I will never trade a car again. You can get SO much more selling it yourself. Dealer wanted to give me $9800 for my 2001 Chevy 4dr pick up. I sold it for $14,000.

 

I checked the value of my old car on KBB and used the fair price as my target point... The 1st dealer offered half of that value while the 2nd dealer matched it.. Obviously I got the car from the 2nd dealer... So I think it all depends on which dealer you go and knowing how much your car is worth for a dealer trade...

But ur right, it's always best to sell to a private party for maximum gain..