stockticker

Anyone tried this? Were the offers reasonable? I thought about it but I'm not sure if I'll be able to live with myself afterwards...

09 Coupe 1LT MN6 8500miles

corvettezman

One way to find out. Take it there and see how much they low ball you.

you don't have to sell it to them if you don't like the price you know.

Rossi6998

I am actually a recent fan of CARMAX. When I bought my Corvette in August, I sold a 2005 Mustang GT Convertible with approximately 36,000 miles. The car was kept in great shape and waxed frequently.

Anyway, my salesman suggested "CARMAX". At first I was very hesitate and did not want to go through what I figured would be a hassle. However, "CARMAX" made it very simple. The estimate on my car took about 20 minutes. Once I decided to sell my car, it took another 20 minutes and I had a check in my hand.

The "CARMAX" representative was very professional and did not try to sell me another car. The process was painless and they offered me $1,500 more than the GM dealership offered me for my car. Bottom line - Top BlueBook was $16,200 and "CARMAX" offered me $15,500. I felt it was a fair price, so I sold...

SS Racer

Wow, not what I was expecting to hear.

I really hate selling and the bs buyers you have to deal with...

BigKitty

Just a couple of vettes on E-bay;talk about tire kickers!

timd38

A friend bought his daughter a car from them and he was very impressed.

z28lt1

When I went to ditch the C5 for the C6, Carmax offered the same the dealer was giving me in trade.

I don't think you'll get the ultimate top dollar (private sale is usually best for that) but you likely will get a fair price with no hassle.

ben dover

Outside of a private sale, it's probably the best way.

lander

I sold my last two Mazda's to them. First one they gave me more than trade-in, the 2nd time they gave me the same as the dealer was going to give me.

Top dollar will come from patience and a private sale. It took me 2 1/2 months to sell my C6, but I got what I wanted for it.

Top_Fuel

I was going to tell you to check KBB trade-in value so you have an idea of what they might offer. But I just looked and KBB's numbers don't seem accurate.

KBB says the trade-in value an '09 1LT with 8500 miles is worth $38K. I think that number is high considering that many bought '09 1LTs for under $40K new. I'm thinking they're going to offer you something like $33K-$34K. So don't be shocked at the number. If they make you an offer, it's good for a couple of weeks...so you don't have to decide immediately.

Get a quote from them. You have nothing to lose. If you end up doing it, let us know what they tell you. I'm curious because I have an '09 1LT!

HERE are more comments about people and their CarMax experience.

RussellZ

I've sold 2 cars to Carmax. Both times they offered higher then other dealers. It was relatively hassle free and easy.

pmzangag

When I bought my 06 from Carmax, I traded in an 07 Camry that I bought new from a Carmax afiliated Toyata dealership. Got about $1,500 more than I thought I would! The guy at Carmax said they pay extra when you sell back a car bought from them. I plan on selling them back the 06 next year and buying a 2010 GS from one of the forum dealers.

Zymurgy

I took my C5 to Carmax when I was getting my C6. Their offer was insulting. It was way below KBB trade-in value, although they showed me a supposed KBB printout with an even lower figure. I had a KBB printout with a much higher figure. They refused to answer any questions about the difference.

My local dealer offered me more $3K over the Carmax offer. Furthermore, I was buying my C6 with GMS (employee pricing), so there was no game playing between the trade-in and the new car price. With the savings on sales tax (in Texas, you only pay sales tax on the net price (new car less trade in)) the dealer deal was even better.

Still, no harm in seeing what Carmax will offer. Just do your homework beforehand.

kp

I sold two of my old SUVs to Carmax, they were both within 1000.00 of the 'good' KBB trade in price so i was happy with that.

Dont forget when you trade a car in you get the credit for taxes. If you trade a 30K car in on a 50K car you pay taxes on 20K If you arent buying another car right away then Carmax isnt realy a bad deal.

I aslo bought a couple cars from them over the years, one I noticed some body damage two days after I bougth it on a lift and they took it back no questions asked - try that with most other used car dealers.

rm50

I have sold 2 05 Corvettes and 1 Ford Explorer to Carmax.
I think they offered a fair price but not a great price. I really don't like the b.s. involved with trying to sell a car to the general public so this is quick, easy and painless.
You go in and tell them you want to sell a vehicle. It takes about 20 minutes and they will give you a quote that is good for 7 days. You can compare that to what the dealer is offering and take the best deal.
In my case I was just wanting to downsize so I got rid on 1 05 Vette and the Explorer. I have ordered a GS from MacMulkin so I needed to get rid on the other 05 just last month.
My advice is try it and get the price from them. If you don't like it walk away. it might be worth 30 minutes of your time.

GOLD72

If you have a low mileage/recent model year car and clean, you might get a good offer since they will be buying for their own lot and not just to wholesale the car somewhere else. I have sold two non-vette cars several years ago and was reasonably pleased with the experience.

SLVRC6

The big difference is the tax ramifications.

If you run to the dealer and buy a car, you will pay sales tax on the money Carmax gave you.

Glen220

I am surprised to hear the positive comments on selling a car to Carmax. I had them give me an offer on my 04 Mazda RX-8 that I was selling to buy my vette and their offer was almost 1/2 of blue book!

If I remember correctly, at the time my RX-8 was blue booked at $14,000 and they offered me $7,500. The car was perfect with 32,000 miles, garaged, Zaino'd, etc.

My son sold his Mustang GT to them and they also gave him about 1/2 it's value, but he wanted to get rid of it and took the offer.

They certainly sell at a good price and don't buy cars that are not in good shape.

I am glad to see they have improved on their purchase price, but I wonder it has caused their selling price to increase?

John_Syb

Sold them a Chrysler Sebring Vert once. Very up front, very fair. Their first and only bid was more than 3K more than the dealership we were trying to buy a car from.

wb6yaw

CarMax will offer to buy your car based on several factors. If it's a car they intend to resell on one of their lots then you will probably get a fair price. If not, they'll just wholesale it and you'll get a low wholesale based price. Market demand plays a huge part of their offer. When the gas prices go way up, trucks and SUV's drop by 1/4 to 1/2 almost over night since they can't sell them either. Things that will cause you to get a lower price are any non-stock items, especially wheels. They don't sell cars with aftermarket wheels so that's an automatic wholesale car to them. Any speed/performance item would be a killer too. As someone else pointed out, depending on the state you live in the sales tax savings often make it worth while to trade your car in where you're buying the new one.

JB