Q. Last year we purchased a 2006 Chevy Express Cargo Van with a $14,250 uplift package installed for vehicle cosmetic repair work. We financed the van and the package together. This was to be a new business for my husband. Unfortunately the business didn't turn out, and we want to get rid of the van. The unpaid balance is currently $31,000 and the Kelly Blue Book trade-in value is around $16,000 so we're upside down about $15,000. We would like to trade in the van and our 2000 Mitsubishi Galant for one car. The Galant is paid and the Blue Book trade-in value is $4,400. What do you suggest we do to make the best of our situation?

A.First of all, forget about trading in either your cargo van or your Galant. You need every cent you can get your hands on, and using your vehicles as trade-ins is going to get you the least amount of money. When you look at Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds.com, you will usually see three prices: trade-in, sell by owner and what the dealer will get. You will see that you can get a lot more for your vehicles if you sell them yourself. Yes, it's a hassle, but you need to raise as much money as possible.

You also can't go by the Blue Book value for the van because of the expensive commercial upgrade youâ??ve made to it. Nor can you expect to get full value at a local dealer. For that you'll need to sell it on a commercial vehicle Web site like TruckPaper.com or even eBay, which has expanded its listings and does big business in all kinds of vehicles. Since the van is newer and likely in excellent condition you can ask top dollar for it. You may have to negotiate down, but you could certainly try to get somewhere around $25,000 for it.

You should also try to sell your Galant using AutoTrader.com or a local newspaper. If Kelley says you can get $4,400 as a trade-in, maybe you can get $5,000 if you sell it yourself. With any luck you should be able to net within a few thousand dollars of the $31,000 you need to pay off the loan on the van and get rid of it. Be prepared to make up any shortfall by selling something else, or borrowing money from friends, family or a credit union.

Once the van and Galant are sold, you'll need a car. If you drive less than 15,000 miles a year, a lease would provide the lowest monthly payments and requires less cash than most purchases. That would provide you with a couple of years to save for a down payment when the lease ends.