Almost ready to pull the trigger
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
Almost ready to pull the trigger
on an A3 3.2.
Negotiations with the dealer going fine. They seem quite upfront.
However, I have a couple of questions about my trade-in value. Considering how resourceful and helfpul you all are, I figured you might be able to provide input.
The car I'm trading in is a 2001 TT 225 Coupe. It's in good condition but, as the sales guy rightly pointed out, the following would need work for the car to look better:
- All 4 rims have curb rash. They want to subtract $150/wheel to refinish them
- The paint on the driver's side door sill is scratched (a common problem with TT, unless you were microfiber pants
): They would subtrat $200 to respray it.
- The front and rear bumpers show signs of having endured city life: They want to subtract $200 for each, for a total of $400
What do you all think of those prices?
Also, they subtract all of those from the Good Condition KBB price. Shouldn't they start from the Excellent Condition price, i.e., wouldn't the Good Condition already factor in the necessary reconditioning? Or at least some of it?
Finally, they want to charge me $300 for Advertising. Fair enough, all dealers in the area do that. But what about $195 for Preparation?
Thank you in advance for your input.
Negotiations with the dealer going fine. They seem quite upfront.
However, I have a couple of questions about my trade-in value. Considering how resourceful and helfpul you all are, I figured you might be able to provide input.
The car I'm trading in is a 2001 TT 225 Coupe. It's in good condition but, as the sales guy rightly pointed out, the following would need work for the car to look better:
- All 4 rims have curb rash. They want to subtract $150/wheel to refinish them
- The paint on the driver's side door sill is scratched (a common problem with TT, unless you were microfiber pants
): They would subtrat $200 to respray it.- The front and rear bumpers show signs of having endured city life: They want to subtract $200 for each, for a total of $400
What do you all think of those prices?
Also, they subtract all of those from the Good Condition KBB price. Shouldn't they start from the Excellent Condition price, i.e., wouldn't the Good Condition already factor in the necessary reconditioning? Or at least some of it?
Finally, they want to charge me $300 for Advertising. Fair enough, all dealers in the area do that. But what about $195 for Preparation?
Thank you in advance for your input.
AudiWorld Uber User
Joined: Mar 2000
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My cost to refurbish a wheel is around $100 to $125 - depending on style. So they
don't sound unreasonable all things considered.
I think the lower sill of the TT is structural, and probably a bit more of a pain to remove for painting - if they even do that. More likely they will mask off the side of the car. In either case, maybe a bit high, but not unreasonable if you're looking to touch up the car to OEM standards.
Respraying bumpers for $200 is very reasonable with a good colour match - especially if some filling needs to be done.
The ad fee should be 1% of the base invoice cost of the car, and not a penny more.
We didn't have a prep fee like you describe back when I sold Audis - it was much less expensive. Ask to see the invoice. If the factory charges it, it will be on the invoice.
I think the lower sill of the TT is structural, and probably a bit more of a pain to remove for painting - if they even do that. More likely they will mask off the side of the car. In either case, maybe a bit high, but not unreasonable if you're looking to touch up the car to OEM standards.
Respraying bumpers for $200 is very reasonable with a good colour match - especially if some filling needs to be done.
The ad fee should be 1% of the base invoice cost of the car, and not a penny more.
We didn't have a prep fee like you describe back when I sold Audis - it was much less expensive. Ask to see the invoice. If the factory charges it, it will be on the invoice.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
Wow, that was fast
I checked. It seems there is indeed a $195 Preparation and Inspection Charge for Audis. I used CarBargains, and they do mention it on the last page of the report (Was I expected to read it until the end? As if I could keep my concentration that long )
The ad fee is in line with what you say.
Based on what you write, the reconditioning costs are not outrageous. Good to know. I'll ask but it's not horrible.
Thank you for your answers.
Totally unrelated: What Alfa do you own?
)The ad fee is in line with what you say.
Based on what you write, the reconditioning costs are not outrageous. Good to know. I'll ask but it's not horrible.
Thank you for your answers.
Totally unrelated: What Alfa do you own?
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
Car conditions
The vast majority of people over-estimate the condition of their car, virtually nothing that is traded in will be considered "Excellent Condition" unless it is showroom condition. A lot of dealers start at "Fair" and work from there, at least yours is using "Good" to start.
/bill
/bill
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Not all that bad!
The good news is, they are starting from good KBB. That is way too high for market reality, so don't bitch about that.
Where they are totally off is on the wheels. You are better off having them fixed yourself (and you'll pay a lot less than 150 per). The other fixes seem to be a bit on the profitable side, but are within reason. So, negotiate a little more about those deductions and you are good.
Did you compare yourself at kbb.com what they came up with on the good trade-in?
Where they are totally off is on the wheels. You are better off having them fixed yourself (and you'll pay a lot less than 150 per). The other fixes seem to be a bit on the profitable side, but are within reason. So, negotiate a little more about those deductions and you are good.
Did you compare yourself at kbb.com what they came up with on the good trade-in?
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
KBB
I did check on KBB. I see how they got the value they gave me (they actually had printed out the kbb page). However, they didn't take into account the optional equipment. I will ask.
Re: Wheels. Thanks.
Re: Wheels. Thanks.