I've had my TSX for a little over three years and still love the car, but I recently decided to get into something larger and with AWD, so I ordered a new BMW 530xi (manual trannie ).

I have to say I am surprised at the difficulty I've had in unloading my TSX. I'm in the Denver area, and have a 2004 Meteor Silver TSX, non-nav, 6 speed. It has 41,000 miles and is in very nice condition. It does have a minor scrape on the front fender (not very noticeable) and a few chips in the windshield (which were repaired).

I started out five weeks ago asking $21,800 for it (knowing that was a little high) and have lowered it as the time passed, currently offering it at $19,400, which is by far the cheapest one listed in my area. I've received a total of two calls on it, and obviously no buyer.

Right now, I'm probably going to end up trading it in for $18,000, which I feel is a pretty fair, if not strong, trade value. But I figured I could've sold it for $19-$20k.

Just curious if anyone else had some experiences to share on selling/trading their TSX.

 

I think this shows how the MT owners in America get screwed. First of all, they have to have a wait time for their color + tranny to ship over. Secondly, they have a harder time selling the car when they need to move on because most of america is too lazy to row their own gears. I mean, I bet the traffic in Europe and Asia is just as bad, if not worse than the traffic here in America, and most of the cars there have standard transmission.

Good luck selling your car, at least we MT owners have fun driving the car as the AT owners "cruise" their car.


Sorry, just pissed about doing college aps and I'm venting my anger.

 

I just sold my 6 year old BMW 323Ci on Auto Trader. Acura was going to give me $11,000 as trade in! So I decided to sell it myself. I reserached my competition on Auto Trader and I knew my car was clean and in great shape. But I wanted to move it since my 06 TSX was coming in 7 days. So I priced it $500 lower then the mean asking price of my competition. I probably priced it too low since I was swamped with calls. I got the first call within 12 hours of posting the ad and ended up selling the car to him at my full asking price. I had several more interested people in line after him. I got $3,500 more than the trade in offer (they would not go higher). In the end I may not have got what I felt was fair for my baby, but I did much better selling it myself and have no regrets.

I think if you price it to sell you will get a buyer. You may not get what you want, but it will be better than trading it in. And yes selling an MT will be harder than an AT. The majority of people are looking for an AT.

Good luck with your 5 series. Even after 6 years the BMW still handled very well. The TSX handles well for a FWD, but nothing beats the feel of a BMW, if you can afford it!

 

My brother had a BMW with a manual tranny that he wanted to trade in for a TSX. They actually offered a little lower in trade in compared to the auto because they said that not many people can drive a manual transmission vehicle and that they would be harder to sell.

 

try Craigslist and Autotrader.com

 

remember, an $18,000 trade in is actually worth $19,080, assuming 6% sales tax. since you would get the $18,000 reduced from your taxable sales total on the trade.

that's how it works here, does it work that way in CO?

anyways, if you want to sell private party, try ebay, or other online tools. maybe you just aren't getting it out enough. i personally wouldn't pay $20,000 for a 40k TSX that's 3 years old when for 6k more i could get a brand new one with blue tooth. but i'm sure someone will.

 

traffic in most of europe is nothing compared to heavy traffic areas in america, and that's not the reason why they have standies. it's cause of gas mileage and efficiency.

but in reality, it's not americans' laziness, it's technology evolved. in many cases now, the automatic gets the same or better mpg, the shifting is as efficient, and in some cases better (since no human error). i agree it takes all the fun out of driving, but it's because ATs have improved that MT is fading away. it'll be a sad day, but eventually, it'll be gone for the most part.

 

I'm betting it's a combination of the color and the transmission. The Meteor Silver was probably the least popular color of all the offerings for the TSX and the manual tranny probably doesn't help. You might wanna try a CarMax in your area if you just want cash for your car. Otherwise, just trade it in and save yourself the hassle. You'll save on sales taxes on both the sale of your car as well as the new car.

 

I was just gonna say...MSM isnt the most popular color.

 

Yeah - it works that way here in CO too, and my tax rate is a whopping 8.1%, so that $18k trade equates to a $19,500 sale price. The only "catch" is that my broker was going to "transact" the sale if I found a private buyer, so I would have gotten that tax break (less a $500 fee) that way too.

And, I totally agree with you on the $20k comment. Frankly, I wouldn't pay that for my car. But, it seems as though people are, given the listings on cars.com and autotrader (both of which I used to list my car). The next cheapest 2004 TSX listed is at $22k, and that's at a no-haggle dealership. And, the fact that I have a $18k trade on it - you've gotta figure the dealership must think they can sell it for at least around $20k.

I figured once I broke that $20k barrier, and priced it in the $19's it would sell quick. Like others have mentioned, I'm thinking it comes down to the manual trannie. For most of the buyers out there, I imagine the automatic is desirable (in contrast to the users on a forum such as this).

In any case, I'm actually pretty happy with the $18k trade. I think it's very fair considering the miles and the couple of minor things on the car (the scrape and chips in the windshield). I'm a little bummed 'cause they offered me $18,700 five weeks ago, but I decided to wait and try to sell it myself, figuring I could at least come out a little better.

Oh well - I keep on telling myself there's no reason to stress over a few hundred bucks when I'll be driving my 530xi in a couple of weeks.

Though, seriously, I already know it's gonna be sad handing over my keys to the TSX. Maybe I should just keep it - we do have the third space in the garage. It just looks so nice next to my wife's MDX - I kinda feel like I'm breaking up the car family! Do you think the MDX will feel intimidated by it's new German roommate?

Thanks for all the responses!

 

Yeah - I have it on Craigslist, Autotrader and Cars.com.

And it's the cheapest 2004 TSX on all those sites, priced at least a thousand or two less than anything comparable. I know it can be challenging to sell a car, but I always figured if it was priced right, it would go.

 

Yeah - I hear you on that. Personally, I do love the color (obviously, since I bought it), but am totally aware of the fact that it is not too popular, and apparently, considered one of the more feminine colors (I'm comfortable enough with my masculinity to own such a color ).

And, to that point, I did have the thought that perhaps the color is attracting more women, who likely are more interested in the automatic. So, perhaps a tough combo to sell.

Coincidentally (or perhaps not), the next cheapest 2004 TSX on cars.com has been listed for a while too, with the dealership gradually lowering their price over the weeks. And, it is a Meteor Silver, manual trannie, like mine.

 

Or you can do what I did and total your car and get ~21k for it


Good luck and congrats on the new ride!

 

I think that one of the reasons automatic transmissions are so popular in the US compared to other countries is that Americans could actually afford the extra cost they had to pay to buy a car that has an auto tranny. It used to be that automatic carried a significant premium over manual... Today it has become a necessity (just like power windows, air conditioning, CD player, etc…)

I used to live in Spain and currently have family there. I can tell you that the cost of a decent car relative to the average income is much higher than what it is in the US. A relative recently bought a new BMW 3 series over there. I was shocked when I saw the car, as it has cloth seats, no sunroof, no power windows, and of course, manual transmission... I didn't even think that BMW would make a strip down model, but turns out, most of the ones I saw on the street were just like his.

I’m happy to live here and not there…

 

you must have trouble with terms such as "fair market value" and "demand based pricing"

I think it is a safe bet that you are not applying to college for a degree in economics, no?

 

BTW, this dosent apply everywhere...Especially here in CA.

 

Well, I think the OP is being hit by a double whammy. Looking at it from this perspective, MSM attracts more women, but many women wouldnt drive stick. While on the other hand, many men can drive stick, but wouldnt want that color for their car. I really think thats why its not selling...

And dont give me any sexist crap. Yes, we all know there are exceptions, but this is in regards to the majority.

 

without any numbers, you are falling prey to what can be described as "me marketing"

you might be right, you may not be. Numbers would certainly help your case.

Anyhow, this is off-topic, and basically just me lashing out at this MT vs. AT attitude. It is immature and gets on my nerves.

In any case, to those who were able to resell and get a good rate, that is a great thing, and be happy that you got a better rate than had you owned a Ford or something.

 

america is full of lame people, yes

 

Why do you think you have to wait for the MT and color...because there is low demand. Something is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay.

Yes, MT's are more fun, but over the years sitting in traffic moving at 5 mph stopping every 1/4 mile at a light tends to take away the joy you may experience in driving. Thats why I have an AT.

 

CA freaking blows in this respect. Why, when selling your car, is the buyer taxed again, tax was already paid when the car was bought new.

 

I tried driving a MT in the mountains and hilly areas like in the Bay area and Seattle. The only time I got nervous driving MT was whenever I was at a stoplight right by either a steep hill or incline. You had to play around with the MT or else you would end up sliding down the steep hill.

Since you live in Denver, which isn't exactly a flat area, I myself wouldn't want to buy a MT if I lived in a mountainous area. Could that be one of the other reasons why it's hard to sell your TSX aside from the dealer saying a lot of people can't drive Manual?

 

Dang! I was shopping for a Denver area MT TSX back in early August, but I ended up buying new, since nobody was selling manuals. The TSXs I saw on craigslist were way overpriced, approx. 25k for an 04. I personally like the MT for mountain driving. Maybe you're having trouble selling because winter is approaching fast?

 

Colorado is a great plain state. The city of Denver is flat. I think the snow would cause problems for a MT.

How long have you had it on the market? If autotrader and craiglist are not working try to market the car through a different media. It sounds like you just aren't hitting the demographic you need to.

Maybe you should hand out flyers and donuts at the nearest women's athletic club?

I wouldn't trade in the car if you will lose $1.5K. Keep trying. I would suggest trading it in for a loss < $1,000.

 

sorry about that. I didn't mean to offend anyone, just emotional spurge. Although I do think America shouldn't be too relied on automatics, it doesn't help with the sterotype.

Anyways, I think that colour is pretty hot, and I'm a guy. If I had the choice, I would have picked the light blue tsx (fogot the color name) with the MT and would celebrate if I got such a good deal.

Good luck with your selling.

 

Well, I'm thinking it's a $19,000 - $19,500 car, maybe up to $20k if someone really wants it. That's about what the sources say (KBB, NADA, etc.), for whatever it's worth, and that's what seems to be playing out with my selling experience. Considering it cost me $26k a little over 3 years ago, and 41k miles later, getting $19-$20k seems to be very good.

Now, with the tax savings on the trade (8.1% in my part of Denver!), that $18k trade equates to selling it on my own for about $19.5k. So, I don't feel like I'm gonna do much better, if at all, by holding out.

The best of both worlds would be to sell it for, say $19k, and have my broker process it, thus getting the tax break. But that opportunity goes away after my new car arrives in the next week or two.

And about driving in snow with a MT, I personally feel much safer with a MT, being able to thread the pedal to get started and having control over the gears, as well as using the engine to "break" to a stop in slippery conditions.

 

Too bad - could've saved you several thousand dollars off new. But, then again, you got exactly what you wanted and there's definitely something to be said for being the first owner.

And that probably sums a lot of it up - selling a car has a lot to do with luck and timing. If I had listed it a couple weeks earlier, jswim99 might have been driving my car.

 

 

Well I guess this begs the question, did you post your ad in the black market section of Azine??

 

I agree - if you know what you are doing. Don't forget you can pick your gear in AT although the computer may override you. I would advise ppl to purchase AT on an entry-level luxury vehicle.

I vote to trade it in unless you really want to hold out. Don't forget you'll still pay the car insurance and possible your loan pmt if you hold out.

 

Won't happen if you're in SS. The only things the computer will do is prevent you from overreving.

 

i'm with you. i'm reading this thread thinking "people don't like to drive an MT in mountains? people don't like MT in snow?!"

to me, one of the big advantages of an MT is the increased control of the wheel spin in the snow. Just like you're told to put an automatic in a lower gear when driving on ice (gee, i wonder if that originated from people driving in lower gears with a stick?).

this is the funniest thread i've ever read.

i know people in general don't like MT anymore, but that's because of traffic i always thought and the unwillingness to learn to drive one. maybe i'm wrong?

 

Maybe I am wrong but I think mine stops me from down shifting if the revs are too low. So mine prevents you from overreving and overrides you from downshifting too. Maybe my car has super powers.

Brad, I know there are a lot of posts here to read but you obviously skipped my response. I already conceded that a MT is better in the snow BUT most people don't know how to drive a MT. I have driven both a MT and a SS in snow; however, you can pick your gear in SS. The MT would be a nightmare if I didn't know how to work the clutch. SS = clutchless shifting.

Bottom line, the MT shouldn't be hard to sell in Colorado EXCEPT the fact that it is an entry-level luxury car. There is a reason dealers sell more AT TSX's.

 

Alright, I don't want to hijack this thread but I did want to make a correction.

I still vote to trade it in.

 

Good luck selling it!!! I sat with my cgp auto Navi with 49k on it , and gave the damn thing away for 19k . I sold my cgp in 12/05 ,and it took me 4 months to get rid of it. I listed it on autotrader and got nothing but retards calling. I ended up selling it on ebay .

 

Yeah - looks like I'll be trading it in for that $18k.

After all the talk on this thread, I did have a guy look at the car last night. He seemed pretty interested, but called back today to let me know he decided he'd like something more comfort and less sport.

So, based on a lot of the discussion on this thread, I was thinking last night, after this guy had looked at my TSX - I've had all of three people look at my car. Looking back, I don't think any of those three were actually seeking out a MT. The first woman who looked at apparently "used to drive a stick a long time ago," the second dude was an older gentlemen who drove up in an older Infiniti Q45, and this guy last night drives up in a late model Audi A6 2.7T. He even said that one of his hesitations on my car was that it was a stick.

So, point is, I don't think you can be "on the fence" when it comes to auto vs. stick. If you are, you should probably go with the auto. There was a time when there were practical reasons to buy a car with a manual. Years ago, they used to be cheaper to buy, and get better mileage. But nowadays, the autos have advanced so much that they often get better mileage, and several manufacturers, such as Acura, charge the same regardless of trannie. I think it'll actually get to a point that you'll have to actually pay more for a stick, due to the lower production amounts. That's sort of playing out with the new TL Type S.

This isn't meant to be a "stick vs. auto" thread. I just have found it interesting the type of buyers who have looked at my car. None of them were truly interested in the MT. And to truly appreciate a MT TSX, I think you really have to be into that. It was a huge reason why I went that way - "Ok, wasn't the fastest car out there, but man, the feel of the shifter!"

And another reason I would attribute to the lack of interest in my car - I think a lot of the young people who may be interested in it would also be swayed by the new compact offerings on the market. I would be. I'd be thinking, $19k for a 3 year old TSX with 40k miles, or, for a little more, a brand new Civic Si, WRX, Mazdaspeed3, GTI, etc., etc.

Just some thoughts.

 

That's another good reference that makes me think this $18k trade is pretty darn good. Yours may have had a few more miles on it, but also had auto and nav, as well as perhaps a more desirable color, so I would be doing very well to get $19k for mine.

 

Did you lease the 530 or buy? At least the 530 is a sports sedan w/ xDrive and Dynamic stability control. The MT version is going to rock anywhere you drive it.

 

I'm buying it. I went all out on this car purchase to get everything I wanted - size, sportiness, AWD, etc. Obviously compromising little comes at a price, so I'll be keeping this car for a long time.

 

Dang, we Americans sure are lame. I don't really think the demise of MT here is primarily due to laziness though, but more just the widespread ineptitude.