Teams
Forum List
Toggle sidebar

Trading down from Grand Prix to...

S

Scoop

Member
Feb 9, 2009
30
3
8
43
I'm trying to sell my 2008 Grand Prix (59K miles) and I'm hoping to trade down to a cheaper vehicle. I have about $5,200 left on the loan. I've had a for sale sign in the window for the last couple weeks and have had two nibbles, but no offers.

I've stopped at a couple dealerships here in Cedar Rapids, and have had various trade-in offers. My goal is to pay off the loan, get a decent car and walk away with no out-of-pocket cost.

The latest was today, when they offered a 2002 Dodge Stratus with 89K miles on it. It was decent, and I like the look of the Stratus (had one before) but didn't pull the trigger.

I love the Grand Prix, and I'm only selling it so that I can put those two years of would-be car payments toward my student loan debt.

Anyone have advice for selling a car privately, or advice on getting the best trade value from a dealership? The place I stopped today offered $11,500 for the trade...but they are selling a similar car for $16,000. Gap seems a little too large to me.
 
Good news/Bad news

Used car prices are at an all time high. Although Pontiacs have probably been hurt a little more than other makes.

I assume you've tried craigslist?

I would do everything you can to stay away from a dealership in your situation. Trading down usually means taking it in the shorts when dealing with dealerships.
 
I haven't tried Craigslist for fear of scams...but that's a good idea. Have you had success with that?

dmclone said:
Good news/Bad news

Used car prices are at an all time high. Although Pontiacs have probably been hurt a little more than other makes.

I assume you've tried craigslist?

I would do everything you can to stay away from a dealership in your situation. Trading down usually means taking it in the shorts when dealing with dealerships.
Click to expand...
 
dmclone said:
I haven't tried cars but nearly everything else.

Take some good pictures.
Click to expand...

...especially if you place your ad in the personals section. I'd recommend a car wash theme. Get some buxom gal to soap up on the hood and name your price. Just be sure to be kind of vague in your description: Nice body. Solid rear end. New headlights. Low maintenance. Just looking for the right guy/gal to come along.

You get the idea. It'll be gone in no time.
 
Although it was a totally different type of car, I think I had my 97 chevy malibu on craigslist for 15 minutes before it sold. Its definitely worth a shot in my opinion.
 
I think some people may be afraid of getting scammed on this when it comes to craigslist. Because if you still owe money on a loan, they have your title. It would be tough to get someone to fork out money without the title in hand. Just a thought. GOod luck with the sale though.
 
Do craigslist, I've had good luck in the past. If your bank has the title at their branch and you find a buyer, you could always do the deal at the bank and they could get the title right away. Be sure to put in your phone number and pictures on the ad. You will get some emails from bogus people looking to scam you or just to get your email address. They are normally easy to spot. Be sure to write in the ad if anyone emails you to include their phone number. It makes it easier to spot the scammers, because they won't do that.
 
Also, price the car to sell. Don't over price it because you will get no responses. If you price it to sell you will.
 
Thanks for the suggestions..ad is posted on Craigslist.com this morning. I had previously posted on cars.com. Maybe Yahoo Autos?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Help Support Us

Become a patron
Top Bottom