Carmax
Racer
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 411
Likes: 266
From: Northern Va
I bought 2 Vettes from them, one that I returned after 28 days of driving for a full refund, and my current car. I would recommend them highly. They may miss things on the intake but as long as you get a PDI from a good mechanic you'll be fine. They fix most issues without question and you can add a warranty that will take care of you in the long run.
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From the input in this thread, sounds like they would be OK to either sell or purchase a car from and do a good job making things right if a problem arises.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 324
Likes: 14
From: Moberly Missouri
They never offered a history report. All contact was on the phone or thru emails. No biggy. I failed to ask a very pertinent question "any accidents". But I did ask for a carfax report and that email was ignored.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 239
From: Missi'ppi... no mo' MO for me!!
I've purchased two Corvettes from CarMax and have no reservations whatsoever. However, I bought my two warranties from Dennis Fichtner. He'll come up with a "search" on this forum. He sells "aftermarket" GM warranties. In both cases I purchased 7-yr 100,000-mile warranties (from MY date of purchase) and used both warranties on both cars, and saved money.
On the '03 c5 z06 I had the clutch replacement covered (86k miles), right rear half-axle replaced (102k miles), and an AH/TC problem solved (65k miles). Without the warranty I would have spent about an extra $1220.
On the '14 c7 z51, I had the 4 OEM chrome wheels (after the original OEM warranty expired), 4 MRC shocks (last week @ 62k miles) and the belt tensioner replaced. Without the warranty, it would have cost about an extra $5384. my last warranty claim
On the '03 c5 z06 I had the clutch replacement covered (86k miles), right rear half-axle replaced (102k miles), and an AH/TC problem solved (65k miles). Without the warranty I would have spent about an extra $1220.
On the '14 c7 z51, I had the 4 OEM chrome wheels (after the original OEM warranty expired), 4 MRC shocks (last week @ 62k miles) and the belt tensioner replaced. Without the warranty, it would have cost about an extra $5384. my last warranty claim
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,426
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
I've purchased two Corvettes from CarMax and have no reservations whatsoever. However, I bought my two warranties from Dennis Fichtner. He'll come up with a "search" on this forum. He sells "aftermarket" GM warranties. In both cases I purchased 7-yr 100,000-mile warranties (from MY date of purchase) and used both warranties on both cars, and saved money.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 37
Likes: 13
From: USA
Two weeks after buying a Vette from them, I noticed a rim pinch on a rear tire. They had it replaced no questions asked. It was one of those $330 Pilot Sport tires. They even let me drive to their tire store instead of surrendering my car to them for a hours/days.
The biggest negatives with Carmax are their phone systems and that they only offer shockingly low trade in values.
The biggest negatives with Carmax are their phone systems and that they only offer shockingly low trade in values.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,426
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
Were the trade in value that bad relatively or only bad if you are only selling?
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 37
Likes: 13
From: USA
They offered me $4500 for a car with a KBB of $7200. Turned around and sold it on Craigslist for $8K
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,426
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
I'm pretty sure they offer the same price whether you sell or trade in. Only difference is if you trade in they will also do the math and tell you by how much it will reduce the tax on a new car purchase.
They offered me $4500 for a car with a KBB of $7200. Turned around and sold it on Craigslist for $8K
They offered me $4500 for a car with a KBB of $7200. Turned around and sold it on Craigslist for $8K
Isn't that par for the course? I never had a trade in come up better than an outright sale. They always ask "What are you wanting to get out of your trade in?". My answer is "I don't care. I want that and will give you this plus a check. How much is that check?". We negotiate on that. So far, they take the games out of it. Could you have gotten more elsewhere for a trade in?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 694
From: Lagrange KY
I’ve never had any dealer offer anything more than about $3000 less than what I know a vehicle is worth on the open market. And that would be on a good day. At least you can get an offer from CarMax without even going to their dealership, then shop around a bit if you desire. Remember, some of the difference in trade-in value vs private sale can be recovered in sales tax. Just depends on how much your time is worth to go thru the hassle of dealing with tire kickers, then once finding a solid buyer, going to the DMV to complete the transaction’s paperwork, etc.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 694
From: Lagrange KY
If the car was was listed on their online sight, that listing will include a series of detailed photos of the vehicle and a lot of other pertinent information, including a History report. It will tell you if it had any prior accidents, but only give you a general description of what type of damage occurred.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,426
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
I’ve never had any dealer offer anything more than about $3000 less than what I know a vehicle is worth on the open market. And that would be on a good day. At least you can get an offer from CarMax without even going to their dealership, then shop around a bit if you desire. Remember, some of the difference in trade-in value vs private sale can be recovered in sales tax. Just depends on how much your time is worth to go thru the hassle of dealing with tire kickers, then once finding a solid buyer, going to the DMV to complete the transaction’s paperwork, etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 739
CarMax marketing dept. create this thread?
If the CarMax marketing dept. sees this thread, they should be happy. That is, until they read my response. Maybe it is my soothing voice or journalism career or Dr. Phil mannerisms, but people tell me things they shouldn’t and CarMax employees are no exception. I took my beautiful torch red 2013 Corvette (44,000 miles) to CarMax for a trade-in and the CarMax salesman handed me the written CarMax offer and said, “That is ridiculous. I am ashamed to even show you. CarMax is not the place you want to sell a car.” So I did not buy their 2014 Stingray. Instead, I went to a Rick Hendrick Auto Group dealership and got nearly $5,000 more than CarMax’s offer and a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty on a nice 2018 Stingray with 20,000 miles.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,426
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
If the CarMax marketing dept. sees this thread, they should be happy. That is, until they read my response. Maybe it is my soothing voice or journalism career or Dr. Phil mannerisms, but people tell me things they shouldn’t and CarMax employees are no exception. I took my beautiful torch red 2013 Corvette (44,000 miles) to CarMax for a trade-in and the CarMax salesman handed me the written CarMax offer and said, “That is ridiculous. I am ashamed to even show you. CarMax is not the place you want to sell a car.” So I did not buy their 2014 Stingray. Instead, I went to a Rick Hendrick Auto Group dealership and got nearly $5,000 more than CarMax’s offer and a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty on a nice 2018 Stingray with 20,000 miles.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 694
From: Lagrange KY
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 28
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
Bought my 2016 z51 3lt vert from them and I would not recommend it, they artificially inflate their apr's (I also work at a car dealership) and their process is more streamlined but I feel like it wasnt a overall good experience. Yes they are more hands off and give you the keys and let you figure everything out by yourself.I also did not get the warranty and the car is as-is but you can get a better trade in price elsewhere.
hope it helps
hope it helps
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,426
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
Bought my 2016 z51 3lt vert from them and I would not recommend it, they artificially inflate their apr's (I also work at a car dealership) and their process is more streamlined but I feel like it wasnt a overall good experience. Yes they are more hands off and give you the keys and let you figure everything out by yourself.I also did not get the warranty and the car is as-is but you can get a better trade in price elsewhere.
hope it helps
hope it helps
So the trade in isn't as good. How is the bottom line? I find some play games with sale and trade in numbers
Racer
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 411
Likes: 266
From: Northern Va
On the APR, I found that to be the case as well. A few points higher than my CU, I really didn't care... since I was ultimately financing with my CU as they were having a refi special. For me there were many more positives than negatives, and that warranty that I did exercise has paid for itself and I purchased 5 years and 150000 miles (about 4 years or 115000 miles left). They paid for valve body replacement which is a major component of the transmission (over $5k), torque tube (over $5k), and to replace the PDR usb cable ($0.3k, so far. I had piece of mind which was priceless... and have confidence that they will honor the warranty in the future.
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Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Pittsburgh
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Most people have had positive experiences with them