Trading an Expedition for a RX330

Frugle · 11-01-06, 04:57

Hello all, I've read a lot of great threads on here and it seems you guys are very knowledgable in dealing with cars and car salesmen.

In 2005 my dad bought my mom a new Expedition (click and brag link to it in sig) with the thought that they would need 1 more large vehicle to tote us kids around in before they go smaller.

But as we drive around in it, we realize that its normally just 2-3 people, so there is a lot of unused space. As well as we have never towed a single thing with it.. so that 5.4L 300HP 300 foot lbs engine is going to waste.

It's just to big of a vehicle, doesn't get good enough gas millage, and is a Ford :

.

My mom has had her eye on the RX330 since the new model came out in 2004, and it really would be a more practical car. We still need a a vehicle bigger than a car because they have to drive stuff to and from college dorms, but they don't need another expedition.

I've obviously spent a lot of time looking at ebay, KBB and edmonds, and it seems like we could get an even trade,

2005 Expedition, eddie bauer, DVD, 5.4L, 16,500 miles -----> 2004 RX330, standard, 25,000-30,000 miles

Does this seem like a reasonable thing to go after?

Couple of things that I have been thinking about... my parents got 0% financing on the expedition... so they would obviously have to give that up..

and they would really like the RX330 in the flint mica color (real dark gray).

They really want a streight up trade, with little to no money out of pocket.

Do you think this is attainable? and if so, how?

Thanks!

BigJimZ28 · 11-01-06, 05:19

it sounds good in theory but.......
there is nothing in it for the dealer so good luck!

Tucci · 11-01-06, 09:16

GL with that. You can buy a Expo like the brand new for just under 30k right now. Spend 4k more and they will give you 0% for 72 months. Those things hold their value like a rock dropped off a building. Probally not what you want to hear, but i Sell cars for a living, and deal with it every day. The big 3 are putting themselves out of bussiness with all of this incentive garbage. At least they didnt buy a Buick. Those are worse, if you can beleive it.

Frugle · 11-01-06, 09:26

and I completely understand that. and I know I am shooting for a long shot... but I have a friend who recently bought a 2005 RX (I think it was 6months old at the time) for 31, and I've been watching expeditions sell around atlanta, and since gas price is under 2 dollars for the time being, they are selling for about 27-28 . (Oh and a brand new expedition, same model is 38 nomatter what ford place you go too.. you can buy the cheap XLS ones for under 30).

I think I could see it working out with a little cash down..

Tucci · 11-01-06, 09:48

My price was with all the incentives, and invoice. They sticker high and sell low.

Either way, GL. Its not impossible, just not as easy as it looks on paper.

Frugle · 11-01-06, 09:50

my parents paid 37 out the door, which was a pretty good deal at the time (obviously not the best, but for someone who doesn't like to haggle (my dad))

especko · 11-02-06, 07:28

I hate to tell you, but unfortunately the expedition is probably only worth 20-23k trade in value to a dealer. There is rarely ever a deal in the car business where it will be a straight up trade. Like was said before there isnt anything in it for the dealer to do so. Do you happen to know how much your parents still owe on the expedition? Because that has an effect on things as well.

Frugle · 11-02-06, 10:07

Don't hate to tell me, I understand that, and expected that answer.

I don't know exactly, but doing the math, I'm guessing it's somewhere around 23.

what would they have to do to make it work? how much would they have to pay?

I mean there are many factors that would make it worth it, such as a 3.3l V6, so better gas millage, durability of the toyota, resale vallue etc.

Eliot Ness · 11-02-06, 10:43

I would say the best way is to sell the Expedition to a private party, then take the money (or what is left after paying off the bank) and go shopping for an RX.

The Dealer is in business to make money (nothing wrong with that), and as some of the others have stated, they rarely go for a straight trade unless they see a good % of profit in it. What might work in your favor is if they have an RX that hasn't moved for a while and they know someone seriously looking for a clean used Expo.

The odds are if you made that kind of trade ($$ + Expo for an RX) on a dealer lot you would either be paying too much for the RX and/or getting too little for the Expo. They've got to make some money somewhere in the deal or it won't be worth their time to mess with it.

I know selling a car yourself isn't as convenient as letting the guys on the lot take care of everything, but there is a price to be paid for that convenience.

At this point about all you (or your parents) can do is take the Expo around and see what some of the dealers are willing to do. At that point, after you/they have some numbers to look at, they can make a better decision about what might work best for them.

Way2SSlow · 11-02-06, 10:54

I used to work at a local lexus dealer here in Atlanta. Your parents might be able to walk in and snatch up one of the cars that came out of the loaner fleet for a nice price. Also, if they might like to go for a new Lex, the December to Remember that they run every year is just around the corner. PM me if you're interested and I can give you the name of a good salesman.

Frugle · 11-02-06, 09:09

About selling it, My parents nor I have any idea how to sell a vehicle. so that would definantly be a learning experience...I seriously don't have a clue, and my parents wouldn't fuss with it.

thanks for the comment and offer Way2SSlow! I'll let you know, right now the idea is in the "i wish" stage for my mom and "get over it" for my dad.

Mikhail · 11-02-06, 09:45

You can also sell your Expedition to carmax...you might have better deal than trade in at the dealership.
http://www.carmax.com/dyn/home.aspx