Trade-in value?

[ChicagoJeeper]

So, I've loved my truck since the day I got it, and have spent hours adding new toys and mods here and there over the last year. However living in the city, I've run head first into the realization that most garages in the city are not meant for pickup truck length. The place I'm moving to next month won't fit her, and I'm not about parking on the street, risking theft of my goodies, and dealing with the snow, street sweeping, etc. So I'm going to trade it in and go back to a Wrangler for the time being.

That all being said, anyone have experience trading in a pretty maxed out Rubicon? If so mind sharing (either here or in a PM) what the dealership gave you back? I'm looking to go into this as educated as I can, so I can try to get the most value back I can. I'm already pulling most my mods off (those that will fit on the Wrangler at least), but trying to see where I think I can come in at trade-in wise.

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[CaptNkllm]

See if Carvana is offering anything for them yet

 

[Sazabi19]

From what I've heard around the forums is that most of your goodies don't fetch a higher price unless sold to another person directly. If I was you and looking for the most return on everything I'd put it back to close as stock as you could and sell the goodies on the side. Someone else who has done this goat rope could inform you more, this is just what I've seen.

 

[SuburbanGP88]

Sell whatever extras you con on your own then sell it to Carvana or Carmax who usually offer good prices for Jeeps.

 

[TYJ]

Carvana just offered me $2k less than my local dealership offered for trade-in. I think most dealers are simply going to offer “good” KKB trade-in value. If you want more than that you’ll probably have to go for a private party sale.

 

[SuburbanGP88]

Carvana was offering over blue book and gave me $2300 over Carmax but 400 under what I needed to get rid of it.

 

[athous]

You’re best bet is private party. Dealer and all other retail buyers are not going to pay top dollar as they have to make money on it as well. If you’re going into anther jeep like a wrangler you could probably squeeze more out of a dealer. What are you looking for as a replacement?

previous to my gladiator I was driving an xterra that wouldn’t fit vertically in most parking structures so I picked up a super cheap mini For 3k. It came with 120k miles and I put an extra 60k on it. Drove it hard and it was great for parking and easy to tool around the freeway. Had it for 3 years and sold it for 2k more than it cost me. It was super easy to work on and I had minimal issues.

 

[GoVR46]

Reason why I never sell off my stock parts.
So if I ever decide to sell or trade in my truck its completely stock.
Sell off the aftermarket parts later.

 

[kooltoys]

I would be looking for a different place to stay! place has to fit my needs not vise versa. place cant be worth a 10k hit

 

[iadslgladiator]

Trade in value is always kind of a dance between what they "allow" for your trade vs the "discount" they are giving you on the new one.

It is pretty much always true they don't allow much, if anything at all for your extras.

Not sure if my trade experience last November is relevant at this time or not but I was offered several thousand more than I originally paid for my new jt sport s with a 6 spd, soft top, with 15k miles on it, While still getting the heavily discounted price on my new one. Its worth noting this is the first/only time in my life I've ever had that happen.

 

[Pat2Alaska]

Depending on your state laws, your trade in might lower your taxes. In Iowa the tax is 5%. If you get $45,000 trade-in, that saves you $2,250. So if you sell privately you must get more than $2,300 more for it to be worth it. Just an example. Dealers definitely know the advantages and they need to make $ so will try to give you low trade-in. Do plenty of research. My dealer gives me a list of exactly what they’ve given for all Rubicons. The list shows mileage on each but not options or add-ons so they don’t consider them much when buying but will tout them when selling. You’re best to strip the add-ons off before you trade.

 

[danielspivey]

Trading in to a dealer is for convenience only. If your worried about the value your going to get, sell private party.

If you have loans involved, private party sales can get messy.

I’ve found its best to take it to 2 dealers and get a trade value. Let them know that’s what you are doing... taking it to the other one upfront, it’ll increase competition. They will usually have flexibility on the number they give you. Once you get where you want to be, strip all your add ons off. Most cases they won’t even remember or care what those were as long as the basic or stock options are there.

As I get older I’ve found working with a dealer is just easier. Less hassle, and my time is money. Just don’t go into it blind without a plan and doing your research.

 

[ChicagoJeeper]

Yeah, I've already pulled off anything that will fit on the new wrangler I want to get, just leaving a few things like the swingbox and bed molle pannels. Here in the city its a 10% sales tax on a new vehicle when you add in both state, county, and city, so trade in is going to be pretty key for keeping that lower.

 

[BAT]

Carvana was offering over blue book and gave me $2300 over Carmax but 400 under what I needed to get rid of it.

Yea when I sold my wifes car Carvana gave us like $2000 more than Carmax was offering.

 

[aldo98229]

That’s the reason I went from a Toyota Tacoma Off-Road to a Wrangler JL. Maneuvering that truck in the city got old fast.

Gladiator is a few inches longer than Tacoma still, and almost two feet longer than my Wrangler.

Check out KBB.com and similar listings near you. That’ll give you a realistic idea how much you can get for your truck.

I’ve had good luck selling Wranglers privately over the years. They sell fast and for several thousand dollars over dealer trade-in. The key is (1) bringing it as close to stock as possible, (2) giving it a good detail, (3) listing a realistic price, and (4) posting lots of good photos. My guess is Gladiator would be the same.

Good luck!

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