Tips on getting a good trade-in price from the dealer?

[Molly]

Been trying to get what I think is a reasonable trade-in but no joy. I'm looking at an '06 V-Rod and have an '01 RK. They're asking the same for the V-Rod as I paid for the RK just a few months ago so I figured it'd be an easy swap with maybe $1,000NZ for their trouble (the RK was kind of tired looking when I got it but I've put a lot of time into making it look 'as new' and have put new rubber on it). They want $4,000 to change which is just too, too much by far.

Seems a better deal could be had for a new V-Rod but that'd requre $10k so it's not going to happen. So, any advice? Don't suggest 'try another dealer' because this isn't the US and I don't really have that luxury.

Cheers.

[JamLazyAss]

Why wouldn't you sell the RK outright, and go to the dealer with cash for a clean deal?
Seems like you would be ahead of the game if you did.

[96dynabagger]

The dealer's gotta make money, the only way to do that is to pay you wholesale for your bike.
You'll do better to sell it outright.

[autoworker]

I don't know how taxes on vehicle purchases work where you live.However in my home state of Ohio (USA) you pay sales tax on the difference in price after trade.What I have done (on pickup trucks) was bring my private buyer with me to the dealer and pay sales tax only on the difference in price between what my buyer paid and the new vehicle.One dealer did it FOC and another did it for a couple hundred.When done this way a person doesn't have to "beat" the difference in taxes in what the dealer offers when selling to a private party.

[Gunney8]

I just went in to dealer with my 02 RK (95" and other goodies),... did some research online and here to find out what would be a "fair" price and told the dealer that I wanted X $$ trade for the RK and would only pay MSRP for the EGC. If they would do the deal I was ready with title in hand to make it happen. No haggling, etc.
The sales guy went to talk with his "sales manager" and came back with $500 more. I said nope and started to walk out. The sales manager massaged me with "you're a hard sell" talk, but said ok to the deal. I said "damn", cause I hadn't talked with the bride about it but took the deal and handled the wife stuff later.... a bud once told me a "real biker" doesn't ask his wife about buying a new ride, he'd just do it".... ahhh, my bud is and has/been single, lol