[RJ2112]

Out of curiosity, what did the dealership offer you for it?

 

[RJ2112]

I didn't ask them, I generally always sell my vehicles private party since California does not give you trade-in credit when calculating sales tax

I don’t know of anywhere that does…. If you buy something retail with a set price, it doesn’t matter what you used to make the purchase…. All cash or some cash and a goat; the purchase price didn’t change.

 

[RJ2112]

Can you cite an example?

 

[RJ2112]

Does a Trade-In Reduce Sales Tax? - NerdWallet

A trade-in will almost always reduce the amount of sales tax you pay on a car.

www.nerdwallet.com

Thanks for the link, it really doesn’t make the issue any more clear. Just paying taxes on the difference in value is understandable; you paid sales tax already on what you’re trading in.

That article suggests that the trade in tax reduction could be $1,000 or more which may not be captured in a private sale. I think the example was a $40K car?

I think the article was saying it’s more likely to benefit you by trading in rather than selling yourself.

I know there is a minimum value a motorcycle in good working order will not drop below. I would expect that the dealer would not give you that much, as they need to buy wholesale to sell retail.

I don’t have an appreciation of what an 18 year old bike is worth, in decent condition. New tires help, everything else sounds like normal wear and tear stuff.

aftermarket bodywork, a pipe that won’t allow the OEM passenger pegs, HID lighting are all a ‘push’.

if you get the right kid in the spring I’d expect you’ll get most of what you’re asking. The ‘oooh shiny’ effect should work for you….