I'm thinking about giving up my XJR to clear up driveway space so that my wife can get a newer car.

Mine is a 2004 with 61k miles. I'm the 2nd owner and the 1st owner was very attentive to the car. Car has been in Northern California its whole life and is in very good condition. Newer tires, air compressor has been dealt with, ACM installed, etc.

KBB shows this in the high $14k range for a private party transaction. Is that the right ballpark? I can't get a read from Craigslist because the cars there are either (1) from shady sounding dealers or (2) high miles.

Also, does anyone know if it's possible to trade cars and avoid state sales tax or is a trade basically a purchase-and-sale at the same time and both sides pay sales tax?

Thanks.

 

It's funny how disconnected the prices on website valuation sites are from actual transaction prices on the ground.

I've got a 2004 XJ8 that I'm trying to sell. BRG/barley, very nice. KBB is showing around $9k private party and $6k trade-in value. I got a cash "offer" from a dealer of about $4,200 today. Needless to say, it wasn't even entertained.

I am thinking about just putting it up on eBay and letting the market determine the value. I'm under no illusion that I could get $9k, but I'm fairly sure that she's worth more than $4,200. Personally, I'd be ecstatic to get 85% of the KBB private party value. But I'm thinking that it will be more like 75-80%.

As to your trade question, that's hard to say. You will have to title the vehicle, at which time you will have to declare value. I'm not sure what state you live in, but in Texas, unless you have a gift affidavit, then you are automatically assessed either the higher of what you paid for the vehicle, or the "state-determined fair market value" in order to register the vehicle. In my experience, this value is significantly higher than market value.

Anyway, best of luck on the sale.

Nate