If you have a trade-in, here is my story as an example. I traded in my 2002 Mitsubishi Galant for a 2003 Chevy 1500HD. I already did my research on how much my trade was worth both trade value and re-sale value. (what they would most likely sell it for.) Which was $8000 trade ( I knew they would never pay that much for it in my lifetime.) and $11000 resell. I knew there was nothing wrong with it. They have to add that (repairs) into their cost when selling it. The more it cost to fix, the less profit they make. They don't always add that to the cost. Their first offer to me for the car was $2000. Btw, I originally payed $14000 for the car used. I politely told them "I don't mean no disrespect but I am not an idiot. There is nothing wrong with the car mechanically. And I it is worth $8000 trade in. I know I'm not getting that. But that is what it's worth. I know you are going to turn it around and sell it for at least $11000 if not $13000. So the magic number that I want to see for this car is At least $6000 to $6500 trade in. And you are still seeing a profit of $5000 on this car as is." I got the $6000 Trade in.
Sorry for the long post, but sometimes it's easier to see what one is talking about through their experience.
