Thoughts about Carmax?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,929
Likes: 3
From: Republic of Texas
St. Jude Donor '11
Thoughts about Carmax?
A Carmax dealer not far from me has a car that I might be interested in, and I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts/experiences are dealing with Carmax. Does anyone know if they still do the "no haggle" pricing, and if so, how firmly do they stick to that? The car they have looks nice, but they are at least 3K-4K too high on it. If they aren't willing to haggle, there's really no point in wasting time. Anyone got any experience with Carmax, either good or bad?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 216
From: Deep in the Heart, TX
i haven't dealt with them but as a former car salesman hearing stories there is a lot of good and a lot of bad. the good is selection and price. usually (not always) their prices and trade in values are relatively good compared to other dealers (not private party). This is cause everything is done by a "book" and they sell volume. The bad is just that, they sell volume, so they don't know anything, its just the walmart of cars. I doubt they will go down that much, but you can try it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 3
From: Arlington VA
Around my area they are assrape city. They offer you garbage for your car, then overcharge for everything on the lot. A friend of mine took his 2 year old Acura there and they offered him about 60% blue book, despite having one on the lot with less options for 20% over blue book.
They prey on simpleminded people who are too stupid to look up the book value of their car, or the car they are buying.
They prey on simpleminded people who are too stupid to look up the book value of their car, or the car they are buying.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 216
From: Deep in the Heart, TX
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 48
From: Alameda California
A Carmax dealer not far from me has a car that I might be interested in, and I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts/experiences are dealing with Carmax. Does anyone know if they still do the "no haggle" pricing, and if so, how firmly do they stick to that? The car they have looks nice, but they are at least 3K-4K too high on it. If they aren't willing to haggle, there's really no point in wasting time. Anyone got any experience with Carmax, either good or bad?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 747
Likes: 93
From: Marietta, GA
My son bought a Dodge Neon there. Absolutely no haggle price. He tried. It was a fair price, but not great. The best thing was the return policy. His original purchased car didn't have cruise control and a day later one was on the lot at the same price with a few lower miles and WITH cruise control. Same year. I think their pricing must have a little to do with their acquisition price. They took his original car back, no questions and gave him the other one.
I have also gone up to test drive a Z06 that they had on the lot. More or less, just for fun.
I have also gone up to test drive a Z06 that they had on the lot. More or less, just for fun.
Last edited by NC94Vette; Mar 12, 2010 at 07:17 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 3
From: Castro Valley California
If you go in there w/cash (check) and no trade-in, make them an offer. Even "no haggle" means there is still room to negotiate, if you are a cash/check customer and don't have a trade-in. That's my 2-cents.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 120
From: East Tennessee
They seldom take an offer, cash or no, I tried on a C5 they had there a few years ago. If the car doesnt sell they put in their 'value' selection after so much time and blow them out cheap - usually a reason why it doesnt sell. Certainly it never hurts to ask though, worse they can say is no.
Their prices are pretty reasonable IMO, if they sell cheap that means they have to buy cheap. A lot of their cars seem to be rental, lease or fleet, they are generally pretty stripped down and the price seems good until you realize the only options they have is air in the tires
Their prices are pretty reasonable IMO, if they sell cheap that means they have to buy cheap. A lot of their cars seem to be rental, lease or fleet, they are generally pretty stripped down and the price seems good until you realize the only options they have is air in the tires
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 846
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas NV
I picked up my 08 C6 with 11,500 miles in November from them and never looked back, car was in good shape and priced right. They offer a 5 day money back guarantee, have it checked out thoroughly by a shop in that time frame if something turns up simply return it for a refund...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,459
Likes: 13
From: Phoenix
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'09
Have one near my work. We went and checked out two new Camaro SS's. Pretty much optioned the same, one with 5K miles and the other with less than 1K. Both priced aproximately around $37K.
Chev dealer right across the street with new for that
We didn't get it. To us they seemed high on all their stuff, but they did have some nice looking used stuff.
Chev dealer right across the street with new for that
We didn't get it. To us they seemed high on all their stuff, but they did have some nice looking used stuff.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,929
Likes: 3
From: Republic of Texas
St. Jude Donor '11
Thanks for all the replies, guys! Sounds like they stick to their listed prices pretty rigidly. If that is the case, I'm not sure its worth my time to even drive over there. They'd have to move quite a bit to get my business, and it sounds like the are unlikely to do so. Too bad...looks like a nice car.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Dallas CA
DON'T DO IT! Read this thread about a Z06 purchased from CarMax
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 216
From: Deep in the Heart, TX
Just remember to do your due diligence when you are buying any car, even if its from the rolls royce dealer downtown.
btw, did you ever sell your car?
Last edited by m48xhp; Mar 13, 2010 at 08:57 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 35
From: Duck, NC
Good luck with the offer idea.........It wont happen! its corporate policy......(unless its an aged unit in value-max)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
From: Frankfort Illinois
First, I don't like CarMax, bad dealings with them. If you are a informed consumer then it will go good, their sales people are normally teenagers or young adults who know NOTHING about the cars they sell. Buy a car off of the "for sale" forum here, best deals & best cars!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
although that is a really ****ty story, i believe this is an isolated incident. I would not jump to the conclusion that all cars from there were totalled and boycott them. This could happen anywhere though, even at your most trusted dealer. Every car dealer buys cars at auction (wrecked, repoed, trashed out, rental cars) and "fixes" them and passes them for pristine on their lot. not making an excuse for them, but you can expect the same from 99% of dealers around the country. Having said that, Carmax should have done the right thing and refunded the inspection costs.
Just remember to do your due diligence when you are buying any car, even if its from the rolls royce dealer downtown.
btw, did you ever sell your car?
Just remember to do your due diligence when you are buying any car, even if its from the rolls royce dealer downtown.
btw, did you ever sell your car?
