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Location: Not the end of the Earth, but I can see it from here
633 posts, read 679,499 times
Reputation: 375
Carmax serves a portion of the market who chooses not to deal with all the stupid stealership games. Yes, you pay more, but there are some advantages to do so for those who want the convenience of buying without hassle. Also, if you want a specific model/color/type of vehicle, if the stealership or CL doesn't have it, Carmax might have one in their system, which can be shipped here for a small transfer fee.
One absolute when buying a used car: ALWAYS get a PPI (prepurchase inspection) from an independent source. Yes, it will cost you some money to do so, but after you get it done you'll know that either the car is as represented, and if not, what it needs to be brought up to snuff. It makes for a good negotiating tool as well. Also, if a seller balks at your having a PPI done, you know to run away!
I have never bought a used car without a PPI, and it was always money well spent. If you take it to a dealer, most will charge you around $80 for a PPI. You'll get a lengthy inspection form detailing the condition of the car's mechanical condition (cosmetics are not part of a PPI) and often a cost of any repairs that might be required.
You'll know to walk at this point or start negotiating, using the information in the PPI. Some would complain about "wasting" the money if the car is a mess, but think of it this way: you spent maybe $80 and saved yourself hundreds, if not thousands, in repair costs.
^ Great point on inspection. Same here. I don't buy a used car without that. It is money well spent.
I will add though it doesn't have to be an independent, take it to the dealer. In fact, I prefer the dealer (note: this is not the same palce that you are buying the car). They know their car better than anybody. Just an example, if you buy a volovo (I pulled out of thin air), the volvo dealer will know better about key parts that need to be repalces at a given milage and what to look for than a random independent shop.
Location: Not the end of the Earth, but I can see it from here
633 posts, read 679,499 times
Reputation: 375
Quote:
Originally Posted by MeInDenudinFL
^ Great point on inspection. Same here. I don't buy a used car without that. It is money well spent.
I will add though it doesn't have to be an independent, take it to the dealer. In fact, I prefer the dealer (note: this is not the same palce that you are buying the car). They know their car better than anybody. Just an example, if you buy a volovo (I pulled out of thin air), the volvo dealer will know better about key parts that need to be repalces at a given milage and what to look for than a random independent shop.
Just to clarify, when I said "independent source" that applied to anyone who wasn't involved in the sale of the vehicle. If you have a trusted independent shop you use, great. You can also use the dealership of the marque, as I prefer to do - they know the car far better than any independent does in most cases, mainly because they see them all the time.
Never purchased from Carmax. Do they allow their vehicles to be PPI'd? They claim to do a 135-point check or something like that. BTW, noticed somewhere on their site that they list the prices after a $3000 trade-in. Seems kind of misleading to price with the trade-in calculated. Makes the price seem lower than it actually is.
LOL!!! Do you think Carmax is any less of a dealer with sub-standard mechanics? Think again. Their "comprehensive" inspections cover no more than your average used lot mechanic.
I'm sure if you google around you'll find stories of people selling them lemons, but I've also experienced it personally. My old roommate modified his stock WRX to the point where it was a track-ready monster, then beat the ever-loving **** out of it for 40,000 miles. Eventually he grew tired of it and wanted another project. He and I put the entire car back to stock (not an easy or quick task) and drove it to carmax. They said the car looked good and made him an offer that was $2000 over any dealer offer. I guess the mechanics didn't see the scratches where the race cage was mounted, or the zip ties holding the front bumper on, or a million other clues as to the car's history.
I shopped at CarMax, bought at AutoWay Clearwater Honda. Carmax didn't have the car I wanted with the options I was looking for. Ha, in fact the sales guys tried really hard, "You know, we can get leather put in this car." Really? Buy a used car and then pay to have leather put into it? I think it would have been about $2K+ to have AFTERMARKET leather put in.
I found CarMax prices high and their extra protection program they try to push on you a little overstated. It is a good dealer with lots of different cars available and there is no haggling. Also, when test driving the various cars of the same make, model and year it was apparent that, just like any dealer, some of their cars are not in good shape. (Hint: They know this and typically price it accordingly - but not always).
I found a car I liked online at AutoWay Clearwater (off of US-19). The price online was great. I called, showed up, test drove it, looked at the CarFax and agreed to pay the price that they offered it online (it was a good deal already, I didn't want to be there all night negotiating). We did have to go back and forth just a little bit. They offered me too little for my trade in saying it needed new tires which took $600 off the value. I laughed and told them those were brand new tires and being 13" tires we all know you can get 4 for $100 installed. He went back to the manager and they raised the value of the trade $600.
Then they came back with a high interest rate on financing. Again, I laughed and said..."Really? Come on... $4K down with $2000 in trade along with a GOOD credit score and you are coming back with 13% interest?" They came back with a much more agreeable interest rate.
I was happy with my trade in. It was an early 2000's 2 door bare bones Hyundai Accent, that I had purchased for $2K cash 2 years ago and was pretty much dying. I would have been happy to get $1000 out of it, so $2K was great. Buying experience was good, I was in and out in about 2 hours.
Carmax is a dealer. And what's worse, you can't haggle with them on the price. I can always get a dealer to come down in price some. Carmax has a 'take it or leave it' price policy. They would be my last resort when it comes to buying a car.
But i've always gotten the best deals by buying from private individuals.
Precisely. No haggling with Carmax. Even if you get the dealer to come down in price - you will never know how low you could have gone!
Location: Not the end of the Earth, but I can see it from here
633 posts, read 679,499 times
Reputation: 375
Quote:
Originally Posted by BucFan
Never purchased from Carmax. Do they allow their vehicles to be PPI'd? They claim to do a 135-point check or something like that. BTW, noticed somewhere on their site that they list the prices after a $3000 trade-in. Seems kind of misleading to price with the trade-in calculated. Makes the price seem lower than it actually is.
Yes, they will allow you to PPI a car. Keep in mind that dealers often offer some sort of "Platinum inspection" or something to that effect, much the same as CarMax does. You have to be careful, as I have heard that some local dealers will not inspect a Carmax car for whatever reason I don't know. Must be some bad blood there.
As far as I am concerned, if a seller, be they private or a dealer, won't let you PPI a used car, RUN as if your hair was on fire.
Carmax serves a portion of the market who chooses not to deal with all the stupid stealership games. Yes, you pay more, but there are some advantages to do so for those who want the convenience of buying without hassle. Also, if you want a specific model/color/type of vehicle, if the stealership or CL doesn't have it, Carmax might have one in their system, which can be shipped here for a small transfer fee.
One absolute when buying a used car: ALWAYS get a PPI (prepurchase inspection) from an independent source. Yes, it will cost you some money to do so, but after you get it done you'll know that either the car is as represented, and if not, what it needs to be brought up to snuff. It makes for a good negotiating tool as well. Also, if a seller balks at your having a PPI done, you know to run away!
I have never bought a used car without a PPI, and it was always money well spent. If you take it to a dealer, most will charge you around $80 for a PPI. You'll get a lengthy inspection form detailing the condition of the car's mechanical condition (cosmetics are not part of a PPI) and often a cost of any repairs that might be required.
You'll know to walk at this point or start negotiating, using the information in the PPI. Some would complain about "wasting" the money if the car is a mess, but think of it this way: you spent maybe $80 and saved yourself hundreds, if not thousands, in repair costs.
RM
ABOVE....this is very good advice.
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