Share your insights or perspective on the financial matter presented in the input.

When to trade in a relatively new car for maximum value
I don't disagree with the current answers, but I feel like no one really answered your question directly.  Seems to me like what you were asking is when to trade in your car in relation to when/whether your loan is paid off? Assuming you are committed to trading your car in (and not selling it privately as has been suggested), whether the car is paid off should have no impact on what you get for a trade-in.  The car is worth what it's worth, and what you owe on it should not affect the transaction.