Why I Love CarMax

New dealerships probably won't be any cheaper, the only difference is in the sales approach. Invoice price and incentives are always factory granted, no matter how much buying power you have. That 370z would be for sale at a non carmax dealership for the same price.

Originally Posted by GlockMan

See above.

Today, the offered more for my truck than kbb private sale value.

6000 less than I bought it for 4 years ago from them.

How could all their prices be so bad?
And how could their buy offers also be so bad.

Tell me the last time you sold a car for 6000 less 4 years later.

To each their own. They work for me.

Ps ... Exactly the same deal for 330. They bought it for more than I could sell it for in autotrader.

I'll tell you exactly how their prices look so good to you. They buy their cars right to begin with. By purchasing the cheapest cars, they can sell them cheap and still make a small profit.
And do you know where CarMax buys their cars? That's right, not all of their cars are pristine trade-ins. They are purchased via auction.

And you know which cars they buy? The ones that I spit out to auction as quickly as possible because I wouldn't put them on my lot.

They DO sell cars with multiple multiple owners.
They DO sell cars with accident history.
They DO sell cars with rebuilt titles.
They DO sell cars with previous structural damage.

I DON'T.

You should see my auction lists. CarMax buys like 40% of my garbage. I only keep cars for resale when they are 1-2 owners, clean CarFax AND ZERO paintwork, and obviously have no accidents, etc. Their policy is much different.

I wouldn't shop there if you paid me to. Before getting into the car business, I probably would have.

I just got a used vette recently and added 5 year warranty for 2k and I only pay $50 per visit only think I don't like about CarMax is that you can't haggle. That being said if I was buying a car to DD I would definitely buy one from them.

Originally Posted by GlockMan

Let me add this as far as pricing....

I just got an offer on my truck from carmax for 6000 less than I bought it from carmax 4 years ago.

Yes, it cost me 1500 per year to buy a truck that was 1 year old with 17k miles on when I bought it.

Yes, I do love carmax.

To each their own. These are just my experiences.

I don't honestly know how you could expect more from any dealer.

You bought your truck at a good time, 2008-2010 the car market sucked and great deals could be had. Now used car prices are much higher, cars have kept their value or even gone up. I can easily sell my M3 for more than I bought it for 2 years ago.

So no one took up the op on his pricing challenge.....

Originally Posted by GlockMan

Let me add this as far as pricing....

I just got an offer on my truck from carmax for 6000 less than I bought it from carmax 4 years ago.

Yes, it cost me 1500 per year to buy a truck that was 1 year old with 17k miles on when I bought it.

Yes, I do love carmax.

To each their own. These are just my experiences.

I don't honestly know how you could expect more from any dealer.

Originally Posted by coco savage

So no one took up the op on his pricing challenge.....

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...31713611&Log=0


http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...29563191&Log=0



This one has sport premium and Nav.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...26075001&Log=0


http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...14134585&Log=0


Oh and most of these prices are negotiable.

Out of curiousity I checked out M3s...


04 79k miles Gray on Gray interior(least desirable) Carmax: $24k
http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/...9-d8af4d5994b7

04 43k miles Gray on Red interior (highly desirable): $21k Its a coupe but coupes fetch higher prices.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...32793659&Log=0

04 convertible with 40k miles and navi for $23k with free shipping:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...28278648&Log=0

Originally Posted by benjamin1

New dealerships probably won't be any cheaper, the only difference is in the sales approach. Invoice price and incentives are always factory granted, no matter how much buying power you have. That 370z would be for sale at a non carmax dealership for the same price.

Well it wasn't. 33000 at the time. Would not match printed price of 29999 from carmax. Lol.

Originally Posted by RidinBimmerz

I'll tell you exactly how their prices look so good to you. They buy their cars right to begin with. By purchasing the cheapest cars, they can sell them cheap and still make a small profit.
And do you know where CarMax buys their cars? That's right, not all of their cars are pristine trade-ins. They are purchased via auction.

And you know which cars they buy? The ones that I spit out to auction as quickly as possible because I wouldn't put them on my lot.

They DO sell cars with multiple multiple owners.
They DO sell cars with accident history.
They DO sell cars with rebuilt titles.


They DO sell cars with previous structural damage.

I DON'T.

You should see my auction lists. CarMax buys like 40% of my garbage. I only keep cars for resale when they are 1-2 owners, clean CarFax AND ZERO paintwork, and obviously have no accidents, etc. Their policy is much different.

I wouldn't shop there if you paid me to. Before getting into the car business, I probably would have.

Bullshiit. Total bullshiit.

To each their own, but you are wrong.

Oh, but I can tell you have a very unbiased opinion since you sell used cars.

No cars with flood or frame damage
Not every car that looks good is good. We're confident in the safety and reliability of our vehicles because our technicians are trained to detect those with hidden damage.


Every used car is renewed
CarMax cars undergo (on average) 12 hours of renewing-sandwiched between two meticulous inspections-for a car that doesn't look or feel used.


Free Full Vehicle History Report
Every used car we sell comes with one, available online or from your Sales Consultant.


Clean Title Guarantee
We guarantee every car to have accurate mileage and not ever to have been designated salvaged or flood-damaged-or we'll buy it back.


5-Day Money-Back Guarantee
If you change your mind for any reason, you can return a car hassle-free within 5 days.

(See your Sales Consultant for written details.)

Limited 30-Day Warranty (60-Day in CT, 90-Day in MA)
Repairs made under warranty cost you nothing-parts and labor are included.

Originally Posted by benjamin1

Not to rain on your parade, but that's exactly the same as our program here at Nissan. Except we don't have mileage caps on our warranties (and it's always a flat $50).

Werd, but I usually sell the 100 buck quality guard.

Originally Posted by 04yfz

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...31713611&Log=0


http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...29563191&Log=0



This one has sport premium and Nav.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...26075001&Log=0


http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...14134585&Log=0


Oh and most of these prices are negotiable.

And everyone of them had high mileage and were not dramatically cheaper as stated in my simple little challenge.

Originally Posted by GlockMan

Well it wasn't. 33000 at the time. Would not match printed price of 29999 from carmax. Lol.

Would not doesn't mean that they couldn't. Just means that they feel the sale to you wasn't worth it.

Originally Posted by benjamin1

Would not doesn't mean that they couldn't. Just means that they feel the sale to you wasn't worth it.

Especially if you do outside financing..

Originally Posted by GlockMan

And everyone of them had high mileage and were not dramatically cheaper as stated in my simple little challenge.

Did you even click on the links?

You stated carmax had a 2009 with 38k miles for $28k.



I posted 4 other cars priced for less with the ability to negotiate. One of them was a 2010 for $27.5k with 21k miles. Thats almost $4k cheaper then the carmax example. All had less miles except one (39k).

How about my examples of 04 m3s?

A quick autotrader search found me 3 cars with 40k miles for less than the carmax M3 with 79k.


I look at cars for sale regularly as I'm always looking for a deal, and auto trader is way higher than prices on craigslist. Searching locally will save you thousands if you know where and how to look. Most people buy their cars on impulse and don't do their homework. You can go to carmax and get an ok deal or you can put in some effort and get a great deal.

Originally Posted by flashtwosix

OP, good/accurate assessments. The in-laws love carmax for everything you have pointed out. Carmax is so on top of their game that they were the only dealership (used and new) to make a profit during the recent recession.

I also agree that for the layman... Carmax is a great place to go for a good price and, as stated here, a good Vehicle Service Contract. (Albeit slightly priced on the high side.)

But you are very much incorrect about this being the only dealer to make a profit during the recession. Many did go out of business but there were also many that flourished. Darwin's law has a way in the business world too... Perhaps you hang out too much on the cat forums to get really accurate info.

Carmax is a great place to dump a car with a lot of problems that would probably go unnoticed unless a really extensive inspection (which they don't do) is completed.

Originally Posted by benjamin1

Would not doesn't mean that they couldn't. Just means that they feel the sale to you wasn't worth it.

Well no shiit. They could sell it for a $1 too, but it probably would not be worth it, huh?

The fact remains they were cheaper when I was ready to buy. Thats it. I am sure they are not always cheaper, but again, I have been happy.

As always, to each their own, and my opinion is just that.

Originally Posted by 04yfz

Did you even click on the links?

You stated carmax had a 2009 with 38k miles for $28k.



I posted 4 other cars priced for less with the ability to negotiate. One of them was a 2010 for $27.5k with 21k miles. Thats almost $4k cheaper then the carmax example. All had less miles except one (39k).

How about my examples of 04 m3s?

A quick autotrader search found me 3 cars with 40k miles for less than the carmax M3 with 79k.

I look at cars for sale regularly as I'm always looking for a deal, and auto trader is way higher than prices on craigslist. Searching locally will save you thousands if you know where and how to look. Most people buy their cars on impulse and don't do their homework. You can go to carmax and get an ok deal or you can put in some effort and get a great deal.

Yes, I did click on the links. I just dont remember everything and since you did not post the stats it was not easy to cross reference. I really dont care that much. I do remember one being a 2007 and none less than 20k miles.

As far as ancient M3s. I doubt they do have good prices on them. CarMax deals in supply and demand. I don't buy 10 year cars, so I dont compare them. They have sold 2,000,000 cars, they know how to treat people right.

As far as my challenge, it was just that. A 5 minute deal. An almost new BMW from a dealership with a no penalty return policy and dramatically cheaper for a similar car.

Since you are so in to used cars. Please help me with this...

Give me 3 websites that you feel state correct used car values.

ie KBB, etc.

I will then see how it compares to the offer I received yesterday for my car that was filthy dirty with about 500 wires from the stereo and missing parts, etc.
I will then take those same websites and find cars at carmax cheaper than the websites state the values are.

In otherwords, you cant have it both ways. If the website prices are high, then my trade would be too low. If the website prices are low, then carmax would be too high.

Fair?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by GlockMan

Bullshiit. Total bullshiit.

To each their own, but you are wrong.

Oh, but I can tell you have a very unbiased opinion since you sell used cars.

No cars with flood or frame damage
Not every car that looks good is good. We're confident in the safety and reliability of our vehicles because our technicians are trained to detect those with hidden damage.


Every used car is renewed
CarMax cars undergo (on average) 12 hours of renewing-sandwiched between two meticulous inspections-for a car that doesn't look or feel used.


Free Full Vehicle History Report
Every used car we sell comes with one, available online or from your Sales Consultant.


Clean Title Guarantee
We guarantee every car to have accurate mileage and not ever to have been designated salvaged or flood-damaged-or we'll buy it back.


5-Day Money-Back Guarantee
If you change your mind for any reason, you can return a car hassle-free within 5 days.

(See your Sales Consultant for written details.)

Limited 30-Day Warranty (60-Day in CT, 90-Day in MA)
Repairs made under warranty cost you nothing-parts and labor are included.

What I wrote was not an opinion. It was and is fact. And sure they will buy back cars with flood or frame damage. Meaning if you're smart enough to discover something that they "accidentally" let slip, they'll honor a buyback...

Come on man. Don't be so gullable. Like I said, this isnt an opinion. I send garbage cars to auction. CarMax buys them. Period end of story.

EDIT- and for what it's worth, I am not a "used car dealer" per se. I am a franchisee and sell on average 75% new / 25% used cars per month. I do not compete directly with CarMax and have no reason to divulge any information on this thread other than the fact that I wish to make someone who is so in love with them more aware of what they are truly dealing with. Don't shoot the messenger

Originally Posted by GlockMan

Well no shiit. They could sell it for a $1 too, but it probably would not be worth it, huh?

The fact remains they were cheaper when I was ready to buy. Thats it. I am sure they are not always cheaper, but again, I have been happy.

As always, to each their own, and my opinion is just that.

They won't go backwards on it unless they get money from the factory (or seriously aged inventory). All I'm saying is that your opinion is great and I respect that, but when you start throwing numbers around to prove that they're superior, don't be upset when people with actual industry knowledge come in and tell you that your view is skewed.

Ps, I too have seen carmax buying seriously beat cars. What do they do with them? Who knows, maybe they go to foreign markets? That's not to say that we haven't sold some seriously beat cars as well, but I'd like to say that we take the best of the used, and they take what's left.