Advice for trading in my 02 Cavalier for a Used Civic that's around $8,000?
 

I checked the trade in value of my Cavalier online and it is worth $4,850. I still owe $4,900 on it. I am wanting to buy a used Civic for around $7,000 - 8,000. How should I do this? I know dealerships always try ripping people off so I need some helpful advice from you experienced folks.































Should I make a few large payments on my Cavy to get what I owe below the amount of it's trade in value, or would that not matter? What should I say to the slimy salesperson I will be dealing with to get him to give me a good trade in amount? Also, how do I get the salesperson to drop the price on the Civic I will be buying? What should I say to him?































Please do not suggest that I keep the Cavy. It is in rather excellent condition with only 79,000 miles on it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!















Because Civics are waaaay cooler and faster than Cavaliers. Duh.

If you looked at trade in value, you should also look at what you can sell if for yourself (typically higher). I've sold three older vehicles on ebay, just be honest with what you're selling, and list for a fair retail price (look up prices on the kelly blue book site). You'll always do better selling a car like this yourself than you will trading it in. Remember, even if the dealer wholesales the car, they want to make some money on the resale.

Make sure the trade is fair condition and if more than 60k miles deduct .15 for each mile and this is trade in value. Print out and bring to dealer. If clean carfax and everything working insist on this price. Do not pay anymore on car. The dealer will, if you use the trade in method 95% of dealers do than deduct from price and offer what KBB says for private sale and go from there. You have 3500.00 in excess mileage putting in poor condition class for trade-in. Be happy with 2,000 for your car and in this case pay off 2500. If not you will always be behind the 8 ball and be paying more interest. You will also need down payment to avoid high unterest for financing more than car is worth in NADA. Also good credit is needed to finance more than car is worth by adding inequity from trade.