Trade in the Avalon?

Joined
Feb 17, 2005
Messages
375
Location
chicago
Asking your opinion, should I trade in my 2018 Avalon? I bought it used with 15k on the odometer for a total of 23k out the door.
I have to say it is a great car. Quiet. Drivetrain that is as smooth as butter.
Just 2 weeks ago I got a VROOM quote for my car at $24266, so I figure this is what a dealer would ball park me at.
I also have an old 2001 Blazer with only 66k on the clock. It's in pretty good condition. No rust. It has to be worth at least 3k on the private market in today's crazy used car world. So by selling the Blazer and trading in the Avalon I should have about 27k in my pocket. If I did this I would be interested in a RAV4, and maybe even the hybrid model. I'd have AWD for Chicago winters, and reduce my vehicles down to one. Roughly figuring an XLE Rav4 at about 34k plus TTL, I imagine I can get out the door for.......um....38k? So by kicking in approx 10-11k from my pocket I'd have a brand new vehicle, better mileage, and one less insurance payment.
It kind of makes sense to me. What do you guys think?
 
Last edited:
Do you know for sure the actual TRANSACTION PRICE of the new vehicle in question?
 
Do you know for sure the actual TRANSACTION PRICE of the new vehicle in question?
Nope I am just ballparking these figures and looking for opinions. Checking Toyota inventory online in my area an XLE Hybrid is appox 34k
 
Last edited:
Sight unseen quotes can easily go sideways (as in they weren't real in the first place). And quoted purchase prices may not be out the door prices.

The people buying, selling and offering trade in deals are expecting to make a profit (off your back for one). That's not a knock against them, it's what they do for a living.

You have one of the most reliable cars made. Is your Avalon meeting your actual needs? If so why would you trade it in?
 
  • Like
Reactions: FZ1
A new RAV4 XLE will run you about $36k. A new hybrid RAV4 XLE will be about $42. And you might have to shop around to get deals that good.
 
Don't let go of your old until you ink the deal on the new.

You can likely get a better deal by financing then paying it off early with your VROOM check.

Dealers know about the sales tax advantage regarding trade ins and will rip you off/ soak it all up themselves.
 
It surprises me that so many people on this forum don't appreciate the benefit of AWD in the snow. I've driven a lot of vehicles in the winter, and FWD just isn't as good as AWD/4WD.
 
I'd keep driving the Avalon. That to a rav-4 sure sounds like spending 10k to downgrade to me.
Has OP even driven a rav4/rav4 hybrid?
After one test drive, he may think differently about ditching the Avalon
:unsure:
Don't get me wrong the Rav4 is a great little 'ute, but after one test drive, OP may be thinking differently about the transaction.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FZ1
It surprises me that so many people on this forum don't appreciate the benefit of AWD in the snow. I've driven a lot of vehicles in the winter, and FWD just isn't as good as AWD/4WD.
Why are you surprised? FWD is often plenty of weight over the drive wheels to make it through most winters. FWD sedans with a heavy V6 are some of the easiest vehicles to drive on winter roads.
 
Why are you surprised? FWD is often plenty of weight over the drive wheels to make it through most winters. FWD sedans with a heavy V6 are some of the easiest vehicles to drive on winter roads.
I'm surprised because taking the position that AWD isn't a significant benefit in real, sustained/severe winter conditions is bonkers.

"Often". "Most". - I agree. My concern is the admittedly small number of times per year when FWD just won't cut it.

I've driven a FWD car with a 3.8 V6 in the winter with snow (not M+S) tires. It was a nightmare trying to get up my steep driveway when it was slick. No such troubles with AWD/4WD.
 
It surprises me that so many people on this forum don't appreciate the benefit of AWD in the snow. I've driven a lot of vehicles in the winter, and FWD just isn't as good as AWD/4WD.
Their (BITOG members) superior driving abilities trump any AWD system. Allegedly.
 
The way Vroom is going, I'd be afraid to sell to them. Sell to them, they go bankrupt the day after, you never get your check and the creditors are the first ones to get paid first and you get $147.50 after a class action lawsuit.
 
It surprises me that so many people on this forum don't appreciate the benefit of AWD in the snow. I've driven a lot of vehicles in the winter, and FWD just isn't as good as AWD/4WD.
No, but fwd is good enough if you don't have steepish hills or don't need to go out before the plows. Except for our own driveway, I can only really think of one time fwd failed me on a main road and I should have stayed home anyways...
 
Back
Top