Is It Better To Trade In At A Dealership?

Trade In Your Vehicle at Southern Chevrolet
Get Top Dollar for Your Trade-In
Fast, Easy & Hassle-Free Process

Is It Better To Trade In At A Dealership?

If you're thinking of buying a car, you probably want to sell your current one so your new one effectively costs less.

At Southern Chevrolet, we offer the most we can on trade-ins, and you'll save time and effort when you sell us your car.

What to Know Before Selling Your Car

What Do I Need to Know about Selling a Car?

First be honest: Do you think your car is in good condition when it's really only fair? Squeaky brakes, a few dents, and black smoke coming out of your exhaust might not bother you, but any buyer might not like it and they will surely bargain you down…or not want to buy the car.

Then, make any small improvements you can, without spending a lot of money. If you know something's wrong and can fix it yourself, by all means, do that. And, finally, whether you want to sell your car on Craigslist or to a dealer, wash and wax it so it looks nice.

But remember: selling your car yourself is a hassle and it can take a lot of time and effort. To avoid that headache, bring your car to Southern Chevrolet and let us inspect and appraise it, and make you an offer. Trading your car in to Southern Chevrolet is fast and easy, especially compared to shopping around at different dealerships or trying to sell it yourself.

Get Your Instant Offer

Why Trade In at Southern Chevrolet?

Speed & Convenience

Skip the weeks of advertising, test drives, and negotiations. Get a fair offer in under an hour and complete your trade-in the same day.

Safety & Security

No meeting strangers in parking lots or worrying about fraudulent payments. Trade securely at our professional dealership.

Tax Savings

In Louisiana, you only pay sales tax on the difference between your trade-in value and your new vehicle price, saving you money.

Paperwork Handled

We manage all the DMV paperwork, title transfers, and lien payoffs so you don't have to deal with the bureaucracy.

Trade-In vs Private Sale: The Real Story

Many people assume they'll always get more money selling privately, but that's not the full picture. When you factor in all the hidden costs of private sales—listing fees, professional detailing, vehicle history reports, repairs buyers demand, and your valuable time—the difference often shrinks dramatically.

Meanwhile, your car continues to depreciate while you wait for the right buyer. At Southern Chevrolet, we give you competitive market value for your trade-in and handle everything in one convenient visit.

Best part? You can use your trade-in value as a down payment on your next vehicle, reducing your monthly payments and getting you into your dream car faster.

Start Your Trade-In
Trade-In vs Private Sale Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions About Trading In

Is it better to trade in my car at a dealership or sell it privately?

Trading in at a dealership like Southern Chevrolet is generally faster, safer, and more convenient than selling privately. While you might get slightly less money than a perfect private sale, you avoid the hassles of listing fees, meeting strangers, negotiations, and paperwork. Plus, you get sales tax savings on your new purchase when you trade in.

What's the biggest advantage of trading in my car?

The biggest advantage is convenience. Trading in takes just 30-60 minutes at our dealership versus weeks of work for a private sale. We handle all the paperwork, lien payoffs, and DMV transfers. You also save on sales tax since you only pay tax on the difference between your trade-in value and your new vehicle price.

Do I need to fix up my car before trading it in?

Not necessarily! While cleaning your car and making minor repairs can help maximize your offer, we'll appraise your vehicle in any condition. We handle all the repairs and reconditioning ourselves, so you don't need to invest time and money fixing things before bringing it in.

Can I trade in my car if I still owe money on it?

Absolutely! We handle lien payoffs daily. We'll work directly with your lender to pay off the remaining balance and handle all the paperwork. This is much simpler than trying to coordinate a private sale when you still owe money on your vehicle.

How long does the trade-in process take at Southern Chevrolet?

Typically just 30-60 minutes. We'll inspect your vehicle, research its current market value, and make you a firm offer. If you accept, we handle all the paperwork right here. Many customers drive away in their new vehicle the same day.

Do I have to buy a car from you to trade in my vehicle?

No! While most customers trade in when purchasing a new vehicle, we'll also make you a cash offer for your vehicle even if you're not buying from us. There's no obligation to purchase when you get a trade-in appraisal at Southern Chevrolet.

Ready to Trade In Your Vehicle?

Let us give you a quote on your trade-in, even if you don't buy from us. Visit Southern Chevrolet in Alexandria and experience the easiest way to sell your car.

Southern Chevrolet

5845 Coliseum Blvd, Alexandria, LA 71303

Contact Us

Hours

Monday 8:00AM - 6:00PM
Tuesday 8:00AM - 6:00PM
Wednesday 8:00AM - 6:00PM
Thursday 8:00AM - 6:00PM
Friday 8:00AM - 6:00PM
Saturday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday Closed
Monday 7:30AM - 5:30PM
Tuesday 7:30AM - 5:30PM
Wednesday 7:30AM - 5:30PM
Thursday 7:30AM - 5:30PM
Friday 7:30AM - 5:30PM
Saturday 8:00AM - 2:00PM
Sunday Closed
you break it we fix it
Monday 7:30AM - 5:30PM
Tuesday 7:30AM - 5:30PM
Wednesday 7:30AM - 5:30PM
Thursday 7:30AM - 5:30PM
Friday 7:30AM - 5:30PM
Saturday 8:00AM - 2:00PM
Sunday Closed