Topic: Valuing Trim Level / Options on Used Vehicles

[AP]

[deleted at request of poster]

[Ex-airbalancer]

Good question probably not

[Cord]

I suspect the answer is that it really depends on such factors as the options in question and the category of car.

That's it right there.

I recently discovered that a Lincoln MKX without Nav and Moonroof is virtually sale-proof. Its market value has plummeted way beyond what the comparable initial MSRPs would indicate.

Similarly, I was looking at a original window sticker for a Focus from a few years ago and saw Ambient Lighting was a $500 option. Two years later, how much more will someone pay for a used Focus with ambient lighting versus one without? $50? $0?

Big factory wheels on a truck? They'll maintain their value for a long time.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Big factory wheels are a selling feature 😱

That is the last thing I would want , I guess everyone is different

[dash]

Generally I like my cars loaded, but for buying used, I don't put much value on the Navi option, our smart phones provide better updates and seem easier to use.

I think hi tech options take a bigger hit, as every new year the lower models are incorporating the tech features that were only available on the higher end luxury models.

[tooscoops]

missed this one originally ap....

as you guys have said, really all depends. i find one rule (not a hard and fast one) is to check on blackbook... if the option/package is listed, see what the difference is if you were to trade it in.

sunroof always adds something... as does leather, rims, etc. many things are just little options to help sell the car, not really get more money... like power seats on some lower level vehicles, remote start, etc... they are nice things, but they will hardly change the asking price.

[Cord]

i find one rule (not a hard and fast one) is to check on blackbook... if the option/package is listed, see what the difference is if you were to trade it in.

I recently had someone trading in a Mustang (I think an 09) GT California Special. I was telling him it wasn't really worth any more than a regular GT while he was claiming it was worth $5000 more. I normally can't stand Black Book but he suggested looking there. I clicked on and off the California Special package to show him the difference. It was $50.

[OliverD]

If you look at published residual values, lower trims typically have higher numbers. Obviously there are some exceptions, since certain features are going to be expected in certain cars.

[johngenx]

Generally speaking, it's my experience that higher trim levels depreciate more over time, usually settling at some point where there is no premium in the used market at all.  The market rewards mileage and condition.

But, as noted, with newer used vehicles and some models/options, there can be a difference in "saleability" and in price.

[tooscoops]

i find one rule (not a hard and fast one) is to check on blackbook... if the option/package is listed, see what the difference is if you were to trade it in.

I recently had someone trading in a Mustang (I think an 09) GT California Special. I was telling him it wasn't really worth any more than a regular GT while he was claiming it was worth $5000 more. I normally can't stand Black Book but he suggested looking there. I clicked on and off the California Special package to show him the difference. It was $50.

always astounds them when their baby isn't quite the cream puff they think it is.

4x4 and sometimes the engine are the only two options that don't depreciate as much as the rest of the car. other than that, options depreciate faster than the vehicle as a whole.

[Fobroader]

If you want to see what painful depreciation looks like, look at the top end of the market. The 7 series, S class and A8 have depreciation that astounds me. In cheaper cars, I do not think this is as prevalent. The only thing I could see, like tooscoops mentioned, that would hold its value would be 4x4/awd and a bigger engine. Anything else, meh, not really.

[OliverD]

If you want to see what painful depreciation looks like, look at the top end of the market. The 7 series, S class and A8 have depreciation that astounds me. In cheaper cars, I do not think this is as prevalent. The only thing I could see, like tooscoops mentioned, that would hold its value would be 4x4/awd and a bigger engine. Anything else, meh, not really.

Even worse are the top end models within those lines. There's a 2012 A8 W12 on AutoTrader for $55k. New it was at least $174k.

[Fobroader]

If you want to see what painful depreciation looks like, look at the top end of the market. The 7 series, S class and A8 have depreciation that astounds me. In cheaper cars, I do not think this is as prevalent. The only thing I could see, like tooscoops mentioned, that would hold its value would be 4x4/awd and a bigger engine. Anything else, meh, not really.

Even worse are the top end models within those lines. There's a 2012 A8 W12 on AutoTrader for $55k. New it was at least $174k.

The biggest issue is who wants a luxury car of that level used?? Whoever can, buys/leases new, used, I don't really see there being a lot of market out there. I wouldn't want to think what a breakdown on an S600 or 760 would cost 

[tooscoops]

but everyone complains about a grand caravan for 20k that is only worth 15k in a couple years... (retail of course)

[Fobroader]

but everyone complains about a grand caravan for 20k that is only worth 15k in a couple years... (retail of course)

Well it did lose 25% in just a few years lol

[micha]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/2007-mercedes-benz-s-class-s65-amg-v12-amvic-inspection-carpro/1162934253?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

I'm still tempted by this.. it has a AMG V12 Twin Turbo.. it's almost a Pagani!!

MSRP for the current S65 is $252,000.. I expect that this wasn't much less.

[Fobroader]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/2007-mercedes-benz-s-class-s65-amg-v12-amvic-inspection-carpro/1162934253?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

I'm still tempted by this.. it has a AMG V12 Twin Turbo.. it's almost a Pagani!!

MSRP for the current S65 is $252,000.. I expect that this wasn't much less.

So for less than the cost of a brand new IS350 you can have a twin turbo V12 with 600+hp, roll the dice jimmy!!!!

[OliverD]

If you look at published residual values, lower trims typically have higher numbers. Obviously there are some exceptions, since certain features are going to be expected in certain cars.

Are you saying that lower trims sell for more (as in higher prices) relative to higher trims?  Or are you saying that lower trims have higher numbers in the sense that they depreciate less rapidly than higher trims (though still sell on the used market for less)?

The latter. Residual values are published as percentages, and typically they are higher on lower trim cars.

[safristi]

A little trim always goes down well..............................

[BradT]

Try getting a decent value when trading in a MINI, since all have different options.  That is one vehicle we should have leased and not purchased.