[Dave Z]

Varvatos may have no taste in his personal symbol and be over the top in some ways but he does make a very nice suit. Or at least he has one made for him.

 

[ralph.jones]

In your KBB link, it shows you selected RWD and the window sticker says AWD. If you change that it bumps is up to 30.5k. NADA clean trade is 32k.(at least in my area)

Either way its still a nasty depreciation factor.

 

[CDJSalesPro]

New as its not been titled with the DMV, but will be used once I sign the sales contract and that is what I base the value of the car on especially since it's one model year old. Not wanting to be mauled by sales people, I looked at it on a Sunday when no one was around so mileage is unknown. Not knowing what a "real" Varvatos means, I can only go by what the window sticker says (http://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=2C3CCAJG6EH240392) just like every other consumer and it states that it is the Customer Preferred Package 22V, 300C John Varvatos Limited Edition.

In Nebraska this 300 did not hold its value. KBB trade in value with 100 miles and excellent condition shows a 20k hit, which is what the insurance company would give me if its totaled or if I were to trade it in (http://www.kbb.com/chrysler/300/2014-chrysler-300/300c-john-varvatos-limited-edition-sedan-4d/?condition=excellent&vehicleid=395873&intent=trade-in-sell&mileage=100&options=5735457|true|5735511|true|6528865|true|5735480|true|5735497|true&pricetype=trade-in#survey) and if you can find someone with money and who is not a tire kicker (I believe the car salesman term is roach) you may be able to sell for 34k. Still not good, you may get better prices where you are but this is the reality here. Just for grins here is the NADA value http://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2014/Chrysler/300/Sedan-4D-300C-John-Varvatos-AWD-V6/Values

Ralph.....KBB is CLUELESS on this car. First if it is in fact NEW then as I tried to imply there is going to be a serious diffrence in resale becuase of the milege. Kelly has no idea what a NEW or even 100 miled 300is worth. Here is an example in what bizzaro world is a 100 miled car and a 15k miled car worth less than a thousand dollar diffrence. http://www.kbb.com/chrysler/300/201...rue|6528865|true|5735480|true|5735497|true&path=&vehicleid=395873&mileage=15000

the car is not used.....it is a year old true.... I am not trying to sell you a car..You can do what you want to do. I am here to tell you Kelly isnt as accurate as many of you think. They really are clueless with trades with higher miles.

 

[ralph.jones]

Ralph.....KBB is CLUELESS on this car. First if it is in fact NEW then as I tried to imply there is going to be a serious diffrence in resale becuase of the milege. Kelly has no idea what a NEW or even 100 miled 300is worth. Here is an example in what bizzaro world is a 100 miled car and a 15k miled car worth less than a thousand dollar diffrence. http://www.kbb.com/chrysler/300/201...rue|6528865|true|5735480|true|5735497|true&path=&vehicleid=395873&mileage=15000

the car is not used.....it is a year old true.... I am not trying to sell you a car..You can do what you want to do. I am here to tell you Kelly isnt as accurate as many of you think. They really are clueless with trades with higher miles.

KBB maybe wack, but its what the dealers in this area use. The exception is the Black book which is basically auction values and makes KBB look generous.

 

[CDJSalesPro]

KBB maybe wack, but its what the dealers in this area use. The exception is the Black book which is basically auction values and makes KBB look generous.

If you have all of this "faith" in KBB then you should be happy to know that according to KBB a fair price for that car is $45,512
The car is NEW it is not used..... http://www.kbb.com/chrysler/300/201...ited-edition/?vehicleid=395812&intent=buy-new&options=5716092|true|5715629|true

Using your logic...every NEW 2015 Car or Jeep that is sitting on my lot right now should be booked as "used" on KBB since 2016's are arriving any day.

 

[aldo90731]

I've found KBB to be accurate within +/- $3,000.

You wouldn't be allowed to take a dog for a walk with that kind of "accuracy."

 

[dodgeatheart]

If you have all of this "faith" in KBB then you should be happy to know that according to KBB a fair price for that car is $45,512
The car is NEW it is not used..... http://www.kbb.com/chrysler/300/201...ited-edition/?vehicleid=395812&intent=buy-new&options=5716092|true|5715629|true

Using your logic...every NEW 2015 Car or Jeep that is sitting on my lot right now should be booked as "used" on KBB since 2016's are arriving any day.

There is merit to his logic. When the 2016's do hit the lot and you have a 2015 and a 2016 sitting next to each other equipped exactly the same, the 2016 is worth more. Now, on a vehicle such as the 300, they usually have rebates on the 2015's that already drop the price, but something such as a JGC where there is usually little to no rebates, sometimes it makes more sense to buy a 2016 over the 2015 just because of the year of the vehicle - newer year model vehicles are worth more!

To prove the point, both vehicles USED with the exact same mileage would have different values in 2 years with the newer model year vehicle being worth more.

 

[CDJSalesPro]

There is merit to his logic. When the 2016's do hit the lot and you have a 2015 and a 2016 sitting next to each other equipped exactly the same, the 2016 is worth more. Now, on a vehicle such as the 300, they usually have rebates on the 2015's that already drop the price, but something such as a JGC where there is usually little to no rebates, sometimes it makes more sense to buy a 2016 over the 2015 just because of the year of the vehicle - newer year model vehicles are worth more!

To prove the point, both vehicles USED with the exact same mileage would have different values in 2 years with the newer model year vehicle being worth more.

agreed....But in the REAL world the other cars of the same year will not have same milege as the car that was bought a year later. It would have a years worth of driving less than the same car.10-15k miles less which equates to a whole year worth of driving....also we haven't talked about the FACT that the car would have at least a year left of warranty.....

My point is simple is ....... he CANT use KBB to book the car out as a USED car because it isn't. The way he is doing it is KBB is assuming it is used and should only have a years left of warranty.....that's a factor in deprecation.

 

[ralph.jones]

agreed....But in the REAL world the other cars of the same year will not have same milege as the car that was bought a year later. It would have a years worth of driving less than the same car.10-15k miles less which equates to a whole year worth of driving....also we haven't talked about the FACT that the car would have at least a year left of warranty.....

My point is simple is ....... he CANT use KBB to book the car out as a USED car because it isn't. The way he is doing it is KBB is assuming it is used and should only have a years left of warranty.....that's a factor in deprecation.

You are missing my point in your obsession over KBB. Yes the 2014 is new, but will be used once someone signs the sales contract. At that point it's worth what KBB, NADA, Black book, etc says it is worth, not what you paid for it. KBB and NADA in this area show it is worth approximately 20k less than sticker once you sign that sales contract. I and many others could care less what its worth at your dealership as none of us would trade it in there. As a consumer I have to care about the value of the car once I sign the sales contract as I am responsible for the payments and ongoing depreciation. Starting out 20k in the hole is not a smart move for anyone even if the intent is to drive the car for 10+ years as unexpected situations can and will arise (car wreck, car theft, hail storm, etc), also with the amount of brine they use in the winter here it will rust out within 10 years or sooner.

You can continue to argue the sales points of buying a 2014 at the end of the 2015 model year but those points are not valid for the area where I live or where others may live. I do like the 300 and would love to own one, but as a consumer I would never be able to justify the potential and real depreciation that a expensive (I work for a living so yes 50K is expensive to me) vehicle like it would incur in the area where I live. You have argued that it makes sense in the area where you live which is fine, but you must also accept the reality that it does not make sense in other areas.

 

[valiant67]

I bought a certified pre-owned 2013 300S in early 2014. It actually turned out to be a factory official car. MSRP was almost $35k and it had 10k miles on it. I only kept the car 9 months and put another 8k miles on it in that time. I was able to get withing $2k of what I paid for the car when I sold it (and this was after the 2015 came out which made it 2 years old when I sold it).
You can find a great deal on them if you let someone else take the hit up front.

 

[Moparian]

You are missing my point in your obsession over KBB. Yes the 2014 is new, but will be used once someone signs the sales contract. At that point it's worth what KBB, NADA, Black book, etc says it is worth, not what you paid for it. KBB and NADA in this area show it is worth approximately 20k less than sticker once you sign that sales contract. I and many others could care less what its worth at your dealership as none of us would trade it in there. As a consumer I have to care about the value of the car once I sign the sales contract as I am responsible for the payments and ongoing depreciation. Starting out 20k in the hole is not a smart move for anyone even if the intent is to drive the car for 10+ years as unexpected situations can and will arise (car wreck, car theft, hail storm, etc), also with the amount of brine they use in the winter here it will rust out within 10 years or sooner.

You can continue to argue the sales points of buying a 2014 at the end of the 2015 model year but those points are not valid for the area where I live or where others may live. I do like the 300 and would love to own one, but as a consumer I would never be able to justify the potential and real depreciation that a expensive (I work for a living so yes 50K is expensive to me) vehicle like it would incur in the area where I live. You have argued that it makes sense in the area where you live which is fine, but you must also accept the reality that it does not make sense in other areas.

They have a cure for depreciation.....its called GAP. All of the unexpected situations you list would be covered. But trade values are based on what similar cars sell for at auction in that area.

 

[ralph.jones]

They have a cure for depreciation.....its called GAP. All of the unexpected situations you list would be covered. But trade values are based on what similar cars sell for at auction in that area.

Yes all my purchases have GAP no matter how much I put down. Only takes one idiot running a red light to make you appreciate what a $500 investment can do. Also if your insurance company knows you have GAP they are more inclined to total your car than fix it. I had a 2001 Neon RT that was sitting in my parking spot and some idiot drove a Volvo 240DL into at 30 mph. Hit it so hard the weld seams in the back half all busted and since we only had it for a couple of months the insurance company didn't want to total it until I told them we had GAP. Paid my deductible (other driver had no insurance) and walked away from it.

 

[MPE426HEMI]

I don't know if it's the most comfortable under $30k, but it's sure the hell the most nice looking.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

I am more comfortable in a 2012=2013 Impala or the newer Impala Limited which is the same car.
For me the large console in the 300 rubs my right leg. The Impala has a much smaller concole and the Bench seat version is even better.
For a 8 hour road trip I prefer the Buick Lucerne, The Lesabre is even better, or a crown Vic....all with bench seats but even with the consoles they are more roomier the the 300.

I just can't get behind this. I had a rental 2012 Impala in L.A. for a week and at first it seemed decent, within a couple days I wanted nothing to do with it. By the end of the week I was wishing I was back home already just so I could drive my Journey again. Even my wife, who is completely ignorant of cars in general, disliked being a passenger in the Impala. Horrible ergonomics, weird switch placement and iconography, and just a plain uncomfortable driving position. I found the steering response to be too quick which resulted in a twitchy wheel where very small corrections ended up jerking the car around. HATED that car.

In the last 2 months I've done two road trips from Winnipeg to Minneapolis and back (8 hours each way with two adults, 11.5 hours each way with a 3 year old toddler in the car). One trip was with the 08 Magnum, the last one was with the 11 Journey. I know it's a generation behind the current 300, but I actually preferred the Magnum over the Journey despite the nicer interior and more sophisticated gadgets. Both were great, but the Magnum had a more planted feel on the road and was plain ol' comfortable to be in for that long. And not to mention that CDJ vehicles are always great on the highway to begin with. So given the common lineage of the Magnum and 300 it doesn't surprise me one bit that the 300 is tops on this list. Oh and my Magnum averaged around 28 mpg which is pretty good for the old 3.5L and 4-speed.

 

[voiceofstl]

As far as I can tell, the 2015 Impala does not have a bench seat option and I could not find a bench seat as an option for the Buick Lacrosse either.
My problem with my 2015 300C is the center console extends so far back that it leaves little leg room for the middle passenger in the rear. Speaking of tires, I opted for the base 18 inch wheels for comfort. The tire on the car as delivered is a Firestone FR710. A $110 tire on a $43000 car. What a way to save money. When I bought my 2008 300C, it had subpar Continentals. I immediately tossed them and put on top of the line Michelins. The Michelins lasted 90000 miles with nary a problem.

It is the Impala Limited that is fleet only, its the same as the 2012-2013, They all over the used car market for $15,000 with GMs 3.6 300 horse with the 6 speed auto.

 

[voiceofstl]

I just can't get behind this. I had a rental 2012 Impala in L.A. for a week and at first it seemed decent, within a couple days I wanted nothing to do with it. By the end of the week I was wishing I was back home already just so I could drive my Journey again. Even my wife, who is completely ignorant of cars in general, disliked being a passenger in the Impala. Horrible ergonomics, weird switch placement and iconography, and just a plain uncomfortable driving position. I found the steering response to be too quick which resulted in a twitchy wheel where very small corrections ended up jerking the car around. HATED that car.

In the last 2 months I've done two road trips from Winnipeg to Minneapolis and back (8 hours each way with two adults, 11.5 hours each way with a 3 year old toddler in the car). One trip was with the 08 Magnum, the last one was with the 11 Journey. I know it's a generation behind the current 300, but I actually preferred the Magnum over the Journey despite the nicer interior and more sophisticated gadgets. Both were great, but the Magnum had a more planted feel on the road and was plain ol' comfortable to be in for that long. And not to mention that CDJ vehicles are always great on the highway to begin with. So given the common lineage of the Magnum and 300 it doesn't surprise me one bit that the 300 is tops on this list. Oh and my Magnum averaged around 28 mpg which is pretty good for the old 3.5L and 4-speed.

All of our bodys are differant..at 6'2 and 250 I'm not a giant but maby its the way I hold my legs when I drive. But the large consoles in the newer cars almost always rub my leg and many times the arm rest hits my left knee. I know they can't make a custom car just for me..I keep mentioning the Lesabre because it fits me perfect, while the Lucerne that replaced it is bigger on paper, the way the arm rest is placed it hits my left knee. On the Impala I have to lower the power seat to its lowest setting so my knee rests below the arm rest, but my right leg is fine and even better with the bench.

 

[md80891]

KBB maybe wack, but its what the dealers in this area use. The exception is the Black book which is basically auction values and makes KBB look generous.

Dealers like to buy under NADA and sell under Kelly because Kelly is usually higher. The MMR is gaining more weight. ALG is gaining more weight through Truecar,Clearbook, and I think they have Kelly as well.

 

[Moparian]

Dealers use NADA black book to value your trade, and then adjust based upon local market conditions.

 

[Mopartial]

I bought a certified pre-owned 2013 300S in early 2014. It actually turned out to be a factory official car. MSRP was almost $35k and it had 10k miles on it. I only kept the car 9 months and put another 8k miles on it in that time. I was able to get withing $2k of what I paid for the car when I sold it (and this was after the 2015 came out which made it 2 years old when I sold it).
You can find a great deal on them if you let someone else take the hit up front.

Wow. You should consider becoming a car broker, for a percentage.

 

[valiant67]

Wow. You should consider becoming a car broker, for a percentage.

That probably made up for a lot of other bad deals