Anonymous wrote:Carmax is expensive because you are paying for not having to deal with a typical used car lot. You also have the availability of a very good warranty backed by a reputable corporation

This.

I just bought a used Subaru from Carmax. The price was comparable to nearby dealers for the trim/model, year and mileage I was looking for. Maybe if I was less picky about features, I could have gotten it cheaper somewhere else, but the convenience factor is also worth a lot to me. They also offered me more than KBB for my used Honda.

You have to factor in how much your time and energy are worth.

I always let Carmax purchase because they always give me the best offer but then I buy elsewhere.

CPO from a Honda dealer will likely cost less than Carmax.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Carmax is expensive because you are paying for not having to deal with a typical used car lot. You also have the availability of a very good warranty backed by a reputable corporation

This. It’s the most expensive way to buy a used car.

On the flip side, it says something about usual car dealers that so many people will pay a premium to avoid getting totally ripped off.

Anonymous wrote:Carmax is expensive because you are paying for not having to deal with a typical used car lot. You also have the availability of a very good warranty backed by a reputable corporation

This. It’s the most expensive way to buy a used car.

Carmax is also a rip off on the buy side. About 10 years ago, I wanted to get rid of an old Mercedes and they offered me $8000. I listed it privately on auto trader and a couple other places and sold it for $14,000.

Carmax is expensive because you are paying for not having to deal with a typical used car lot. You also have the availability of a very good warranty backed by a reputable corporation

Anonymous wrote:Buy from an individual owner.

+1
You will easily save 2k. Just make sure they have "title in hand" and buy a one owner vehicle.

We got a quote for my old car at Carmax and then went to the Honda dealer. Found the right car at the Honda dealer, but their quote for the trade-in was $500 less than Carmax. We flashed the Carmax paperwork and they gave us the same trade-in value.

Had a great experience at the DARCARS Honda in Bowie. The guy who sold it to me is named Ifiok, and he is super nice and has checked in a few times over the years and once got us in for repairs a full day ahead of when the repair shop said we could bring it in.

Buy from an individual owner.

just buy a new one. buying used right now is not worth it

This was pre-COVID so pre run on used cars, but I will say when we bought our used Honda it was actually cheaper to buy through the Honda dealership than carmax. Not sure what the situation is now but would check that out if you haven't already.

Also to add, the new price is not that much higher than a 2-3 used car, seems like a dumb idea to buy used.

I am looking on autotrader and the prices are coming down a bit but seem a bit high. When I go to carmax they are at least 10% more.