TIP: Keep it clean!No matter how neat (or not) you normally are, put your detritus in a box andthen toss it in the trunk when the time comes to show the car to a
prospective buyer, whether a dealer or private party. In general, Irecommend spending $200-$400 on cosmetics, and between zero and (^)
$350 on mechanicals—unless it needs tires, which obviously drive up theprice. Now that your car is looking as good as a reasonable outlay of cash (^)
can make it, it is time to reap the benefit.
TRADING IN
If you decide to trade it in, get several bids from different dealers—new andused—before you go anywhere. Get them in writing, and ask if that’s what
they would be willing to give you for your car, even if you don’t buy fromthem. All through 2011, dealers have been struggling to get good used cars (^)
and trucks to sell, so you might be pleasantly surprised at what you’reoffered. This shortage of good used cars will continue into 2014, which (^)
means that you should get top-dollar for your car if you’ve kept it up—or atleast used the tips above to make it look like you did! Also, ask them if
they’d do a pass-through if you’re in an applicable state.
TIP: You don’t need to physically go into the dealers for bids.