Trading in a Car with Issues?

Rilo 117 on 10/07/2020 - 10:05

Hi there!

How honest are people when trading in a car?

My wife and I have a 2005 Nissan pathfinder that we bought 2nd hand ~ 1.5 years ago. ~$10k.

When we got it serviced it had a string of issues, seals worn out, uni joints… few other things. we've put about $2k to bring it right.

We then had an engine light issue with the code suggesting the catalytic converter / oxy sensor levels were outside the accept range.
The mechanic investigated, cleaned the sensors, reset the code and it was a wait and see thing.

Then we had the air conditioner stop working, mechanic investigated and quoted $1k a fix. (yet to do)

Had an issue with the engine again, where a cylinder stopped working, something to do with needing coil pack (suggested they all might need replacing. Paid ~$800 to fix.

We're pretty over this car and my wife wants to not deal with it and just trade it in without informing the dealer. I'm uneasy about doing this.

I feel these are my options;

  • Put ~$1600 into getting it right and sell privately for more (which we've had no luck doing in the past and during this crazy time don't feel it'd be worth doing). Possibly might have more issues in the future, but buyers problem?

  • Trade in, take a hit on the price, and get something else. Do/Don't mention the issues its had?

  • Chuck it on eBay, sell as is with the issues and inform

Any help and insight is greatly appreciated

Automotive

Comments

  • dasher86 on 10/07/2020 - 10:13

    What's the pricing you think you can get out of it?

    • Rilo 117 on 10/07/2020 - 10:24

      Privately $7.5k

      Trade in I’d imagine $4~

      • brendanm on 10/07/2020 - 10:27
        +14

        No hope sorry mate.

        Trade it in, don't mention ant issues. They find what they find, car dealers are aholes and they will simply wholesale it out anyway.

        If you want more than the trade in, you can send it to auction. May get more, may get less.

      • Mechz on 10/07/2020 - 12:18
        -3

        You have imaginitis, it will be much less than 4k. Unless you actually meant $4 in which case that is close to accurate.

  • Muzeeb on 10/07/2020 - 10:14
    +8

    Trade it.
    They wholesale it.
    Someone else's problem.
    Happens all the time.

  • RockyRaccoon on 10/07/2020 - 10:16

    Trade it in, the Dealers are professionals on assessing a cars worth, and they can value it for what its worth to them. You will probably get around $2K. As its retail value will be around $5K depending on condition and mileage and variant. (From drive).

    So they have margin for repairs and selling costs. Plus they will make money from the new car sale.

    They also have their own mechanics who can fix issues for much less than you pay. And are you really sure what those issues really are (except aircon) you are only getting what the mechanic says they are, and some are just after your money.

    You aren't obligated to tell them the issues. Now if they ask you its up to you to decide if you are going to answer. Only you can decide that.

  • spackbace on 10/07/2020 - 10:41
    +3

    Dealer will check the air-con so they'll know if it's not working.

    Besides that it'll just get a wholesale price. I wouldn't be expecting $4k for it if it'll sell for $7-8k in good condition (which yours isn't). But there's no harm in taking it in and getting a value.

  • montorola on 10/07/2020 - 11:00
    +1

    Just get whatever for it, call it a day and enjoy a new car!

  • Ocker on 10/07/2020 - 11:28

    Just cut your losses and trade it in

  • brad1-8tsi on 10/07/2020 - 13:23

    Trade it and say nothing.

    Their valuer will have half a clue what to look for and they will only give you wholesale which is $2500 +-$500. Anything above that is coming from an inflated price on whatever you are buying.

    Or sell it privately for a realistic price which is probably around $4k. Again, you don't have to reveal the issues and if it's the cheapest one in town then the bargain buyers know they aren't getting a minter (more like a monger).

    Are you going to buy something good to replace it or another aging time bomb?

    • Rilo 117 on 10/07/2020 - 13:57

      Yeah something a lot newer, mazda cx-5 / 7 the wife likes.

      • brad1-8tsi on 10/07/2020 - 14:01
        +1

        Really? One of my petrol head mates had a CX7 from new and he refuses to ever buy another Mazda product because it was so unreliable and the service was so bad.

        I think I'd look at a Kia or Hyundai first. I'm not a huge fan of SUVs. I've had a few as company cars and they don't float my boat as much as a good wagon.

        • tight-ass on 10/07/2020 - 15:05

          The old model CX7 & CX9 had lots of mechanical issues, mostly with transfer cases failing. They also had very high fuel mileage. CX7 is no longer now.

          The new model CX9 from 2016 to present (TC) is an all new model with a 2.5lt turbo engine and doesn't have any major mechanical problems like the old model did. It also has very good fuel mileage.

      • brendanm on 10/07/2020 - 16:42

        Cx7 is a bucket of puss. So many different issues.

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