Carmax
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Tucson
Carmax
I'm ready to purchase a 2016 C7 listed on Carmax. I've seen good things about Carmax on this site, but any tips, tricks, warnings for me? Is it necessary to have a Carmax car inspected by a Chevy dealer?
Popular Reply
Jan 21, 2022, 11:14 AM
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,562
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From: Chester VA
We bought our 2015 Z51 from CarMax early last month. They have a 30-day, no questions asked, return policy. If I decided I didn't like the color, I could return it. The sales rep strongly suggested I have the car inspected at a Chevy dealer to identify any issues before the end of that 30-day period. I took his advice; for $150.00 the local dealer inspected the car as if they were considering selling it as a used car. No issues found; we kept it.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2021
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Likes: 949
I just read an article yesterday about on line retailers. Seems they actually DO NOT inspect the cars for damage. Ex employee whistleblower confirmed this. After 7 days you're on your own. Good luck.
let the war begin
let the war begin
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 5,181
From: Chester VA
We bought our 2015 Z51 from CarMax early last month. They have a 30-day, no questions asked, return policy. If I decided I didn't like the color, I could return it. The sales rep strongly suggested I have the car inspected at a Chevy dealer to identify any issues before the end of that 30-day period. I took his advice; for $150.00 the local dealer inspected the car as if they were considering selling it as a used car. No issues found; we kept it.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 112
Likes: 63
From: Portland Oregon
We bought our 2015 Z51 from CarMax early last month. They have a 30-day, no questions asked, return policy. If I decided I didn't like the color, I could return it. The sales rep strongly suggested I have the car inspected at a Chevy dealer to identify any issues before the end of that 30-day period. I took his advice; for $150.00 the local dealer inspected the car as if they were considering selling it as a used car. No issues found; we kept it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Tucson
Thank you Z06...I take it you are saying to have the car inspected.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 145
From: Tucson
We bought our 2015 Z51 from CarMax early last month. They have a 30-day, no questions asked, return policy. If I decided I didn't like the color, I could return it. The sales rep strongly suggested I have the car inspected at a Chevy dealer to identify any issues before the end of that 30-day period. I took his advice; for $150.00 the local dealer inspected the car as if they were considering selling it as a used car. No issues found; we kept it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Tucson
Agree with this. I bought mine Carmax earlier this month - 30 day/1500miles return policy for full refund as long as it's in the same condition. I've also sold Carmax 2 vehicles in the past (1 was a C7) and I was actually impressed with their inspection process. Of course their inspection is not exhaustive but it was more than i expected and it is the primary reason that returned to carmax to buy my current c7 (along with the return policy).
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 112
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From: Portland Oregon
. I bought a 17 GS with 6k miles - i only called a dealer to check on the maintenance history.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
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Carmax is good as gold. Buy the Carmax warranty they offer you. Only hear good things about them. If their shop cannot fix your car, they send it to a Chevrolet dealer. 👍
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Chester VA
Pro
Joined: Nov 2021
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From: Kannapolis, NC
Ralph, this may be the one. ha ha I've purchased 7 cars from Carmax and never had an issue. As others have said they offer a month to be sure it is the car you want. They also have great extended warranty packages. That should take some of the worries out of purchasing that car if you have any. You should get that info up front to investigate because they only offer their warranties at the time you purchase the car. Helps to know beforehand so it is not another thing to think about while going through the sales process. Good luck and post pics if this is the one.
Roadster Madness. 😠
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Ventura Co Ca
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St. Jude Donor '13, '20-'21
I took the car to the local Chevrolet Dealer and had them put it on the rack and had a body guy take a look. I also had the Service Consultant run the Service History. I have had them work on my other Corvettes, so there was no charge.
It was either a slow day or I had the Corvette draw. I had two body guy's and the Service Consultant looking at the under carriage. They told me it was all original and could not see any signs of repair.
I also got the five year warranty and took the paperwork to the Dealer, so they had the information if I needed a repair. Two years later, all I have needed was oil changes.
It was either a slow day or I had the Corvette draw. I had two body guy's and the Service Consultant looking at the under carriage. They told me it was all original and could not see any signs of repair.
I also got the five year warranty and took the paperwork to the Dealer, so they had the information if I needed a repair. Two years later, all I have needed was oil changes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Central UT
First, a full disclosure: back in the early '90s I help found CarMax. I was the warranty/risk VP at Circuit City at the time (left later when I saw that CC was rudderless, but that's another story) - a lot of people don't know that CarMax started as a subsidiary of Circuit City. I set up the CarMax sales process and their service contract program. They worked really hard to build a great brand and a solid reputation. Still do. IMO, you can take that to the bank. Catfish raises a great point - 100% satisfaction for 30 days. They buy a lot of cars - the ones that don't measure up go to auction. Best, Paul
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
Carmax is really good, but I don't trust any of these 150 point inspection services from any seller - after all do you really think they are going to tell you its a "bad" car? Here is an example of Chevy dealer that let a CPO out the door without even checking if the convertible top worked: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1603005060 They check for obvious things like tire tread and brakes because they don't want to sell you an unsafe car, but beyond that I doubt they do half of what is on checklist since.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Tucson
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 145
From: Tucson
Carmax is really good, but I don't trust any of these 150 point inspection services from any seller - after all do you really think they are going to tell you its a "bad" car? Here is an example of Chevy dealer that let a CPO out the door without even checking if the convertible top worked: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1603005060 They check for obvious things like tire tread and brakes because they don't want to sell you an unsafe car, but beyond that I doubt they do half of what is on checklist since.
That is what I wondered about a $160 dealer inspection, how much do they actually look at.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 145
From: Tucson
First, a full disclosure: back in the early '90s I help found CarMax. I was the warranty/risk VP at Circuit City at the time (left later when I saw that CC was rudderless, but that's another story) - a lot of people don't know that CarMax started as a subsidiary of Circuit City. I set up the CarMax sales process and their service contract program. They worked really hard to build a great brand and a solid reputation. Still do. IMO, you can take that to the bank. Catfish raises a great point - 100% satisfaction for 30 days. They buy a lot of cars - the ones that don't measure up go to auction. Best, Paul
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Greenwell Springs La.
Jimmy