[Buzz123]

Ditto Carmax. I'd never buy a used car anywhere else. Well, there is one guy I'd ask, and that's Wally at Wally's Honda. He knows the cars, and he'll help you get a good one. It will be a Honda, but then why buy anything else? Unless it's a Toyota. See Wally's son across the street for those. Hondas and Toyotas last forever. No other car can make that claim. Especially American cars.

[von949]

5k is somewhat a difficult price point. Not enough for a dealership but too much to pay for most moderately used cars.


Posted from Nokia 8210

[Everdeen]

Originally Posted by von949

5k is somewhat a difficult price point. Not enough for a dealership but too much to pay for most moderately used cars.


Posted from Nokia 8210

'Tis true. I thought, though, that that it would be a reasonable amount to spend on a private party sale.

[airics]

5k does not buy much...

[aggrofish]

I never understood the love for carmax. Any time I've been there the prices were ALL high bluebook and for what I was looking for thousands more than elsewhere. I will admit people there were super friendly and helpful though, but to me that's not worth thousands of dollars.

[von949]

Originally Posted by aggrofish

I never understood the love for carmax. Any time I've been there the prices were ALL high bluebook and for what I was looking for thousands more than elsewhere. I will admit people there were super friendly and helpful though, but to me that's not worth thousands of dollars.

Carmax is expensive no doubt, but they eliminate a lot of headaches. All of their vehicles have longer than average warranties for used vehicles. 99% of their vehicles have brand new tires, brakes, floor mats, belts, and a couple of other minor things that are fixed before they can sell.

My second to last vehicle came from Carmax. I searched all over the valley for one specific car before going to Carmax. I found some great deals in the valley, but private sellers always had small issues...

-The car is not in my name
-Cash only
-Tires balding
-Slightly smoking
-Never had oil change
-Cigarette burns on interior
-Weird noise

I just said "what the hell", it was worth paying the extra 2 grand for something with a warranty and peace of mind.



Posted from Nokia 8210

[Everdeen]

Originally Posted by airics

5k does not buy much...

Just a few years ago, $5000 bought a fairly decent used car. He just needs something to get him through the next couple of years. We can help him a little bit. He's a good kid and doesn't want to take money from us.

[NLVgal]

Originally Posted by Everdeen

Just a few years ago, $5000 bought a fairly decent used car. He just needs something to get him through the next couple of years. We can help him a little bit. He's a good kid and doesn't want to take money from us.

A friend of mine is encountering the same thing locally. Because of the economy, people just aren't trading in their vehicles like they used to. This has created a bit of a shortage and the dealers know it.

[Girlesq]

I've been to Carmax, but never purchased there. My law partner, however, has bought twice from there-- she even re-sold the same vehicle back to them about a year later and ended up getting almost everything she paid for it back, so, they may be more expensive, but apparently if you end up trading the car back to them, they don't rape you with the trade in values. It's less hassle than other dealerships. I am a fan of the Desert group and in the last ten years have purchased a BMW and three Hondas from them. I have a great salesguy at Desert Honda as well as a great service guy-- I have both of their cell numbers, and they always do above and beyond what other sales/service guys would do for a customer.

[aggrofish]

I haven't dealt with Desert Honda, but the guys over at Desert BMW pretty much bent over backwards to earn my business.