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Author	Topic: Selling Your Car or Trading It In? Spruce Up for Maximum Value!	Post a Reply Back to Topics

PD Moderator	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 1:23:02 PM Ignore PD Report Abuse Looking to sell your vehicle? Many consumers are so emotionally invested in their vehicle that once they decide to replace it they no longer make the effort to keep up its appearance. That could be a costly mistake. Making the effort to get it spruced up; washed, waxed and vacuumed, could be one of the smartest things you do to maximize its value, according to Alec Gutierrez, manager of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book. He says the difference in the value of your car as a trade-in could probably be negotiated upward by an extra $300 to $500 if it's properly cleaned. And some say that if you're selling the vehicle privately, it could mean even more. Lauren Fix, otherwise known as "The Car Coach... Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

Moderator

Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 1:23:02 PM

Ignore PD Report Abuse

Looking to sell your vehicle? Many consumers are so emotionally invested in their vehicle that once they decide to replace it they no longer make the effort to keep up its appearance. That could be a costly mistake.

Making the effort to get it spruced up; washed, waxed and vacuumed, could be one of the smartest things you do to maximize its value, according to Alec Gutierrez, manager of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book.

He says the difference in the value of your car as a trade-in could probably be negotiated upward by an extra $300 to $500 if it's properly cleaned. And some say that if you're selling the vehicle privately, it could mean even more.

Lauren Fix, otherwise known as "The Car Coach...

Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

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nate31379 Champion Author College Station Posts:333,888 Points:326,145 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 15, 2011 4:59:51 PM Ignore nate31379 Report Abuse Wow, I didn't know that. NOT!!
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,609 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 13, 2011 7:14:55 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Really? You mean you had to actually spell something this obvious OUT? Oh, yea, I forgot, Common Sense died long ago...
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,300 Points:1,636,970 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 11:01:47 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse SMART MOVE!
p_g91 Rookie Author Houston Posts:30 Points:377,945 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 9:35:07 PM Ignore p_g91 Report Abuse When buying a car, the first thing that attracts me is appearance.
lcleveland Champion Author San Antonio Posts:2,656 Points:650,075 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 12:24:57 PM Ignore lcleveland Report Abuse always buy used......no problems so far
york29 Rookie Author California Posts:69 Points:56,990 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 2:08:53 AM Ignore york29 Report Abuse I brought uesd truck i love it
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:10,891 Points:2,130,630 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 1:00:08 AM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse Last one I junked. Appearance was not a factor.
TelsaOR Champion Author Oregon Posts:3,561 Points:732,890 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 12:53:29 AM Ignore TelsaOR Report Abuse Just think I'll keep my new car. Been there done it.
GLCSHADOW Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,616 Points:1,885,560 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 12:21:19 AM Ignore GLCSHADOW Report Abuse I don't have to worry for awhile, I can't afford to get rid of the car I have.
Bigwaynef Champion Author South Carolina Posts:11,465 Points:2,079,785 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 12:14:03 AM Ignore Bigwaynef Report Abuse Depends on whose gonna show me the money...
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:5,609 Points:800,300 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 12:13:45 AM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse Agree, unless you just simply trade-in for a new car.
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,715 Points:1,580,475 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 12:12:34 AM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse Good advice.
jkpsr Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,074 Points:1,100,930 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 12:11:38 AM Ignore jkpsr Report Abuse I'm not the least bit interested in selling.
Gas Thirsty Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,876 Points:3,226,800 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 12:10:48 AM Ignore Gas Thirsty Report Abuse I rather sell my car and get top dollars.
frostyWV Champion Author West Virginia Posts:2,339 Points:519,235 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 12:07:59 AM Ignore frostyWV Report Abuse only common sense.
rippinusoff Champion Author Lexington Posts:7,393 Points:1,486,575 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 12:07:19 AM Ignore rippinusoff Report Abuse gas prices should be under 3 bucks a gallon... this comment has nothing to do with the article because the article has nothing to do with gas prices
UpSol7 Champion Author Augusta Posts:1,643 Points:757,675 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 12:04:58 AM Ignore UpSol7 Report Abuse thank you, master of the obvious
hank1326 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:8,909 Points:1,732,085 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 12:04:30 AM Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse Practical advice. Commen sense but never too much.
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,565 Points:2,444,160 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 12:03:13 AM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse I have NO Bummer bumper stickers--most were removed from the roads in the Cash for Clunkers program.
KhelbenArunson Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,436 Points:715,940 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2011 12:01:11 AM Ignore KhelbenArunson Report Abuse good advice but common sense.
hamdriver Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,479 Points:1,377,375 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:59:18 PM Ignore hamdriver Report Abuse yep
NedW Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,609 Points:1,141,270 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:55:39 PM Ignore NedW Report Abuse What?! The price of my car didn't include a government subsidized return deposit??
mwo Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,640 Points:1,331,675 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:55:19 PM Ignore mwo Report Abuse Dollar cost average is the way I deal
Packman3231 All-Star Author Oregon Posts:627 Points:1,850,115 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:54:45 PM Ignore Packman3231 Report Abuse I would rather buy a nice looking car rather then a shabby one.
dirt girl Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:35,949 Points:3,071,030 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:51:18 PM Ignore dirt girl Report Abuse I've seen some real junkers that run better than their neighbors shiney newer cars.
rxman1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:9,540 Points:1,860,920 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:51:00 PM Ignore rxman1 Report Abuse This assumes that they actually look at your vehicle instead of looking the price up in a book.
rbrk02 Champion Author Rhode Island Posts:5,730 Points:816,030 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:48:49 PM Ignore rbrk02 Report Abuse Not planning on selling or trading. I plan to keep driving it for quite a bit longer.
Holly123 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:3,192 Points:789,010 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:46:50 PM Ignore Holly123 Report Abuse Keep it and save your money.
OTISFL Champion Author Pensacola Posts:4,605 Points:864,840 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:43:46 PM Ignore OTISFL Report Abuse Good advice but it IS common sense.
goldrose1 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:10,931 Points:1,923,530 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:39:37 PM Ignore goldrose1 Report Abuse use it until donate
jjfisher All-Star Author Toledo Posts:546 Points:747,690 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:39:25 PM Ignore jjfisher Report Abuse If you show that you take care of the outside of your car. Others are more apt to believe that you took care underneath the hood as well.
billey32 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:1,359 Points:351,210 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:38:18 PM Ignore billey32 Report Abuse Neither
Tiernan Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,475 Points:818,100 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:33:57 PM Ignore Tiernan Report Abuse Or neither - donate it!
Firstbricky Veteran Author Tennessee Posts:402 Points:134,275 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:30:48 PM Ignore Firstbricky Report Abuse Or just drive them until the wheels fall off
pnrrth Veteran Author Greenville Posts:469 Points:174,430 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:30:32 PM Ignore pnrrth Report Abuse Neither
tippybuddy Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,523 Points:207,740 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:30:23 PM Ignore tippybuddy Report Abuse I'm not selling or trading either but it does make sense to clean up a car your going to try and sell...
lin95688 Veteran Author California Posts:499 Points:236,035 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:28:50 PM Ignore lin95688 Report Abuse not selling nor trading
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,061 Points:1,730,260 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:28:27 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse common sense
Ray_10589 Champion Author New York Posts:4,941 Points:1,182,010 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:28:03 PM Ignore Ray_10589 Report Abuse good tip.....
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:13,677 Points:2,613,050 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:27:50 PM Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse I've been told that a dealer looks through grime because it's so easily taken care of, but who knows? In a private sale, it seems obvious that the car should shine.
nickrapak All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:513 Points:135,755 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:25:18 PM Ignore nickrapak Report Abuse Makes sense. Nobody wants to buy a dirty car.
1Casey Champion Author Albany Posts:6,523 Points:1,791,210 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:18:08 PM Ignore 1Casey Report Abuse Always wise to do.
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:17,615 Points:3,493,730 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:17:55 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse I drive my cars until they are ready for the junk yard (typically 15+ years and over 250K miles).
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:7,917 Points:1,574,005 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:17:16 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse clean is worth more
AnObserver Champion Author New Jersey Posts:8,354 Points:2,257,780 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:12:35 PM Ignore AnObserver Report Abuse Aclean car is a valuable car
s6sputnik Champion Author Austin Posts:6,219 Points:1,307,195 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:11:07 PM Ignore s6sputnik Report Abuse Like stocks... buy low, sell high!
zeddieiv Champion Author Columbia Posts:5,740 Points:1,504,905 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:03:39 PM Ignore zeddieiv Report Abuse good idea
altima2008 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:8,155 Points:1,736,040 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 11:02:20 PM Ignore altima2008 Report Abuse We all know matter what the stealerships are only going to give you minimum value for your car then sell it for all they can and make the most profit!
mcmonsta Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,222 Points:816,820 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 10:58:52 PM Ignore mcmonsta Report Abuse like any car if it looks good , been maintained and sounds good...you probably wouldn't mind paying for it and vice versa
NoGas714 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:738 Points:750,235 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Aug 9, 2011 10:58:34 PM Ignore NoGas714 Report Abuse It's what "the book" say's it's worth. Anything else you do to it is a total waste of time and money.