"I think we need to trade our 2015 VW Sportwagen..."

CONGRATS! It is BEAUTIFUL!  Drive it in the BEST of health!!

Very nice John!  The color really suits it......but the unwanted attention, now that's another issue.

Looks great. Enjoy.

Nice vehicle. It could be an attention getter so vigilance will be needed.

$2600,- for a VW-service ?????

What on earth would they be doing on your car ?

Replace the engine ?

No wonder you would shop for a Blazer...................

Look'N GOOD in red...CONGRATES!

The $2600 service included, among other things, a timing chain replacement, which requires replacement of the power steering pump and several other components. It's not necessary but highly recommended. Our decision was based on whether we wanted the car to go another 100,00 to 150,000 miles. The car has actually been relatively easy to maintain and operate, one of the better cars we've had. I've always had the philosophy of, "If you want to keep it, you have to keep it up!"

Congratulations! Red is the correct automotive choice.

My Fit is also a 2015, but with 75k miles. It's maintained religiously (a nod to you) and I hope to keep it for decades more.

If it was me, I'd spend the $2,600. and drive it any 100,00 miles. The new one will depreciate more than $2,600. when you drive it off the lot.

@bill-juffernbruch, there's more to the formula here. Spending the $2600 would be no guarantee of additional mileage. The timing chain would be new, and a few other components. But the chassis and other major components would still have 120K on them. Sooner or later, things wear out.

After checking with a few friends in the business, I walked into the dealer expecting to be offered 5-6K for my trade. I told Kelly I would do the deal if I could talk them up to 7k. I checked the inspection sticker when I first looked at the Blazer. They had it on the lot for nearly ninety days. That's a lifetime in this market. I knew the manager had to move the car. So, every time they made an offer, I said no. When they stopped at $12,000 for my trade, the manager came out and said, "This is it!" I said OK. The secret was that I didn't really care what car I ended up with. I wanted to work my deal on the oldest car they had in inventory. If the car was acceptable (I do have my standards), I knew they would bend over backward to move it. I paid $25K for the VW in 2017. I got nearly 7 years and 120k miles out of it for $13K. 

I spent 25 years selling cars and running dealerships. I really enjoy sitting on the other side of the desk!

@jkuvakas 

I need you if I do buy another car... negotiation is not my strong suit. At least I'm aware of it!

John,

Considering everything you said, and the ton of money you got for the VW, you made the right move.  Congratulations, enjoy your new ride.  I've bought a number of new cars over the years always on the end of the end of a quarter of the year and also late afternoon on New Years Eve.  Always walked away with a smile on my face.

@bill-juffernbruch, that's the primary ingredient of a good deal. If you're happy with it, it's a good deal! I just enjoy the process!!

Posted by: @jkuvakas

Kelly and I were talking about our next service on our white VW. It has served us well and was coming up on 120,000 miles. The next service was going to cost $2600. I had been watching a Chevy Blazer sit in one of our local dealer's lot for over two months. I knew they would be eager to sell it. I thought I would go down and see what kind of deal I could swing. Kelly's only question was, "It's not too loud and will attract the attention of the police, will it?" She knows I have a "heavy foot" and indulges my need for speed as long as I don't get tickets...(many). Several hours of negotiating later...

Mr. JK,

With the 'ticket me red' color you picked I would suggest putting an "I Brake for Jesus" bumper sticker on it. 

😇 

Steve