Car dealers are open to all kinds of negotiations when it comes to selling vehicles, including two-car trades. To get the maximum trade-in value, research what your cars are worth prior to going to the dealership and entering negotiations.
Benefits of a Two Car Trade-In
Trading in two vehicles for a car purchase is a good idea if don't need both cars and you want to increase the amount that goes toward your down payment. This means you will end up financing less than you would be if you traded in only one of the cars. To get the most out of this transaction, negotiate the individual prices of each trade-in before you start talking about the price of the new vehicle you're planning to buy.
Negotiate in Advance
Consider negotiating your trade-in in advance of going into the dealership. For best results, get more than one trade-in estimate to increase your negotiating power. Many dealerships let you conduct tentative negotiations with an online sales manager via email before you set foot on a showroom floor. This saves you the hassle of bringing in both vehicles before you know if you'll get what they're worth.
Use Caution With Upside Down Trades
Resist the urge to trade in one or more vehicles that still carry a loan balance or are upside down, meaning you owe more on a vehicle than it is worth. If you take this approach, and attempt to roll the overage into a new car loan, you'll be financing vehicles you don't even own anymore over a long period of time. If you do take this approach, make sure you get written confirmation from the dealer that the outstanding balance on the other vehicles will be paid off as part of the purchase agreement.