TheElite0ne

Hey guys! kicking around the idea of getting rid of the Cobalt and wanted to get your thoughts on what its worth either private party or trade in.

I know what NADA & KBB have to say about the car but they never take into account the rarity and somewhat cult following of certain vehicles.

2009 Cobalt SS
Color: Summit White
G85 option
Miles: 70,000
RPD Screen

Mods: All stock except for custom HPTuners tune - 22psi.

Condition: Garage kept and in great condition for the miles it has. No dents or scratches. No rips or tears on the interior. No accidents and clean carfax. Is it Showroom pristine?-- No.

This car is my commuter car and has a 86 mile daily round trip commute to work. 75 of those daily miles is 5th gear cruise on highway.

What do you guys think? Worth my time/effort to sell it private party? Do these cars sell quick enough if priced right? Or should I take a little less for it on trade (but get the tax benefit) and not waste my time selling private party?

Thoughts?

soundjunky

iTrader: (4)

being that it's stock, you're liable to get top dollar;
Not many here realize that modifying their car actually devalues it to 98% of the buying public - it gives the perception of being driven hard, and that problems are sure to come...
I have found KBB to be spot on - they follow price trends, and adjust for the market that you're in;

Here, let me look that up for you;

Kelley Blue Book

private party / "very good condition";

Kelley Blue Book

$10,141

trade in / "very good condition";

Kelley Blue Book

$8,800

In my humble opinion, it's always worth trying to sell privately - you get more;
Then work on haggling the dealer better to lower the bottom line w/o a trade in.

... or be like me, and have absolutely zero intentions of selling.

Snail_SS

iTrader: (3)

Yeah same here have no intention of selling my balt but a good price to start would be maybe 11.5k it all comes down to you tho

swanman35

I'm looking to buy another lnf in the next few mmonths after totaling mine.. and white is my top pick... lol mileage is a little higher than I was wanting though.. but not a problem Really. I'd agree and say I'd probably start at 11,500 and probably expect to get 10,500-11,000. But white is a pretty desired color on our cars. So you may have a bite immediately for 11,500

swanman35

Also it will sell quick private party if you price it at what we said. But people are cheap and will try to haggle you down lol but A dealer will only give you ~9k. Before you want another car have it listed for a month or two and then when you get the money go out that down instead of trading

TheElite0ne

Great info guys! I know dealers will kill me on trade.... Even with a $9k trade in the tax benefits of 6% are only going to get me to $9,540. If you think I can realistically get between $10.5-11k then i'd be stupid to not give it a shot.

swanman35

When are you looking to sell? If you give me 2-3 months I'll most likely be able to buy for around that price

jgerma01

I went to a carmax location this past weekend just to see what they would offer for my 2010 SS with 56K miles (no limited slip) and they offered $9,000 for the car. The best trade in value a Buick dealer gave me was 10K....I just feel they were desperate to move a 2015 regal gs (6spd manual) I was looking at because they quoted me at 9K until they realized I was a serious potential buyer and then said the best they could do was 10k as long as I financed with them

PS I looked up the KBB value and they claim it would be $11,600 in good condition trade in so they're def off
http://www.kbb.com/chevrolet/cobalt/...&mileage=56000

user 72239

iTrader: (4)

I sold my 08 SS TC with 101k miles, all stock minus catback and got 8000 for it.

swanman35

10k is the highest trade in you'll get I can almost guarantee

user 72239

iTrader: (4)

Yeah i was only getting 5.5k for mine for trade in.

Mr Mall Cop

iTrader: (1)

I would think around $8,500 to $9,000

soundjunky

iTrader: (4)

You will always get jipped on trade in;
Then again, you are getting less because of ALOT less effort on your part.

When we bought my wife's Caliber SRT4 the dealer offered a paltry $400 for her '01 Focus - in spite of low mileage and fantastic condition...
We kept the Focus, and sold it for $3k privately.

Moral of the story: don't expect much from trade in...

If you think you're getting a great deal for trade in, odds are they are still offering you a crappy dela - but making it look better, by putting the difference against the vehicle you're going to buy.

kenbob

Well when i was in the buying process i seen those run about 8-12k for private sellers, but that was also in stock conditions per say...

callahan8258

if its as clean as you say....only a fool would take less than 10k for it...id start at 12k....should get 11k for it, trade in might give you 6500...then they'll slap a 13k tag on it when they go to sell it..glws