I am attempting to sell my 2004 Cadillac Escalade w/ 54K miles. How should I go about getting the best offer?
Basic model – black, it’s in good condition EVERYWHERE, windows tinted, one minor 1/4 square area where it got scratched [not horrible at all], DVD player, dark gray interior, AM/FM/XM equipped, A/C, running boards, rear air, seat heaters, ABS, dual power seats, power mirrors/windows/steering, roof rack, BOSE sound, air bags, parking sensors, cassette player, cruise control, 3rd row seats. I got it appraised at CarMax. They quoted ,500. Ridiculous, huh?? What is the best way about getting a better offer than .5K? What range of $$$ is acceptable for my caddy? what should i do? classifieds, auto dealer, etc.
6 Responses
Nichole
09 Feb 2010
The Eagle Keeper
09 Feb 2010
You must understand that the fuel drinking SUV you have there is not getting the high dollar amount that they once did. Have you seen how many SUV’s have been traded in? You can go to any dealer and cut a decent deal on one of those simply because they mpg’s suck. Have you looked at kbb.com? Do an evaluation there on it & try again elsewhere. You may have to sell it yourself to get the money you want.
Laura
09 Feb 2010
I would suggest placing an ad in the auto trader, and making sure to post it on any car forums you may be on, and making sure to list it on http://www.craigslist.com for your area (its free and millions of people check the site daily) Search around the web and post it on any free websites you find, and make sure to have some sort of indication on the car that your selling it.
And if you want a good idea of what its worth, go to http://www.kbb.com and they’ll give you a price range for your caddy.
Good Luck!! 
spraynwalls
09 Feb 2010
you can always try Ebay. I sold my car on there and made out better than selling local.
make a good description, lots of pictures, etc..
Carmax is giving you the wholesale price, same as every other dealer. sometimes perhaps the carmax price is a little better.
Chevys sold at a big discount in 2005, maybe a reason that you may not get what you want on resale.
larkin
09 Feb 2010
If your Escalade is an EXT., it’s worth between $20,000 and $22,000 as a trade, $23,000 to $25,000 if you sell it privately.
If it’s an ESV Platinum, the numbers are $22-$24K trade in, $26-$28K private sale.
If you have a loan outstanding, you will probably have to pay it off first so as to be able to show the buyer that you have a clear title to the vehicle. Unless it’s someone you know, most people are not going to stroke you a check for $20-$25K unless they have the title in their hand.
CarMax’s offer was not ridiculous.
Source: Me – Chevy salesman, major dealership, south Florida.
Birddog
09 Feb 2010
I’d look at comparable Escalades on GetItDaisy.com. Here’s a link that shows the current listings;
http://www.getitdaisy.com/webproto.aspx?whatkeyword=escalade
Check out Kelly Blue Book! (www.kbb.com) You can view what your car would sell for if you sold it and if you traded it in! That would give you the best range to look at!
You don’t have a lot of miles on it, but most people aren’t going to want to pay $20,000 for a car that is 4 years old, at least not where I live!
To get the most money, try to sell it yourself through classifieds and post a for sale sign on your car.
Good luck!!!