Originally posted by ccspelman:
do you really get ripped off if you haven't payed off the x yet?
Depends on if you owe more than your X is worth.
you will always get a better deal if you sell the X yourself than just giving it to a dealer...
Remember, any new car transaction is actually three - (1) selling your existing car (2) negotiating the price for your new car (3) negotiating the financing for your new car. Do them as a package deal and you are playing a shell game that the dealer knows how to win - you will pay to much. Treat them as individual transactions and get the best you can on each and you will save money - it's that simple.
Read up at a good site - like
http://www.carbuyingtips.com. Fill out the spreadsheet in chapter 4. Find out what you qualify for on financing BEFORE you go to the dealer, see if you can sell your current X ahead of time.... that's just for starters.
Do some reading, crunch the numbers and then you will know for sure if it makes sense for you. You don't have to have a vauge feeling if it would make sense, the tools are there for you to determine factually if it makes sense - but you will have to do a bit of research. It was worth it to me...
Good luck!