A popular way to upgrade is to trade in an old car for a new(er) one.  However, since dealers need to turn a profit when they resell the used cars they get in trade, they usually will offer you a lower price than what you would get selling the car yourself.  It’s considered the price you pay for the convenience of unloading your car without having to go through the process of selling it.  Not to mention it’s rare that you can resell a car for the amount you still owe on the loan, so being able to roll the leftover you owe into the loan for the new car keeps you from being trapped in the old one until it is paid off.

Okay, so we know it’s convenience, and that’s why the low trade-in value is justified.  But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for TOO little.  Here are a few suggestions for getting the most trade-in value out of your old car.

• Shop around and compare offers.  You don’t have to trade your car in to the first dealership you go to.  Talk to them about how much you’ll get in trade before you start looking at the cars on their lot — once you’ve fallen in love with a new car, it’s too late, because at that point you’ll probably accept any amount they throw at you.
• Negotiate.  You also don’t have to take the dealership’s first offer.  If another dealer is offering you a higher trade-in value, say so.  If their offer is considerably lower than what you wanted, negotiate a higher amount.
• Watch for trade-in specials.  Dealerships often have specials where they guarantee a minimum amount for any trade-in.  This can be a great way to get a decent amount for your old car.

Whether you are shopping for new or used cars, in Florida or in California, approaching it from a business-like standpoint will help you to ensure you get the best possible amount for your trade-in.

Technorati Tags: trade-in, used cars, used cars in Florida