Was trying to trade in my 2002 Z06 with 12k miles tonight on an 09 z06. The dealer came back and said they would give me 16k for my car. I just about fell over. They wouldnt budge on the price of the 09 either. Kind of furious. "No haggle zone" dealers are kind of ridiculous. Im not even sure where they pulled 16k out of.

 

Is that really far off? They'll put it up for low 20's probably, maybe get $20K. Just a guess... things are tough for private buyers and sellers for sure.

 

Well, considering I was offered 20k at another dealer but didnt get the deal done because it sold before I could buy the 07 z06 they had, I feel it was a bit low.

 

It's so tough to know... prices vary so much by location. Hope you get what you're looking for

 

With those miles dealers are deep 20s.

C6 cars are in the range but a Zo6 with sub-20k miles is a highly desired car.

Sell it on your own if you can gather the will power (good luck, tough move) , then buy the car you want after that.

 

By the way, I just sold my 09z, and still have the 01z I bought 12 years ago.

Lots to love about the LS7, but then again, the LS6 is a modern classic just like the LS7.

I have just as much fun driving the LS6 on a tiny 2-lane road in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. I look for a far away place on the map and drive there, and make a day of it. Stop at a cafe, keep driving, and make a day of it.

Just know that the guy that buys the car you sell will be happier than before he found it. Keep that in mind.

 

From what I have seen, dealers are asking low 20s for 60k 02Zs in good
shape, not 16k mile examples. You really can't blame the dealer though. A low mileage C5Z may hold a premium value, but finding a buyer that is willing and able to pay that premium may be more hassle than that dealer wants to deal with. The clean 50k mile example will sell at 20-21 more quickly than the low mileage car at a typical $25k+ price.
Wayne

 

It's a business trying to maximize profits.

 

Very nicely put, Josh, but I think it's a little about the FRC roofline.

 

Yes, I think that is insulting. Both NADA and KBB show trade-in value at minimum of $18,600 to a max of about $22,000. I would think $20,000 trade value would be fair to both parties. Quick search on Cars.com as to what dealerships are asking for 02 to 04 Z's with about the same mileage as yours shows an average price of about $25,000.

So the stealership you went to was hoping to make a $9000 to $10,000 profit off of your car. I do understand that they want to make a profit but a car is worth what it is worth.

 

That's a lowball for sure. I'd just sell it on your own unless you want to try a different place for trade in.

 

Drove up there for a THIRD time this morning. The best they could do was 18, which is what they offered me on Friday night. I thought we could meet in the middle this time at 19 because I wanted 20 on Friday. They let me walk out the door because of $1000 dollars TWICE. They were trying to argue that NADA retail on my car was 22.9k. Ive never seen a 12k mile Z go for that low. Unbelievable. I guess they didnt wanna make money today.

 

Just sell it on craigslist or on this forum. A dealer will never pay you it's full worth since they are middlemen and are buying it to flip and make a profit.

Plenty of people would pay $22k+ for that car in a heartbeat.

 

I recognize it stinks...especially if they will not budge on their price for the '09Z. I have an '02 Z I bought new with no plans to sell... so I'm partial to what these cars are worth in mint, next to new, condition.

But let me throw some things out there... you may have already thought of all of them.

If you sell it private party, you get no tax benefit. I don't know what your sales taxes are on vehicles, but where I am in Texas, it is 6.25%. So an $18k offer is really worth $19125 if you sold it on your own in my state. Not a huge deal, but it is something.

So this is what you have to ask (and you may have): 1) How much can you realistically sell your car for in a _reasonable_ amount of time? I say reasonable because there is an '09Z that you want now, and it could be long gone... plus factor in that the more time it takes for you to sell this car, the less time you're enjoying your new one. 2) How bad do you want the car they are selling? Is it _the_ car... meaning perfect miles, color, options? I hear you say they aren't willing to budge on the price, but I'm guessing its a fairly decent price already, or you wouldn't have spent 3 trips going up there.

A dealer may ask $25k for your car and get $22-23k. Private party won't get what a dealer gets, although certainly you can make more selling it yourself than trading it.

GLWS.

 

Just curious, what were they asking for the 09? I’ve got a unique perspective on this transaction. I own a 20K mile 02 z06 as well as a 11k mile 09 z06. The price of the 09 would be the deciding factor for me as it’s just as important as the 02 if your buying from the same dealer as your trading.

 

NADA does show retail value at $22,000 and trade value at $18,600. I think retail and trade-in values are bullshit. A car is worth what it is worth.

They could have easily given you $19K on trade so they actually let you walk out the door twice for only $400. That means they would rather not make THOUSANDS of profit over a few hundred dollars. Man I really HATE ******* stealerships and car sales people.

How much were they asking for the 09 Z?

 

Never, and I repeat NEVER trade a vehicle in on another vehicle. You are handing the dealer $2-3k right on the spot. Be patient and sell on Craigslist. That's how I found mine this past March. I was looking in all surrounding states so a serious buyer will be doing the same. Just realize that it's nearly November and interested buyers won't increase again until late Feb or March after tax returns begin coming in and spring is around the corner. Hold onto it and do NOT give it away. You should easily be able to get $22-23k for it next spring. Just be patient.

I just looked up NADA on my 2003 17k mile C5Z and it says $23,462 retail and $19,987 clean trade. These cars have dropped this year since I bought it in March. Less than two years ago I sold my 2001 C5Z with 45k miles for $18,500 which was only $250 less than I paid for it three years earlier with 40k miles. They will begin holding their value around here for low mileage Zs.

 

If the 2009 you found is a great price and it's the exact car you want, buy it. Keep your car and sell it privately. A 12K mile 2002 in excellent condition should bring you an easy $24-25K. You are likely to keep more $$$ in your pocket selling your car private party.

 

Local Chevy dealer just a month ago had a yellow 2003 Z06 with 53k, all OEM and stock. They asked $25,900.00. I was curious and checked it out , nice car great shape. The next week I saw someone looking at it and it was gone.
C5's like other generations get pushed down with each new generation that comes out. I was going to sell mine because I had bought a beautiful 99 C5 coupe with a Vortech supercharger. Instead I'm probably switching the blower to the Z06 and will sell the 99. It's a beautiful car for cruising but 575-590 hp on the Z06 just puts it pretty close to most modern muscle! 😉

 

I concur with Josh... I too cut my teeth on my built 01 C5Z.... sold it last year and picked up my current 08Z.. I miss the rawness of the C5Z... However. The LS7 is a screaming machine and way more refined. I have been entertaining picking up another C5Z at some point down the road. They are great cars!!

Flipping the script... You asked $20... they offered you $18000... you were holding out for $19... You have to ask yourself how bad do you want that 09Z....? Is it worth a little pride and $1K....? I would say yes... But that's just me. GL w your search.