CA Carpool Stickers add $4,000 value

[MrU]

USA Today article stating that California Carpool sticker addes $4,000 to value of Prius.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-0...-stickers_N.htm

Here is a quote:
"LOS ANGELES — Californians appear willing to pay $4,000 more for used gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles that have state-issued carpool stickers than for hybrids that don't, according to a sampling of prices by Kelley Blue Book for USA TODAY.
The stickers allow low-polluting hybrids to use less-crowded, faster-moving carpool lanes, even if the driver is alone in the car.
The state quit issuing stickers to hybrids last month after hitting a self-imposed cap of 85,000. Those already issued are valid through 2011 and stay with the car when it's sold, benefiting subsequent owners."

I am moving out of California this summer, where I drive 80+ miles a day of the wonderful 405 highway. I am selling my 2004 Prius package #7 with 61k miles (w/carpool stickers) next month and have been trying to figure out what a fair price is. Kelly Bluebook (kbb.com) states the car is worth $16,700 in good condition and $17,900 in excellent. I feel my car is closer to excellent, with XM installed, Scion wheels, BT Stiffening Plate and tinted windows. I was thinking of asking $19,900 but with gas at $3.25 in Orange County and the car pool sticker good until year 2011, maybe I can get more? Any opinions?

[mywhitenoise]

I doubt you'll get more than that. I bought a 2005 just the other week with almost 64,000 miles for $17,500 in California. This was from a dealer, which tends to price higher than a private owner. On top of that it's equipped with Voice Navigation, JBL System, Bluetooth, VSC, Side Airbags, everything. The interior and exterior are incredibly well taken care of for that type of mileage, and I feel like I got a pretty good deal (We'll see in a few months, I don't trust used car dealerships). Anyway, just because they say it adds $4,000 to the value, doesn't mean most people would pay that much more. I know I wouldn't. If I saw the same car with the same mileage and it was $400 more for the stickers, I'd rather take the one that's $400 less sans stickers.

[MrU]

Was that $17,500 with or without Carpool Stickers?

[mywhitenoise]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MrU @ Mar 26 2007, 05:41 PM) [snapback]412567[/snapback]</div>

Was that $17,500 with or without Carpool Stickers?
[/b]

without. I'm surprised so many used cars don't have them, especially with that kind of mileage.

[bugmenot]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mywhitenoise @ Mar 26 2007, 05:26 PM) [snapback]412561[/snapback]</div>

If I saw the same car with the same mileage and it was $400 more for the stickers, I'd rather take the one that's $400 less sans stickers.
[/b]

I'd think one would gladly pay $400 more for the stickers, if they ensured a faster commute.

Granted, the carpool lane benefit may be less useful in Sacramento, but for those Sacramento-to-SF Bay Bridge commuters, the "free" tolls alone would save $8.00 each day...

[lilandreewwww]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bugmenot @ Mar 26 2007, 03:18 PM) [snapback]412583[/snapback]</div>

I'd think one would gladly pay $400 more for the stickers, if they ensured a faster commute.

Granted, the carpool lane benefit may be less useful in Sacramento, but for those Sacramento-to-SF Bay Bridge commuters, the "free" tolls alone would save $8.00 each day...
[/b]

I think that was a typo. He meant to write 4,000.

[bugmenot]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lilandreewwww @ Mar 29 2007, 02:27 AM) [snapback]414028[/snapback]</div>

I think that was a typo. He meant to write 4,000.[/b]

I didn't think it was a typo - mywhitenoise appears to be saying that he/she wouldn't pay $400 (let alone $4,000) for the HOV stickers, all else being equal.

[lilandreewwww]

oh right. his point was that he wouldn't even pay 400 more for stickers. gotcha.

[egb6550]

Of course it depends a lot on what commute you face and the time you will save. I commute along the 101 corridor in San Jose - Mountain View Ca.. and to me the 4k is a bargain. In fact I spent 20k to get this access and privilege. The carpool lane incentive got me.. and I sure wish it was transferable, the way it looks now I'll have my 2005 till at least 2011.

[MrU]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(egb6550 @ Mar 29 2007, 02:39 PM) [snapback]414477[/snapback]</div>

The carpool lane incentive got me.. and I sure wish it was transferable, the way it looks now I'll have my 2005 till at least 2011.
[/b]

You are correct that the sticker is not transferable to another car, but it IS transferable to the new owner of the car. I was confused about this point until I decided to sell me Prius.

Quote from the CA DMV http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/decal.htm

"All Clean Air Stickers remain with the vehicle they were originally issued to and cannot be transferred to any other vehicle. If you purchase a vehicle that has a Clean Air Sticker you may transfer the sticker to your name."