SJGQ5

So in negotiating my (on order) 15 TDI, I did my homework regarding what my current car would be worth as a trade in (06 IS350). KBB came in at about $14K as a trade in. Dealer came in about $12.2 which I thought was low. Other dealers came in around the same..

So I figure I would check out CarMax…they came in at $10K! Obviously $2K lower that what I already thought was low..Crazy.

I guess I will do the trade in as I have to pay sales tax on the net purchase price, and the dealer didn't want my aftermarket (Work) wheels..which I can sell after the fact..

Yeah I know I can sell to a private party but not really worth the hassle, etc.

tgt

I've had Carmax offer a trade in/appraisal 3 times (each time, I did purchase the replacement vehicle from them, so you would think there was incentive). Each time, as you did, it was literally a slap in the face and I walked away (selling it on my own for easily 10-20% more AFTER tax savings each time). Moral of the story, they offer WHOLESALE for trades (regardless if they can flip it quickly or not)...

My $.02...

-tgt

DucDude

They were even worse when I went to trade in my FX35. Book for trade in value was $25K and they offered me $21K.

Big D *suspended*

I think it depends on the car and the market. I've sold 3 cars to them and each time they were 1-2k higher than comparable trades at any dealer.

ex-quattro PETE

Yup. When my wife was looking to offload her '08 C300, Carmax was offering $15K, while a local Audi dealer was only offering $13K.

DucDude

They told me that they base their pricing on recent auction prices so they don't always jive with bluebook values.

JBDinTX

Wow!! I have always got great prices out of carmax. They bid my S5 $2,000 more than the dealer and my GMC truck $5,000 more than the dealer. I pulled out my bid and the dealer cried a little but in the end they did match carmax's bid.

Clemson73

My experience on a 2011 Honda Odyssey. CarMax offered $26,000. Two dealers offered $27,000. It did take a lot of work though!

Q5 Bob

I've always received good competitive offers from Car Max. I use their appraisals in negotiations to set a trade in price.

Audphile

Three times I've tried CarMax and three times they were terrible offers. I don't even consider them anymore.