Return to Stock Before Trade-In, or Sell As-Is?

[UncleWillie]

This question may be silly because I'm sure each dealer is different, but I wanted to see the forum members' experiences or suggestions.

When trading in, is it better to return to stock, or sell with all of your upgrades/mods?

Sure, I'd like to make a few bucks and sell the parts to someone on the forum that wants lightly used parts that won't break the bank like new parts would. But when it comes down to it, deals happen fast and scrambling to strip a truck down has its challenges. I was wondering if dealerships these days still prefer stock vehicles to sell. Thanks for any input!

I have some modest upgrades with things such as:
MBRP Cat-back Exhaust
Velossatech Big Mouth
Swing cases
Soft tonneau cover
black and smoked chrome emblems
and a few others

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[Dr. Zaius]

All of the online appraisal tools are based off a stock vehicle and most used car buyers would prefer a stock vehicle, ignoring the fact that the dealer will put $1k worth of eBay parts on it and mark it up as a $5k "Special" edition.

The appraised value will usually go down if you indicate that you have modded it.

If you are trading in, you will ALMOST ALWAYS get nearly nothing for your mods.

Only you can decide if it's worth your time to $$$ ratio to return it to stock.

I have every stock part part I removed from my truck stored away for if/when I decide to trade it.

I can return my truck to stock in a day I figure so it's definitely worth it to me.

For example, if I traded it at a dealer, what salesperson would know the difference between stock rear leafs and my Tremor leafs?

Edit: Just noticed you are in GA.

Whereabouts and when's the Return To Stock sale? ?

 

[DaveP]

The extra few dollars you’ll get for any mods (if anything at all) isn’t worth the time it would take to remove them. Dealers give zero F——-s about that, they care more about overall condition as they’re more likely to sell it at auction.

 

[pbethel]

I traded a 3 year old Frontier in for the Ranger and they had deleted the vent visors before we had even left the lot.

 

[Rp930]

Leave the swing case and tonneau. The performance stuff needs to go.

 

[RDJTX]

My advice is to take it to car max before trading it in. When we bought my truck and wifeys edge we took our potential trades to carmax. Their offer was significantly higher than we were offered in trade. For example for her 2015 escape with 72k miles they offered 8500. Car max offer was 15k needless to say we passed on the trade since it covered the taxes we would have saved by trading plus some. It was the same way with my 2019 escape.

 

[TVRangerSTX]

Leave it all on, the tech's at the dealer will love you...sucker! JK, I'm removing everything when my '24 comes in...my brother-in-law has a Ranger and he could use some, the rest I'll see if it will switch over to the 24 (black lug nuts are def switching) or sell for a few sheckles. (no way is the dealer getting that overpriced Bestop step!)

 

[P. A. Schilke]

This question may be silly because I'm sure each dealer is different, but I wanted to see the forum members' experiences or suggestions.

When trading in, is it better to return to stock, or sell with all of your upgrades/mods?

Sure, I'd like to make a few bucks and sell the parts to someone on the forum that wants lightly used parts that won't break the bank like new parts would. But when it comes down to it, deals happen fast and scrambling to strip a truck down has its challenges. I was wondering if dealerships these days still prefer stock vehicles to sell. Thanks for any input!

I have some modest upgrades with things such as:
MBRP Cat-back Exhaust
Velossatech Big Mouth
Swing cases
Soft tonneau cover
black and smoked chrome emblems
and a few others

Hi UncleWillie

I would side with other folks for some removal...Exhaust, Big Mouth swing cases. Leave the rest....

best,
Phil

 

[EJH]

I'd remove the swing cases personally. They're pretty easy to do. They go for around $200 each new. You could probably get half price for them used, as it isn't a part that really shows where and tear with use. My swing cases are almost 3 years old and look perfect.

 

[deleriumtremor]

My opinion is right now things are swinging back to the favor of the person who has a used car/truck to trade/sell.

I think the value you receive for anything changes based on supply and demand. When cars were really scarce a while back, dealers seemed to be willing to take anything and give generous value. How narrow the potential pool of buyers seemed less critical.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

My opinion is right now things are swinging back to the favor of the person who has a used car/truck to trade/sell.

I think the value you receive for anything changes based on supply and demand. When cars were really scarce a while back, dealers seemed to be willing to take anything and give generous value. How narrow the potential pool of buyers seemed less critical.

My cash offer from Carvana is creeping back up now as is my KBB estimated value.

Had it almost 4 years and it's still worth more than I paid for it.

Ranger has been good to me.

 

[OFC Ranger]

No one has given you the correct answer yet;

Ask the dealership you are trading it in too what they are going to give you. Have an open conversation about it.

In my-case they wanted the suspension/wheels/tires and a few other things. Oddly they gave me nearly 100% value on these things.

The rest I scavenged onto my new truck or sold.

 

[UncleWillie]

Thanks a ton, y'all! I am hearing what I was expecting.

Only you can decide if it's worth your time to $$$ ratio to return it to stock.
...

Edit: Just noticed you are in GA.

Whereabouts and when's the Return To Stock sale? ?

I'm in the Athens-ish area. I'll be sure to let everyone know if/when it happens ?

No one has given you the correct answer yet;

Ask the dealership you are trading it in too what they are going to give you. ...

That's mighty true. I have a good relationship with this dealer. I bought my Ranger there, and my folks have had several vehicles purchased there (or their sister Chevy dealership) over the last couple of decades. Open conversation sounds like a good plan.

 

[LT Dangle]

I usually keep what I can. Most dealers by me couldnt care less about the add ons.

Now if only I could stop being lazy and do something with them, other than collecting parts in my garage.....

 

[RDJTX]

it would be interesting to see what carmax would offer you as compared with caravans

My cash offer from Carvana is creeping back up now as is my KBB estimated value.

Had it almost 4 years and it's still worth more than I paid for it.

Ranger has been good to me.

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