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Regarding cars from the southern states versus the rust belt - you will want to do a carfax check on these cars just b/c they may come from the Atlanta area doesn't mean they spent there entire life here or any of it. CarMax like all other dealers buys the cars at auctions some local and some not - i.e. they may take advantage of buying convertibles from the north during the colder months and then ship them down to Atlanta and they maybe able to buy AWD in the south cheaper and send them north - so you really don't know where the car has been.
I purchased my first Jeep from Carmax back in 2000 when they were just starting - I was sent thier by another dealer to see if I could get more for my trade - I was able to get $1500 better on my trade and nobody would touch there jeep prices. I have looked at Carmax 3 times since then to purchase a car - the latest was my new Wrangler - here is what I found they were the lowest with my trade-in by $1500 and they wanted more for there Wranglers and I didn't have to spend a whole lot of time to beat the Carmax deal - thus I was able to save $2,179 on the deal.
Carmax is good if you don't want to spend time shopping they are a convience store of the automotive world
Good luck and make sure you have all your information together before you buy from anyone....
I think Carmax has a great business model and if I were to invest in a publicly traded auto retailer, they would be it. However, generally my starting point for a used car at a traditional dealer would be somewhere around $3k south of the Carmax price. Amd that is an awful price - to me- for convenience.
I am looking for a pretty specific car, I guess most of you guys think I should buy it at a local dealer/private individual right? I have no urgency to buy, so if the vehicle at CarMax isnt worth it, I lost the transportation cost.
I can buy the car cash and sell my current vehicle privately. So I can recoup so money there.
I always ask for a CarFax.
I was looking for a specific car (SVT Mustang Cobra). After a really bad experience with the local Ford/SVT dealer where they wouldn't even let me drive a 2001 before I bought it and the salesman telling me fibs, I went to Carmax and bought a 99 with 4K miles on it and saved about $6,000 in the process.
My general impression was that thier prices were higher than you'd pay if you purchased from a regular dealer or private party, but that the process was a lot less painless. I also got the impression that they tended to have nicer cars than you'd be likely to find at a dealer.
If you have a very specific car in mind, I think their a good way to go. If you are looking for a very common car like a Camry or Accord or just a general type of vehicle, you'd be better off going elsewhere.
The same amount they offered a friend of mine for his '94 Jeep Wrangler. That just doesn't seem right. :confuse:
I will note that I was rear-ended a few yrs ago (it's been repaired) so my car isn't considered "accident free" but it's in good condition...that offer was still too low.
I am less disturbed with what they buy the cars for as much as what they sell the cars for. It doesn't affect me personally but the prices that I have seen on their lots have been outrageous.
I would like to see a "dream team" of psychiatrist do a psychological profile on the Carmax non haggle buyer, the regular negotiator, and the guy who grinds down to the last penny. Would be interesting reading.
Instead of paying their full price plus buying a worthless extended warranty people could just buy one here for less money and a warranty already built in.
I would love to see that also....I also would like to see a bloodtest done on each buyer. my guess is the level of testosterone and ego is at a normal level with the carmax buyer and full-tilt with the grinder.
The "grinder" has an inflated sense of ego. A lower than average level of self esteem. He compensates by being an over achiever, is often boastful and may be thought of as self centered. This person may have difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and often expresses himself in superficial manners. Is strong in career decisions and is very competitive. A grinder would be a loyal and trustworthy friend/companion....if you can put up with their personality traits.
Just a few thoughts since you asked. Of course the above profiles are just broad generalizations. You guys take up a collection and I'll think about running that test for you.
The prices are dropping so fast on used domestic SUVs it is like they are in freefall.
3 days ago I got $4k for it at a dealership. Need I say more? :shades:
I wouldnt be so sure....head on over to the carmax in my neighborhood and you will see cars that have had paint and body work on their lot. Nothing disasterous but similar to most used car lots. They had a Nissan Z parked in the local mall a couple months ago...looked like it had paint and body work done by stevie wonder...so either they are employing rookies who don't know how to spot bodywork or they just say they don't sell cars with previous damage.
The are notorious for NOT paying claims. The whole Carmax warranty (Maxcare)is a scam.
DON'T buy it!
Do you work in the Orlando store? If so, I will possibly be one of your customers.
Bill
I checked out 02 Accord Coupes, VW Passats and Jettas, and Maximas. I ended up deciding I didn't really like any of them but by going to Carmax I saved myself from going to 3 other dealers. I ended up buying an 02 Acura RSX from a Honda dealer for an amazing deal and I was very satisfied.
Overall, I had a great Carmax experience even if I didn't find what I wanted.
When I bought my Carmax vehicle, I transferred these indicators over to my new vehicle, and have been checking them for the last few months to be sure my tires were OK.
However, when I brought my car in (after driving for a few months) for an oil change, and they checked the tire pressure.
And my tires which should have been at 32 psi were at 50!
For several months, I was at risk for my tires exploding because of gross incompetence by Carmax.
I bought a new Honda that had 40-something lbs of pressure in the tires. That is common. I always check stuff like that even in a new car. In a used car, it is one of the first things I do.