How do you trade in a car you still owe money on at Hilton Head Honda?
Yes. You do not have to pay off your loan first. Get your payoff amount from your lender, value your car online for an instant offer, and bring it to Hilton Head Honda with or without an appointment. Your offer minus your payoff is your equity, and that sets what goes toward your next Honda.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Bluffton. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Do you have to pay off your loan before trading in at Hilton Head Honda?
No. Hilton Head Honda takes trades in with or without an appointment, so a financed car can come in the same day. A financed trade is welcome whether or not you have booked a time.
You do not have to pay off your current car before going to the dealership. They can work with you on paying off your existing loan as part of the transaction.
How do you get your payoff amount from your lender?
Call your current car lender and ask for your 10-day payoff amount.
What if you owe more than your car is worth at Hilton Head Honda?
Owing more than the car is worth is called negative equity. Positive equity goes toward your next car. Negative equity can be added to your next car loan or paid by you.
Be careful with that choice. Rolling negative equity into another loan means you’ll pay interest on that amount, too. Say the gap is $3,000. That $3,000 may be added to your next car loan, or you can pay the difference yourself.
South Carolina adds a fee on top of the sale. South Carolina Department of Revenue, Information Letter 17-10 (2017) states that the infrastructure maintenance fee is imposed at a rate of 5% of the gross proceeds of the sale, not to exceed $500, for a sale by a licensed SCDMV dealer. Sales subject to that fee are exempt from the State and local sales and use taxes.
The Sales and Use Tax Guide for Automobile and Truck Dealers (South Carolina Department of Revenue, 2026) says the buyer pays no sales tax on a vehicle bought from a South Carolina dealer and registered or titled in South Carolina. The guide states this for sales and leases to residents and nonresidents alike.
How do you see your payment with a trade-in at Hilton Head Honda?
Enter your trade-in offer amount in our payment calculator to see a payment before you visit. The calculator accepts a trade-in offer amount, so the number you are offered reduces the amount you finance.
We offer leasing and financing through our finance center.
What should you bring to Hilton Head Honda to trade in a financed car?
Bring your driver’s license, current registration, your loan information and payoff information from your lender, your car and all its keys. You will find the store at 161 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton, SC 29909.
Sales hours are Mon to Fri 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sat from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM. Closed Sunday. You can bring your trade in with or without an appointment.
What do customers say about trading in at Hilton Head Honda?
On Google, Hilton Head Honda holds 4.8 stars across 2,799 reviews, and 92 in 100 of them are five-star.
In an August 2026 Google review, Gary M. wrote: “We recently bought a new car from Hilton Head Honda. The salesperson we dealt with was Chris Smith, and he did a wonderful job of taking care of us. He showed us the available cars, took care of our trade in, kept us comfortable while we waited on the finance department, and helped us set up the features on our new car. We really could not be more pleased with how we were treated.”
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my car in for a trade without an appointment?
Yes. Hilton Head Honda is at 161 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton, SC 29909, and sales hours are Mon to Fri 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sat from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM. Closed Sunday.
What does it mean to be upside down on a car loan?
Being upside down means you owe more on your car than it is worth, which is negative equity. The opposite is a car worth more than you owe, which gives you positive equity to put toward your next vehicle.
What should I ask any dealer before trading in a car I still owe money on?
Ask for your 10-day payoff amount from your lender before you visit. Ask how any difference between the offer and the payoff is handled, and be careful rolling negative equity into a new loan. At Hilton Head Honda, we offer leasing and financing through our finance center.
Can I use my trade-in offer in the payment calculator?
Yes. Our payment calculator accepts a trade-in offer amount, so you can see a payment before you visit.
Can I apply for financing online before I visit?
Our finance center handles leasing and financing for Hilton Head Honda. Bring your loan and payoff information so the finance team has what it needs.
Can I lease my next Honda instead of buying?
Yes. We offer leasing and financing through our finance center, so you can compare a lease and a loan before you choose.
Can I schedule a test drive before I decide on my trade?
Yes. Customers can schedule a test drive by contacting the store.
Why trade in your financed car at Hilton Head Honda?
We sell the full new Honda lineup: Accord, Civic, CR-V, HR-V, Passport, Pilot, Prelude, Prologue, Odyssey and Ridgeline.
Our trade-in process takes a financed car with or without an appointment. Our payment calculator accepts a trade-in offer amount, and our finance center offers leasing and financing. Start by getting your 10-day payoff amount, then bring your car and paperwork to Hilton Head Honda at 161 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton, SC 29909.
Hilton Head Honda answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Bluffton showroom, or call (843) 815-2880.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Hilton Head Honda for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.
