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To Fix Up or Trade Up, That is the Question

863 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2013 at 7:19 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Safety, Tires, Wheels, Auto Body, Brakes, Engine, Interior, Paint, Transmission, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Buying Insurance, Coupe, Convertible, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, Wagon, SUV, Van

Messages Page 77 of 87

#753 of 863 Trade it in or get it fixed? by jamerob02

Apr 18, 2012 (10:17 am)

I was recently in a minor fender bender with my 2010 Scion TC in which the damage is all cosmetic. I got a check from the insurance company for the repairs (about $1500) but I'm thinking about trading in the car and getting an Infiniti. Is it worth my while to get the Scion fixed before I trade it it or would it be better to keep the insurance money and use that as part of the down payment? Thanks for the help!!

#754 of 863 Re: Trade it in or get it fixed? [jamerob02] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Apr 18, 2012 (11:37 am)

Replying to: jamerob02 (Apr 18, 2012 10:17 am)
Well you corner them by bringing it in as is, and getting a quote on the trade-in, and when they give that to you, ask them what they'd pay if the car were all fixed up.
 
Now keep in mind that the trade-in price can be made to look better than it is, because they can pack the selling price.
 
What I'd do is first work out a selling price for the car you want and don't even mention that you have a trade-in. Then come back the next day with the car and say you've decided to trade it.
 
I know they'll hammer you for the damage but hard to say if it's going to be $1500 or not. They can fix the car a lot cheaper than you can.

#755 of 863 Re: Trade it in or get it fixed? [Mr_Shiftright] by jamerob02

Apr 18, 2012 (12:06 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 18, 2012 11:37 am)
Great advice, I'll give it a try and see what they say. Thank you!

#756 of 863 Damage by bolivar

Apr 18, 2012 (11:10 pm)

Well, this is one of those things where we might need to see the damage. But I had about $1400 in damage, which was one small nick in a plastic panel and some paint damage that I waxed out. You say this is a 2010 auto, which I consider rather new. If there is much visible damage, I would lean toward getting it fixed. But the approach discussed by others might be a good way to go. If there is much of a panel damage somewhere, I would think a dealer will really mark in down, even if their body shop could get it repaired for far less than the $1500 estimate you have gotten.

#757 of 863 Re: Trade it in or get it fixed? [jamerob02] by srs_49

Apr 19, 2012 (8:24 am)

Replying to: jamerob02 (Apr 18, 2012 10:17 am)
We had a 2002 Subaru Outback (Pearl White?) that had received some minor paint damage on the front corner of the bumper and the rear quarter panel (2 separate incidents). I did not want to make an insurance claim for them, so just drove around with damage for several years.
 
In 2008, we sold the car to my son, but he wanted the damaged areas fixed up. So we took it to an independent shop and for something like $350 plus a case of Bud Lights they repaired both damaged areas. I was really surprised at how cheap it was.

#758 of 863 Re: Trade it in or get it fixed? [srs_49] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Apr 19, 2012 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: srs_49 (Apr 19, 2012 8:24 am)
Well your good fortune but in general $350 bucks where I live would get you someone filling their mouth with paint and spitting in on the car.

#759 of 863 Re: Trade it in or get it fixed? [Mr_Shiftright] by kyfdx HOST

Apr 19, 2012 (12:52 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 19, 2012 12:12 pm)
Didn't Farrah Fawcett do something like that?
 
Covered herself in paint, then rolled around on a canvas and left butt-prints?

#760 of 863 Re: Trade it in or get it fixed? [kyfdx] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Apr 19, 2012 (1:51 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Apr 19, 2012 12:52 pm)
back away from the YouTube website.....
 
I had my back bumper redone on the cheap and it was okay but I recently saw the car (I sold it, a Scion xA, 2 years ago) and the paintwork has definitely deteriorated.

Messages Page 77 of 87

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