What's Your Car Worth?

What's Your Car Worth?

How to find used car valuations

Good source: Get the current Canadian Black Book wholesale value (what it's worth to a dealer as a trade in) of your used car here via this pass-through link from Toyota Canada's website to the Canadian Black Book database. If you prefer, you can also access the same database through GM Canada's GMAC website. Editor's Note: Black Book asks you to submit your name, e-mail address and postal code before they send you an e-mail link that lets you view the trade-in value of your vehicle. However, the e-mail and link arrive in your inbox within moments and in our tests over two years, we've received no e-mails or unwanted contact from using this service.

Another good source: For an even simpler pricing website, check out both wholesale and retail (what a dealer would sell it for) values at VMR Canada.

Also try this: Here's another tip. Visit the Auto Trader magazine online and search for your own vehicle to see what price others are trying to sell similar models for in your area.

Yet another option: Your local bank's loan officer should have printed copies of the weekly Black Book (listing wholesale values) and the Red Book (retail values) that will help you find an estimate of the current value of your vehicle.

If you're willing to spend a little money: For a fee (about $10-$12 for 30 days of access), canadiancarprices.com will tell you current wholesale and retail pricing for vehicles in the Canadian used car market, as well as dealer pricing on new models.

There's also an interesting blog on car values at http://carvaluesblog.blogspot.com. Written by Simon Scott, the Internet department manager at Langley Chrysler in Surrey, BC, his goal is to provide consultation for trades, selling and insurance purposes and help educate people on the pitfalls of buying, selling or trading in their cars. He also provides a link to current new car rebates on Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products

New Car Prices

In addition, new car pricing and invoice costs can be found at the fee-based CarCostCanada, This site offers new-car pricing reports that show what the dealer pays for your car and the incentives available, so you can figure what the best price should be. A fee of $39.95 gets you unlimited retail price reports plus wholesale price reports on up to five models. For example, a 2006 Jeep Liberty Renegade had a retail base price of $31,770, which rose to $40,620 with options, freight and other costs. At the time of writing (Feb. 2006), the total wholesale cost for the loaded-up Liberty, according to CarCostCanada, was $37,935, less up to $3,500 in available incentives. Reduced dealer markup and administration fees, which typically cost extra, are offered by specific dealers affiliated with the website.

Best new-car deals right now

Consumer Reports New Car Price Reports regularly monitor and report on car prices in Canada. Certain vehicles are identified as offering particularly attractive savings opportunities at certain times, reflecting supply and demand in the automotive market. Here's an example from Sept. 9, 2009:

Best new deals as of Sep 9, 2020
Make & Model	Expires	MSRP	Customer or Bonus Rebate	Dealer Incentive	Potential Savings Below MSRP
2010 Acura RL 4dr Sdn	30/09/2020	$65,895	yes	no	15%+
2010 BMW 6-Series 2dr Cpe 650i	30/09/2020	$97,495	no	yes	10%+
2010 Buick Lucerne 4dr Sdn Super	30/09/2020	$49,245	yes	yes	10%+
2010 Chevrolet HHR FWD 4dr LS	30/09/2020	$21,845	yes	yes	10%+
2009 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab 143.5" WT	02/11/2020	$36,380	yes	no	10%+
2009 Honda Pilot 4WD 4dr LX	30/09/2020	$41,510	yes	yes	15%+
2009 Nissan Armada 4WD 4dr LE	30/09/2020	$58,148	no	yes	10%+
2010 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan 4dr 2.5L Man Trendline	04/01/2021	$23,635	yes	no	5%+
2009 Volvo C30 2dr Cpe Man 2.4i	30/09/2020	$29,510	yes	yes	10%+
2010 Toyota Corolla 4dr Sdn Auto LE	30/09/2020	$22,385	yes	no	5%+

In the chart above, Consumer Reports lists some of the models in its price analysis that carry both substantial discounts and have been recommended by the magazine based on performance and at least average reliability. The Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is listed, For fees in Canada of $29.95 US for 1 report, $39.95 US for 2 reports or $49.95 US for 4 reports, you can access the New Car Price Service, which also gives you Consumer Reports Bottom Line Price -- a close approximation of the actual dealer cost. (Unfairly, it seems, CR charges US customers only $14 for the first report.) The CR Bottom Line Price incorporates the familiar dealer invoice with the behind-the-scenes financial incentives that manufacturers give dealers to increase sales of particular models. Consumer Reports recommends negotiating from the Bottom Line Price.

Updated Nov. 3, 2009. Updated April 27, 2010. (c) CarTest.caTM

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