Dealership Offers to Buy Back My 2023 Sportage – What Should I Expect?

Yesterday, I received an unexpected call from the dealership where I purchased my 2023 Sportage X-Pro Prestige. They inquired if I’d be interested in selling it back to them, citing a high demand for the new body style. They mentioned that some customers are looking for this model but are either unwilling or unable to purchase the 2024 or 2025 versions.

It’s clear that this is part of their strategy to entice us into buying a new vehicle from them. The wife and I discussed the offer last night, and we’re open to the idea, especially if they’re willing to pay off what we currently owe on the Sportage. Our payments are manageable, but they’re at the upper limit of what we can afford, so getting into a less expensive, newer model would be appealing. For example, the top-tier 2024 Niro Hybrid is slightly less than our current balance based on MSRP. We realize we’d sacrifice some features, but that’s a trade-off we’re willing to consider.

However, I’m skeptical that the dealership would offer us enough to cover our outstanding loan, though my wife is optimistic, reasoning that they might if they can quickly resell the vehicle. Has anyone else gone through a similar situation? If so, what kind of offer should I realistically expect?

I had a similar experience when my dealership offered to buy back my nearly-new car, trying to entice me into a newer model. They were pushing the high demand angle, hoping to get me to bite on a trade-in. I was skeptical about whether they’d offer enough to cover my existing loan. In my case, the dealership did offer a competitive price, but it was just enough to cover the loan balance. They made it clear that they could quickly resell the car, which made them more willing to make a favorable offer. I’d recommend negotiating hard and comparing the offer to current market values and trade-in rates online to ensure you’re getting a fair deal.

Good to know. I’ll be cautious when they start pushing