Part exchange or private?

[kezza1973]

My 02 mini cooper will be finally paid for in a couple of weeks (i have a bank loan for the final payment!) and I am looking to sell it asap. I really need something bigger..looking into a Rav4. Will I get a better deal by part ex or selling then going to the dealer with a wod of cash? I am confused about part ex price and cash price.

[spaced]

it really depends. A private sale will usually make you more money than just going into a second hand car dealer and selling you car to them as they want to make profit on your car above your sale price, also they usually buy at trade cost, so a lower cost meaning you loose out.

Part exchange depends, dealers like to shift metal (cars) so are willing to barter on a part exchange for your vehicle against another, as they get commission/bonus on shifting their vehicles.

From experience I got a better deal part exchanging my car than private selling. I would look at what sort of costs your car gets private and then compare to a part exchange value. remmeber, if you part ex.....always push for a better deal.

[kezza1973]

thanx!

[Loosehead]

It is generally better to sell privately and go with the cash to a dealer and you should be able to get discount.

The problem with Part ex is that you will usually get a good price for your car against the value of the car you want. So in effect they'll give you more than they otherwise would because you are also buying a car from them. However they won't knock any off the price of the car you are buying. Now if you go into the dealer with cash they'll knock a chunk off with little arguement.

For the best value though forget dealers altogether, sell your car privateley then go to a BCA auction and buy out of hall A, that's where dealers get a lot of stock to sell on so you can get your new car at what a dealer would pay and cut out the middleman.

[Loosehead]

when I say new I don't mean brand new I mean New to you!

[madein1978]

I would sell it private, dealers usually screw you and give you less than the cars real value. My best friend had a 2003 Seat Ibiza TDi Sport, he traded it at a year old for a Vauxhall Tigra, and got �9000 for the Seat. I saw the car 3 Weeks later on a Seat dealers forecourt with a screen price of �12995. I think he could have got 10500 for it privately without even trying, so I would sell it privately, just take care when people come viewing!