this is kind of interesting and I checked my own car out for comparison.

A Good Time to Trade in That Gently Used Car Used-Vehicle Prices Hit Record Highs; No New-Car Smell Necessary With Strong Demand for Fuel-Efficient Models The Wall Street JournalBy Joseph B. White | The Wall Street Journal – Wed, Jun 8, 2011 5:20 PM EDT That three-year-old car sitting in the driveway may not seem so exciting anymore, but to some car dealers it could be gold. Informed shoppers with well-maintained cars to trade in have an unusual opportunity to take advantage of what industry analysts say is a record peak in used-car prices. Resale and trade-in values for late-model vehicles in good condition have been rising all year as demand has outstripped supply, particularly for fuel-efficient models. Among the forces driving up used-car values is a shortage of many popular Japanese models due to production slowdowns following the March earthquake. And the sales collapse during the 2008 and 2009 financial crisis means fewer two- and three-year-old cars are available. The National Automobile Dealers Association last week raised values again on many small- and medium-size cars in its latest Used Car Guide, which is widely used by dealers when deciding what to offer for cars taken as trade-ins. A one-year-old Honda Civic that NADA's Used Car Guide valued at $14,275 in May is now estimated to be worth $15,950. "The same car," says Jonathan Banks, NADA's executive auto analyst. KBB.com, the Web home of the Kelley Blue Book used-vehicle-pricing franchise, says a three-year-old Toyota Prius is worth, on average, $17,750 as a trade-in, up $6,050 from the value of a three-year-old Prius a year ago. The market isn't booming for all types of vehicles. Large sport utility vehicles, such as a Ford Expedition or Chevrolet Tahoe are down less than 1% from a year ago, according to NADA's guide. Still, they are up nearly 5% from the start of the year. Late-model, mid-size luxury cars—a segment that includes the Mercedes E-Class and the BMW 5-Series—are worth about 6% more on average than a year ago, according to NADA. "We have seen extremely strong pricing," says Jeremy Meyer, national manager for Audi's U.S. certified pre-owned sales operation. And "consumers are willing to pay those higher prices," he says. Manheim Consulting, an arm of the big Manheim auto-auction business, has for years published an index of used-vehicle values. In May, that index, using a scale with a baseline set at 100 for January 1995, was 127.8—a record high. For consumers, this is now a game of arbitrage and information gathering. Prices for many new vehicles are up, but not as much as values for in-demand, late-model used cars. "The best case scenario is that you have a trade-in that is somewhat gas efficient, and you are ready to trade for a larger vehicle," says Jesse Toprak of Truecar.com, an auto-shopping and data site. For people who have a leased car that's close to the end of its term, now is the time to figure out whether that car is worth more than the residual value assigned in the lease contract. For example, a 2008 BMW 3-Series has an average residual value of about $17,450, but a trade-in value of close to $20,000, according to data compiled by Truecar. Economical models such as a used Honda Civic can command the best prices. Economical models such as a used Honda Civic can command the best prices. NADA's Mr. Banks says anyone with a leased car that's due to be returned should investigate the car's market value—using the online NADA guide and shopping sites such as KBB.com, Edmunds.com, Cars.com, Ebay, or Yahoo! Autos. Then be ready to bargain with the dealer to get a higher value than the one stipulated in the contract. "Don't just hand over your keys," says Mr. Banks. Realizing the extra value in a leased vehicle can be tricky, however. Selling a leased car to another individual could require buying it from the leasing company, then reselling it, and possibly paying sales tax. Sergio Stiberman, chief executive of LeaseTrader.com, a site that enables the exchange of auto leases, says the easiest way is to use the difference between the purchase-option price written into the lease contract and the car's current market value as equity in a trade-in. The dealer can then work out the transaction with the leasing company and resell the car for a profit. Dealers are stepping up efforts to snag high-quality used cars, while eyeing their inventories to make sure they don't get caught with too many vehicles at the top of the curve. At Group One Automotive, a big Houston-based dealer chain, used-car managers are scouring Craigslist, and emailing past customers to find more of the cars that are selling best. But the company is keeping its used-car inventory at or below 30 days' supply. "We have to have rational exuberance," says company spokesman Pete DeLongchamps. Will used-car prices come back to earth? Most likely, though telling when is educated guess work, not science. Gasoline prices are edging down, which could cool demand for used hybrids and rejuvenate interest in second-hand SUVs. Japanese car makers say they are ramping up production as they work out the problems getting critical parts from suppliers damaged by the earthquake. Once their factories are rolling, industry executives and analysts expect Toyota Motor Corp. and the other big Japanese brands will come out swinging with discount deals to get back the market share they've lost. The cheaper new cars get, the more likely used-car prices will moderate as well. A longer-term factor in the current scarcity of late-model used cars is that so few cars were leased during the credit crisis and recession of 2008 and 2009. Higher sales in the past year will mean more supply for the used-vehicle market of a 2013 or 2014.

For comparions, about 3 weeks ago, average trade in value on my 2007 Cobalt SS/SC with 93,500 miles on it was right around $8900-9000. Now, the LOW trade in is $9600 (according to NADA.com). Clean trade in, a month or so ago was MAYBE $9500. Now it's over $11,000 (which mine is).

Cash for Clunkers reduced the usable pool of used cars for one. And honestly, when the economy is down, more people shop used which puts more demand on used cars. Simple supply/demand.

because of the car scene here and all the local retarded fanboys i can easily sell my car for 2-3 k more then what its worth

I know of 2 people that are normally used car, cash pay shoppers. Both of them bought new recently when their old appliance cars were worn out. They simply couldn't find anything used that was a good value. Right now, the real value seems to be on brand new vehicles.

Right now, we're right-side up on the Astra. If it gets a lot better, we might consider trading off even more than we are now.

ive actually been getting people ask me about the ecotec cavalier thats sitting in the driveway. willing to pay me what i paid for it in 2009

I've noticed too that the prices of even just plain driveable Cherokees have gone up. I feel better now getting my XJ even with the known issues at the purchase for what I paid .

Another more troublesome reason values are rising, inflation.

If Honda, Toyota and Mazda continue to struggle to produce cars because of the Japan crisis.... it won't get any better.

Posted by oddspot If Honda, Toyota and Mazda continue to struggle to produce cars because of the Japan crisis.... it won't get any better.

i live near a honda dealer that is part of a group of 3 honda dealers. they have the biggest lot so they are the ones that store the cars. usually the lot is bursting at the seams, and last year they were even using the lot of my old pontiac dealer. lately there are only 20 cars on his lot, all used.

Nope, my subaru is still depreciating at roughly the payoff amount on the loan, has been since I bought it.

I'm wondering when the mileage is going to even out, probably 2014\15, when I graduate college and trade it in.

My car has 613,000 on it. I think it has a negative value, but I love it.

I think that's a point of pride bandi, my Grand Marquis turned over 192,000 this morning and shows no signs of stopping.

Oh it is. Not like I'd ever even consider selling it, I'm being buried in that thing. Actually no, that'd be a waste of a car.

Posted by bandi Oh it is. Not like I'd ever even consider selling it, I'm being buried in that thing. Actually no, that'd be a waste of a car.

Brandon is going to wait til you die, then friend me, and then thief it.

Brandon is too busy stalking Justin Bieber