Found a clean RCF, 17K, car is from NY, somehow ended up in San Diego. They want 45K for the car. What do you guys think about carmax?

 

 

 

Generally speaking you get a reasonable good car that went through its rigid inspections for a "good price". If you don't have the time or tge energy to hunt for a "better deal", then CarMax is the way to go.

Here is an article explaining why CarMax is SO MUCH MIRE PROFITABLE VERSUS THE COMPETITION. In the article it states, and I quote:

"CarMax is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to pre-owned vehicle retailing. It sells more than double the used inventory than their nearest competitor and they make significantly more money doing so. The primary reason for this is simple—most people are overpaying."

https://jalopnik.com/heres-why-carma...any-1826415410

Just FYI, CarMax follows the similar rules as other major used car dealers with the 30, 60, 90 days rule. Meaning on the 31 and 61 days following on the lot, it will discount the car further. On the 91 day they plan on sending it to auction so they can"exchange" for "better inventory" for quicker sales. They track their stats carefully and tgstthwhy you don't see certain cars on their lots that often bc they know it's going to be hard to sell QUICKLY. The key word is "QUICKLY".

You can try to negotiate, but usually I found it to be unsuccessful in the past at CarMax. Unless you literally return back on the 31, 61, or 91 day. But you risk that another person will buy it before you.

​​​​​​​While they can not "discount" the price before it's time, TOU CAN ASK THEM TO THROW IN FREE THIRD PARTY EXTENDED WARRANTY (NOT LEXUS WARRANTY) AND SERVICES (like oil changes. Yes, they do routine maintenance on their lots!!)......but I'm leary on letting CarMax doing routine maintenance. A friend of mine bought a two year old BMW from CarMax and got serviced there for an oil change and they used the wrong filter. It was not discovered until the next oil change much later at BMW.....the oil filter used was much taller and CarMax just forced it in and crushed the oil filter and screw it in.

I would go for it if YOU REALLY LIKE THE CAR AND THE PRICE WON'T BREAK THE PIGGY BANK. A car is only worth as much as one is willing to pay.

 

I bought mine from CarMax. I paid 47K. It had Premium PKG and ML sound system. Black with red leather interior. It was a lease return with 17K miles. It was like new interior wise. Had a couple of paint chips and a scuff on a rim. Overall it was very clean. It has been trouble free. The Lexus dealer that I had the recall done at did an inspection and everything was fine. I changed the air filter and cabin filter when I got it. Very smooth easy deal. It was weird to not negotiate but the car was very nice, so don't really care at this point. I was driving this morning and thinking how mint it is inside. Love the car.

 

Yes, CarMax usually got quality cars and hassle free. No frame damaged cars as they do their due diligence. But you pay for the convienence which is good for most of the public looking for a fair deal. But if you are looking for a GREAT deal, you might have to look harder elsewhere.

 

I was looking for about three months before I got my 2015 RCF from CarMax last year. They give you five days to return (no questions asked, literally, I asked about the fine print and it was one line). During that time, I took the car to Lexus, paid about $300 or so for the 161-point inspection and they advised if the car had come to them, they would have sold it as a CPO.

20k miles, black on black, ML, $47k. Great buy, very happy.

I've taken it to Lexus for all of my services.

 

 

not bad, carmax is like going to Walmart