CarMax Experiences

Hey there TW peeps!

I am in the market for a used Taco. After a fair amount of searching and researching I found the EXACT truck I want. However, I have never dealt with CarMax and I'm a little apprehensive.

My question is: Has anybody here had dealings with them? Looking for good and bad experiences and/or common pit-falls.

The truck is out of state so it looks like I'll be paying the transfer fee. Not really a problem, but a friend of mine had it waved almost without question.

Any help or comments are appreciated.

Thanks guys!

 

It's an easy, no-haggle experience but you pay a little more for the vehicle as a result.

Look closely for repaired collision damage.

 

I got mine from CarMax, everything was good. I couldn't get the transfer fee waved which sucked a little but oh well and don't get the Warranty from them, you can get it cheaper somewhere else. If you want the car but want to find a different payment plan they give you 3 days I think to look but if you dont find one cheaper you get what you signed up for at CarMax. if you have any more questions let me know all in all my experience was a good one

 

That's been the general consensus. The vehicles cost more but it's convenient and simple. I've seen a few bad reviews but they seem to be more because the owners either didn't know what they wanted or weren't happy with their choice. Not really a CarMax problem.

 

Buell,

Thank you so much for responding! I already have my financing options worked out. Turns out my Credit Union is pretty hard to beat when it comes to financing.

I should have mentioned I will be trading in an '06 BMW. How are they on trade-in value?

 

I had been on the dealership and almost bought one, sold before i could. They give you thier bottom price were honest had nothing to hide, unlike Right Toyota in Scottsdale AZ, DONT BUY A CAR THERE.

 

I didn't trade in a car so I'm not sure...I just kept saving till I had a solid Down Payment and then got lucky with finding my truck but couldn't be happier and see if your credit union has a warranty option, mine did and saved me $600 compared to the carmax warranty

 

I have sold 3 cars to carmax and bought one from them. They sell them for whats on the sticker, so no haggling or hassling. I can't speak for every region, but the dealerships around here use carmax as a benchmark for used car values. The local dealers will promise to beat carmax trade in values. I think that says alot about how fair carmax trade values are. I have seen lots of people get upset because they think the trade/sale value isn't what they think it should be. Just have to be realistic about the value of the trade and understand that they have to make a dollar too.

 

How did you swing that? Was it offered or did you inquire?

 

dont let them know you have a trade-in until you get a really good deal on the truck.

 

oh really... you cant deal with them?

 

I wouldn't go back to a carmax. My mother, father, and I wen't to a carmax to look for me a new car. I knew I wanted a truck or suv we talked about what I wanted then I walked 5 feet away a to look at a lin of suv's, 4runners xterrars, etc., and over heard the dealer ask my parents what our budget was they said around 10g. The man laughed in their faces and said "We ain't got nothing like that here" my dad shook his hand and we rode off. Needless to say we won't be going back to one any time soon around here.

 

I loved my experience with them. Bought my wife's sequoia threw them. Haggle free, gave me top dollar from her old blazer and everyone was really nice. I would recommend carmax to everyone!!!!

 

Poor judgement on the salesman's part, yes. A bad mark for the company and a reason to ward potential customers away, no.

I don't want to start an argument but I have to state the facts here.

1) You wanted a truck/SUV
2) Your budget was 10K
3) From my research the only ~10k *vehicle* you'll find at a CarMax would be a higher mileage compact (Dodge Neon etc) or an older, higher mileage family car (Van etc).
3) I would expect a salesman to give a chuckle at the situation. However, I too would not approve.

Conclusion:
Sufficient research was not performed or the standards were too high.

Not really a problem with the franchise.

At any rate, thank you very much for your input. I am hoping that because I have the truck and financing worked out my transaction should be as smooth as possible.

Edit: I'd also like to include that it sounds like the salesman in your situation was young and inexperienced. I have noticed that it seems to be the starting place for aspiring salesman and women.

 

I'm sure may have been an isolated incident to this one guy. It has just put a bad taste in our mouth we were willing to go much higher with the prices. My standards were for it to have at least a v6, manual trans prefered, and 4 doors. I don't believe it's too high. We just happened to see a few tacoma's in the lot, which is what I wanted and have now and decided to pull in and look around. He had also been there awhile so not new, just a douche. He handled it all wrong, if for example he had said We don't have many cars that fit that price range rather than the way he did then I would probably be driving a diffrent truck then the one I have.

 

Sadly there is no douche pre-screening available. LOL

I will be sure to update this thread with my experience. Hopefully it's positive. I try to maintain a douche-free zone.