The sales guy is pushing this deal as a great offer, but I’m not in a hurry to buy since I’ve got zero percent interest on my Explorer. The deal looks solid overall, but I feel like they’re lowballing my trade by about $1,000. KBB values my Explorer at $23,893, but they’re offering less. Is it smart to hold out for that extra $1k, or should I go for it now?
Have you really broken down the costs? Holding out for $1k is like saving a year’s worth of gas at $3/gallon if you drive 10k miles. Is that worth it? Another idea—try another dealership, get an estimate on your trade-in, and use it as leverage. That got us an extra $5k on ours.
@Lane
I don’t think the gas comparison is the best way to look at it. I’d avoid FOMO on this deal if there’s a chance of getting a better offer. Standing firm on your price could help shave off a bit more.
@Gary
True, and they’re already discounting heavily. Sometimes looking at it from a different angle can help, especially if KBF’s close to deciding.
Lane said:
@Gary
True, and they’re already discounting heavily. Sometimes looking at it from a different angle can help, especially if KBF’s close to deciding.
When I buy a car, I set a strict number after doing research and never go above it. If they don’t meet it, I walk or try another dealership without changing my target price.
@Gary
Good point, but remember KBB values are more of a rough guide. Checking other places like Carvana or another dealership can give a broader perspective on trade-in values.
@Lane
Honestly, I just want to make sure there’s not a better deal out there. I’m in no rush and only really care about the OTD price. Gas prices and mileage on the Explorer aren’t big concerns for me right now.
@Edwardgenesis
Makes sense. And a $15k discount is nothing to scoff at—I was seeing similar prices on the Flash with an A-plan.
Update: I went ahead with the deal. They dropped the sale price to $63,022, but wouldn’t increase the trade value. With 0% interest for 60 months, it seemed too good to pass up.
You’re getting a $7,500 discount plus the tax refund, which is common at FL dealers right now. If you take out the trade, the deal’s a bit more average. Plus, they’re adding extra fees on top.
chrisco said:
You’re getting a $7,500 discount plus the tax refund, which is common at FL dealers right now. If you take out the trade, the deal’s a bit more average. Plus, they’re adding extra fees on top.
That’s my concern. They’re offering better than others I checked, but I wonder if waiting might pay off.
@Edwardgenesis
I’m thinking the same. Holding out until end of year might see those prices dip further!
Try getting an instant appraisal from CarMax on your Explorer. I did this with my last trade-in and it helped me gauge if the offer was fair.
Consider posting your Explorer on FB and see what offers come in. Also, try looking up 2024 Lariat listings on sites like Autotrader or Edmunds. Sometimes dealers list demo vehicles or ones with minor fixes that still have low mileage but can’t be sold as new. I got a 2024 Lariat for $59,995 after taxes, putting some cash down from selling my Tesla.
I’d compare this to X-plan pricing since it’s available with minimal effort. Last month I got my Flash for $20k under MSRP, so that’s my baseline for what I’d consider a decent deal.
$63k on a Lariat is a pretty solid deal. If you’re still getting the 0% for 60 months, I’d go for it.
Wait, are you rolling over debt from your Explorer?
Cody said:
Wait, are you rolling over debt from your Explorer?
Nope, I’ve got about $10k in equity.
Is the Lariat used? It says 50,400 miles.
Mary said:
Is the Lariat used? It says 50,400 miles.
That’s my Explorer’s mileage. The Lariat’s new with just 42 miles.