According to the Kelley Blue Book website, the trade-in value on my car is around 6,500. Is this what I'm likely to get at a dealership, or would they offer less?
ETA: The value I received from the KBB site was given after I completed their vehicle condition quiz. So, all minor scratches/cosmetic issues/etc. were taken into account.
DIEGO.
good question.
zipper
Maybe less, or could be more that all depends on the trade in money built into the price of the car your wanting to buy.
Artemisc
Since it's so easy to research prices online, most of the negotiation is on your trade. First, don't tell them you are trading. Get the best price you can for the new vehicle. Then tell them you want to trade. I usually say "I have a figure for my trade in mind, and if you match that figure, we have a deal". Sometimes they nail it, sometimes they don't. Just don't be afraid to walk. Car salesmen do what they do every day. They aren't your friend, and they may be quite unscrupulous.
The Oracle of Omigod
Many dealers offer even less, charging you for cleanup and minor fixes. If you go to a dealer, take the KBB printout of the value of your car. They will doubtless argue that you have classified it as in average shape and they think it is in poor shape. If they will just send it to the dealer auction, then they will only get the KBB trade-in at the auction so they want to make a couple of hundred bucks on it.
jimanddottaylor
What you might consider a 'minor scratch', they might call 'major damage'. If they have several models just like yours sitting on the lot, they may just not want another one.