Considering Trade-in, need advice

[RobPaulson]

So, here are some of my concerns about my current vehicle...

- Too small, I have been getting involved in more sports and outdoor activities lately, and a coupe is just getting really, really, really annoying to fit people/gear into.- Unnecessary amount of power, it's nice, but i'd like a few extra dollars in my pocket over a few extra horsepower. looking to downgrade that a tad with hopes of making my wallet a lil heavier.- Could use a lower car loan. i'm still sitting around 18k on this one (3 years left), I'm not necessarily having trouble keeping it up, I would just rather be saving the money for the future (home, student loans, credit payoff, etc)- Have a few modifications, could this hurt the trade-in/resale?- Car has 28k miles on it already. Was purchased in July 2008.

What I like about my current vehicle:

- Reliable with nissans extended 7 year warranty.- Bought it new, its always belonged to me. this was a big deal when i got it, but has been losing its appeal =/ i could almost care less at this point.

I REALLY like the subaru WRX's (hatch/wagon model) from 2008+, although I doubt I could finagle any kind of savings $$ wise out of a trade-in like that. I need a vehicle thats good in snow, good gas mileage, and that I wouldnt be afraid to take down a dirt road every once and a while. Not to keene on SUV's either.

So, any advice? Should I just dig my heels in and keep paying this b**** off, considering i bought her brand new? or should i take out my mods, and trade her in?
Modified by RobPaulson at 10:07 AM 3/30/2010

[numbnuts240]

4-door gc8 2.5rs. you won't do it.

[RobPaulson]

meehhh, i like the reliability of a relatively newer car, going into 6+ years old becomes more of a headache than the difference i price would be worth... i think. which is kind of hwy I made this thread... i dont really know, so looking for an open discussion on how i could save me some green by downgrading my car!

where are all of our car trading guru's??

[numbnuts240]

balls, get some

http://www.bargainnews.com/vie...=2012

[HashiriyaS14]

Transaction costs will kill any savings unless you go WAY downmarket.

Sell it and buy something with cash, or buy something super cheap (sub $5k) with a 3-year Prosper Loan.

EDIT: You're also going to be getting advice from a bunch of people who do their own auto work, so the "extra headache" isn't one, for us.

Or hell, just go buy a new Cube or something. SELL your coupe though, private party, don't trade it. You can get a new Cube for $16k or so with outrageous financing.

[glitched]

If your set on trading it in, dont walk in letting them know you have a trade in.

Dont let them drag you into negotiating price/down payment/and financing at the same time.

http://consumerist.com/2007/03....html

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Evos are getting pretty cheap.

[RobPaulson]

If your set on trading it in, dont walk in letting them know you have a trade in.

Dont let them drag you into negotiating price/down payment/and financing at the same time.

http://consumerist.com/2007/03....html

yeah I wasnt hell bent on 'trading' in necessarily, I would be open to selling independently, since it'd bring me a lot more money.

not as attracted to the mitsubishi as the subaru's, a few people I know have subarus and absolutely love them. i've wanted one for a while now.

[Zydeco]

Evos are getting pretty cheap.

but they dont come in wagon forum.

[Dattebayo]

Evos are getting pretty cheap.

Sure, lets just completely forget everything he just said in the OP why don't we.

Are you thinking SUV now or staying in the car area?

[Zydeco]

my vote is a 2002+ outback sport. not a power house, but enough to get you and your gear around NP.http://www.cars101.com/subaru/...tions

Engine specs: 2.5L RS, TS Sport, Outback Sport:

2.5L 4 cylinder SOHC 16 valve boxer engine (same engine used in all other 2002 Subaru models exc; WRX)

Aluminum heads and blockSequential multi-port fuel injectionHorsepower 165@5600 rpmTorque 166@4000rpm50 State LEV (low emission vehicle)

0-60 MPH- RS 5 spd: 7.8 seconds (Car and Driver magazine)

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Sure, lets just completely forget everything he just said in the OP why don't we.

Are you thinking SUV now or staying in the car area?

He never stated that he needed a wagon.

The EVO gets decent gas mileage, can be taken on a dirt road (lol), has more space than his Altima, and is good in snow.

Reliability? That's iffy. But it sounds like he's someone that isn't going to keep a car forever.

I like the Forester though too. Get one and make it look like this. Plenty of room too.

[Dattebayo]

He said a downgrade in power and it does not have more space than an Altima. Also not kid and family friendly.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

He said a downgrade in power and it does not have more space than an Altima. Also not kid and family friendly.

He has an Altima coupe if you didn't know. It has 4 doors so I would consider that A LOT more kid and family friendly than his Altima.

And the only reason he said he'd have to take a power downgrade is because it was too expensive and a slower car would probably be cheaper. If he's coming out on top when he buys an evo, why would he complain about the power????

But all that aside, I think that Forester I posted is a better idea. They look badass when they're "STI'ed" out.

[Red coupe]

He has an Altima coupe if you didn't know. It has 4 doors so I would consider that A LOT more kid and family friendly than his Altima.

And the only reason he said he'd have to take a power downgrade is because it was too expensive and a slower car would probably be cheaper. If he's coming out on top when he buys an evo, why would he complain about the power????

But all that aside, I think that Forester I posted is a better idea. They look badass when they're "STI'ed" out.

I think its a joke because you hotlinked to net car show and they always swap out the pic for one of a vette.

4-door gc8 2.5rs. you won't do it.

THE FIRST thing I thought as well.

MAN UP. Subaru makes reliable cars, and if you get one around 100K mi I doubt you are going to have reliability issues.

[cellardoorv]

Giggz, I'm in the same boat.

Ryan and I are heavily considering trading in my car for either an XTerra or Pathfinder (circa 2005 ish). While I LIKE my car, it's just... meh. Now with having an 80 pound high energy dog, and Ryan and I wanting to do more outdoors-y things, the Altima is just falling short. Honestly, we put a skateboard, a pair of boots, a coat and a blanket in my trunk and basically can't fit anything else.

We came to the very obvious reality that his turbo'd 240 is the fun car, and my car is just a standard Altima with two less doors and a curvy a**. No matter what you do to it, it will always just be an Altima. Nothing WRONG with that, for sure, but when you have something more fun sitting right next to it, I mean, honestly, who are we kidding?

I put around 14K down on my car, and I didn't make the mistake of buying the 3.5 , so I would have to say I have (very) roughly 6-8K left on it. Maybe less? I would have to check.

Anyway. Thoughts?

Edit:

Oh. Don't feel bad about your mileage. I bought my car in Feb 09 with THIRTEEN miles on it... and have 30K on it now.