To part-ex or not to part-ex?

LDR28

Hi All,
hoping for some advice on part exchanging a car (or not as the case may be), what to expect and how to go about it.

I'm looking to change my car in the next few weeks and have been doing a fair bit of research in preparation. I've already had a couple of part-ex valuations on my current car, which were (surprise, surprise) a little lower than I'd hoped for. As I'm in no hurry to change I've advertised the car privately in the hope of getting a little more but haven't ruled out a part-ex.

I have already gone into discussion with one salesman over a 2nd hand car seen in Cardiff but the issue of PX-ing my old car seemed to complicate the deal slightly - we spent more time talking about what he'd give me for the old car than what he'd take for the new one. I understand that they're basically the same thing and that ultimately the most important figure is the 'Cost to change', but couldn't help wondering whether my negotiations would have been easier/better/more fruitful without having to factor in the PX issue.

My query is this: given the extra hassle involved in a part exchange deal (to the dealer and to myself) would I be better off shifting the car privately so that I'm haggling for the new car from scratch, or does this make little difference? Am I likely to get a better deal if I treat the two transactions separately?

Any info or experiences would be appreciated.

Incyder

Well if you have already sold your old car any saleman will note a sense of desperation in you.
At least whilst still owning your old car you are mobile and can easily get around to view what garages have to offer.
Its very hard, to time it all perfectly, selling your own car then collecting the new one next day.
All my cars go to the scrapyard after I finish with them so i am used to it.

I would say keep looking but know what you will accept as £££ px for yours and stick to it.

colino

Always sell your car privately and go looking with cash, it will save you £s. However for your saving you do have the inconvenience of selling to the general public (a small taste of what dealers do day in and day out!) and the general hassle of getting around and seeing what is available.

leosayer

Part exchange is far far less hassle than selling privately.

Work out how much the hassle factor of selling privately is worth to you and offset that against what you might get in px. For the sake of a few hundred quid you might think it's not worth it. Might be different if it's in the thousands!

Jackinbox99

There are plus`s and minus`s to both ways of doing this really. Ive always gone out and bought my new car, then sold my old one. If your lucky you will get more for your car privately and be able to knock money of the new car for a cash no p/x deal.

The downside is, that you may suddenly find it hard to sell your old car, and be stuck with 2 cars... one sitting there depreciating as it cant sell. I had this problem with my other halves Ford Fiesta. At the time they were selling for about £2000. The garage offered us £1200 part ex. We tried to sell it privately for £1700 for a quick sale and for some reason noone wanted it. It was a nice little car, low milage, new engine in it, but it just wouldnt sell. In the end we sold it for £1200 to a private seller. So, in that example we would probably have been better off part ex`ing. it.

Of course, if your car has any mechanical problems, then id recommend part ex`ing it as a good way to get rid of it, rather than passing those problems onto a private buyer.

Nearly all cars which are part ex`d to garages usually go straight into an auction, so the garage only cares that they will get their money back on what they allow for the part ex.

LDR28

Thanks for the responses guys

Seems to be a case of 'Convenience of PX versus Gambling on making a little more privately.

Thankfully my car is in good condition with a low milage for it's age. I'll not kid myself that it's worth more than it is but of course these factors should help in achieving a higher value. I think a research trip to a few dealers is on the cards for tomorrow - let's see what they offer!