Trading in modded truck - tell all or no?

The big brake mod, was swapping the Tundra TSB calipers and rotors along with SS braided brake lines. Without measuring, I doubt someone would be able to tell by looking. Maybe.

I traded in my 2003 double cab because I hit a deer coming back from dinner one night with the kids. I didn't even get to keep the deer because I was dressed up and wasn't about to wrestle a carcass into the back.

I replaced the radiator, and the hood, and realized that while trucks of my vintage were selling for $12K-$15K with similar 100+ miles, mine was getting a little worn, and I wanted the DBLB, so off to the dealer late in December, and they wrote the price down $6K for my trade, and I didn't have to deal with trying to sell it.

 

They don't care about your mods. Some of the dealerships I have worked with let their lot monkeys have whatever they want. If you need floor mats, bed liners, etc. Those are the guys to go to.

 

When I traded in my old Scion tC for my Tacoma, they dinged me on the trade in value and wouldn't budge on it because it had a cold air intake, saying they would have to put a stock one in to sell it. Was probably true because I don't remember if that intake was CARB approved or not and if it needed to be smogged, that would make it fail the visual inspection. Anyway I say take as much of the aftermarket stuff off as possible and sell it to recoup costs because the dealer won't give you anything for modifications, if anything they'll offer you less because of them.

Almost always easier to sell a stock vehicle than a modified one, the more mods you have the smaller the demographic is that will be interested in buying the vehicle.

 

When selling your vehicle to a dealership, their first concern (regarding the trade) will be if they wish to resale verses auctioning the vehicle. My experience suggests a professional salesperson will ask what mods have been made to the truck. Most non-dealer performed mods will reduce their offer, and I’ve wittinessed a few “not interested” and “rejected” trades if the vehicle frame has been modified in any way. Best to return the truck to stock condition before bringing it in as a trade to a dealership, and then selling all mod kit leftovers to third parties. (Note: I’m referencing manufacturer dealerships, not lower end “used” car only dealers).

If selling privately (most always the best dollar return), then you may recover some of the modification costs. Recovering 10 cents on the dollar is optimistic. Good, popular, non-personalize mods, may only provide the prospective buyer reason to purchase your vehicle over another of the same make, model, year, mileage, and price (or not). I prefer to maximize my return on vehicle cost, and therefore only perform mods that can be returned to stock, and leave modification evidence behind. If an individual is planning to keep the vehicle past the point of reasonable resale value, then mod away as much as you like (after all, that’s the part of the Tacoma fun-in-ownership experience). However, understand the forthcoming unintended sequences during trade or resale time.

 

I don't get too deep in all of that. I look at current market prices on both trade in and private party sales. I want the dealer to give me near private party value for my trade. For the vehicle I'm buying I look at average prices in the area plus a used value of the same vehicle in the area as well. I then find a fair value of those, tip the scales a few grand in my direction and make my offer to the dealer. I don't haggle, just stand my ground on my offer. They either take it or they don't. About half the time they take it and I feel like I got a decent deal.

Another thing for me to consider is the value of my time. It isn't worth my time to sell privay partu most of the time. If there's only a grand or two difference between money in my pocket for selling vs. trading then I'll just trade and not look back. Life is too busy to try and dime and nickel a deal.

 

That was my experience.

 

This is a type of sales tactic. It is similar to what is called an Insult Pick Up Line where a guy will deliberately insult a girl so as to prompt her into conversation and tempt her to gain the guy's acceptance. The salesman saw you heading to Parts so he figured what the hell let's try to see if I can insult this guy into a conversation. "Hey! Just busting your balls buddy!! Sweet ride man! So here, dude like seriously you got to check this out, come sit in this bad boy."

Also an Old School sales method is to very deliberately piss you off during the negotiating when they sense you might walk. By pissing you off you will stay put to get your point across, show how strong you are, and to make sure you get the best deal out of them. The trick of course being is you would have walked otherwise so now they got a sale and they up you in the fiance department. You drive away telling your wife what a good deal you got.

 

Wow, that's even more shite than I expected.

 

Its up to the new buyer to inspect/know what he or she is purchasing,nobody is going to hold your hand.

 

I traded my 2006 Colorado on my Tacoma..mainly I didn't trust the Colorado after the engine needed a new top end. I was honest with the dealer about it but didn't want to risk private party selling it.

 

This..and as I posted, I didn't want the risk of the truck I traded in breaking down.

 

Something as old as a 1st gen is going to go straight to auction anyway. They have no interest in it other than selling you the shiny new truck.

 

Just for your info -- the tax issues vary widely from state to state - some states penalize "private sales" some do not - Missouri is thankfully one that does not!

 

Only if you are a dumbs@#t, and a sucker, and you did not do your research on vehicle values beforehand!

 

Most modded trucks / cars end up at auction anywho, wouldn't worry bout it. When I had a second job at Manheim Auctions, tons of low mileage, newer lifted trucks went through the block.

 

I'm guessing his first gen was wholesaled without a second thought. If he traded at a Toyota dealer, they probably wouldn't even want to put a truck that old on the lot.

 

They usually don't like to keep things they can't get certified and Jack up the price on.

 

Modded/ lifted trucks are desirable around my part of the woods. There are dealers who specialize in em all brands, lift sizes etc... I’ve never had a problem personally selling a modded ( and by modded I mean lift/tires/wheels ) truck. I’d actually say that I’ve had an easier time selling em vs the ones not modded.

 

Do you have the original parts off the truck? Put them back on, or find taco members in your area that have stock tacos and see if you can trade your add-on parts for their stock ones and get a few $$$ on them. Return the truck as much as stock to the dealer. Some dealers may even offer you less because the truck is "modified" and "may" have warranty problems.

 

Used car managers at most large dealerships use online tools to appraise/price vehicles. They allow them to see real-time transaction data across the entire country, you can see market listings, sale prices, auction data. etc. Mods are not included in this transaction data so in most cases, you are better off trading in a stock truck and selling your mods outright.