BAD IDEA.Even worse if you plan to trade.They will lowball your trade minimum $2000 and give you a song and dance about how their trade in price is fair b/c the buyers at Carmax get penalized if your car brings more than $500 over what they paid you for it.That is all BS.One occasion I tried to trade 1998 AUDI A8 for one of their cars.They offered $8000 for mine which i knew was off.I got my car dealer friend to drive it to Atlanta and run it in auction.Brings $11,200.Less than a year ago I tried to trade 2002 Q45.They offered $16000.8 months later and 15,000 mi later I get $16,500 for it at another car lot.I hate to be long winded,but i want to give facts.I used to be a car dealer,so i can accurately judge them.They are the worst place to buy a car.Even without a trade don't do it.Every car they have is a minimum of $3000 over wholesale.Somehow they have fooled the whole world into beleiving they are getting a good deal,just because you can't haggle with them.It is like they devil fooling the whole world into beleiving he doesn't exist.Maybe they are the used car devil.Very intelligent marketing,but you can probably get a better deal from the local crooked used car salseman down the street 80-90% of the time if you study up on car values before you g
ffer the $1000-2000 over wholesale and if they don't take it leave the building.
ffer the $1000-2000 over wholesale and if they don't take it leave the building.freddy66 said:BAD IDEA.Even worse if you plan to trade.They will lowball your trade minimum $2000 and give you a song and dance about how their trade in price is fair b/c the buyers at Carmax get penalized if your car brings more than $500 over what they paid you for it.That is all BS.One occasion I tried to trade 1998 AUDI A8 for one of their cars.They offered $8000 for mine which i knew was off.I got my car dealer friend to drive it to Atlanta and run it in auction.Brings $11,200.Less than a year ago I tried to trade 2002 Q45.They offered $16000.8 months later and 15,000 mi later I get $16,500 for it at another car lot.I hate to be long winded,but i want to give facts.I used to be a car dealer,so i can accurately judge them.They are the worst place to buy a car.Even without a trade don't do it.Every car they have is a minimum of $3000 over wholesale.Somehow they have fooled the whole world into beleiving they are getting a good deal,just because you can't haggle with them.It is like they devil fooling the whole world into beleiving he doesn't exist.Maybe they are the used car devil.Very intelligent marketing,but you can probably get a better deal from the local crooked used car salseman down the street 80-90% of the time if you study up on car values before you g
Thanks for the explanation, it is appreciated.
The thing about CARMAX as I understand it is that you're paying extra for the guarantee on the vehicle sort of like buying a "pre-owned" from a dealership. You're gonna pay more but are almost guaranteed to not have hassles with lemons, etc.
That said if you take a car from craigslist or the classifieds to a mechanic before you buy (or if you're a car person and can check it out yourself) you'll usually be fine.
That said if you take a car from craigslist or the classifieds to a mechanic before you buy (or if you're a car person and can check it out yourself) you'll usually be fine.
I agree Fish. I can play the bullshit game, but it's just a big pain in the ass. As soon as I set foot on a car lot, I know damn well that they're going to try to screw me. After about 15 minutes, I want to sound like the Kid http://www.thekidfrombrooklyn.com/video_disp.asp?videoid=1077
It can be a very good idea. Granted you may find a cheaper price with other dealers or a private owner but they really go through their cars like a fine tooth combs.
I know that they buy cars / trade ins and only the best of the best are sold at Carmax. The ones they do not sell often are usually sold to other car dealers or other buyers but they let them know the vehicles arent up to Carmax's standards.
As far as the salespeople are concerned it is not as high pressured as other dealerships. When I purchased my car, it was almost no pressure at all (I think they werent under commision at the time - not sure about now).
If you find a car that may be a few hundred dollars more (but within blue book value) buy it from Carmax. These guy sell some great cars.
Caveat - I've heard some things about carfax and that some items arent on it but its a great start.
I know that they buy cars / trade ins and only the best of the best are sold at Carmax. The ones they do not sell often are usually sold to other car dealers or other buyers but they let them know the vehicles arent up to Carmax's standards.
As far as the salespeople are concerned it is not as high pressured as other dealerships. When I purchased my car, it was almost no pressure at all (I think they werent under commision at the time - not sure about now).
If you find a car that may be a few hundred dollars more (but within blue book value) buy it from Carmax. These guy sell some great cars.
Caveat - I've heard some things about carfax and that some items arent on it but its a great start.
JM. I'm a wholesaler and don't know much about CarMax except there reputation for lowballing trade-ins. Since your not trading the only advice I can give you is like TTinCo said, be sure to get a CarFax. I'm starting to see a lot of the hurricane cars around. If you need any kind of values shoot me an email I'll be glad to help. Lots of places like to show you what book value is and the usually use the highest book which is behind the market. I can let you know what they are going for wholesale and approx what you should be paying from a dealer.
War, since you're an insider, let me bounce a question off you.
Let's say I'm looking for an off lease(3 yrs old/35k miles) Toyota 4 Runner Ltd in good shape.
The spread between Blue Book wholesale & retail is probably 5-7k(?). If buying from the dealer with no warranty, what's a fair amount over wholesale?
Oh yeah, Welcome to TheRx!
Let's say I'm looking for an off lease(3 yrs old/35k miles) Toyota 4 Runner Ltd in good shape.
The spread between Blue Book wholesale & retail is probably 5-7k(?). If buying from the dealer with no warranty, what's a fair amount over wholesale?
Oh yeah, Welcome to TheRx!
