Valuations and selling high-spec cars

gerrowadat

I'm getting offered absolute peanuts for a car I'm looking to trade in - was offered 25k today for a 2012 Audi A6 S-line 3.0 V6 with a load of extras. People I bring it to are quoting me based off the basic spec SE with the pensioner TDi.

What are the options apart from the trade in to a dealer route? Some of these lads either don't know their **** or just have a neck like a jockey's bollocks and I can't see myself changing when it seems like nobody knows what they're looking at.

pablo128

Is it petrol or diesel? If it's petrol, you would be better trying to shift it in England.

Private sale would yield the most money compared to trading in. At that end of the market I doubt if you would have too many timewasters.

gerrowadat

Diesel. Private sales kinda put me off - especially dealing with that much cash and the "Come to my house to look at my fancy car" aspect of it.

I'm gonna just tell the two offers (got another offer of 28 today) to feck off and walk away, see if they come back with something that's not wasting my time. In both cases (VAG dealers), they'd have it sitting in audi north the following morning for ten grand more than they give me. It's like they don't want to sell new cars.

bazz26

Is it Quattro?

The non Quattro 204bhp version is bit of a damp squid I'm afraid. Performance wise it's not superior enough to the 177bhp 2.0 litre despite having an extra litre capacity and two extra cylinders. Also most people looking for the larger 3.0 litre V6 will look for the more powerful Quattro version, I know I would.

Then you have the reality that the Irish don't do large engines, most looking at it will think "sure what would I need a massive engine like that for".

pablo128

gerrowadat wrote: »

Diesel. Private sales kinda put me off - especially dealing with that much cash and the "Come to my house to look at my fancy car" aspect of it.

I'm gonna just tell the two offers (got another offer of 28 today) to feck off and walk away, see if they come back with something that's not wasting my time. In both cases (VAG dealers), they'd have it sitting in audi north the following morning for ten grand more than they give me. It's like they don't want to sell new cars.

They are there to make a profit. They would also have to offer a warranty on the car, something you wouldn't have to do if selling privately. Unfortunately that's how they work.

I was just looking online there, and it appears there is such thing as a car sales broker. They sell for a pre-agreed price and charge 5%. It might be worth a look.

K4t

bazz26 wrote: »

Then you have the reality that the Irish don't do large engines, most looking at it will think "sure what would I need a massive engine like that for".

Nothing strange or 'Irish' about being sensible.

R.O.R

What mileage is on the car?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a6-3-0tdi-s-line-2012-high-spec/10342058?offset=2

Should be a decent benchmark as to what yours is worth, even with high mileage.

Oafley Jones

The thing about a ton of extras is that you'll never get close to the value of them back. You'll sell your car faster, but don't expect that to translate into much more money that a bog spec example.

Also, Is it an automatic. That along with Quattro would be fairly important.

millington

R.O.R wrote: »

What mileage is on the car?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a6-3-0tdi-s-line-2012-high-spec/10342058?offset=2

Should be a decent benchmark as to what yours is worth, even with high mileage.

Going by that car, the dealer offering 28k was defo being nice

gerrowadat

millington wrote: »

Going by that car, the dealer offering 28k was defo being nice

Yeah, it's a weird one. I see that, then I also see a load of pensioner A6s going in audi north for 35k. That ad there seems a very low price, considering dealers have them going for 30-32 minimum for ones with big miles.

I might push your man on 28k a bit harder, but 25 is just taking the piss tbh.

(manual, non quattro, 40k miles)

millington

gerrowadat wrote: »

Yeah, it's a weird one. I see that, then I also see a load of pensioner A6s going in audi north for 35k. That ad there seems a very low price, considering dealers have them going for 30-32 minimum for ones with big miles.

I might push your man on 28k a bit harder, but 25 is just taking the piss tbh.

(manual, non quattro, 40k miles)

A 3.0 A6 would be worth more as an Auto I'd imagine too

Oafley Jones

millington wrote: »

A 3.0 A6 would be worth more as an Auto I'd imagine too

Definitely, I'd say most people would expect an auto with that sized engine.

carsfan

You haven't told us what exact model of the A6 your car is and what extras it has or the mileage.
All these variables will make a difference as to what its value is.

gerrowadat

carsfan wrote: »

You haven't told us what exact model of the A6 your car is and what extras it has or the mileage.
All these variables will make a difference as to what its value is.

It's the A6 3.0V6 204bhp, manual, non-quattro S-line. 60k kilometres on the clock on the button. Fully dealer serviced, just had new pads and discs, tyres this year.

Extras were BOSE sound system, LED headlights, HUD, park assist, heated seats F&R, interior lighting pack, walnut interior, stop&start, IR camera, reversing camera, driver assist etc, cruise control, high beam assist etc. - essentially everything except the nav.

Basically the car would be one of the nicest on the road and cost close to 65k brand new, and is being priced for trade like it was a basic model 2.0SE with no extras.

I suppose if nothing else it might teach me that you get rode twice by speccing a nice car, specially from the likes of audi. Might hang onto it a bit longer.

drunkmonkey

It's a manual, nice car but no way i'd touch a luxury car with a manual box. Prices you've been offered aren't far off the mark i'd say, won't be an easy car to shift at top dollar because of the gearbox.
Anyone in the market for that type of car would be picking the E series or 5 series first with the auto box.
At 25k and the little mileage it'd be hard to justify changing it.

bazz26

K4t wrote: »

Nothing strange or 'Irish' about being sensible.

There is nothing sensible about your typical Irish motorist. They will gladly spend thousands extra on buying a 08 or newer car just to avail of saving a small few quid on cheap motor tax. They very rarely think about the overall running cost but rather just focus on the headline savings.

carsfan

Your car sounds lovely but unfortunately extras aren't worth a lot at 3 or 4 years old. The manual gearbox goes against it too.
Some people would probably buy the2.0 version over yours too even if they were identically priced. That's just the way some buyers are I'm afraid.
It's harsh but I don't think you will get much more for yours than what you've been offered unless the dealer has someone in mind for it or wants to sell you something that he can discount and pretend to give you more.

gerrowadat

Serves me right for not buying an Avensis.

carsfan

Or a basic diesel golf!
Maybe consider trying a private sale?
I agree that an Audi dealer would probably have your car up for mid to high thirties. If you could get 30k or above privately you could then negotiate better on a replacement.

166man

Op, a manual 3.0 A6 (lovely car imo) isn't going to appeal as much as the auto and quattro. You did very well to get €28k offered for it.

The dealer has to buy it in, do whatever is necessary, warranty it, sit on it until it sells, knock a few pound off it and also make a profit. Suddenly them marking it up €7k doesn't seem as bad.

I'd just hold onto it tbh, sounds a very nice motor.

K4t

bazz26 wrote: »

There is nothing sensible about your typical Irish motorist. They will gladly spend thousands extra on buying a 08 or newer car just to avail of saving a small few quid on cheap motor tax. They very rarely think about the overall running cost but rather just focus on the headline savings.

Fair enough, but that has nothing to do with the situation depicted here.

bazz26

K4t wrote: »

Fair enough, but that has nothing to do with the situation depicted here.

I think it is though as it portrays our car buying habits.

Most people will go for the smaller 2.0 litre which is only just over 20bhp less and will have slightly better fuel economy, those who will want the 3.0 litre will go the whole way and look for the more powerful Quattro automatic version. I have a BMW 520d myself and regret now that I didn't try and hold out for a 530d but they are very thin on the ground second hand.

The dealers are giving low trade-in values because they know that the OP's car is not a car that may sell quickly for them, they are probably pricing it with the thinking of being stuck with it on their forecourts until the turn of the year.

OP while it does sound like a lovely car with some very nice extras, unfortunately its extras like an automatic gearbox and Quattro that are the most desirable ones that people look for in this segment.

With such low mileage and nice toys unless it's causing you problems I'd tend to hold onto it and get some value from it.

drunkmonkey

bazz26 wrote: »

I have a BMW 520d myself and regret now that I didn't try and hold out for a 530d but they are very thin on the ground second hand.

You'd probably still be waiting, more chance of spotting a yeti.

Gumbo

gerrowadat wrote: »

It's the A6 3.0V6 204bhp, manual, non-quattro S-line. 60k kilometres on the clock on the button. Fully dealer serviced, just had new pads and discs, tyres this year.

Extras were BOSE sound system, LED headlights, HUD, park assist, heated seats F&R, interior lighting pack, walnut interior, stop&start, IR camera, reversing camera, driver assist etc, cruise control, high beam assist etc. - essentially everything except the nav.

Basically the car would be one of the nicest on the road and cost close to 65k brand new, and is being priced for trade like it was a basic model 2.0SE with no extras.

I suppose if nothing else it might teach me that you get rode twice by speccing a nice car, specially from the likes of audi. Might hang onto it a bit longer.

If only it was auto

gerrowadat

kceire wrote: »

If only it was auto

Aye true enough, 2012 was when even audi were still selling ball-ology CVT boxes, unless you wanted to shell out 5 or 6 grand more for s-tronic. Plus I wanted manual, call me auld-fashioned. Next car won't be, auto boxes have gotten good/cheap/standard enough.

Casati

I would shop around and go to every Audi dealer in reasonable driving distance i.e. Cavan, Athlone etc. Your car with S-line and manual isn't all bad news, the sporty edge to car should attract buyers looking for a manual (like you were when buying) e.g. Ive a friend who paid 35k for a 2011 A6 2.0 Avant SE CVT last year and would love to get back into a manual S-Line. He would also love a 3.0 204bhp versus the 4 pot 177bhp - but probably would pay thousands more for one

The bid of 28k against a new one seems very poor though i.e. if you walk off the road to buy a new A6 I'd be expecting 3k cash discount, so the 28k bid is closer to a real bid of 25k. Unless the car needs a lot of work to recondition I'd say they are low balling you.

Note comparison with cars with close on 100k miles on the clock is interesting but not a straight comparison - a low mileage car like your will be worth thousands more as most punters looking to spend 30k on a second-hand car will limit the search to cars with certain mileage

gerrowadat

Cheers for the advice everyone - eventually took a hair off 30 for it from a dealer. Leon Cupra on the way, a bit smaller in one way but a whole lot bigger in other ways :-)

carsfan

Leon Cupar r is a big change.
Manual or automatic?
Did you consider golf r?

gerrowadat

Auto. Drove both it and the golf R, not a lot in it driving wise on normal roads, and while the golf is nicer finish wise, it ain't 10 grand nicer (or 14 grand nicer, given the joke of a trade offer VW gave me).

RedorDead

gerrowadat wrote: »

Aye true enough, 2012 was when even audi were still selling ball-ology CVT boxes, unless you wanted to shell out 5 or 6 grand more for s-tronic. Plus I wanted manual, call me auld-fashioned. Next car won't be, auto boxes have gotten good/cheap/standard enough.

quattro only comes with the excellent double clutch S-Tronic box which is far better. A little bit more but you get you spend.

You did well getting that sort of money for it!