West Bend Buy Sell Trade

So, you’re looking for used cars in West Bend and trying to get rid of your car simultaneously. Maybe you want a quote for your current car. Or, maybe you want to sell your car and get a shiny new one. 

Whatever you want, Ewald Hartford Ford is your one-stop shop to buy, sell, or trade a car in the West Bend area. We offer transparent, competitive pricing and friendly service. Plus, lots of advice! If you’re unsure where to start, keep reading to find out.

What is the difference between trading and selling a car?

There are quite a few differences between trading and selling a used car in West Bend. Essentially, trading your car is like selling and buying all wrapped up in one convenient bundle.

Is it better to exchange a car or sell it?

That is one question that we can't answer for you. Whether you should sell your car or trade your car depends on what your priorities are.

• Do you want to save time and effort? Trading your car is probably the way to go. You can get rid of your old car and have a new car in just a few hours. Ewald car buying experts will be there to ensure that the process goes smoothly.

• Do you want the absolute best price for your West Bend used car? You might try selling it separately. If you negotiate well, you can get a better price. However, if you sell privately, it will take you hours and hours.

• What is your financial situation? If you sell your used car separately in West Bend, it may not sell until after you have bought a new car. You wouldn't be able to use the money from your old car as a down payment.

• Do you like tax breaks? (We know we do!) With Wisconsin's sales tax break, you could save money when you trade in your used car in West Bend. You will only have to pay sales tax on the amount you pay for the new car. This amount could be thousands less depending on your car's trade in value, saving you hundreds in sales tax.

When should I trade my car in?

Trading in your used car in West Bend can be a strategic choice. It doesn't have to be if you need to trade in your car immediately. However, it pays off to think strategically.

• The best time of year to trade in your used car in the West Bend area is in the first half of the year. More people are looking to buy a car during this time, so dealerships need cars. 

• It also depends on your car. If you're looking at a super expensive repair, it might be better to dump your old car and get a new one. You can still get some money from the old one to help with the cost of the new car.

• Don't trade in your car within the first few years of its life. Vehicle depreciation is at its highest at that point, and you won't get the value you deserve. It would help if you also waited until you had positive equity. Positive equity means that your car is worth more than the loan that you have on it. Negative equity means that its value is less than the loan's value.

How do you trade in a car that is not paid off?

Trading in a car that is not paid off is almost as simple as a paid-off car, especially at Ewald, where we work hard to make things go smoothly. First, determine if your car has positive or negative equity, like the question above. If you have positive equity, come to our West Bend location with your used car.

When you bring in your car, you must bring in all your loan information. We will pay off the rest of the loan for you and deduct that amount from the value of your old car. For example, if your loan is $6,000 and your car is worth $8,000, $2,000 will be left to go toward your new car purchase price. 

How many years should you keep a car?

There is no set number of years that you should keep your car. Most used cars in West Bend and around the nation are around 11 years old. You don't have to switch up your car every few years. Here are some factors to consider:

• Operational costs: Are you driving around a gas guzzler? Older models often get worse gas mileage than new models. Also, you could benefit from tax breaks for purchasing a more eco-friendly car.

• Maintenance costs: If you're getting to the point where your car's parts are hard to find, it might be time to let go. Parts for older cars can be more expensive because they aren't as produced anymore.

• Insurance costs: This one is tricky. Older cars are less pricey to insure in general because they are less valuable. However, outstanding safety features can knock down an insurance quote. Talk to your insurance agent before buying a new car.

• Lifestyle changes: Maybe your car just doesn't work for your life anymore. For example, you bought a tiny Prius, but now you're on your second kid. Or maybe you have a bigger car but moved to the city and need something smaller.

As you can see, getting into the West Bend used car market is a little bit complicated. But not too complicated! Ewald Hartford Ford's West Bend car dealership is here to help every step of the way. Even if you decide against a trade-in, we hope you'll come in to check us out.