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A time will come when all of us must say good-bye to a vehicle that no longer serves its purpose. If the header to this article wasn't passed by and you've taken the time to read it, then you have decided to trade your car in for a replacement. At the very least, you're taking it into consideration. Now that this has been established, the most important thing to realize is that the trade-in value of a used vehicle can be completely subjective.

There are guides out there such as NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association) and the Kelley Blue Book. Both of these publications are designed to give the consumer a ballpark figure of a specific model's current value. You can even call your local bank or insurance agent to obtain this information. However, geographic location must be factored into the equation. For example, an SUV with 4-wheel drive will be much more likely to sell in cold-weather climates while convertibles will sell better where palm trees thrive. Once you've jumped this hurdle, the next step is to determine the condition of your potential trade. Unless it looks and performs exactly as it did on the day it left the showroom, it will not be labeled in the "Excellent" category. Most of us drive our cars on a daily basis, and there will be a few dings and scratches to show for it. You may have never noticed them, but the dealership will. Similarly, the mechanical items beneath the hood have worn. You have a used car, but provided that all necessary maintenance was performed on such a vehicle, most will fall into the "Good" category. Obviously, if your potential trade has more rust than visible sheet metal or belches smoke whenever the ignition is on, it will be labeled as "Poor" and, believe me: the value will be adjusted accordingly.

Research is essential. Before taking that trip to the dealership, do your homework. Find out how much they paid for that new car you're interested in. If your intention is to buy another used car, learn the average retail price. Keep in mind that dealers are in business to make money. If that new car you're interested in has a lower price painted on the windshield than what the sticker indicates, the difference or an amount close to it will often be knocked off your trade allowance. Conversely, if that used car on the lot has an inflated price above the average retail, you may get more for your trade than what the guides specify. Either way, the dealership will make a profit. Brand new cars generally have a

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