Community Forums

StephenW · 08-07-2017, 05:55 AM

How would you value or devalue a 2006 toad with 60k miles that is set up with a Blue Ox tow bar and base plate + Even Brake, assuming good condition? It has been towed about 4k miles per year, that would put actual mileage over 100k on wheel bearings, CV joints, etc. Always garaged, looks and runs great, everything works.Private party pricing is $3500 with 60 k miles, then add for tow equipment. Seller asking $5500. I'm thinking $4500, which values tow equipment at 50% of new.I expected to buy a much newer toad, but this one just fell in my lap. Thanks!

Waiter21 · 08-07-2017, 08:26 AM

IMHO -

The value of a used car would be about correct. i.e. how much would it get if sold as a non-TOAD. If it could get $3,500 on the used market, Thats about what its worth.

The fact that it has a base-plate installed and ready to tow would offset the mileage that isn't being recorded on the odometer. Maybe add $500 - $1,000 more depending on whats included in the tow package. i.e. tow bar, complete brake system, etc. and the condition of the used components.

NOTE - This is a buyers market - There isn't a big demand for used TOADs. AND, if the TOAD is sold as a used car, the buyer probably doesn't care about those funny things sticking out the front, but might care about the unreported miles.

l1v3fr33ord1 · 08-07-2017, 12:11 PM

Steve-

I'm with "Waiter21." I'd expect to sell a toad at the same price as if it had no prep for towing. The prep and the added "unrecorded" miles balance one another out, sorta. Full disclosure of both before sale is advised.

The way I see it, what I put into the toad was for my short-term benefit, similar to any improvements I make to the coach.

Gary RVRoamer · 08-08-2017, 09:30 AM

Ditto with Waiter21. The tow base plates have a modest value to someone who wants to tow it, but the fact that is was towed a lot of miles is a modest negative vs one that was not towed. It's pretty much a wash.

However, the tow bar and brake unit have real dollar value. A used tow bar sells for around $100-$350 on Ebay, depending on the model (most are around $300). A used brake system runs around $500-$600. Your $1000 figure seems reasonable.

StephenW · 08-09-2017, 08:02 AM

Update: the 2006 HHR with 62k and all the flat towing equipment turned out to be a nice looking vehicle, but decided to pass on it. My research found that while this was a popular toad, they are pretty well done after 70k miles, and their pricing reflects that.The auto transmission failures, electric power steering and ECM issues just were too common with the early HHR's. Plus, it had been towed since new, so at least 40k more miles than showing and the seller would not budge on price. Learned a lot, had a nice lunch at an oceanfront surf shack on the way, so it was not a waste of time. The search continues...which is half the fun.

Entropy · 08-14-2017, 11:31 AM

We recently sold our CRV Toad that included everything, even a complete brake system, except the towbar. We got a few hundred bucks above a similar non-modified car and this was in Florida. Lesson learned is that I won't pay thousands to setup a car for towing unless I know I'll have it for many years.