Trading down - part exchange

ruthiebabeuk

Hello moneysavers

I want to trade in my Mini Cooper S for a Fiat 500, mostly because the day-to-day running costs of a Cooper S are so high.

Will a dealer happily part-ex my car, even though it's worth more than the car I'm buying? Am I likely to get a less competitive quote if I'm trading down?

Any thoughts most welcome

McKneff

Try selling it privately first.

ruthiebabeuk

Hi -thank you for your reply

To be honest I'm loathe to sell it privately for a few reasons...I know I won't get as good a deal on part-ex as I would if I sold privately, but it's really the convenience that is a big thing for me as I would need a replacement car immediately.

Are most dealers prepared to part-ex on a car that is worth more than the one they're selling?

McKneff

Only my own personal opinion mind but the sales men are full of bull.

The might give you a good price for your car but you have to knock the extra on the head because there will be less negotion with the car you buy.

I always get a better deal haggling when i go with no baggage,
(and Im brilliant at haggling:D)

I'm a golden oldie so have had plenty of 2nd hand cars in my life.
funnily enough, my first one was an old version mini in the early 70's

Looking at your username, youre female, they think they can con females easier than men. Just so you know.
Annie

iolanthe07

Trading down is possible, but not easy to get a good deal because traders want cashflow.

harveybobbles

McKneff wrote: »

sales men are full of bull.

I see some pretty good bollox coming out of the mouths of private people - ie when valuing a px we get told how well its running and how much of a shame it is to be letting it go.

This month, I took in PX 3 cars - all were very clean, retail examples with nice mileage. I often aqsk myself why are they getting rid of a nice car and under value it in the hope thye go else where. turns out this month I ended up with these three cars, all from seperaste people all over the northwest.

Two need head gaskets doing and the other needs a turbo.

[Deleted User]

harveybobbles wrote: »

I see some pretty good bollox coming out of the mouths of private people - ie when valuing a px we get told how well its running and how much of a shame it is to be letting it go.

This month, I took in PX 3 cars - all were very clean, retail examples with nice mileage. I often aqsk myself why are they getting rid of a nice car and under value it in the hope thye go else where. turns out this month I ended up with these three cars, all from seperaste people all over the northwest.

Two need head gaskets doing and the other needs a turbo.

It is the same when I see "private" sellers on eBay selling a car which they have just took in as part ex on their car which they have just sold. Like that mint green Focus the other week with the funny write up.

Always some dodgy reason under the bonnet.

harveybobbles

One guy PX'ing his Focus said he'd done his own servicing, yet when I asked him to open the bonnet he couldnt find the "catch...".

A young girl swapping in her 53 plate Corsa SXi she'd had from new, when asked if it'd had any bumps etc she swore blind it hadn't. I always ask this question when valuing any car, but with hers I could see the slam panel, headlights and radiator were new. So I asked her again and she said no... So then I said "oh right, its just with it having a body shops front number plate thats all..."

*tumble weed...*

Kilty_2

If the trade price is higher than the retail price of the car you're buying then yes, absolutely.

LandyAndy

ruthiebabeuk wrote: »

Hello moneysavers

I want to trade in my Mini Cooper S for a Fiat 500, mostly because the day-to-day running costs of a Cooper S are so high.

Will a dealer happily part-ex my car, even though it's worth more than the car I'm buying? Am I likely to get a less competitive quote if I'm trading down?

Any thoughts most welcome

You will lose far more 'hidden' money than you will save in 'day to day' money.

almillar

At the very least, go to Parkers.co.uk and check what your Mini, and the 500 are worth there. People will howl that it's inaccurate, but you'll at least know if the dealer's ripping you off by £1,000s. As above, the cost to change could outweigh a long time of running costs.
If you really want to save money, don't be such a fashion victim, and get a Fiat Panda instead...