SOLD MY FRS TO CARMAX TODAY :(

[Dake]

You made the tough choice but the right one. I was right there with you in October of last year, except I was laid off completely. I was fortunate in that I bought my FR-S outright, so no payments, and I had the option of buying my old car back from the buddy I sold it to.

The FR-S became my rolling emergency savings, but I was able to get back to work within six months (though at about half the income) and didn't need to sell it. You have to do what you must to keep your head above water.

As far as Carmax goes (and I imagine your consultant explained it), their offers can differ by the day and even hour. I worked there and watched the buyers at work and they look at a lot of different sources for information. They check local and national auctions, Carmax lots and sales figures, etc. Frankly, I'm amazed at the above offer of 20k - I don't know what that buyer was smokin' unless that's a 2014 w/low miles in which case it's not a fair comparison.

At 17k mi you were higher than average on the mileage and when it comes to sports cars, extra mileage hits them harder than it does your typical Corolla or Civic, even if it's all highway commuting.

I know at one point a few months back we had two FR-S and a BRZ Limited (Listed at only $23k for the BRZ) and they sat on the lot for probably three weeks before being shipped off to other locations. Lots of lookie-loos, but few test-drives even.

It's going to hurt a bit longer, but eventually you'll be able to remember that you enjoyed owning the car while you did and when things turn around you'll be able to look at it again. In the meantime, you're not killing yourself for your car note.

[imartisfrs]

Originally Posted by dizzario

Dude. I just went to the one off Balboa Ave. I got the $16k offer as well. I still haven't bit the bullet and just parted out the car and taken it back to stock. I feel like if I did, then took it to Escondido, I'd be set. My car hasn't even hit 12,000mi. I don't own the TRD edition, though...

I don't have the trd edition. I wanted to trade for the trd edition in manual. I do have only 8000+ miles on it though.

I put the trd exhaust and intake on my auto frs just to scratch the itch to trade. I realized I would be losing about $9000 if I did sell. Plus my son didn't mind the at trans for la traffic. He could afford it next year too when it comes out of the lease since the residual will be about $17000.

[swpbrz]

You probably couod have got atleast 3 grand more from a private sell. Carmaxhas tomake yiu an offer of course its low. They flip vars for a living your psying them to hold it a couple months and advertise and crap. Of course they tell you they arent in high demand. .. they want to rip you off... they are car salesmen. Lying without remorse is basically their only talent.

[dizzario]

Originally Posted by imartisfrs

I don't have the trd edition. I wanted to trade for the trd edition in manual. I do have only 8000+ miles on it though.

I put the trd exhaust and intake on my auto frs just to scratch the itch to trade. I realized I would be losing about $9000 if I did sell. Plus my son didn't mind the at trans for la traffic. He could afford it next year too when it comes out of the lease since the residual will be about $17000.

Well according to their web site and the cars on the lot, my car would be 'ideal' if it was back to stock. The lowest mileage I found in their inventory was double what mine has. Even if the other posts are true and the market for these cars is saturated, Carmax is STILL asking a fucking mint for them! I mean how are you going to tell a prospective seller that they can't move these cars when their asking price for the ones on the lot is still $23k+ ? Seems like they would lower their prices if there was an issue moving them...and there were only two on the lot when I went there.

[tennisfreak]

I used to love CarMax.

Honestly, though, they have turned into a fuck you deal all the way around.

Low ball you on your vehicle

Charge waaaay to much for their vehicle.

Last couple of vehicles I've been in there to look at have been overpriced by $3-5K. Their excuse is the "meticulous" inspection and qualification process their vehicles go through and the money back guarantee.
They are full of shit too. The Porsche I looked at had some major gashes (down to metal) on the paint that they did not fix and refused to lower price on. The damn car was priced $3k over KBB "excellent" dealer price too.

[dizzario]

Originally Posted by tennisfreak

I used to love CarMax.

Honestly, though, they have turned into a fuck you deal all the way around.

Low ball you on your vehicle

Charge waaaay to much for their vehicle.

Last couple of vehicles I've been in there to look at have been overpriced by $3-5K. Their excuse is the "meticulous" inspection and qualification process their vehicles go through and the money back guarantee.
They are full of shit too. The Porsche I looked at had some major gashes (down to metal) on the paint that they did not fix and refused to lower price on. The damn car was priced $3k over KBB "excellent" dealer price too.

Exactly. This is right on point.

[jblmr2]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

They ARE a used car dealer using the internet to expand the typical used car business model.

What were you expecting?

I wasn't so much expecting but hoping to find a used car dealer who offers a fair price and expects a reasonable profit. Excuse me for being overly optimistic and a bit naïve.

[Dake]

Originally Posted by tennisfreak

I used to love CarMax.
Honestly, though, they have turned into a fuck you deal all the way around.
Low ball you on your vehicle
Charge waaaay to much for their vehicle.
Last couple of vehicles I've been in there to look at have been overpriced by $3-5K. Their excuse is the "meticulous" inspection and qualification process their vehicles go through and the money back guarantee.
They are full of shit too. The Porsche I looked at had some major gashes (down to metal) on the paint that they did not fix and refused to lower price on. The damn car was priced $3k over KBB "excellent" dealer price too.

No - they just know their market. You're absolutely right some of their cars are over-priced. The "Valuemax" cars (ie sub-$12k)? Way over-priced. The other end of the spectrum is true though as well. You say they had a Porsche at 3 over KBB - the answer is, could you find the same Porsche w/ similar miles in your area for less? Let's say you do find that Porsche - can you return it no questions asked in five days for your money back? Can you take it to a Porsche dealer, have them inspect it and find everything wrong and bring it back within 30 days and have the dealer fix it? Because you can do both of those with CM.

It's easy to dismiss the "meticulous" inspection and money-back guarantee but it doesn't change the fact that it's there. It doesn't matter whether you take advantage of them, they offer it on every vehicle. If there really are scratches down to metal, all you have to do is ask them to refer to their published guidelines. Down to bare metal is NOT acceptable according to their requirements so someone is exaggerating. In fact, their book states anything deep enough to catch a fingernail will require touch-up at least.

They rely on people wanting the premium brand who cannot afford it. So they'll sell someone a five year old Bimmer or Porsche because they can't afford a newer one - and they will happily make money off of it. I've lost count of the number of people who buy a luxury brand, and the first thing they do is peel the sticker off the back because they don't want their middle-management buddies at the office park to know they bought their Merc from Carmax.

tl;dr: You can ABSOLUTELY find cars cheaper elsewhere and - when it comes to many makers - you'll get what you pay for.

[Tt3Sheppard]

With those miles I feel like this car is worth at least $18k+. Especially in NV where it doesn't snow.

[BlueDubbinTDI]

Originally Posted by tennisfreak

I used to love CarMax.

Honestly, though, they have turned into a fuck you deal all the way around.

Low ball you on your vehicle

Charge waaaay to much for their vehicle.

Last couple of vehicles I've been in there to look at have been overpriced by $3-5K. Their excuse is the "meticulous" inspection and qualification process their vehicles go through and the money back guarantee.
They are full of shit too. The Porsche I looked at had some major gashes (down to metal) on the paint that they did not fix and refused to lower price on. The damn car was priced $3k over KBB "excellent" dealer price too.

Exactly. That's why I test drive at Carmax, nothing else.

[dizzario]

Originally Posted by Dake

No - they just know their market. You're absolutely right some of their cars are over-priced. The "Valuemax" cars (ie sub-$12k)? Way over-priced. The other end of the spectrum is true though as well. You say they had a Porsche at 3 over KBB - the answer is, could you find the same Porsche w/ similar miles in your area for less? Let's say you do find that Porsche - can you return it no questions asked in five days for your money back? Can you take it to a Porsche dealer, have them inspect it and find everything wrong and bring it back within 30 days and have the dealer fix it? Because you can do both of those with CM.

It's easy to dismiss the "meticulous" inspection and money-back guarantee but it doesn't change the fact that it's there. It doesn't matter whether you take advantage of them, they offer it on every vehicle. If there really are scratches down to metal, all you have to do is ask them to refer to their published guidelines. Down to bare metal is NOT acceptable according to their requirements so someone is exaggerating. In fact, their book states anything deep enough to catch a fingernail will require touch-up at least.

They rely on people wanting the premium brand who cannot afford it. So they'll sell someone a five year old Bimmer or Porsche because they can't afford a newer one - and they will happily make money off of it. I've lost count of the number of people who buy a luxury brand, and the first thing they do is peel the sticker off the back because they don't want their middle-management buddies at the office park to know they bought their Merc from Carmax.

tl;dr: You can ABSOLUTELY find cars cheaper elsewhere and - when it comes to many makers - you'll get what you pay for.

You either work for Carmax or you PDF'd this page to print it and staple it to your Carmx application.

[rice_classic]

Working in sales for the last 14 years and knowing several folks in and affiliated with the car industry I've come to appreciate this advice:

"Never sell your car to someone who's business is selling cars, if you can help it. Never buy your car from someone who's business is selling cars, unless a robust warranty is part of the deal (new car, CPO, etc)."

"If you're car is worth so little that you'd take the hit on the trade-in just to be done with it, then you should probably donate it as you will most likely get more in the tax write off. Usually if you want it gone fast you can sell it above what you'd get on trade in yet below what anyone else is selling comparatively in the private market and someone will snap up that deal quickly and you still win."

[eikond]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

"If you're car is worth so little that you'd take the hit on the trade-in just to be done with it, then you should probably donate it as you will most likely get more in the tax write off. "

What??? That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a while.

That would multiply the financial hit and totally screw you... unless you're dealing with a 15 year old POS that's only worth $500 on the market.

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by eikond

What??? That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a while.

That would multiply the financial hit and totally screw you... unless you're dealing with a 15 year old POS that's only worth $500 on the market.

Actually, that's exactly what I'm talking about. The assumption was that you wouldn't be donating a BRZ but some 20 year old beater in that scenario.

If your car is worth more, either trade-in or private party, than the tax break of donation, then to donate would make poor financial sense.

I figured that was obvious.