What's the deal with the CL sellers posting the private party blue book value for their STOCK vehicle in their ad, and admitting that they are asking 10-15% more ? They usually go on to say that their vehicle is clean, and has had all maintenance appropriate to age/mileage performed. Sometimes they even close with a statement along the lines of "I think I've set a reasonable asking price given my car's condition."
It's my understanding that the blue book values for a vehicle in "excellent" condition assume the vehicle is clean inside and out, and mechanically sound- therefore, the price represents what a car that is nearly perfect would sell for. I understand that in the case of limited production/high demand vehicles, the blue book values are sometimes very low compared to the real world selling prices, but I'm talking about people selling fairly ordinary STOCK vehicles.
Double points for the people who also post the trade in value of their vehicle in these ads. Maybe they're hinting that the first person to offer them trade in value in cash gets it?
Blue book usually lists several prices: Poor, fair, good, and excellent.
personally, I find KBB and NADA worthless
Edmunds.com seems to be more realistic pricing
Grtechguy wrote:
Blue book usually lists several prices: Poor, fair, good, and excellent.
personally, I find KBB and NADA worthless
Edmunds.com seems to be more realistic pricing
I'm in agreement, KBB on everything seems to be really high right now. There are cars that seem to transcend any valuation system like KBB and Edmunds, however. Something like an Integra Type R or a Fox-body Mustang, for example. However, for the vast majority of cars out there, I've found that Edmunds' pricing seems more in line with reality.
I've never actually sold a car for KBB value given it's condition, I've always gotten less. With that being said, I usually place a higher value on a quick, painless sale as opposed to squeezing every penny out of the transaction.
I haven't tried Edmonds, but I will because yes, KBB is stupid. I don't know if it's just slow to react to the changing climate or what. Usually if I'm trying to assess a vehicles value, I do searches on craigshelper to get the current value. After all, a car is worth every penny someone will actually pay for it, and not a penny more.
The dealer's that I've known have always used Galves.
many times I have found that KBB and the like do not take into account how rare some cars are getting or how much of a cult following they have. For your average camry or SUV.. they are probably pretty decent.. but try using KBB for an 240sx, Type R, or even a lowly 318ti.. their prices are not in line what the average going price is
