Sell the Leaf for a Model 3 or not?

[garsh]

And, they could still rip you off on trade in. You can find some legitimate stories of this (along w/some w/unrealistic expectations) by Googling for site:teslamotorsclub.com trade in too low.

They will definitely "rip you off" on the trade-in.

Tesla doesn't sell used cars. So, they don't want your trade-in because all they'll do is sell it to an auction house. So they'll give you the auction price as a courtesy if you really can't be bothered to sell it yourself. But the Tesla salesfolk should be up-front about this. They should recommend that you sell it yourself.

 

[cwerdna]

^^^
On the above note, for some states (not mine, unfortunately), trading in a car can save on sales tax towards purchase of a new car.

https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/what-fees-should-you-pay.html has a table which states where trading in helps on reducing sales tax vs. where it doesn't.

 

[GetOffYourGas]

^^^
On the above note, for some states (not mine, unfortunately), trading in a car can save on sales tax towards purchase of a new car.

https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/what-fees-should-you-pay.html has a table which states where trading in helps on reducing sales tax vs. where it doesn't.

In NYS, this is true. But the sales tax is only 8%. So that means if you trade in a car for $10,000, for example, you are effectively getting $10,800 for it. I have found from experience that a private sale will almost always net you more than 8% better than trade-in value. KBB agrees, by the way. That same car may get you $12,000 from a private sale.

Bottom line - trading in an old car is usually a bad move financially. The only reason to do it is to avoid the hassle of listing/showing your car.

 

[RonDawg]

As for Tesla service experience, "the grass is always greener on the other side". I guess you haven't paid enough attention on "TMC" and other places.

So this.

And once more and more Teslas go out of warranty, perhaps there will be more folks unhappy w/the service experience?
https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/ouch-first-huge-repair-bill.70396/
https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/model-s-door-handel-failure.78976/

And especially this. G-d help you and your bank account if you have an out-of-warranty Tesla. It will make owning a German car look Toyota-cheap by comparison.

 

[Randy]

And, they could still rip you off on trade in. You can find some legitimate stories of this (along w/some w/unrealistic expectations) by Googling for site:teslamotorsclub.com trade in too low.

They will definitely "rip you off" on the trade-in.

Tesla doesn't sell used cars. So, they don't want your trade-in because all they'll do is sell it to an auction house. So they'll give you the auction price as a courtesy if you really can't be bothered to sell it yourself. But the Tesla salesfolk should be up-front about this. They should recommend that you sell it yourself.

Garsh,
Tesla now sells certified pre-owned Tesla cars with a warranty. They take trade-ins and do whatever repairs or work is necessary to get the car ready to sell. There are some pretty good prices for used cars on their website...

https://www.tesla.com/preowned


Randy

 

[garsh]

Tesla now sells certified pre-owned Tesla cars with a warranty.

Yes, you are correct. My comment only applies when trading in a non-Tesla vehicle.

 

[smkettner]

Trading in a car has always been a poor value compared to selling it yourself.
Independent dealers are no different.

At least give CarMax or similar a chance before you trade in. Still will be $5,000 below retail otherwise how do you think they all make money?