Car trade-in question
 

I'm about done with my 2000 Miata. It was great while it lasted--lots of fun, great car to drive, all of that. But... I think my posture has improved since I bought it or something. I used to fit it like a glove, but nowadays I'm hurting for headroom. It actually makes my back sore to drive it with the top up. And I find myself shlepping stuff around that doesn't fit in it. Seven years is plenty, it's time to move on.

So I'm going to use it as trade-in against something new, quite likely an 08 Highlander.

Question is: it's got a paint-scrape and broken fog lamp cowling on the front driver's-side bumper from when a certain resident of my home (I shan't say who, but her name rhymes with "blurkette") skeetched it against the retaining wall next to the driveway.

Should I get that repaired on my own before offering it as trade-in? Will I do better trading it in as-is and letting the dealership ding me for that?

rofl . most dealerships are going to screw you on your trade in anyway.
if you are selling it yourself, fix them. if you are taking it to a dealership for a trade in, i'd price out the fixes, but unless they were dirt cheap to fix, i really wouldnt bother.

Yeah, if you're determined to trade it in you may as well take it in as-is. From a financial stand-point, however, you'd do much better to sell it privately; in that case, the broken lamp cover is definitely worth fixing (it's not a hard fix and you can probably do it yourself) and the paint may be worthwhile but probably not. It'll depend on how severe a paint scratch we're talking.

Private sale is slightly more of a PitA, but will most likely net you more $$$.

You would have to price out how much the repairs would be. Then look at the blue book value difference between good and fair. That will give you a rough idea of the value change you will be looking at.

You typically get a decent bit more selling privately but there are down sides to it. First its a pain, especially with a car like a Miata. Those type of cars attract a lot of people you don't want driving it but you have to let them since you're trying to sell it. Also in some states the value of your trade in decreases the tax liability of the car you purchase. So on a $10,000 car at 6% tax rate will save you $600 on your sales tax.

Honestly, trading in is gonna lose a good bit of $$$ anyways, so I wouldn't bother with it. If you were going to attempt to sell it privately, I'd fix it.

-Will

Don't bother repairing if you are trading. Check the nada trade in before you shop. The dealer can get the repairs done cheaper than you can so try to get as close as you can to wholesale which is the same as trade in. If you want to sell it yourself ask about $1500 or so more than they offer you for a trade-in.

I work at a used car dealership...And honestly :) You will do well to fix it and clean it well. Even though we work with cars everyday, the clean ones bring the most trade in value. believe it. We are human, and anything we don't have to do to a car to make it resellable is a plus for you. I appraise cars every day, and as I generally have an idea of what a car is worth before I walk around it...as I do, it goes up or down depending on condition, cleanliness, and overall time I have to put into it to get it ready to resell. We, like most people are in the business to make a living. I laugh when people come in thinking there car is worth $3000.00, then get pissed at me because I offer $1500.00 on trade, and their car is filthy, with bald tires and the CE light is on, and they haven't changed there oil in a year. A lot of people expect me to work for free then claim I am screwing them when they don't understand the time and effort it takes to get some cars ready. Yes we are in the business to make a money, aren't you? My advice, if you have the time, sell it yourself. You will always get more than you will trading it in, just as you will save money if you paint your own house. Don't have the time? Clean and fix it as best you can and you will get the most from it when you trade it in.

You may want to look around for someone parting out a front bumper in the right color with lights. Check the usual places local classifieds, craigslist, etc. If you can pick up something used in better shape then what you have it's not real hard to change the bumper cover yourself. And generally a lot of bumper covers don't really match exactly anyway. So if the shade is little off you should still be better off then with the damaged light and scratch.

for what it is worth
 

I am a used car manager, and I can get paint work done cheaper than most. I like to see new tires and a crack free windshield on a trade. Also you do get a tax credit when you trade. However you will get more for it if you sell it yourself