Question From Eugene:  What is the wholesale value for the 2007 Ford Focus SE 4 Dr Sedan? It has 37500 and 1 scratch on passenger door and scratches on the right rear frame of rear widow. Paint otherwise is excellent red!

Queen of the Road: Hi Eugene. Welcome to AutoBragBlog!

For a 2007 Ford Focus SE with 37,500 miles, wholesale prices range from $8,000 (being in above average condition) to $7,000 (being in average condition) and $6,100 (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 $7,100 to $9,200. A private seller will usually aim to sell it for 5%-10%.

Are you buying from a dealership or a private seller? What was the offer? Be sure to check carfax and do plenty of research on the history of each 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.  Best of luck and keep us posted on how the purchase goes! Don’t forget to tell your friends and family about our free personal service.

Follow Up Comment: Thank you so much for your expert comments. The dealership is offering the Focus at $10,999. I am working through a third party, credit loan & automobile specialist who says that by working through him I will be avoiding the “salesman hassle” and get “wholesale” value for the Focus from the dealer. Evidently, from your advice, it seems I am getting wholesale value PLUS 37.5% above wholesale of $8K. Also, the “specialist” said that the “current economy” drives the “wholesale value” up because everyone now wants a gas-saver vice SUVs. Carfax gives a good report on vehicle and prior owner was a “rental company”!

What should I make of the offer by this “specialist” who supposedly is suppose to be on “my side” of the negotiation process?

Thanks in advance!

Sincerely, Eugene

Queen of the Road: The “specialist” will always by on the side of making money. That’s for sure. Did you officially hire him? Were any contracts signed for him to do your car purchase?

 Yes, it is true than ever since the price of oil hit the $140-$150 level, consumers have been scared into buying smaller and more fuel efficent cars.  SUV prices have conversely taken a nose dive.  However, 37.5% over wholesale is just too much.  Keep in mind AutoBrag is giving you real time up to darte wholesale prices.

Stick to your commitment on saving money and getting a great deal on the Ford Focus.  Have you checked on craigslist or AutoTrader for private party sales?

Question From Jay: How is Ford Escape hybrid & prices also

MuscleCarGuy: Hi Jay, Welcome to AutoBragBlog, where we do all the car price researching for you.

The Ford Escape Hybrid is the best option if you are looking for a fuel-efficient small SUV. A two-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid should be able to deliver close to 30 mpg in real-world city and highway driving.

At the moment we don’t have prices for a new Ford Escape Hybrid that is probably because with the high prices for the gas the Hybrids are in big demand and dealers are trying to make their money off the best fuel-efficient vehicles. Below are prices for used Ford Escapes on the wholesale market.

For a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD with 12,000 miles, prices range from $26,300 (being in above average condition) to $24,600 (being in average condition) and $23,000 (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 $25,700 to $29,900.

For a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD with 19,000 miles, prices range from $23,500 (being in above average condition) to $21,000 (being in average condition) and $18,600 (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 $20,800 to $26,800.

For a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD with 36,000 miles, prices range from $19,700 (being in above average condition) to $17,000 (being in average condition) and $14,300 (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 $16,000 to $22,500.

This Is An Update To A Previous Question

Follow Up Comment:   Hi Thanks, it’s a 07 v6 convertable prem the car is new it was delivered to the dealer 6/07 it has leather,antilock,traction,shaker sound system stock wheels 16″ it has 240 miles on it

MuscleCarGuy:   Hi Ruthie. I can’t help with prices for a new 2007 Ford Mustang, but I can give you prices for a used 2007 an a new 2008 that way you can have an idea in how much you should pay for that car.

For a Used 2007 Ford Mustang V6 Convertible with 15,000 miles, prices range from $17,200 (being in above average condition) to $16,200 (being in average condition) and $15,200 (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 $17,000 to $19,600.

For a 2008 Ford Mustang V6 Premium 2dr Convertible (4.0L 6cyl 5A),

The Biggest Percentage Off MSRP Price: $27,214.00
MSRP: $30,810.00
ePrice: $27,214.00
Savings: $3,596.00
% OFF MSRP: 11.67 %

2nd Biggest Percentage Off MSRP Price: $27,393.00
MSRP: $31,010.00
ePrice: $27,393.00
Savings: $3,617.00
% OFF MSRP: 11.66 %

The prices above include a $1,500 factory rebate, so the dealer discount for the first car is $2,096.00. If the dealers are selling a 2008 with $2,096.00 discount, the 2007 should have at least $5,000.00 off from the MSRP price. Is the $28,780 MSRP that you mentioned after or before the $2,500 factory discount? That discount you don’t even consider on the negotiation. If the MSRP for that car is $28,780 before the factory rebate, you know you should consider the MSRP as $26,280.00. If that is the case try to offer the dealer $20,000.00 for it. Try to negotiate as much as you can, because they for sure need to sell the entire 2007 inventory. Let us know if you have any other question.

Question From Ruthie:   How much should I pay dealer price on a new 2007 mustang convertable it has 240 miles on it and after all there add ons its msrp is 28,780 the factory is offering 2500 standalone incentive? but the car must be a year old already. help! ruthie

MuscleCarGuy:   Hi Ruthie. Welcome to AutoBragBlog, where we do all the car price researching for you.
Is that 2007 Ford Mustang new or used?
It has a V6 or V8 engine?
It is the Deluxe or GT or GT Deluxe or GT Premium or Premium?

We don’t have prices for new 2007 Ford Mustang, but we can certainly help with prices for a used 2007 or a new 2008.

Question: 2007 Mustang V6 Premium
- 5 speed
- V6 Leather Package
- rear Spoiler
- Sirius radio
- V6 Pony PackageMSRP with options: $23,100 (dealer sticker)
Invoice with options: $21,505 (from Edumunds)
Rebates: $3000Is it reasonable to figure that I can get this car for $18.5k? That would make buying a used one much less of a good deal for me. My alternative is a used 2007 5spd, V6 with 15k miles and without the Pony package that has a sticker price of $16k. Its in that nice Alloy Clearcoat Metallic, but the new one comes in red The other option is a 2005 Red V6 5spd that I might be able to get for 14k-14.5k, but newer would of course be better Thanks for any insight you may have  

Queen of the Road:    I think that $18,500 is a very reasonable offer and you may even get it for $17,800-$18,200 in my opinion. But the particular Mustang you are looking for is not too common.  There is currently a $1500 rebate so I’m not sure where you saw that it was $3,000. With the sticker being $23,100 lets take the $1,500 off so thats $21,600.  It is very common to see 2007 Ford Mustangs being marked 20% off…we actually see a bunch of the deluxe trims with more than 20% off.  For the car you want…that means slashing the price a total of $4,600 or exactly 20%.  The $1,500 rebate may be in lieu of the zero interest financing but if that can be combined than you have a real winner here. We found a just two Premium that match your description but have less bells and whistles.A NEW 2007 Ford Mustang V6 Premium 2dr Coupe (4.0L 6cyl 5M)
The Lowest Internet Price:
ePrice $18,830
Savings: $1,215.00
% OFF MSRP: 6.06 %

Financial Incentives:
0.00%-3.90% APR up to 36 Months.
0.00%-4.90% APR up to 48 Months.
0.00%-5.90% APR up to 60 Months.
0.00%-7.90% APR up to 72 Months.

A Cash Back Incentive of $1,500 is being offered to the Consumer upon purchase. exp: 10/1/2007

A USED 2007 Ford Mustang V6 Coupe at auctions,
Above Average Price: $15,540 with 12,170 miles.
Average Price: $14,500 with 20,900 miles.
For 15k miles, that dealer probably bought that car from auction for $14.8-$15k
If this ends up being the car you want, you know where to aim in terms of prices.

As for the 2005, assuming its a coupe, for $14k, I hope the range in miles is 16.5k and lower.

Follow Up Comment:  Thanks - I walked away with an $18.5 price and was happy. After having gone through the process, I agree that I could have probably got it for a bit less since it really didn’t seem too hard to get them to go for $18.5; call me a miserable negotiator I guess. Mostly I was just happy to get it for about a used car price.

Yea - the other $1500 probably came from not choosing a financing package, I financed myself on this deal so I came pretty close to the 0% financing deal. I saved myself some aggravation from having to deal with a bank mostly.. It had a few bells and whistles that also made it a bit stronger - the pony package, Pirelli PZero tires, 17″ Cast Aluminum wheels, leather interior and the Interior upgrade package. Finally, it was the slick Redfire red and there is just something about a sporty car in red.

I appreciate your post though as it really made the process a lot less stressful for me knowing that the dealer would go for my price. As for the 2005, yea it had really low mileage, only 16,500 and was driven by a chick (sorry to stereotype, but I know that I drive my cars a HELL of a lot harder than my wife). She had an advertised price of $17,800 on it