Advice on maximizing trade in value.

Good morning TW crew. I just got the call from the dealership that they were allocated a 4Runner TRD ORP in Lime Rush for me. It will not be in immediately, so I have some time to prepare. I am looking for some advice on maximizing my trade in value. I am having some difficulty finding out what add on items actually increase my trade in value. I have numerous "upgrades" that can be easily removed such as the Pro skid plate, Pro MT shift knob, box lights, bed mat, TRD air filter, window deflectors and third bed rail. These I can sell on Marketplace and put a couple more bucks towards the 4Runner.

I am trying to determine if it is worth pulling the topper off and selling it privately as I know from experience the market it hot for these, or just leave it on. I have asked the dealership how much value is provided for something like this, but the salesman did not know. I was however advised the aftermarket lift (5100's set to 2 inch and 1.5" AAL) will detract from the value due to their liability BS etc. I am considering setting the 5100's to stock height and removing the AAL if this will give me better trade in value. I also have custom made seat covers that retail for about $800 CAD, those I assume will not garner much trade in value.

I would appreciate some advice from those with experience on this or are in the know!

Cheers,

MM

 

Private sell?

 

Your modifications are worth nothing at trade in. Generally they add nothing and detract nothing. If you can remove and sell, then do that.

 

Pull it all. Nothing adds to trade value.

 

Sell it privately. You will be pissed as all get up if you trade it then see what price they put on it to sell it. Post that truck on here for sale at a reasonable price and I’m sure it will go.

 

In my experience working at several dealerships in my younger years... Add-ons and accessories won't do anything for trade-in value. In fact many of those items might get removed by dealership employees and used for their personal vehicles, depending on the dealership. If you're looking to maximize the money you get for the truck then you should sell privately. If you still want to go the trade-in route then I would remove everything that's reasonable and sell those items separately.
Congrats on the 4Runner!!

 

Yeah as everyone is saying take all the aftermarket parts off that you can if you’re trading it in or find someone in private party that likes everything that you’ve done to the truck. Good looking truck imo

 

And definitely take the topper off and sell! Probably can get 1,500 for it. Prices for shells have skyrocketed

 

Every single mod you ever did to your truck will be worth much more taken off and sold separately… from the shell to the lift. If you have the time before your 4runner arrives, and you want to recoup the most $$, sell the truck privately for a few grand more than any dealership will give you, and part out the mods. My guess is you will end up with $6-8K more than trading it in as is.

On a side note (and coming from someone with a DCSB Tacoma with a camper shell and a 5th Gen 4runner), I would not trade my Taco for a 4Runner. I like driving the Taco better and I can do more with it than the 4Runner. But that’s just me.

 

The issue from the dealer's standpoint is that all of your add ons shrink the possible buyer base. Your topper attracts a few but repels many. The lift... attracts a few but repels many that wonder if it was done right. Etc. etc.

They will give you next to nothing & charge the next buyer 90% of retail, then settle for 30% making the buyer feel like he stole it.

 

Very true

 

I would try to find some cheap rims and swap them out and sell the ones you have on the truck right now. That should help.

 

Sell the topper. Leave everything else. Just clean it up really good and that is about all you can do.

It doesn't hurt to explore selling yourself. Especially since you have time before the new vehicle comes in. But do you have something to drive if it sells long before your new one comes in?

But 1st you have to determine EXACTLY what your truck is really worth. Try KBB's website to determine what they say is trade value and private party value. Contact your local bank and ask them what the max loan value is that they would loan someone to buy it. Your trucks real value will be somewhere in there. Loan value will be a little lower than what it's worth. Most banks will loan 80-90% of what they say it is worth.

I've never been able to come out ahead by going the private sell route on anything but a beater. The way taxes are figured I need to sell it for at least 10% more than they allow in trade, or I lose money. I need at least 20% more to be worth the trouble. If you don't sell it before you take possession of the new vehicle, you're paying taxes and insurance on 2. And if you insist on top dollar it could take months to sell. If you want to sell fast, you'll have to let it go for about what the dealer will allow you on trade.

It isn't hard to sell a sub $2000 beater. People don't expect much and show up with cash. When selling a 2-3 year old truck most people are going to low-ball you and expect you to be happy about it.

 

Upgrades don’t add any value on trade in. For example, they said my katzkin leather seats were worth +$199 on trade-in. And they didn’t add any value for my 1-year old Bilstein suspension.

 

If time is on your side try and sell it privately first, it looks like a nice clean truck!
Your equipment might add some value privately but as stated numerous times before when it comes to trade in they're worth nothing.

NOTE: Be careful letting the dealer know what you're doing. Trade vs no trade means a lot when negotiating.

 

Stock truck will bring the best trade in, one thing that I would do, is spend as much time as you can between now and the time the 4 runner is ready to pick up getting trade in offers at other places, to use as a negotiating tool if and when they try to lowball you on the trade....

 

Vacuum it for starters.

 

Stock brings most trade. Pure stock.

 

Remove everything you can and revert back to stock condition. Pull the cap and sell that on Facebook marketplace etc. Like someone else said print up similar vehicles locally rom local Toyota dealers. Use that as bargaining chips during negotiations. This my friend is a good part out.
Good Luck

 

Detail the truck inside and outside. It looks pretty good outside but inside…. Also engine bay. It’ll show you have cared for it on a private sale. When looking at a used vehicle I always open the hood and have a look. Oil leaks dust on the engine covers. Dirty hoses are all showing the lack of care.