visitador

^^^ getting ot. I previously posted a link to the 997 forum. It discusses how CarMax does business. The poster also discussed Sonic, which is the car where STG featured today

pfbz

Exactly!

pfbz

I looked at my fourth Carmax 911 last week (not this car). It had significant issues that didn't show up in the pictures or description. Definite pass. I know a few folks have gotten HOT cars from Carmax, but everyone I've seen so far has had serious condition issues. I keep them on my radar, but I get more and more skeptical with each car looked at.

STG

The nature of most all sports cars in this segment and into the much higher price points and brands, is that they're not the ONLY car 90% of the owners have. I could never have a 911 as an only vehicle. Doesn't make sense for my lifestyle.

Nothing new that they're not accumulating mileage like a Toyota Camry. Look at the used market, and awe how many very high mileage cars you see.

Same as it's always been. No new news.

STG

I've only seen ONE nice Carmax car bought by a someone here in 2 years. Not sure how it checked out in the short term as he was selling months after.

Something to keep an eye out for, but would rather not see Carmax cars listed here. 99% of the time they have some issues and don't want to promote cars like that on here. There's a reason why they end up there. Carmax is one step below even these shady independent dealers we see.

The preference is:

Porsche Dealer.
Major Luxury Brand Dealer (BMW, MB, etc)
Legit Private seller (Rennlist preferably).
Good reputation independent dealer.

mchu168

Has anyone actually looked at this car? I'm ok with a few paint scratches and nicks as long as they can be touched up at minimal cost. It probably has a couple of years of warranty left so mechanical issues shouldn't be a huge concern, right? Am I missing something?

Newbie to 911s and looking for some real help from the pros here. This car has everything I'm looking for as a long-term lurker.

STG

^^^ You haven't found anything better for $85K after searching a while?? This is high Porsche dealer pricing with a CPO too.

Is you've been looking for a while, how many great buys have been posted for that or even less expensive?

pfbz

I agree with most of your thoughts on carmax, but not as much this portion... The Carmax cars are what they are, but I never get a sense they are trying to hide anything. Plus the do give a pretty complete checkout and a 30-day warranty where they will cover most issues discovered post purchase for those 30 days, even if it is a trip to the Porsche dealer.

As far as mechanical flaws, discovered and undiscovered, I'd say they are light years ahead of the 'shady independent' guys with there typical "30-feet or 30-second, whichever comes first" warranty.

As far as cosmetic flaws, they just don't get the kind of correction and detailing as a luxury dealer, and they often seem to have owners that weren't as obsessive/compulsive about keeping them perfect as many of the previous owners I like to buy from.

I'd definitely put them way ahead of the "off-lease-only" type dealers

STG

^^^^ Ummmmm. Maybe I spoke too quick. Would agree. Don't see them as shady or dishonest. They just try and sell what they get and don't try and hide anything. Up to the potential buyer to look further into a car.

The shady indy guys are the worst.

I guess I just see the quality of their cars and the builds they get not being very high caliber.

The Fat Kid

I know someone on Audizine who bought an Audi S4 from CarMax. The car had a major issue (something like an engine rebuild was necessary) within 30 days, and CarMax fought to have their generic in-house mechanic fix it because they did not want to pay Audi.

Another guy bought an Audi from CarMax and drove it to an Audi mechanic (I know him) to get checked out. The tech said, "I don't have to get the paint meter out to see that the whole side has been poorly repainted." The buyer took the car back and showed CarMax's GM who continually denied there was an issue.

I am NOT inferring every CarMax is shady, but they do have used-car-dealer tendencies. I would wonder if they used the right oil, torqued to the correct specs, etc. if their mechanic did a major service before putting a 911 on the lot.

On a positive note: The CarMax extended warranty is supposed to be very good if you find a clean car.

R_Rated

"Carmax" Isn't shady however, it's not a place car people shop. Here is why - Carmax has a "take it or leave it" price. Risk is built into their margins and they will operate within that risk for warranty. Major repairs are outliers that they will attempt to push back on by having their mechanics fix. Simple business model. Other factors are that the people that work there are also not car people or high caliber. It's a retail store and not a car place. Think about the help you get looking at TVs at Walmart... There isn't an expert and you're going to pay the listed retail price. The upside is a lot of options for a one stop shop which is great for people wanting an appliance.

Bad for people looking for a 2012.5 991.1 Launch car in agate Great, 2 tone interior, Sport exhaust, sport technos, PDCC, 18 ways, SC SPAMS and CBBC with .5 degree modified negative camber and exactly 991 miles.

Along with not paying the best (remember they are a retail store like one in a mall and nota car dealership with certified specialists) they likely also don't know about or find many flaws that may normally get fixed... or have a bandaid.... or even covered up!

Also - WBYCEIYDBO... I got 23% more from carmax than the dealer was going to give me on my audi when trading for my 5 series....

dgoldenz

Carmax also gives you a 5-day return policy no questions asked, so you have plenty of time to get an inspection done on your own. Their warranty is Fidelity Platinum and for 5 years/75k miles it was only $2300, which is a steal compared to buying from another warranty source. If you are buying from out-of-state and having the car transferred, you are only risking the transfer cost which is non-refundable. The car I bought from them needed a good detailing job, but other than that it was perfect. It was also Basalt Black, which seems like it would be impossible to keep looking perfect anyway. The person who bought it from me contacted me through Rennlist, not sure if he still posts here or not. I made a little money, he got a unicorn build, I got a replacement 991S with full TechArt kit, my preferred color (white), full leather, and PDK at a much lower cost, worked out for everyone =)

skiborsy

At under $85k, it's marginally less expensive than ANY 2015 911 C2S on cars.com (though an early '15 build)... Here's the cheapest 2015 C2S on cars.com (CPO with $108k MSRP and 22k miles for $85,501): https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...2766/overview/

Know nothing of the condition of either car, of course, and have never bought from Carmax.

Hurricane

I bought my first 991S from Carmax, when it was two years old with 7,200 miles on it and traded it in a little more two years later with 19,000 miles on it for my dream car. It was a great car and served me very well.

Mine was a launch car with PDCC, PSE, PDK, SC, Bose, PDLS, Heated/Ventilated seats, folding mirrors, park assist front and rear, 20" Sport Design wheels, sunroof, leather 18-way seats, and of course PSP.

I put on a winter tire set with Carrera S wheels for the colder months.

Hurricane

I found Carmax prices to be typically less than those advertised for CPO cars. Of course, the tradeoff is you don't get a CPO warranty (although you could spring for the extended warranty).