Ask the Car People.SM


Carmax - What's Your Experience?

895 messages,  Last post on Apr 04, 2013 at 6:49 PM

You are in the Smart Shopper Forum.

What is this discussion about? Car Leasing, Car Financing

Messages Page 90 of 91

#884 of 895 Re: Carmax buyer experience [silveradoking] by dwynne

Jan 22, 2012 (6:58 am)

Replying to: silveradoking (Jan 21, 2012 10:27 am)
Sorry you are having troubles, but you purchased a 6 year old truck with (unstated) thousands of miles on it and you expect it to be perfect? Even a new car can break as soon as it is driven, one 6 years old has a far greater chance of having a problem.
 
I am not sure what "grinding in the accelerato pedal" could mean, but if the problem is in the pedal then it seems like something you could live with or have fixed cheap. I am not sure how Carmax could have rigged something up to fool you into buying the truck - have it work for days and then fail. Carmax auctions and has dealer sales for vehicles they can't sell and something with a problem they knew about would likely be sold wholesale to a dealer and not retailed to a buyer.
 
As far as I know there are no used car lemon laws, by their very nature used cars will fail without warning or usually warranty. Most used car dealers don't offer a buy back program either. At best, you could swap for something on the lot. Many would offer no help at all for buyer's remorse or problems post sale.
 
In hindsight, if offered a buy back guarantee then I would make sure I did a lot of driving under varied conditions to wring out any problems and make sure I would be happy. Driven enough, there would be no way to "rig something up" to pass a short test drive.
 
 You state you purchased Carmax's extended warranty "MaxCare" which might help, but then you complain because you moved to a location where a trip to the nearest Carmax with 3 hours one way?
 
I am no Carmax fan boy, I think their no haggle price is way too high compared to working a deal with another dealer. "In theory" they have nice vehicles that are inspected, but like you I am not sure how much extra value should be placed on that inspection (or those by any other dealer). I think they get the bulk of their vehicles from auctions so they don't get to inspect them completely pre-purchase. Like any dealer with any used vehicle they can have issues after purchase no matter how much or how little they were inspected.
 
What *I* would do is find a quality local shop and get the problem diagnosed and an estimate for the repairs - this may cost you a little out of pocket. Once you know what the problem is and the repair, then work with Carmax to make sure it is covered and repaired. I would then ask for my up front money back. It might be cheaper and easier than making 6 hour round trips.
 
Good luck!

#885 of 895 Re: Carmax buyer experience [dwynne] by silveradoking

Jan 22, 2012 (12:47 pm)

Replying to: dwynne (Jan 22, 2012 6:58 am)
"Sorry you are having troubles, but you purchased a 6 year old truck with (unstated) thousands of miles on it and you expect it to be perfect? Even a new car can break as soon as it is driven, one 6 years old has a far greater chance of having a problem."
  
Please, show me where I expected the vehicle to be perfect. Just one line that indicated that. Ok...now that we've covered just making things up, let's see what I did expect. What I expected was that Carmax would thoroughly inspect their vehicles to ensure these kinds of issues would be addressed. I forgot to mention, the truck only has about 55k on it. Also, don't insult my intelligence with statements about the truck having potential for problems. I am well aware of that. Thus my reasons for going to a dealer that claims to do all kinds of reconditioning prior to sale.
 
"I am not sure what "grinding in the accelerato pedal" could mean, but if the problem is in the pedal then it seems like something you could live with or have fixed cheap. I am not sure how Carmax could have rigged something up to fool you into buying the truck - have it work for days and then fail. Carmax auctions and has dealer sales for vehicles they can't sell and something with a problem they knew about would likely be sold wholesale to a dealer and not retailed to a buyer."
  
Let me explain: This model of truck is "drive by wire," meaning there is no longer a physical connection between the gas pedal and the throttle body assembly. Such a grinding is evidence of any number of things, including a bad transmission/torque convertor, bad driveshaft/spider gears/u-joints, bad throttle valve motor, etc. In my shop experience, none of these "just happen" and there would have been evidence of damage or defect. As far as rigging it to work, that isn't hard to accomplish either, especially considering how far the truck actually drove during that time.
 
"As far as I know there are no used car lemon laws, by their very nature used cars will fail without warning or usually warranty. Most used car dealers don't offer a buy back program either. At best, you could swap for something on the lot. Many would offer no help at all for buyer's remorse or problems post sale."
 
Lemon Laws, apparently, also apply to Breach of Representation, which is what this looks like. As I said, now three times, I am looking into these options if they do not rectify this situation.
  
  
"You state you purchased Carmax's extended warranty "MaxCare" which might help, but then you complain because you moved to a location where a trip to the nearest Carmax with 3 hours one way?"
 
Not complaining, just stating a fact that it is a waste of gas to have to make that drive.
  
"What *I* would do is find a quality local shop and get the problem diagnosed and an estimate for the repairs - this may cost you a little out of pocket. Once you know what the problem is and the repair, then work with Carmax to make sure it is covered and repaired. I would then ask for my up front money back. It might be cheaper and easier than making 6 hour round trips."
 
I asked if that was an option an was told it is not. The ONLY reason it is at Carmax is because I purchased their coverage. Now, if they can't fix it, I am looking into a replacement because I don't have time to be in and out of a vehicle.

#886 of 895 carmax buy your car scam by rangem

Mar 26, 2012 (3:09 pm)

i sold my 2011 ss camero to the tinley park il carmax they claim they will issue you a bank draft they did not give me one they gave me a regular company check for 29.000 i deposited it and the bank ran it wells fargo refused to pay. a couple of weeks later they sent me a cashiers check i deposited the bank ran it once again wells fargo refused to pay it they have my car and title and i have 29.000 in worthless checks. stay as far away from this company as you can they are liars

#887 of 895 Contracts not honored by jsgriffin65

Apr 17, 2012 (12:04 pm)

My wife and I purchased a 2009 Nissan Murano at Carmax in Dulles/Sterling VA. A few days later we realized that there was a growing puddle of oil in our garage. So, we took the car back. They promised (and it states clearly in their contract) that we would receive a refund within 3-6 days. Well, we are at day 12 and counting. The car cost $20k and we gave them $5k in cash (from the private party sale of our old car) plus a $1000 check. We financed the balance. No one there seems to know how to refund money! We just keep getting the run around from the people in the business department! I can't help thinking that if we owed them $20,000 and we were late in paying we would be subject to penalties. Not to mention our credit score taking a hit. Why is it a business can get away with these kinds of activities but individuals get hammered?
 
I am about to call a lawyer. Maybe I can file a lien against the dealership and their inventory until I get paid! That should motivate them!
 
This is the third car we have purchased from Carmax. It is going to the the last. A business is only as good as their word and right now, their word is worthless.

#888 of 895 Lancaster, PA or East Haven, CT? by sjwoo

Nov 13, 2012 (8:07 am)

I'm thinking about having my 2008 Hyundai Elantra SE appraised by CarMax. I'm pretty much equidistance from Lancaster, PA and East Haven, CT. I figure the one in East Haven would give me a better deal (since they probably have more traffic), but what do you think?
 
- Sung

#889 of 895 Allow Inspections by koctailz

Nov 29, 2012 (2:38 pm)

Does CarMax allow the vehicle to be taken off their lot to have it inspected by an independent mechanic? Also in regards to no haggle pricing. What has people's experience been on negotiating with them. I like to haggle and will not pay their inflated prices.

#890 of 895 Re: Allow Inspections [koctailz] by voicemailking

Nov 29, 2012 (4:06 pm)

Replying to: koctailz (Nov 29, 2012 2:38 pm)
No, you have to purchase the vehicle, then you have an unconditional 5 day return policy, you can return the car for any reason at all, no money is lost. Or you can bring a mechanic with you but will not have access to a lift. No haggle, you can try, but they have and never will allow it, all prices are etched in stone.

#891 of 895 Re: Allow Inspections [voicemailking] by koctailz

Nov 29, 2012 (4:21 pm)

Replying to: voicemailking (Nov 29, 2012 4:06 pm)
Thanks for the info. The no haggle thing is a deal breaker for me as their prices are a little inflated imo. It's too bad because it does appear they score some nice vehicles at auction. They have a lot of luxury vehicles with low mileage that have come off leases. They must be able to use their clout at these auctions to get fair prices too. Then mark up $4k and sell. Good for them and bad for the consumer. Why are people so afraid to negotiate. I just don't understand this.

#892 of 895 So Many Complaints by sandman_6472

Mar 11, 2013 (3:16 pm)

Why would anyone buy from this place? They have ridiculous prices and the stories in here make me sick as to their shady tactics and problems paying their bills. Folks, please stay away...far away from these clowns. There are plenty of legitimate places to purchase a vehicle. When I read these stories, glad I buy new cars now. Would rather buy a less expensive new that an inflated lemon with issues that are covered up before purchase.
Folks, use your brains and do not bu from CarSux!
 
The Sandman

#893 of 895 CARMAX by voicemailking

Mar 11, 2013 (4:40 pm)

Carmax is very legitimate. They are used cars! They warranty them, offer extended warranties, and have a 5 day money back guarantee, unconditional. Yea, like anywhere, they have issues sometimes, but they put out a decent product and the price is worth knowing you did not buy a wrecked car.

Messages Page 90 of 91

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement