On the trade vs a private sale: take a look at your state's sales tax laws regarding this.
Some states will deduct the value of the trade in from the price of the new vehicle, and use that number to determine sales tax on the new vehicle. Those are states in which often time it is better to trade in rather than sell outright.
Other states use the price of the new vehicle, regardless of what was traded in (if anything) when determining sales tax. In those states, it can be more worthwhile to do a private sale since you're not getting a sales tax reduction through trading in.
Just some food for thought.
In Mass, if you trade a vehicle in for another, you get credit on the new sale from the "old" car, but you don't get any excess back.
Let's say I own the '06 V10 and I trade it for a JSW that's $25,000. 6.25% of 25k is $1500.
I don't know how much the OP paid for his Touareg. I remember seeing price tags of $65,000. Here in Mass we pay 6.25% sales tax. 6.25% of $65k is $4,000+.
So in my case, I'd lose $2,500 on sales tax plus whatever grease-job the dealer gives me for a trade-in. It still doesn't make sense.
Willm, ultimately it's up to you whether you trade or sell the Touareg. I still think selling it the way to go. When you go in for the service next week, don't tell the dealer your plans but see what they'll give you for it. Are there any "specialty" dealers in your area? I know of two places in my area that only deal with higher end and sports cars. Some place like that might make you a better deal.
