chiaoliu88

Hi Guys,

Just wondering if anyone has traded in an FD at a car dealership... Here is my story:

I have a '94 FD currently up for sale, ~71K original miles, a few reliability mods, and all original parts. Asking 12K OBO.
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-rx-7-1993-2002-vehicles-107/94-base-rx7-fd-reliability-mods-%2412-000-obo-880892/

Unfortunately, I haven't seen a whole lot of interest on the car Due to my current situation, I really need to get into a daily driver by Late March. Having said that, I was wondering if anyone has traded in a 99% stock all original RX7 to a dealership before? If so, what was your experience? I'm just concerned that they might low ball you significantly. At end of the day, I really rather sell her to an RX7 enthusiast...but I'm running out of options.

Thanks in advance! George

Sideo

i havnt but you might consider selling to an exotic car dealership. Sport Haus a dealer were i live had a 94 r1 for years with only 30k miles on it i dont see it on their website mabye they sold it, they wanted around 30g for it.

The salesmen there were very enthusiastic and i was very supprised by their knowledge, he told me how the transition from primary to secondary turbo is perfect etc.

XLR8

iTrader: (52)

www.speedforsale.com may help.

You can pick up a daily for a few grand.... no need to get rid of the FD. I picked up my 93 Civic hatchback for $2k... granted I dropped about $8k into it, but it wasn't necessary, it ran great in stock form.

habu2

Might ???

Dude, it's their job to lowball you. Why do you think used car prices are categorized as "Trade In", "Private Sale" and "Retail Sale" ???

Go to a site like kbb.com or nadaguides.com or edmunds.com and see what banks think your car is worth, then set your expectations accordingly. Typically a lending institution won't lend more than what these guides show so, unless your buyer is paying cash, that's all they can borrow to buy your car.

no_more_rice

You dropped $8k into a $2k Civic? lol....why not spend $2k more and get a nice used S2000 (the best dialy driver out there imo)

To the OP, I would think you would get raped at a stealership

moosejaw

iTrader: (6)

No dealer on the street is going to pay a premium for a 93 or a 94 automobile. They cant sell it anyways. Whose going to finance it? How many people have $12K itching to drop it on a FD. Not many.
Hopefully your car is paid off and you can get into a daily driver.
But if you need cash fast, then you will have to lower your expectations.

Look at Oramos situation in SE Classifieds Fourm.
He listed his car at 14K i think. Real nice, clean car with mostly OEM stuff with some tasteful mods. Converted to manual from auto even.
But he needed a daily driver and wanted to sell the FD in a hurry.
Two months go by and he lowers his price to $10K
Discovers bubbles in the coolant and drops price to $7K
Wound up trading it at the dealer on a RSX for $5K
Dealer sells it to their employee for $ 3500

There is financing for cars like that but they are not at the best rates and not for the mainstream public. You may come across someone who has some money set aside and got a big tax refund. Other than that the above scenario is likely unless you scrounge up for a daily.

You may get more money parting out your car than selling it.

He's On Toroids

iTrader: (2)

Also, you may be having trouble moving it because it is one of the most common color/options packages (it would be the most common if it wasn't a '94). Have you tried ebay?

chiaoliu88

Thanks for the comments guys!

KBB says its worth ~$11K on a trade-in... My concern is that they might throw out #s like $7K or $8K, or even less.

At the end of the day, I have a truck that's my DD now and it's been a great truck. I rather not trade it in because I do use it quite often as a truck.

I am just looking for something that is fun to drive, road worthy throughout the entire year, and something that I can autocross on weekends. I have never autoX'd before and would like to get involved with the sport. So far, VW GTIs is on the top of the list.

My biggest issue with Autocrossing the RX is reliability... As you all know, if anything major breaks, it won't be cheap. I simply don't have the time or $ to deal with rebuilds.

Thanks Again!

a10secstreetcar

You would be lucky to get more than $5-6k on trade in. I use to sell cars, I would know. I'm that guy!

alexdimen

iTrader: (13)

a couple autocrosses are not likely to hurt the engine if it starts out with good compression and your cooling system is up to snuff. you're rarely WOT and the runs are around a minute. Start going to HPDE's and then I'd worry a little.

my engine runs cooler during auto-x runs than it does sitting in grid waiting for the next run.

what if something breaks or you hit a pole/barrier in your new GTI during the run and the vehicle is disabled? think the dealer or insurance is going to be happy about paying your repairs incurred on a race track? you're going to have to pay to play regardless in my understanding.

not seeing the logic:

you don't have time or money for a potential rebuild. this is despite having a second vehicle and the financial ability to buy another primary vehicle at ~10k.

chiaoliu88

Let me rephrase: For me, I can justify spending 10K for another primary reliable vehicle as a daily driver vs spending 5k for a seasonal weekend/auto X dedicated car (if a rebuild is needed)...

This did make a lot of sense to me...but now, maybe not so much. HaHa

grimple1

iTrader: (1)

you could also try to get a quote from Carmax. I worked for them for a while and are pretty good at offering KBB value for vehicles. MY guess is 9-11k from them.

XLR8

iTrader: (52)

Yeah,... it just kind of happened. What can I say, I love projects. Not to mention my Civic will eat S2000's and is a VERY competitive Auto-X car. Front wheel drive is also nice as a DD with NJ winters

Montego

iTrader: (1)

dude don't be surprised if the stealership offers you something like 5k...

1QWIK7

iTrader: (33)

Get ready to hear 5-7k for the trade.

Id just hang onto it, keep your truck and sell it locally yourself or on this forum.

You'll get more money.

I never understood why people trade cars in dealers. Thats like BOTTOM dollar guarantee.

The only logical reason i see anyone going into a dealer is to change their car RIGHT AWAY. O and if you're locked in a loan which you shouldnt be hoping into another car anyhow.

Otherwise, its pointless and stupid.

Toyotarx7

iTrader: (13)

dont sell ur FD!!! work out a way to keep it, where theres a will theres a way

userjh5174

Try and hold on to your legenary Fd.

XLR8

iTrader: (52)

^^ Agreed!!!

ObliqueFD

iTrader: (32)

My dad was looking at buying a new 2009 Audi TT and thought about trading in his '93 Black R1 with 43k miles on it. The Audi dealership offered him $4,000 for it! He kept the 7 and walked out.

Don't expect to get anything for it at a dealership. If you want to sell it quick, sell it here on the forum really cheap. You will still potentially get more for it than at a dealership and it will most likely go it will go to someone that will appreciate it more.

grimple1

iTrader: (1)

A normal dealership will low-ball you. Carmax is honestly a lot better in the purchasing side than most. I've never seen them offer anyone money less than kbb for their ride.

Meiogirl

iTrader: (2)

Edmunds is more accurate.

Something a little risky but you might try: get a personal loan and use your FD as collateral. This way you can get a lower rate on the loan. You are doing this not to keep the FD but to give you more time to sell it and still be able to buy another car.
For example if they give you 11k you are prob looking at 200-250/mo payments on the loan. So if you buy another car using that 11k, then you have 2 cars and the around payment I just stated.
This is assuming your FD is fully paid for.

The risk is that now you have to sell the FD for the amount of the loan so you can pay it back. You will also have to have the car fully insured. The plus? Paying off that loan once you do sell the car will help your credit.

no_more_rice

turbocharged perhaps, which isn't a fair comparison...the S2000 is light years ahead of any Civic in terms of track potential...chassis integrity anyone?

against what? other Civics? front wheel drive track car? nah....

this part I agree with, the S2000 is truly useless in snow and ice, fortunately we only see that stuff a couple of days out of the year here in Charlotte

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

I've been autocrossing my stockish FD for 5 years now. Really no reliability issues. Autocrossing is not much more demanding than regular daily driving. (It's track time that really digs the reliability issues out). The FD is an ok competitor in the new AS classification and so-so in ASP, but as a beginner that won't matter.

I think you have the perfect car. You'll lose a lot more on the transaction than would be required to make a few reliability mods and take it autocrossing.

Dave

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

Or less...

I think they only offer auction price on a car like this. As you can imagine the auction prices are pitiful for FDs.

Dave

XLR8

iTrader: (52)

hehe....NA built LS/Vtec with a GSR tranny. It surprises most people. Car weighs 2300lbs. As far as S2k chassis comparisons, I am totally with you. I have a good friend with a S2. It's a great car. His is boosted, so he smokes me. The FD is another matter though


It's setup to oversteer. I don't consider it a "track car"... AutoX is more of a fun past time. Either way, I have pulled better times on a few miata's & 240's. Granted, it's all in the driver. I'm by no means a pro, just saying the others may not have been as experienced. My hatch suspension is setup quite well to boot.

And this is the main reason I keep it. I get 30+ mpg, it's rock solid reliable, easy to work on, & is fun to drive. Overall, a great daily.

To the OP, I think a DD is a FD prerequisite. Keep it man, you will regret selling it. Take your time and make it the car you have always wanted.