40,000 for the Canadain C300 vs $39,368 for the US car... not worth the drive.

I am rambling I will try and put together a better post on the topic later.

tim

[worth]

Hey Tim, I have a 2000 Impala LS with 208,000km on it.

Pic:
http://aycu40.webshots.com/image/341...5892305_rs.jpg

It's in decent shape, still runs well. I know I won't get much for it. Hell, i doubt if i'd even be able to sell it. Who wants a car with 208,000km on it? I wouldn't touch it with a 10 ft cattle prod. But im debating whether I should try and sell it and buy something with lower kms on it or if I should just keep it until I can't drive it anymore. I'm probably won't get anything for it so I'm thinking it's not worth it to try to sell it and buy something. May as well just drive it. Do you have any thoughts on that?

Thanks.

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

It is brutal... Killing business like crazy. the problem is that people are expecting the prices to drop here and are afraid to "pull the trigger"

I have a ton of business on the go but everyone is afraid to say yes.

There are some real issues but the problem is not with the Canadian Prices it is with the US prices. If you compare the prices of Cars in Canada to the EU, Asia, Austraila we are right in there. The US is underpriced but the market is so huge they cannot raise the prices. Gotta keep all those Union Factories running.

In a lot of cases people are getting screwed on the cars they are buying in the US.. Flood cars etc.. CARFAX is not the be all and end all... Still be very wary...

The price gap appears to be huge but in a lot of cases it really is not when you boil it right down..

take a 2008 MB C300 for example

Base Price Canada $41,000
Base Price US $31,000
looks huge..
but the US car does not have the same level of standard features of the Canadian car... no sunroof, no bi-xenon lights etc...

Price in US with same options $35,725

so now we are a bit closer.

now add the 6% duty as the car is built in Europe. $2,143
Cost to certify and import $1,500 approx
Total $39,368

now on CDN C-Class if you are a cash buyer there is a $1000 rebate.

So now your diff is $40,000 for the Canadain C300 vs $39,368 for the US car... not worth the drive.

I am rambling I will try and put together a better post on the topic later.

tim

I thought that was a good post, love that you've taken the time to reply to everyone, myself included!

Thanks

[TimSJ]

Originally Posted by worth

Hey Tim, I have a 2000 Impala LS with 208,000km on it.

Pic:
http://aycu40.webshots.com/image/341...5892305_rs.jpg

It's in decent shape, still runs well. I know I won't get much for it. Hell, i doubt if i'd even be able to sell it. Who wants a car with 208,000km on it? I wouldn't touch it with a 10 ft cattle prod. But im debating whether I should try and sell it and buy something with lower kms on it or if I should just keep it until I can't drive it anymore. I'm probably won't get anything for it so I'm thinking it's not worth it to try to sell it and buy something. May as well just drive it. Do you have any thoughts on that?

Thanks.

Average wholesale $3,400 average kms 165,000.

I guess you have to ask the question what is it costing me to run..If you are having to spend $3k a year ($250 a month) keeping it running can my $250 be put to better use towards a new car.

Soley a judgement call on your part. if you like, know the car etc not bored with it.. drive it into the ground and then replace it.

[Scrambler]

Hello again Tim, thanks for replying to my previous post. Curious about this one:

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/car/473324956.html

In short it's a 92 Geo Tracker for $2700 as opposed to the $5000-ish for the 4 door built 5 years later.

Do you think the 92 version is priced well?

[DuffMan]

Hi Tim,
First time caller, long time listener.
just kidding.
I'm pretty sure someone asked previously, when is the best time to buy, and i think you said, end of the month is more important than end of the year. Do i have that right? There is a lot of end of the year, clearance, 2007's out the door, adverts out right now. How long can a person sit on buying last years model?

[TimSJ]

Originally Posted by Scrambler

Hello again Tim, thanks for replying to my previous post. Curious about this one:

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/car/473324956.html

In short it's a 92 Geo Tracker for $2700 as opposed to the $5000-ish for the 4 door built 5 years later.

Do you think the 92 version is priced well?

Hi Scrambler,

once you get over 10 years old it is worth whatever someone will pay for it.. As a dealer i wouldn't be able to give someone $500 as a trade..

you just need to justify to yourself if t is worth X dollars to you.

[TimSJ]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Hi Tim,
First time caller, long time listener.
just kidding.
I'm pretty sure someone asked previously, when is the best time to buy, and i think you said, end of the month is more important than end of the year. Do i have that right? There is a lot of end of the year, clearance, 2007's out the door, adverts out right now. How long can a person sit on buying last years model?

End of month is good.. I would say end of year is better as everyone is scrambling to make there targets.

[metallicat]

I bought an 07 Nissan Sentra this past February. Now I am getting things in the mail about sales and discounts on 08 models. Do dealerships accept trade ins this early on? If so, would I likely be able to just put down X amount of money and keep the same payment schedule...etc?

[Eric Vail]

What is the best time of year to be looking for a used car to get the best price? I know that different seasons are busy and other times are slow. Would I be best shopping in January or February while most people are still paying off Christmas and not looking for a new car? Are dealers really clearing inventory at the end of the year, and hence better prices, or is that simply a sales pitch?

[go iggy]

I have a huge headache on my hands. I have a 2003 honda civic si with 106000 km. I took it in at 102245 km. I took it in because it was running rough. When I shifted it made noise in all the gears. The Dealer checked it out and said I needed new BRG's in the trans axle. He said it would cost $2000. I asked what is BRG's and he said new bearings for the tranny. He told me I'm racing the car and shifting gears at a very high rpm. That is totally untrue. I take care of the care very much. Anyways, he asked if I had warrenty and I said it expired (the bumper to bumper in april and powertrain at 100000). So I walked away with out getting it fixed. I was originaly there to get the timing belt done which it was.
My questions is . Is there any chance Honda will pay for that tansmission to be fixed? It's only 2245 km over the warrenty. I called Honda canada and told what happened and customer service said they will get back to me in 48 to 72 hours.

What can I do?

Thanks
Sam

[TimSJ]

not too much.. hope for goodwill on Honda's part.. Do you go to the dealer for all your service etc.. If so they should likely go to bat for you as well....

Best of luck