I find that the KBB numbers are actually a little optimistic when it comes to trade in values. Face it, a dealer really doesn't want an older high mileage car on their lot. More often than not, they will simply wholesale it to an auction company. Where there is money to be made is in two or three year old cars coming off leases with less than 30K on them. This is the niche that Carmax and others play in, and they are doing pretty well.
Sometimes a dealer will give you what seems to be a pretty good deal for your used car, but that simply means that you are paying for it with less money off of MSRP for the new vehicle that you are buying. Typically, the dealer will bet on a low trade in value because they know that the majority of buyers are anxious to get rid of the car, rather than deal with the hassle of private sale.
To get the maximum value for your used car, the only way to go is to sell it yourself. You will come out thousands ahead. As our Contours age, the prime target audience for them are teenagers that are just learning to drive and need a car separate from the family's vehicles. They don't have a huge amount of money to spend, but parents like to think of the Contour as a relatively safe and reliable vehicle that can be purchased inexpensively. The SVT versions appeal to the budding sports sedan enthusiats who want performance but don't have the dough for used Acrua, BMW and Lexus models.
Lee K
98 SVT Contour, silver
03 Evo, red
