Real world 2002 300m trade-in value
 

I am buying a new car soon and am trying to get a feel for the value I should be getting at trade in. The car is a 2002 300M base with 100,500 miles on it. It has never had any body damage and mechanically it works fine except for the AC which needs an evaporator leak repaired (not sure the dealer will even check this out anyway. Most of them seem to be looking it over and running a car fax.) The interior is immaculate, never been smoked in, and the exterior is in pretty good condition except for a scrape on the rear passenger quarter-panel. Other than that there is minor cosmetic scuffs etc but nothing terrible.

The highest dealer offer I have received thus far is $2k with most coming in at $1500. What do you guys think? Anyone do a trade in recently? What about recent private sales?

Your best bet is to sell it, not trade it. A trade-in is just another number they can confuse you with in the paperwork. You might even end up paying them to take it when all is done.

I know how to play the game so I am not concerned with that. If I am happy with the numbers it doesn't really matter to me. More for the trade, less off the car or vice versa. I really don't care. I just need to know real world what this car is really worth so I can figure this all out. I see private sales listed as high as $4500 on this car in "good" condition but doubt they are selling for that. If I can sell it privately for $2500 and the dealer will give me $2000 it really isn't worth my time to deal privately. If I can honestly get like $1500 more going private then it might be worth the time to me. I think the fact that the AC is busted will turn most people off in a private sale though which is why I am strongly favoring trading it. the dealer can fix this much cheaper than an individual.

I think you answered your own question. Without fixing the a/c, you aren't going to get an easy private sale or top $$.