Do I have a shot (trading Tahoes)

[TallyDAWG]

I will be interested in seeing what people think.

First, the groundwork. With the economy the way it is, especially gas prices and SUV's ability to suck gas up like a veteran pornstar, I have wondered what impact it would have on SUV pricing, etc. I called the dealership to talk to the dealer who sold me my Tahoe last year to ask him the same thing. I asked him what was he "seeing" in regards to the SUVs/Trucks. He said that the prices on the SUVs (trade in) have really went down and that when people approach the dealership to trade in they are deciding not to because the trade in price is SO low. His suggestion was that it will "come back up... so just wait".

However, I see this as a time to try and have my cake... and eat it too. Right now I have a Southern Comfort (LT) Tahoe. It's a 2007 with 24k miles, and with the SC extras (different paint, 22" wheels, body kit, exhaust tip, grill inserts, different wood grain inside). It's not for everyone, but to me it does look good.

But....
There are some features that it does not have that, well after driving my mother's Yukon, I wish it did. Mainly, Navigation, Back Up Camera, Power Liftgate, and 4x4 (it would rarely be used, but I'd like the option to have it). Add to that I really like the look of the Z71's.

So my question is this. Would it be possible (and make sense) to try and trade my Tahoe in, on another Tahoe? As long as it's 2007 or above, it doesn't bother me. Heck, even a few more miles (nothing over 32) doesn't bother me (especially if I can lower payment).

My dealer said it's very rare that you can accomplish such and lower the payment but it could happen. I just would like to know before I go and put more money into it (muffler and programmer).

thanks for your suggestions

 

[Gambler]

Well, you know where your Tahoe has been (unless you got it used), trading to another used one just adds unnecessary risk in my opinion.

 

[gmcul8r]

I just tried to trade in my '07 Yukon XL Denali with 13K miles a couple of weeks ago. I was initially offered $30K, then $32K, then $36.5K, then finally $38K. This was while trying to buy a new car at GM Supplier Pricing (couple hundred below invoice). I was amazed at how high they went since I only paid $40K for the Denali new last year. This of course was on the last day of the month (May), the only way to buy a car!!!! Go in on June 30th, stick to your guns and see what happens....

 

[bparker]

I agree totally, that is the only way to buy a car if going through a dealership.

I just tried to trade in my '07 Yukon XL Denali with 13K miles a couple of weeks ago. I was initially offered $30K, then $32K, then $36.5K, then finally $38K. This was while trying to buy a new car at GM Supplier Pricing (couple hundred below invoice). I was amazed at how high they went since I only paid $40K for the Denali new last year. This of course was on the last day of the month (May), the only way to buy a car!!!! Go in on June 30th, stick to your guns and see what happens....

 

[Rollin Thunder]

Well i know its kinda apples to oranges here, but my 06 KBB's at 20k, i had EVERY OPTION (and i mean every option) on it in the best condition a 06 with 45k miles could be in, not a stain on the rug, seats looked (and smelled) brand new, and aside from some dirt, there was not a mark on the truck, they came back with 12k i was shocked and said higher i i walk, make me buy, i dont have to i want to, came back at 13 (big woop) i said the truck your trying to get me to buy has been on your lot a while hasnt it, they said yea, i said im ready to take it away for you and from what I here from your boss's his son is looking for a truck like mine (he lives close to me, reason i shop there) so if you get me to buy, you not only get this truck off the lot, you get my trade in off the lot as well, they said well if we sell you the truck at 40k then we can give you 16k, for it, i said NOPE, advertised price with that 16k for mine ( i could tell that was as far as they were gunna go) i picked up my keys walked out the door and as i was pulling out he flagged me down and said DEAL, and thats how i got my truck, old one for 16k (paid for) . got gm loyalty 2k, 2k in rebates, 4k in class A and since i had bought 4 different trucks from them i got an extra 4k in dealer loyalty (i have bought and sold a bunch of trucks i did not like (acadia, enclave, savana (conversion van), and a sierra denali, this new kon one is a winner) plus 16k in trade in, all this off of 50k, but i added some extras like, gap, interior and exterior protection, dent and ding coverage, and an 84 month 120k mile warrenty. so thats how it worked out.

but my best thing i can tell you is THIS IS A BUYERS MARKET, AND DONT BE AFRAID TO JUST WALK OUT, they will make you buy it, its just persuading them, you need to become the dealer. :thumbsup:

 

[Poe1983]

A few weeks ago when I decided to get my 08 I didn't even let the dealer look at my 02. You're better off selling it privately because in some way, somehow they will screw you and get their money back some way, somehow in the deal for the newer truck. I luckily know a person who runs a used car lot and sells lots of trucks and suv's. My 02 with it's mileage blue books at about $8,000. Just last week he was offered $9,500 and I declined because I know I can squeeze $10,500 if I wait a little bit more. If I was selling it privately I won't even get $8,000. If you know somebody connected to a used car dealership I'd try to go that route. The used dealer will make its money when they screw whoever buys it on the financing.

 

[gmcul8r]

You're better off selling it privately because in some way, somehow they will screw you and get their money back some way, somehow in the deal for the newer truck

That's not entirely true. You have to figure in tax. Again, I was offered $38K for my Denali from the dealership, I could spend months trying to sell my Denali and MAYBE I could find somebody to buy it at that price, but I would have to pay tax on the TOTAL of the new car. If you trade in, you are only paying the difference between the two. In my case that was nearly $3,500 in tax's. So that means I would have to sell my Denali for $41,500 privately to MATCH the $38,000 from the dealership. Not going to happen!! And again, this was on a new truck at GM Supplier Pricing.

 

[Poe1983]

That's not entirely true. You have to figure in tax. Again, I was offered $38K for my Denali from the dealership, I could spend months trying to sell my Denali and MAYBE I could find somebody to buy it at that price, but I would have to pay tax on the TOTAL of the new car. If you trade in, you are only paying the difference between the two. In my case that was nearly $3,500 in tax's. So that means I would have to sell my Denali for $41,500 privately to MATCH the $38,000 from the dealership. Not going to happen!! And again, this was on a new truck at GM Supplier Pricing.

I understand that entirely. But generally, not everyone gets a good deal on a trade in from a dealer like that. Your situation was probably one of the few exceptions. My previous post was based on him not getting a good deal from the dealer.

 

[gmcul8r]

According to his post he hasn't gone to the dealer yet. He was asking our opinions, and you gave a valid response, but knowing all your options is key to getting the best deal. When selling my heavily modded D-Max it was best to sell it privately b/c dealerships wouldn't give me what I knew I could get privately. The best thing to do is put your vehicle on Craig's List (I got WAY more hits from CL then Auto Trader) and price it on the high side, see what the response is. Also, visit some dealerships with the intention of walking out unless the perfect deal comes along. Once you have gauged what a dealership will give you and what people are willing to offer you from CL, you should have a good idea of the "true market value" of your vehicle. Again, if you decide to trade in, go on the last day of the month!!! I have done this twice and I will never do it any other way again. It's amazing how much farther they are willing to go to meet a quota.

 

[TallyDAWG]

Thanks for all the advice. I was un-aware about the last day of the month bit. I'll be sure to use that in the future.

I haven't been to a dealer, I've only called the sales rep we use. In the end, all I'm trying to do is trade out to a Z71 and lower my payment (have my cake, and eat it too).

 

[Rollin Thunder]

Thanks for all the advice. I was un-aware about the last day of the month bit. I'll be sure to use that in the future.

I haven't been to a dealer, I've only called the sales rep we use. In the end, all I'm trying to do is trade out to a Z71 and lower my payment (have my cake, and eat it too).

also go like an hour or hour and a half before the dealer is ready to close, that does to things, one makes you get through the paperwork faster, two if your dealer has a daily quota they want to get that too.

 

[Jonesy08054]

you want my Z71?

I have a Silver Z71, 4x4, black and white two tone interior, with pretty much every option except for the nav and the dvd in the back. I've been toying with the idea of getting rid of mine for something a bit smaller and better on gas. Since y'all are all talking about selling it on your own......here's my plug!

2007 Z71 4x4. 10k miles. Asking $39k, but we can talk. Located in South Jersey near Philadelphia.

 

[Black Dog]

I have a Silver Z71, 4x4, black and white two tone interior, with pretty much every option except for the nav and the dvd in the back. I've been toying with the idea of getting rid of mine for something a bit smaller and better on gas. Since y'all are all talking about selling it on your own......here's my plug!

2007 Z71 4x4. 10k miles. Asking $39k, but we can talk. Located in South Jersey near Philadelphia.

Sorry to go off topic guys, but you got some skills if you get anywhere near that price for it. I mean you got a great truck don't get me wrong, but I just got an 08 Z71 4wd LT3 with EVERY option but the engine block heater and 3 miles on it for $42,600 (sticker was like $53,300). Of course I swung a deal that many wouldn't pull off, but it makes me think you're asking high, then again I'm in a West Coast market if that matters. Not trying to piss on your parade or anything, obviously I'd like to see it go high used. Please don't take my comments the wrong way, it's late and I'm tired. To be honest, I'd love to see a Z in silver, I thought they didn't even make it bacause of the bumper color conflict or something. Bet it looks great.

 

[Jonesy08054]

hey, don't worry about it.....I know it's a high asking price. That's why it's only asking; price is always negotiable. I too got a great deal on it my truck: GM pricing, chevy truck month, end of the month discounts, and military. If somebody really wants it, then it is here for the taking, but I'm not just gonna give it away for $22,000 (That's how much I owe on it). What have y'all seen used Hoe's going for, realistically? I'd always heard that Tahoe's had some of the best re-sale values among full sized SUV's.

 

[beach109]

I'd always heard that Tahoe's had some of the best re-sale values among full sized SUV's.

They did, until the gas prices thing hit. Now they're in the toilet and sinking like all other trucks and big things, just on the upper end, surfing the rim.

Search Ebay for similar 2007's (LOTS of them), Autotrader.com, etc. to see what a lot of current asking prices are...as well as on Ebay and others, what some are in the end going for. Generally thousands below what they might have last year and earlier.

Yours I would venture to guess maybe very low $30k's on a private sale might be possible. On a trade, high $20k's. But look around those few sources and you'll see some other numbers, though elevated for "asking" in the same way.

 

[DownTownDru]

Doesn't help either that Consumer Reports recently revised their reliability ratings on the 2007 Tahoe from their initial "expected to be better than average" to "MUCH WORSE than average" (full black circle).

Well, that sucks, but not surprising given my experience with the HOE.

A J