upgrading - sell and finance or trade-in?

[RobertoMercini]

The itch has returned, I'm looking to pick up a c class saloon and my coupe will need a new home. Whilst I know I'll make more on a private sale (it's been well looked after and is a great example) I also know it's not a sellers market. I'm canvassing opinion on what's best for my pocket and blood pressure

 

[redbaron]

PX it.

Less risk. Private market is pretty dead and at the risk of upsetting you... not many people in the market for a relatively thirsty supercharged petrol motor right now.

 

[GreetMe]

I hate buying and selling cars privately but the PX offers I was getting for my M5 nearly made me cry so I decided I had no choice really.

It depends whether you mind losing the money for the convenience of a PX.

 

[redbaron]

I hate buying and selling cars privately but the PX offers I was getting for my M5 nearly made me cry so I decided I had no choice really.

It depends whether you mind losing the money for the convenience of a PX.

but an M5 is like an SL or AMG car - specialist with a cult following thus owners forums and the like generate interest for a private sale..

When was the last C180k "spotted on ebay" thread... it is mainstream and reasonable forecourt fodder - a dealer wont bid you in the ****** out of fear....

 

[GreetMe]

but an M5 is like an SL or AMG car - specialist with a cult following thus owners forums and the like generate interest for a private sale..

I know what you mean but I really struggled to sell my B5 RS4 last year and the M5 hasn't generated much interest either.

Maybe the market's fine and I'm just crap at selling cars.

 

[martyz]

Get a couple of px offers off a couple of dealers,advertise your car on autotrader
for 2-3hundred more,if sold and you fancy one of the cars they offered you a px on,
you will probably get another 2-3 hundred off as you are not part exchanging anything.

 

[RobertoMercini]

Thanks all, redbaron - no offence taken, I probably couldn't be selling it at a worse time, but as I've said - the itch is there haha. I've even looked at BMW 5 series but I can't (and won't) part myself from mb. May have to take the hit for what I want. We all sell our time anyway hey?!

 

[gIzzE]

I have always sold my cars privately and never had a problem getting rid of them, however, the trade in prices at the moment are so close to private sales that private sales just don't seem worth it.

I had my X1 advertised at £16,950 and just got given £17k for it from a Mercedes dealer!
Was offered £16,300 as a straight buy from BMW.
Kept getting private offers around £15k, and even when I had said what I had been offered they still kept saying things like "well you will be in a better position."
How would I? I can sell to BMW for £16300 cash or to you for £15k, how am I in a better position?! haha

 

[Obsidian Black]

Webuyanycar.com just gave me £1800 more than dealer offered on an SLK trade-in. Shocked and surprised. Also ****** with dealer for such a derisory offer!

 

[Rayny]

Martyz idea is good.
With the pain of Continuous Insurance Enforcement, and the fact that it is not currently a sellers market you really want to make sure that you will sell your car before committing to the new purchase.

 

[raymont]

It can be quite difficult with some dealers to disentangle what is being offered for your PX and how much discount is in the deal.

Just going through this process myself and one approach seems to be to get to the best possible ‘cost to change’ getting several dealers o bid against each other ( assuming it’s a new car) and then ask what the new car will cost if you sell the PX yourself.

Will be advertising my 420CDI in a week or so if anyone is interested.

 

[Colin_b]

It can be quite difficult with some dealers to disentangle what is being offered for your PX and how much discount is in the deal.

Does it really matter how the dealer balances discount/trade in? The cost to change is all that matters.

 

[raymont]

Does it really matter how the dealer balances discount/trade in? The cost to change is all that matters.

Yes it does if you're going to try to sell it privately.

In my recent experience the purchase price for the new car was different depending on the presence, or not, of a PX.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

This is what really grips me about changing cars.

Dealers (mainly main dealers) offer crap p/ex values and blame traders, i.e. 'can only get a bid for £10k in the trade mate' They then expect full retail price for their car.

So, there is no risk to them in my p/ex as they won't take ownership but then refuse to discount as they are taking a part ex.

Talk about having it both ways!