CarMax appraised my 2007 GS350 $1200 more than the dealer gave me for the trade in value. I sold the car to CarMax and have a check for my car's equity in 30 minutes. Very friendly and efficient service. I will use them again if needed.

 

Woohoooo! Congrats

 

I sold my C63 to Carmax two years ago and got $2200 more than the stealership's offer. However, they low-balled me on my 09C4S which I traded back to the P-dealership for more equity. It's a hit and miss situation.

 

Sorry - I meant for a private party sale, even a cashier's check or whatever

 

oh that, yes, NEVER. pretty much only thing i would do is to go with the buyer to his bank together, and obtain a cashier check from his account at the spot

 

it also has to do with their inventory. for example right now, i believe carmax inventory is on the low side so they offer better money. but towards end of 2011, they overstock crazy and had tons of cars. at that point they started lowballing big time, basically to drive people away because they had too many cars already

 

So, If my car IS modded and I take it in for a quote, will they low ball be because of it or it just doesn't add any value? Will I get the same offer when I return it to stock?

 

You will getter a better appraisal of a BONE STOCK car.... They begin to drop the value for modified cars.....

The stocker the better...

Joe Z

 

My brother traded a TL type S for a Benz E550 and he said CARMAX was amazing. He was very happy and still is. I would check them out

 

Thanks Joe as usual - time to start taking stuff off =)

 

Just went to Carmax for the first time today to get a quote on my a6. Lexus offered me $21,000, Carmax is offering $23,000. Edmunds says my trade in is $22,900. I think I'm going to pull the trigger with Carmax.

Thanks for the recommendation guys! One step closer to my 4GS.

 

don't think, do it!

 

If anything, take that 7 day guaranteed quote back to your dealer and see if they'll match/beat it. Seems like everything is easier if it's all done at the same place.

 

Tried. Dealer couldnt match.

 

Depending on where you live, tax benefits of trade in may make the dealership offer better--I don't know if NY allows this nor have I done the math...