Upgrading from S85 to 85D - now I need to sell my old car - any advice on how?

kjwcanary · May 6, 2015

Hello,

I am very excited as I just ordered by 85D after a test drive yesterday. While I loved Insane mode on the P85D, I am perfectly happy with the very quick speed of the 85D and it is noticeably faster than my, already fast enough, 2.5 year old S85.

Now, I need to sell my beloved old car. I was wondering if people on here have any advice around the best way to sell it. I have got a trade in quote from Tesla and will do that as a back up however, I think I can get $5k more at least, based on other prices I have seen similar cars sold for recently.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

davidc18 · May 6, 2015

Sell it to Tesla and move on. Easy and over.

brianman · May 6, 2015

kjwcanary said:
I am very excited as I just ordered by 85D after a test drive yesterday.

By "ordered", I get the impression you mean you used the website to configure a vehicle (vs. getting an demo/loaner inventory vehicle or CPO). Assuming you're getting your car on or after July 1 (when the "no sales tax on EVs for WA state" expires)...

My understanding is that for trade-ins you pay tax on the delta (new - old) rather than the full price of the new vehicle. If that understanding is correct, then Tesla's offer might have that additional benefit vs. a 3rd party sale.

MsElectric · May 6, 2015

I think the key aspect of selling your Model S is pricing it correctly. Just since Hank's CPO tracker went live just about a week ago about 100 Model S vehicles have already been sold so the market is there.

If you share what trade in offer you got from Tesla forum members can advise you on whether it is best to take that or what you might be able to get in the used car market if you sell on your own. Unfortunately the CPO program has likely introduced a downward trend for private party vehicle sales. Already there are two S85s for sale just on this forum's "For Sale" section for around the late 50s.

aja2460 · May 6, 2015

That's what I understand also. Sales tax on the difference in Washington State. It could be a 4 or 5 thousand advantage for trading in to Tesla.

Mike_Schlechter · May 6, 2015

Man, the more I think about it, and the more I read things like this, the more I'm tempted to trade up to the P85D from my "antique" 85. Decisions decisions decisions.

SabrToothSqrl · May 6, 2015

I drove a p85, but for me, it's gonna have to be a D to make the jump.

ImperialG · May 6, 2015

Get it appraised with Carmax before trading with Tesla. Tesla valued my car (S60) at around $44k and Carmax valued it at $55k

Mario Kadastik · May 7, 2015

Start renting the old one out and recoup its costs + new cars costs. Bam, free Teslas

kjwcanary · May 8, 2015

I ordered the car on Wednesday

brianman said:
By "ordered", I get the impression you mean you used the website to configure a vehicle (vs. getting an demo/loaner inventory vehicle or CPO). Assuming you're getting your car on or after July 1 (when the "no sales tax on EVs for WA state" expires)...

My understanding is that for trade-ins you pay tax on the delta (new - old) rather than the full price of the new vehicle. If that understanding is correct, then Tesla's offer might have that additional benefit vs. a 3rd party sale.

.

Part of my reasoning was to get in under the wire before the sales tax holiday ends in WA on July 1st (saving over $9k). Based on what you have said, selling privately is the way to go.

I was offered $49k by Tesla - s85, leather, tech, air suspension, great condition - 35k miles but I got a brand new D battery pack at 21k. Looking online, I think I could get closer to $57-59k privately. Like most people, I love the car but the all wheel drive and safety features of the D are too good to pass up.

Electric Joe · May 8, 2015

Hmm... You might sell it right here and now.

Mind posting the rest of the relevant details? (paint color, interior options, etc.)

Stoneymonster · May 8, 2015

If you can deal with the hassle, sell privately. You'll get a much better price. I sold mine for over $10k above what Tesla offered.

kjwcanary · May 8, 2015

Dolphin grey - it also has a pano roof

Electric Joe said:
Hmm... You might sell it right here and now. Mind posting the rest of the relevant details? (paint color, interior options, etc.)

My other car doesn't come for another 6 weeks so I was going to start getting serious about selling in towards the end of May. We can take this offline if you are seriously interested. I will probably be looking for something close to $56-57k. [email protected]

Seattle · May 8, 2015

kjwcanary said:
.

Part of my reasoning was to get in under the wire before the sales tax holiday ends in WA on July 1st (saving over $9k). Based on what you have said, selling privately is the way to go.

I was offered $49k by Tesla - s85, leather, tech, air suspension, great condition - 35k miles but I got a brand new D battery pack at 21k. Looking online, I think I could get closer to $57-59k privately. Like most people, I love the car but the all wheel drive and safety features of the D are too good to pass up.

I just went through this exact same issue. My car was like yours except half the mileage but no tech package, mine was in great condition. They really are counting mileage as affecting the value a lot. They offered me 50k on the trade-in, and I saw afterward they were selling mine for 55k. That difference between trade-in price and sale price made me feel like the trade in was worth my time. I tried several seattle area luxury used car dealers and they all said that they couldn't offer me more than low 50s - their only idea was try to sell it on consignment for high 50s, but I had to pay a $750 or something marketing and cleanup fee.

kjwcanary · May 8, 2015

This is really useful info - thanks!

Seattle said:
I just went through this exact same issue. My car was like yours except half the mileage but no tech package, mine was in great condition. They really are counting mileage as affecting the value a lot. They offered me 50k on the trade-in, and I saw afterward they were selling mine for 55k. That difference between trade-in price and sale price made me feel like the trade in was worth my time. I tried several seattle area luxury used car dealers and they all said that they couldn't offer me more than low 50s - their only idea was try to sell it on consignment for high 50s, but I had to pay a $750 or something marketing and cleanup fee.

My plan is to advertise closer to the time I get my car. If no takers around $56-58k then I will take the $49k on offer from Tesla.

Joules Verne · May 9, 2015

kjwcanary said:
.

Part of my reasoning was to get in under the wire before the sales tax holiday ends in WA on July 1st (saving over $9k). Based on what you have said, selling privately is the way to go.

Wow, pretty generous tax holiday in WA. When we have them in MA, the per item cost limit is $2500, and cars/boats are completely exempt.

MsElectric · May 9, 2015

kjwcanary said:
My plan is to advertise closer to the time I get my car. If no takers around $56-58k then I will take the $49k on offer from Tesla.

Just keep in mind that Tesla quotes might be revised downward after some period of time...

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Upgrading from S85 to 85D - now I need to sell my old car - any advice on how?

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