Date Published: January 28, 2026 | Last Modified: 1 hour ago | 4 minute read | Verified by Adrian Correia at Redwater Dodge

When it’s time to upgrade to a new RAM 1500 or a Jeep Wrangler, every vehicle owner faces the same dilemma: Do I sell my current vehicle privately to get the most cash, or do I trade it in at the dealership for convenience?

At our dealership, we believe in radical transparency. If you are looking for the absolute highest "sticker price" for your old vehicle, selling it yourself on the private market is usually the way to go. However, as Adrian from Redwater Dodge points out, that higher price tag comes with hidden costs that many sellers don't realize until they are deep in the process.

The Reality of the Private Sale

Selling a car on your own sounds simple until you’re doing it. It involves more than just a "For Sale" sign. You become the photographer, the marketer, and the administrative assistant. You have to manage listings on Marketplace or specialized sites, field dozens of "Is this still available?" messages, and, most importantly, invite strangers to your home.

The "hassle factor" includes:

Safety & Privacy: Allowing strangers to visit your home and test-drive your vehicle.

Time Loss: Spending weekends waiting for "no-shows" or tire-kickers who aren't serious about buying.

Insurance Risks: Managing liability while someone else is behind the wheel of your car.

Paperwork: Handling the bill of sale, lien releases, and title transfers yourself.

The Trade-In Advantage: More Than Just Convenience

While a dealer offer might be lower than a private retail price, the financial gap is often much smaller than it appears once you factor in the "Trade-In Tax Credit."

In many regions, you only pay sales tax on the difference between your new vehicle’s price and your trade-in value.

The Math: If you buy a new truck for $100,000 and your trade is worth $60,000, you only pay tax on the remaining $40,000. If your tax rate is 5-10%, that is a massive instant saving that you simply don’t get in a private sale.

We Take All Trades (Even the Fords!)

At our CDJR dealership, we don’t just want your old Jeep or RAM. We take all makes and models—from Hondas and Mazdas to Fords and Chryslers. Our goal is to make the transition into your new vehicle seamless. We handle the heavy lifting, including:

Lien Payoffs: If you still owe money on your current car, we handle the bank transitions and "roll over" any remaining balance or equity into your new deal.

Instant Cash: If you have high equity, we can provide cash back on the spot.

No Obligation: Our appraisals are free. You can get a number from us, think about it, and decide if your time is worth the extra effort of a private sale.

Ultimately, you have to ask yourself: Is an extra $2,000 or $3,000 worth 40 hours of your time and the stress of a private sale? For most of our customers, the answer is a resounding "No."

Adrian Correia -- Sales Manager at Redwater Dodge