What would you do?

I can get $12,000 if I trade in my RA, which is very clean and has only 7600 miles on it.

These are the sportback RAs I've found:

I found a 2004 RA sportback in Silver with 9000 miles for $12,000 (private seller)
I found a 2004 RA sportback in RED with 23,000 miles for $12,000 (dealer)

If I go for the silver one, I'm responsible for $840 in sales tax to the NJ DMV.
If I go for the red one, they want me to pay $100 for the trade, so $107 including taxes.

I like both colors. Both are pretty much spotless. The question is whether I should go for the red one even though it has a lot more miles on it in order to save $733?

The other option is to try and sell my car for $12,840 to try to make it an even trade for the silver one. But I'm having a hard time selling even at these bargain prices.

What would you do?

 

I would go for the lower mileage silver one from the private seller. It's a better deal, and since you don't seem to put a lot of miles on your car, it'll hold a bit better value for you when you sell it down the road, if you do.

 

Can always count on the otter to respond! I agree with you that the silver one is a better deal. But is it worth the $700+ more it's gonna cost me? You see, when I priced out my car on KBB, the low mileage only added $700 to the value of my car.

I've been averaging only 6500 miles a year. I will probably be looking to sell the car down the road when the warranty expires in 2010. At that point, it will be a 2004 model car with about 45,000 miles on it. Do you still think that the silver one will hold that much more value? Enough to offset the additional current cost (albeit it's in the form of taxes going to uncle Sam)?

 

The sliver one is the better deal IMHO. Is there a Carmax in your area? If so, see how much they will give you for your RA.

 

Of course. You drive a silver one . Thanks for posting. You have any owner tips on the sportback? Any rear gate rattling or things to look out for?

Here are some pics of the red. I never thought I'd like a red stationwagon, but for some weird reason, I like this one. Especially with my hypersilver mesh rims on them.

 

that is such a sweet lookin wagon even in stock form...

 

Resale isn't the only reason for a lower mileage car. The silver one has a greater potential to give you fewer problems since it hasn't been used very much. I personally think the extra $700 is worth it.

Also, on the silver one, if you never pass 60,000 miles with it, then you never have to do a timing belt change. You can guarantee that you'll cross the 60,000 mark on the red one, and that's over $400 down the drain for the timing belt.

I need a timing belt soon

 

I cringe everytime i see those foot long bumpers Id go the silver, but u also get a much better warranty/dealer support / backup if u buy through the dealer. If its private sale, id be tryin to bargain a little more.

 

I think that the silver one is a better deal on the long run also: Lower mileage=more warranty time left.

I love my little blue wagon! Mine has only 19k miles in only 2 years...and it has the 100k/10y and extended warranty...thats why I haven't moded the hell out of it...lol

 

No rear hatch rattle, quiet as a mouse. I'm sure the sedan is a tad quieter in the road noise department because of the trunk, but I'm assuing not by much. The only drawback to the wagon is the rear speakers. Odd size, location and no slack in the speaker wire. Plus the location of the speakers yields horrible accoustics and bass responce.