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Suppose I have a used car that has a sale value of $X, and I wish to purchase another used car whose purchase price is the same $X.

Theoretically, I should be able to accomplish this trade with zero net loss. But obviously when using a dealership there will be overhead costs for them that will result in a loss for me.

What is the best way I can minimize my net loss while also protecting my purchase?

If I go through a dealership, I will eat overhead costs due to the dealership needing to generate revenue. If I go through craigslist, I risk purchasing a lemon.

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    "..Theoretically, I should be able to accomplish this trade with zero net loss.." Can you elaborate what you mean by this? Anytime you buy a vehicle, it depreciates, you sell at lower value ... and buy a new vehicle.
    – Dheer
    Jul 16, 2018 at 3:56
  • @Dheer Please refer to the assumption that I am making: The new vehicle is the same exact MSRP as my current vehicle Jul 16, 2018 at 3:57
  • You mean your car is worth $20k now and the one you're looking to buy is priced at $20k or do you mean both your current and the new vehicles have MSRPs of $40k?
    – quid
    Jul 16, 2018 at 4:00
  • The former. I've edited my answer, hopefully that provides clarity. Jul 16, 2018 at 4:01
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    @JamesWierzba: MSRP only really exists for new vehicles. If you're talking about selling a used car and buying a used car I think you should remove references to MSRP and just talk about "price" or "asking price" or maybe something like blue book value.
    – BrenBarn
    Jul 16, 2018 at 4:03

3 Answers 3

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Theoretically you should not be able to just trade cars at no cost. ALL things being equal, at a minimum you will pay some sort of loan origination fee, registration on the new car, likely a document fee on the new car and sales tax depending on your location. Your goal will be minimizing your costs via properly negotiating the deal.

The trick about buying cars is really about the stages of the negotiation. You have 4 basic pieces, the price of car you want, the value of the car you have, the remaining loan balance on the car you have, the cost of the money for the car you want. You want to make sure these four things are talked about in an order that benefits you.

First, get yourself the best possible estimate of the value of your current car. Go to carmax or something like it and get it appraised. Then you know your cash out number. Obviously, compare this number to the remaining balance of your existing loan to determine whether or not you're under water.

Second, identify the car you want and start checking them out at dealerships etc. When you're ready to buy, they'll try to talk to you about a loan payment. Get them to talk about the price of the car.

Third, once you've settled on a price for the new car, settle on the loan terms for the new car. You might be well served by getting yourself preapproved at a local credit union, this is an easy bluff if you simply know the credit union's prevailing rates and a realistic idea of your credit score.

Fourth, tell them you want to trade in your current car. Since you've efficiently made them sharpen their pencils on the price of their car, they'll give you a lowball for your trade in, but you have your carmax offer to counter with.

There are too many pieces to determine whether or not you'd be able to trade cars for no gain or loss. Financing a used private party car can be tricky so you'll likely achieve the best results at a dealership.

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    Anecdotally: Carmax valuations can be all over the place. Their values are based on what they have in their supply. If it's not a car they want on their lot immediately, they will offer 50% or worse below what it could trade or sell for via private sale. That said, if it's a car they really want they will offer higher than you might get anywhere else. It's free to get an appraisal, so worth doing if there's one in the area. I've had them offer me 105% of KBB value for something high-demand, and 25% of KBB value for a car they didn't want (which I then sold privately for 85% of KBB).
    – BobbyScon
    Jul 16, 2018 at 17:00
  • @BobbyScon, I agree but the issue is this transaction is going to happen. You need to know what someone else will give you for the car right now. Carmax or whatever other "we buy cars immediately" is much faster than waiting around for a real buyer to show up private party. You do this solely so you'll know if the dealership's trade in offer is better or worse than an alternate offer. No different than getting preapproved for a loan before showing up to a dealership.
    – quid
    Jul 16, 2018 at 17:09
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The best way, IMHO, is to avoid the dealership entirely. Advertise the car on Craigslist or similar, sell it, then buy the one you want.

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  • This simple answer is, of course, the correct one.
    – Fattie
    Jul 17, 2018 at 12:13
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Your best way to do this is through atomic transactions, not see these as a group, but as totally separate.

You are right to assume, that you will suffer loss in your outlined situation using a dealership. You can expect to lose at least 3k on such a transaction.

The best way to get this done is to:

  1. Buy the new car
  2. Pay off any lien on the second car
  3. Sell the old car

Needless to say this takes capital. Do you have that kind of money? If not then there is going to be some loss.

For example, if you have a loan on your existing car, it will be harder to sell with a lien and you will probably get less money. If you can pay it off then the transaction will go smoother and likely for more money.

But lets say that things go great, and you are able to sell your old car for the price you wish. What do you do for transportation until you buy the new car? You may need to rent or borrow a car from a friend. Even if you are able to borrow, some cost should be incurred as you would want to give your friend a gift for being so nice.

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    I do have the cash to float these individual transactions. This is a good thing to point out, thank you. Jul 16, 2018 at 17:23
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    Pete, I believe the issue at hand is very simply that: the OP is not aware that a car "priced at" 5,000 on a dealer, is actually worth $900, and the dealer paid $700 for it. OP thinks it's like .. a gold bar, with a 1/2% transaction cost, or a piece of real estate with a few % transaction cost. OP is "staggeringly" out of the ballpark :)
    – Fattie
    Jul 17, 2018 at 12:13

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