GINge!

Took a '99 CLK 320 and a '00 Jag S-Type V8 for a drive yesterday. The mercedes had 50k kms, the Jag 74k kms. Both were around $31k Cdn. I was considering trading in my '01 CL-S for one or the other. My Acura only has 15,000 kms which I reckon is pretty low mileage for its age. I was expecting $28k on a trade, and was a bit surprised/dissapointed when they only offered $21k. I know all about depreciation, but I wasn't expecting 50% in 3 years, especially with a low odemeter.

Anyways, I live in a fairly rural area (there are only 4 used mercedes and 3 used Jags for sale within a 4 hour drive). I check out the auto trader for Toronto.. and holy shit... CL-S are going for $28k and S-type Jags with lower mileage than the one I was looking at are going for $27k! Theoretically, I could trade my CL-S in and walk out with thousand cash in my pocket if I lived in Toronto! But out here, my Acura + $10k + 15% tax gets me the same car.

I think I'll be making the drive to S. Ontario this summer!

/rant

phipark

Are you sure you aren't comparing trade-in values to retail values? Big difference. Dealers are always going to rip you off on trade-ins.

GINge!

Good point... maybe I would be better off trying to sell privately?

TypeSKid

Selling privately would be better. I'm in the same dillemma. I'm pissed about it. I think I will sell privately.

Only thing is it takes time and its an inconvenience to sell privately. Easier to trade in. Its money versus convenience. Good luck!

GreenMonster

The CLS was surposed to have a residual value of about 50% after 5 years. This was the number that I saw when I started doing my research before I bought around August 2002 (I joined A-CL.com as part of my research).

Of course the fact that the CLS is a coupe should have already been factored into the above figure. The facts that the auto tranny on the CLS suck, and that the CLS is now discontinued wasn't factored in.

I switched from a FORD to an Acura because of the perception of better quality and resale value. Needless to say, I'm not to happy that my acura will lose 50% in 3 years, but what are you gonna do ??

I probably won't be buying another acura (unless they come out with something truely amazing), but then again, I won't need to as I don't want to lose my shirt trading this one one in. 200K miles here I come. The CLS will make a great winter beater someday On the quality issues, I will be looking at the place of build (ie. Japan vs. Ohio) alot more closely the next time I buy.