Question From Veronica: I am looking to buy a certified used car for $8k – $10k. I have been looking at the 2005 Ford Focus ZX5 and 2005 Scion xB but they are both a tad bit pricey (I know someone who can get cars for wholesale so I have a little bit of leeway in that department). The reason I like the aforementioned cars is because they have decent gas mileage and the rear seats fold down making it an ideal car for carting my 4 big dogs around to dog parks and beaches. What advice can you give me?
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Question: Year: 2005
Make: Ford
Model: Five Hundred
Trim: Limited, AWD
Mileage: 25k
VIN:
Buying or Selling? Buying
From Private Party or From A Dealership? Dealership

Thanks

Queen of the Road: Hello there! Welcome to AutoBragBlog, where we do you car price researching for free.

For a 2005 Ford Five Hundred Limited AWD with 25,000 miles, prices range from $14,900 (being in above average condition) to $13,100 (being in average condition) and $11,200 (being in below average condition). Keep in mind that the numbers above are the wholesale prices. If you are buying from a dealer you should expect to pay +12%-14% more than wholesale. A dealership’s estimated retail prices could range from $12.5k to $16.5k. These prices are appliable through out the whole country.
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Question: Year: 2005
Make: Ford
Model: Five Hundred
Trim: Limited, AWD
Mileage: 25k
VIN:
Buying or Selling? Buying
From Private Party or From A Dealership? Dealership

Thanks

Queen of the Road: Hello there! Welcome to AutoBragBlog, where we do you car price researching for free. 

For a 2005 Ford Five Hundred Limited AWD with 25,000 miles, prices range from $14,900 (being in above average condition) to $13,100 (being in average condition) and $11,200 (being in below average condition). Keep in mind that the numbers above are the wholesale prices. If you are buying from a dealer you should expect to pay +12%-14% more than wholesale.  A dealership’s estimated retail prices could range from $12.5k to $16.5k.

This Is An update To A Previous Question

Queen of the Road: Whoa! Tom, those mark ups are r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s. Just because the cars are a few years old doesn’t mean they should charge THAT much. Remember that cars depreciate like crazy. The only car that comes within range is the private party seller for the Forester, but the price should still be lowered another $1,200k to come close to a deal.The figures I gave you apply nationwide. From New York to San Diego, so that includes the two cars your pursuing. The estimated retail for the Escape should only be an additional $1,175- $1,400 to the prices I gave you. So let’s say the car is in tip-top shape, the most you should be paying is $10k. That dealer is really shooting for the stars.
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 This Is An update To A Previous Question

FOLLOW UP COMMENT: Thank you very much for the information. How regional are those prices?

For similar to the quoted Escape I am seeing a 38% mark-up for private party (~$12000) and 72% mark-up for dealer (~$15000).

For similar to the Forester a 24% mark-up for private party (~$12500) and 38% for dealer (~$14000). Even with built in negotiation room those are pretty far from wholesale.

Thanks,
Tom
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Question: Thanks!

2005
Ford
Escape
XLT Utility 4D, 4WD, 3.0L V6, automatic trans
82000 miles
buying
private party
zip code 95822

Truly appreciate!

2003
Subaru
Forester
X Sport Utility 4D, AWD, 2.5L 4 cyl, automatic trans
56000 miles
buying
private party
zip code 95822

Queen of the Road: Hello there! Something important to remember before reviewing these prices…  All the figures below are estimated prices that a dealer paid. So keep in mind that these numbers are wholesale prices.
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Question:  Here you go…

Year:2005
Make:Ford
Model: Explorer XLT 4D 4WD 4.6 V8
Trim: 3rd seat, moonroof, tow, power everything, adj. pedals, stability & traction control, cloth seats,
Mileage:36500

Thanks

Queen of the Road: Hi there! For a 2005 Ford Explorer 4WD V8 XLT with 36,500 miles, prices range from $13,300 (being in above average condition) to $11,900 (being in average condition) and $10,500 (being in below average condition). 

Are you buying from private party or dealership? Keep in mind that the numbers above are the wholesale prices. A dealership will usually aim to sell it for +12%-14% more than wholesale. So expect dealerships to charge an additional $1,300 to $1,500 more.