About 6-8 months ago i bought my 03' lancer ES. When i was shopping around i could only find one 5 speed out of about 20. it was actually for a really good deal but it was the beige gold color and i hate that color. So i got an automatic thinking it wouldn't be a big deal. I WAS WRONG. Im really pissed now that i dont have manual. My question is, would a car dealership go for the idea of me trading my 03 lancer with about 24,000 miles for either an 03' with a lot more miles or an 02' with more miles but is a manual. I would just want to make a straight across trade. Is this at all possible or has anyone ever done this.

i doubt a straight across trade, have atleast a 1000 bucks on you just incase.

even though the dealership is getting the obvious better deal

yeah, a dealership will not trade straight across (more than likely), try PM'ing Volkman, he works at a Jag dealership and may be able to give you a better idea

once (mitsu) they appraise it, it'll be a whole new story... mitsu (including RA, EVO) don't hold much value on the market compared to a toyota or honda.

That's true but he is trading for virtually the same car.

Sorry but the nature of the car dealerships is they are out to make money. Your trade in value will be lower than the retail value of the other car and that is what dealers go by. Even though they will turn around and sell your car for 2000 or more above what they let you trade it in for.

WADAD

There are a few minor problems:
1) It's only worth their time if they make some kind of profit or asset
2) You still have to pay the taxes on the value of the car
overall, as said above, you'd probably need at least another $1000 just to make them think it's worthwhile.