2005 V70 117k value - clean retail 4800, trade 3000

Post by **abscate** » 05 Jun 2018, 06:51

Im a bit shocked at my NADA V70 value (not for sale)

Clean retail is 4800, which you don't get as a private seller. There is no way I would let this one out the door at 3000 - with its dreamy 5 speed, cold AC, tomb like quiet, and 30-33 mpg highway at 70mph.

But, markets don't lie, and it is 13 years old.

Regrets? None. A car enjoyed by drivers from 16 to 87 year, and me.

(not to mention used to drive clients around at 55 cpm...kaching)

ok - feeling better. My 2002 T4 VW clean retails at 10,000 with 100 added for the Weekender package. Those in the know are aware these sell for 25-30k in a heartbeat - Ive been offered that at rest-stops.

Post by **oragex** » 05 Jun 2018, 09:22

Trade value means nothing, argh when I hear a dealer asking if I have a car to trade in, he's giving me peanuts then resale the car for double or triple the price.

The value of a car to me is relative to its condition, not age or mileage. You can probably buy a 20 yr old Buick with 40K miles on it from a 80 years old guy for peanuts, almost like a new car. Indeed the market doesn't care about this but there are always people who look for cars that are truly in good condition, the tricky part is how to properly advertise such car.

Post by **Kara503** » 05 Jun 2018, 12:47

oragex wrote: ↑05 Jun 2018, 09:22 Trade value means nothing, argh when I hear a dealer asking if I have a car to trade in, he's giving me peanuts then resale the car for double or triple the price.

The value of a car to me is relative to its condition, not age or mileage. You can probably buy a 20 yr old Buick with 40K miles on it from a 80 years old guy for peanuts, almost like a new car. Indeed the market doesn't care about this but there are always people who look for cars that are truly in good condition, the tricky part is how to properly advertise such car.

How would you go about advertising such a car? I am trying to get rid of my current daily- an 05 s40 s.4i with 210k miles on it. The thing drives like it is brand new, and looks like it has 100k on it. Nobody will even make me an offer on it, and I have it posted for 2k when I feel as though it's worth 3.5 in its condition.

I live in the Pacific NW and I cant help but feel like everyone around here is terrified of snow needlessly. I sold my '00 v70 XC (140k miles, no issues in good shape) for 3k only a few days after I put it on craigslist and the guy was happy as a clam to pay full price. Subarus sell like hot cakes, too. Or is the layman just horrified of 'high' mileage?

Post by **jonesg** » 05 Jun 2018, 13:25

You can buy parts but not less miles.

Post by **oragex** » 05 Jun 2018, 14:35

Just me so not saying this would work, I'd try to talk about all important parts - steering, suspension, transmission, exhaust, engine, ignition, fuel delivery, battery, cabin electrics, etc and write for each one the condition and if it was repaired and with which brands.

But it is very true that above a certain number of miles it becomes psychological. 200K may be such mark, unfortunately

Post by **chrism** » 05 Jun 2018, 19:52

An some point it's not about the residual value (or lack of), but all about cost of ownership or cost per mile, and delaying the financial hit of buying a new car. You can't GIVE it away, so you continue to drive it another five or ten years.

Post by **abscate** » 06 Jun 2018, 03:59

chrism wrote: ↑05 Jun 2018, 19:52 An some point it's not about the residual value (or lack of), but all about cost of ownership or cost per mile, and delaying the financial hit of buying a new car. You can't GIVE it away, so you continue to drive it another five or ten years.

My total cost of ownership , outside of gas, has been 20 cents per mile, mostly acquisition cost. In 3 years it will be well under 10 cents per mile. That’s really cheap, driving a Like new Volvo 15000 miles for 1500 a year or 125 per month

My1999 was 30k 1 year old and I’m now at 7 cents per mile acquisition cost

Post by **scot850** » 06 Jun 2018, 15:17

My 00 V70R is nearer the $3/mile!! You should all be happy with your cars! My view on cars is like abscate states is the cost of ownership. Depreciation of my wife's 2015 Kia Sportage EX-L (bought new) and with less than 15,000 miles on it has been negligible in terms of repairs (oil changes and filters and oil changes are free for 5 years). We also bought a new set of winter tires, load cover and load liner. It will probably depreciate at at least $5000/year but at least has a 60,000 mile/5 year bumper to bumper warranty.

So 5 years of use will cost probably around $20000 or so I would guess maybe more.

That is still less than my 00 V70R which has covered about 1250 miles/year over 5.5 years and cost over $25,000 in parts and labor to maintain as well as many, many hours of my time.

Neither option is ideal as heer nobody cares a crap about other peoples cars (thanks a nice scrape on the 4Runner fender and bumper this week) so owning something nice is pointless unless you are a masochist and like seeing your pride and joy beaten into scrap.

Even buying a beater is a challenge as I have found as no-one her maintains their cars and literally runs them until they break and then sells them when a big repair bill is due. With no annual inspections and only an insurance inspection at about 12 years buying a used car is a lottery with usually $2-3000 in overdue maintenance.

So owning a car up here in Alberta is no fun at all. Time for city transit I think!

For me driving a car is meant to be fun, so I have come to terms with the repairs on owning something rare or different, but the satisfaction of doing so soon gets knocked out of me with the next bump or scrape (thanks for the deep scrapes through the paint on my front bumper of my 00 'R' by another A-hole on whoever you are!)

Neil.