Is CarMax a Good Place To Buy a Car?

Clark loves this no-haggle company, especially for buying used vehicles. Here’s why – and the things that differentiate CarMax.

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[JR-prjb]

Years ago I bought a well-equipped Ford Escort sedan at Carmax. The price was fair, the car proved to be trouble-free, and unlike my experience at regular dealerships, I was able to maintain my temper and dignity.

[darman]

I love carmax.... I know they dont have the lowest prices.... but they are clear and transparent... I have bought 3 cars there....

[janet]

I bought a Toyota Corolla from Carmax in 2018. I took it to my mechanic to have it checked out and It needed some kind of work done on it, (I can’t remember what it was exactly), but they let my mechanic do the work on it. The bill was about $900 as I recall. I got no hassles at all from Carmax. I loved that car. Unfortunately, about six months after I bought it I got hit by a drunk driver (they’re all over Albuquerque) and it was totaled. Fortunately, I was not badly injured.

[JR-prjb]

Having worked in 4 franchise dealerships, I'll say just this: I will NEVER, EVER again set foot in a "regular" dealership, with their abusive and deceptive "haggling" games.

[nunyabiznys]

I had 2 great experiences at Carmax. Bought my car at a very fair price - according to Edmunds for the year and date.

[kenarthur]

Bought 1 good car there, and 1 lemon. Their prices now are way too high. But since they're so big, they are willing to avoid dropping prices and let cars sit on the lots for like 500 days. I'd avoid them until prices line up with today's market

[dondonner]

I was told by a dealer that I took my car to have a diagnosis as to why my check engine light was on. You need a timing belt, $8000.00 dollars. I did not want to do that and told him so and he said sell it to Carmax, we will reset the light you sell it to Carmax because thats what everyone else does.

[joeljohnson]

In 2015 I went to Car Max to get a price on my 2008 Subaru Forester with 160, 000 miles. After a long wait they offered $2, 500. I went to my mechanic (he got into buying and selling used cars) and he gave me $4, 000.

[papagen]

I bought a Range Rover from Carmax with a bumper to bumper warranty. Best deal ever.

[rustynail]

Bought a new GMC in 2004 cheaper than what Carmax wanted for an 03.

[markb]

Just bought a vehicle from them . A great experience.

[mandys]

As of 2017 Car Max expected one to allow them to check and test drive your car without you before any contractual papers were signed and processed. I said "You don't own it yet hence why I am saying I will be driving it to your inspection area and will be going with you on the test drive. They said I could not do that so I told them I'd be going elsewhere. That was a Carmax in Ontario, California.

[jimmycain]

It’s less BS and it ain’t worth it to try to find cheaper unless your time is worth nothing

[johnmero]

If you're unable or afraid to haggle for a better price, and don't mind paying full price. Then sure.

[chriswalls]

I could expand them in other states my idea like west Virginia, Hawaii, little rock, north dakota if they come down in price

[roylappin]

Absolutely disagree on carmax! They are atleast $2k over retail and often more than new.

[rntt]

Thanks Clark! I have been looking at carmax for a while now. I am in the market for a fast sports car and their prices for V8 muscle cars are actually not terrible compared to the local dealers.

[BrisLS]

I live in Richmond, and bought 2 Corvettes in a row there. Both were screaming pound-the-table buy cheap bargains. But.. that was 2008 and 2013. Since then, seems like they got the memo on giving away sports cars. You may do better on price somewhere else. Actually some of the Chevy dealers have good deals on used, with very long protective warrantees included. Something I did not expect to evolve the way it has. Happy tire kicking!

[itsnotme]

Per Doug DeMuro....get the CarMax Bumper to Bumper warranty.... LOL

[GunnyPhillips]

My experience with them was horrible. To sum it up, they tried to sell me a car with more miles [about 300] on the odometer than the paperwork said it should have. I'd had the car shipped in from another location and, when I discovered this, asked that the price be adjusted to account for the discrepancy. They sited their "no haggle pricing" policy and said they couldn't make any adjustments. I ended up walking away from the deal and buying elsewhere. It was a matter of integrity to me. At best they made a mistake but refused to take ownership I believe Carmax [like most dealers] caters to people who are happy they can get financed and don't ask a lot of questions. In my case, I was paying cash for a $60K vehicle, and needed everything to be on the up & up.