Question From Chipper: Year: 2006
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Malibu Maxx SS
Trim: SS
Mileage: 42162
VIN: 1G1ZW631X6F235386
Buying or Selling? Buying
From Private Party or From A Dealership? Dealership

They are asking $14K and I hope it’s about $4k overpriced for a 3 year car out of warranty.
**Update 12/20/08 - I just found out this is GM Certified so its not out of warranty after all, will come with 12/12 bumper to bumper warranty. Asking price now $12888**

Here’s my trade in or sell outright car:

Year: 2001
Make: Honda
Model: Accord
Trim: EX, leather, sunroof
Mileage: 95000
Buying or selling?: Selling
Private party or dealership? Would like to know value both ways

Queen of the Road: Hi Chipper.

For a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx V6 SS with 42,200 miles, wholesale prices range from $10,300 (being in above average condition) to $9,100 (being in average condition) and $7,900 (being in below average condition). 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 their estimated retail prices could range from $9,000 to $11,600.

For a 2001 Honda Accord 4Cyl Sedan EX Automatic with 95,000 miles, wholesale prices range from $6,100 (being in above average condition) to $5,000 (being in average condition) and $3,900 (being in below average condition). 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 their estimated retail prices could range from $4,700 to $7,050.

Check carfax and do plenty of research on the history of the vehicle. Ask for their maintenance records. You can even bring a mechanic for a brief inspection. Here’s a good car buying article I recommmend everyone read before completing the car buying process.

 Queen of the Road: GM Certified adds a bit of value but it’s not something that should affect your buying decision.

Question: Hi,
I’m brand new to the forum. headed to my first auction Thursday in search of a truck for myself. would you mind giving me numbers for several cars

2006 Chevy/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500 crew cab 4X4 LT/SLT trim 5.3L V8. don’t care about miles

also 2007 the same vehicles as abov except LTZ/SLT trim.

thanks for doing this. any tips for the auction would be much appreciated.

Queen of the Road: Hi there! Welcome to AutoBragBlog. Ok, I’ll start by giving you the price range by the average mileage. Unfortunately, there are no GMC Sierra wholesale prices available.

For a 2006 Chevrolet 1500 Silverado Pickup 4WD V8 Crew Cab 5.3L LT with 46,800, wholesale prices range from $17,800 (being in above average condition) to $15,200 (being in average condition) and $12,500 (being in below average condition). 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 their estimated retail prices could range from $14k to $19.7k.

For a 2007 Chevrolet 1500 Silverado Pickup 4WD V8 Crew Cab 5.3L LTZ with 30,600, wholesale prices range from $26,200 (being in above average condition) to $22,000 (being in average condition) and $17,800 (being in below average condition). A dealership will usually aim to sell it for +12%-14% more than wholesale, so their estimated retail prices could range from $19.7k to $28.8k.?

What’s the name of the auction you’re going to? The only advice I can offer is to the check condition report of the truck. Be sure to know the right price for the car, because not all cars are a good deal at the auction. Always do a post inspection.

Goodluck!

Follow Up Comment:   thanks again. very unusual to find someone in the know willing to be as helpful as you are. i went to the auction today, but did not have any luck. there wasn’t much to choose from in the way of what i wanted. actually there wasn’t anything. i’m going to try to be patient and find one from a private party, or let my contact find me one at auction. just a little nervous about letting someone else buy a car.

what is a fair price to expect to pay to a dealership in terms of markup? the dealership in town just got a 2006 gmc sierra slt 4×4 crew cab with 35k miles. i know it would sell for about 17.5k at auction give or take, but i also know that i need to take into consideration the dealership needs to make a little money off of it. plus i saw it before they cleaned it up and it was pretty dirty.

thanks again for all your help. you are very kind

Queen of the Road: It’s natural to feel nervous about a stranger is handling your car transaction. Just make sure to follow my advice about checking all reports. 

A fair mark up is 12% - 14% from wholesale prices. It’s too bad that I dont have any Sierra wholesale prices for that trim at the moment. Just try and negotiate as much as possible till their ears fall off. Best of luck and Happy Halloween.