Hey there gents, long time no see.

I found myself a 1983 300D with 289,000 miles for $3,000. It's looking really nice mechanically and the interior is immaculate (something I'm a stickler on).

It's a repaint (blue exterior over the older palomino color). But other than that, I'm tempted to make the jump.

My question for all of you guys is: how does one trade in a car and what is the process for it? I currently own a 2005 Saab 9-5 with 113k on it. Car is a POS, but I've been able to do all of the work on it. I even have a ton of service records from my mother.

I did the KBB amount and a trade in can potentially net me $2,000. How does one even go into these situations?

I appreciate the help gentlemen. I won't lie, I really miss driving around in a real car.

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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.

Is the Benz at a dealer? That's the only way you'd be able to trade your Saab in on it. If the 300D is a private party sale, the seller would have to want your Saab and be willing to discount the price of the Benz, then you swap titles and cars and you're good to go.

If the Benz is on a dealer lot, be aware that they won't give you anywhere near KBB value for the Saab in trade. I have generally found KBB trade in estimates to be way too high.

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

The devil you know is the best one. That being said, drive your sob story over to whoever is selling the SD and talk to them. KBB print in hand, receipts for parts, etc.

The way trades go, you have a +2k on the KBB, I would expect them to offer a straight trade.

You might be better off selling the saab and then buying the merc.

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

x2. Very unlikely to get anything for your trade. Nothing wrong with the car just how dealers do business. Sell it outright unless you are willing to give it away just not to have to deal with it.

Of course it never hurts to try.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I should have phrased it better, how does one negotiate selling a car to a used car dealership?

Yeah the Sob has been nothing but a mechanical and electrical nightmare. It's holding together somewhat fine right now, but it's only a matter of time before some stupid electronic explodes.

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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.

Get an "appraisal" of some sort by an inspection shop or Saab pro, so you have a 3rd party saying "my car is worth XX". Then go in and haggle until you get the car. Maybe wrangle in some parts or service-at 289k the timing chain is probably due, plus the flex discs, axle boots, etc.

Oh, and don't be afraid to offer and walk away. Always speak your mind-if it's wrong on the MB, tell them it's wrong and why. Complain upfront, but be polite.

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

Unfortunately, in your situation, you don't negotiate. They will lowball you -- badly -- and won't care a bit if you walk away. For one thing, most used car dealers know what to avoid, and many Saab models are on the list. For another, they know that they can sell the Benz close to their asking price, and having to unload a much-less-desirable car afterward isn't a sales goal.

Your BEST bet is to list your Saab for sale. While you won't get lots of takers, you are likely to get some, because believe it or not there are some people who love those things, despite their faults (I was tempted at one time, then I realized what an unbelievable nightmare it would be just to change the water pump!!). You are likely to find one of those people who will offer you a fair price, and that will assuredly be better than the $250 or whatever that the dealer will offer.

Good luck.

carmax

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

That sounds like a lot of money to me for such a high-mileage car. Another member here has an '84 300D for sale with only 105K miles, and with its original black paint and perfect interior. I've driven the car and it runs and looks great- and he only wants a little over twice what your looking at now. PM me if interested.

Others are correct, the Saab is worth little more than scrap.

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'83 300D, 126K miles.