Drove This and Why CarMax Sucks

"Shane Moore" (snakesm13) 09/08/2020 at 20:04 • Filed to: None

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This is a 2020 Hyundai Veloster N with 5,600 miles.

P lastic still on the seat belts, buttons, and infotainment system.

It was fun, sounded great and decently quick.

Carmax has it priced about right at $26,500 BUT offered me $14,000 for my i3. A full $3,000 less than bother Mercedes Benz and Kia locally offered me. BMW or Austin offered $17,500 trade for the Veloster N they have. But I don’t want to drive to Austin.

They gave the the spill about wholesale pricing and they don’t have control over it and can’t change the pricing once it’s appraised. They have a comparable i3 same mileage but lower trim for $20,000. No way are they going to try to make $6k off me. Ridiculous.

I left and they didn’t even try to stop me or contact me after. Crooks.  

jminer > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 20:30

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I’ll say I’ve sold a car twice to Carmax and they were 20 % or more higher both times than everyone else.

Yes they tried listing my 2012 Focus for 10k a fter they bought it from me for $3k, but they put $2k in work into it at least and it sat for 6 months with the price slowly going down until I stopped checking at $7k.

The place that I bought my Sportwagen from offered me $2k for the same car.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 20:36

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Anyone else notice that all their cars smell?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 20:37

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I’d email them with your final offer. Their prices may not be flexible but I’m sure their trade numbers are. 

Saracen > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 20:38

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I’ve had three cars appraised by Carmax, all three were ridiculous lowballs.

The third one was my B8.5 allroad . The salesman k new it was such a lowball that he started laughing before he showed me the number. I started laughing and shook my head and he said “yeah, that’s what I thought.” It was like 18k or something like that.

I won’t ever waste my time with them again.

Shane Moore > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/08/2020 at 20:38

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They said they couldn’t do anything about either price. I thought the same thing, work with me a little. 

Shane Moore > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/08/2020 at 20:39

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This one smelled brand new. 

Shane Moore > Saracen 09/08/2020 at 20:41

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Same here! I’ve heard so many stories about how they are consistently the highest offer. Guess I look like a sucker. Actually I look like Dave Grohl. Does Dave Grohl look like a sucker?

Thomas Donohue > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/08/2020 at 20:42

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Smell how?  Smell like Doug?

nermal > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 20:52

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Why go from an i3 to that? Other than being roughly the same size, isn’t it pretty much the complete opposite?

WilliamsSW > Thomas Donohue 09/08/2020 at 21:04

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They seem to have a lot of smokers cars in my limited experience.  

Textured Soy Protein > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 21:04

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If you like the Veloster N, with those numbers, might as well just buy a new one . With the performance package it’s $30,675 including destination . Do a little haggling on the new car plus get a better trade offer than CarMax and you’d probably come out even with this deal. Maybe even a little better.

Shane Moore > Textured Soy Protein 09/08/2020 at 21:24

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From my research very few can get a deal on a Veloster N especially in performance blue. Like $500-$1000at most. $4k off is pretty significant even if it’s slightly used. 

Shane Moore > nermal 09/08/2020 at 21:26

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I don’t know if I have an answer to this. Manual and it sounds good. Size is important because it needs to fit in the garage and give my wife’s care room to load the kids. Cars in the driveway have a history of becoming chew toys. 

Textured Soy Protein > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 21:40

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I meant if you got like $1k off a new Veloster N  and $3k more for the trade like those other new car dealerships were offering, the net on the deal would be roughly the same as the CarMax Veloster N.

Shane Moore > Textured Soy Protein 09/08/2020 at 21:42

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Oh yeah I could definitely get the carmax car for the same price elsewhere with the higher trade in, I would just have to travel which doesn’t seem worth the risk here in Texas. The carmax deal is ridiculous. 

ToyotaFamily > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 21:53

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That’s kinda their deal, no haggle pricing.

Like other commenters have noted, sometimes their offers are lowballs, sometimes they’re higher than anyone else. Just keep in mind their offer is the same whether trading in or selling outright where other dealers may not do the same. 

Shane Moore > ToyotaFamily 09/08/2020 at 21:59

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Yeah but it came off as a sleazy dealership trying to pull One over on someone who doesn’t know what their vehicle is worth or are in such desperation they accept it.

Even the the KBB instant offer was higher and those are usually laughable. 

Jayhawk Jake > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 22:01

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I sold my Mustang to carmax, their offer was in line with what other dealers in town were offering (though everyone felt low). They turned around and listed it for $6k more and I thought they’d never sell it for that, but it sold in like a week.

Shane Moore > Jayhawk Jake 09/08/2020 at 22:04

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It’s so easy to do your research now it’s surprising people are still paying thousands more than they should. 

MUSASHI66 > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 22:06

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You can’t have a good price on the car you’re buying and an excellent trade value on the car you’re trading. It sucks, but it is what it is.

Road trips are fun - I flew to Utah to buy my car, with a buddy, and we drove straight back to Denver. If you know  a better deal is out there, go do it!

Shane Moore > MUSASHI66 09/08/2020 at 22:12

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I’ve owned 19 vehicles and I’ve done pretty good (no bankruptcy yet) so I have realistic expectations. This was a slap in the face offer. My i3 is mint and they said bologna about reconditioning. Vacuum, sanitize and it’s carmax show room ready. There was more damage on the 5k mile veloster and I want even talking them down on that. 

MUSASHI66 > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 22:22

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Do you have a source for auction prices for the i3? I’m just wondering why you are convinced their trade in offer is bad.

AdamB > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 22:40

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Performance Blue is definitely one of the more popular models. If time is not important I would wait until the 2021s come out since those will have significant upgrades. Then it would make sense to actually buy a new one. I bet used prices will go down too. 

Shane Moore > MUSASHI66 09/08/2020 at 22:47

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Because I’ve been offered no less than $17k trade in elsewhere. Without even sitting down to numbers yet at dealerships that haggle. 4  separate occasions.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 22:48

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I don’t know the market for these things but I will be eagerly watching as they depreciate is I absolutely adore that car in that lovely light blue. For that you could try to shop around for a good trade offer but with close to MSRP and get it brand new.

ToyotaFamily > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 22:48

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Totally understand the sentiment. Just keep in mind that the COVID market bubble has burst. Also, with them being one of (if not the largest) buyer of cars in the USA, the value is what your i3 is worth to CarMax,  which may not represent the general market.

Shane Moore > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 09/08/2020 at 22:50

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This was my first time seeing that blue in person. It was absolutely gorgeous. 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 22:50

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Do you owe money on the i3? If you're happy with the Veloster price, consider just selling the i3 privately instead.

Shane Moore > ToyotaFamily 09/08/2020 at 22:55

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Yeah being in this area of Texas definitely doesn’t help my cause. 

Danny Korecki > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 22:56

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I enjoyed my CarMax experience 4+ years ago.

If you want the cheapest car, hit up John Doe ’s Automotive down the street. If you want to buy a car without having a salesman up your butt and a great warranty got to CarMax. There is a trade off of course.

From what I experienced, from what others have told me, and what is implied by a sentence in your story is CarMax Salesmen/women are only salesman by name. They could care less if you buy a car that day. Want to buy? They will help. Don’t want to buy? They aren’t going to lie about giving you their next kid.

We have that “Just rolled into the shop thread” we could have the “this is what the salesman told me thread” and I bet you would never hear that at a CarMax.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 22:58

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The two times I’ve seen one in that color I’ve stopped for a few seconds to admire it. It’s just absolutely perfect for the character of the car. 

Shane Moore > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/08/2020 at 23:00

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I owe about what it’s worth, I took the down payment I normally put on a vehicle and put it in my Roth IRA in February which come June was a terrible mistake that became an incredible turn of fortune in august. I’m not completely sure the veloster is what I want. I wasn’t going to buy today but if it worked out I’d come back tomorrow. Didn’t even get that far when I said, “you do know this is the range Extender model?” And the reply was “this is just what the computer gives me” 

Shane Moore > Danny Korecki 09/08/2020 at 23:08

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Now that’s a good point. They were helpful but very structured. I’ve been to carmax probably 10+ times and they all have the same rules. Covid has changed them slightly. I was allowed a solo test drive with a time limit of 25 minutes. Yes I was seriously timed.

After the salesman told me the prices he had nothing else helpful to add to the conversation besides “That’s what the computer is telling me”.

The sales manager tried feeding me a couple lines but again nothing meaningful t o the purchase outside of the other places offered me that trade in value because I was buying their vehicle... same thing I would be doing here.

One great part of the social distancing now is people are willing to deal remotely and if you ask them to leave you alone while you look at the vehicle they will. 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 23:10

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Oh. Well I don’t own anything of value and I’ve not financed a vehicle, so I am of no use here. Farewell.

DipodomysDeserti > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 23:12

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Carmax paid me $15,500 cash for my Jeep, which was about $500 over the private party value. Way more than a dealer would have paid. They didn’t even inspect it. I filled out the online form and they had a check waiting for me at the store and nust needed my signature on the DMV paperwork. Easiest I’ve ever sold a car.

My guess is that they don’t want to screw around with an electric BMW.

However, I’d never buy from them after watching them buy a car sight unseen.

MUSASHI66 > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 23:14

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While that’s a decent indicator, that means nothing without hearing the other places offer. In any case, good luck! 

Danny Korecki > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 23:18

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I mean you come back at 25+  minutes what they going to do? lol

rearwheelhorse > Danny Korecki 09/08/2020 at 23:27

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They call the cops at 40 minutes is what I’ve been told.

Shane Moore > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/08/2020 at 23:28

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So long friend.

Danny Korecki > rearwheelhorse 09/08/2020 at 23:30

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sounds like a 39 minute test drive to me lol

rearwheelhorse > Shane Moore 09/08/2020 at 23:30

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This explains it fam. Nobody wants an i3 here. Hell, nobody wants anything smaller than a Ford F-250 here.

If the other dealer offers are so good, just take it to them. But I’m willing to bet those offers are only good if you buy something at full price.

Shane Moore > DipodomysDeserti 09/08/2020 at 23:30

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Hmmm. I have a 05 wrangler I may need to try this.... but yeah i3s down here are VERY rare. I’ve seen 2 others in 6+ years. 

Shane Moore > MUSASHI66 09/08/2020 at 23:32

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Thanks! But can you clarify what you mean by without hearing the othe places offer?

Shane Moore > rearwheelhorse 09/08/2020 at 23:38

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The first was the GLA45 but I ended up finding some issues with it. Second was a Kia Stinger GT1 that we agreed to almost $10k off on from a dealer trade. They went to get the vehicle and it was disclosed that diesel had been put in it accidentally by a sales associate. Third is another Veloster N less miles, agreed to the same price and $17,500 trade in but it’s in Austin and I don’t really want to travel and after driving the veloster I’m not 100% sold. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Shane Moore 09/09/2020 at 00:02

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“ it was disclosed that diesel had been put in it accidentally by a sales associate”

I think you mean,  Former  sales associate.  

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Shane Moore 09/09/2020 at 00:06

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Yeah you’d think they would.

Altho my only dealership experience is the one I worked at which was relatively small, and privately owned so we obviously operated differently than a major chain like Carmax. 

MUSASHI66 > Shane Moore 09/09/2020 at 00:26

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Well, most dealerships play by the same book when it comes to prices. They know the auction values of your trade in. They all get their new cars from same sources and know the current incentives.

If a dealership is offering you 14k for a trade and selling you a new car for $26500, and another dealership is offering you $17000 for a trade - you need to know tha t they won’t be asking more than $26500 for the car or that they won’t have higher d/h fees or a mandatory fabric and pain protection package they won’t remove etc.

I guess my point is that  you need to compare all the numbers, not just one.

Jayhawk Jake > Shane Moore 09/09/2020 at 07:54

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CarMax is insanely convenient, I get it. I paid a bit more than I should have but I was in and out in like an hour. Dealing with normal car salesman is a chore.

Shane Moore > MUSASHI66 09/09/2020 at 09:18

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Good point but I have compared all the numbers with other offers. I wouldn’t have felt this way if I didn’t have a clue what to expect or if it was the first offer. 

Shane Moore > Jayhawk Jake 09/09/2020 at 09:22

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That’s the upside of the situation our country is in right now, more dealerships are willing to do things by email or over the phone before you get there. When I bought my Jeep in April I haggled on the phone, test drove by myself. Next day I signed the paperwork outside and was gone in 15 minutes. Hopefully some of this sticks for the future “normal”. 

MUSASHI66 > Shane Moore 09/09/2020 at 09:43

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Ok, then chalk it up to the cost of doing it with Carmax - I sold my 2014 FIAT there and it was the most transparent dealership experience I’ve ever had. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Shane Moore 09/09/2020 at 10:29

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So, are you going to buy one? I need to get a test drive.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Shane Moore 09/09/2020 at 10:32

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See if phenotyp wants to buy your i3.

Shane Moore > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/09/2020 at 12:07

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I’m still on the fence. It is a very fun car but I felt like it should be faster. It really made me want to be a hooligan both positive and negative I guess. I did spot every single cop which you don’t have to do in the i3... It did not make me feel the same way as the GLA45 (way different I know), and not just pure speed. It wasn’t as eager I guess.

Shane Moore > MUSASHI66 09/09/2020 at 12:09

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Yeah I think Rearwheelhorse is right, just not a market for the i3 where I live, hence why I had to got 18 0 miles for it.

Shane Moore > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/09/2020 at 12:11

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I would feel bad if he had as much trouble with mine...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Shane Moore 09/09/2020 at 12:14

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Seems like the best choice at the price point (if you don’t want a GTI, and don’t want to step up to, or can’t handle the styling of, the Type R). I’m considering a car like this to drive for a few years and then eventually sell to one of my kids. But if I do that, it would mean giving up my M3, which I’m not sure I’m quite ready to do yet...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Shane Moore 09/09/2020 at 12:18

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I could see that.

Shane Moore > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/09/2020 at 12:22

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And here I am looking at M3's instead... the Veloster is definitely more fun than the GTI or Focus ST alternatives. I’ve never driven a type r though.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Shane Moore 09/09/2020 at 12:34

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You can get a very nice E9x M3 for $30k.

If they offered the i30 N here, I’d be all over it.

Shane Moore > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/09/2020 at 12:58

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Any reliability issues or concerns on the e92? Would be interested in the sedan over the Coupé. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Shane Moore 09/09/2020 at 13:35

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Mine’s an ‘08 sedan with 130k miles and lots of rock chips. Daily drove it for a long time, and have taken many backroadtrips and have a good number of track days, too.

Bought it 4 years used, and caught a bad AC evaporator under factory warranty. I’ve had a couple sensors go bad while I’ve had it and I burned up a fuel pump (my fault). I’ve had the valve cover gaskets replaced.

Rod bearings and throttle actuators are failures that come to mind for most who start looking into “common” failures on these , but mine is on original RBs, TAs & clutch. If I decide to keep it more than another year or two, I’ll probably finally get the rod bearings done as preventative maintenance. The combination of very tight tolerances, very heavy oil, and possibly assembly error (over- tightened bolts?) have led to a decent number of failures, and the bearings often show excessive wear when replaced. Thankfully, I seem to have gotten one of the “good ones”, and I’ve always been good about letting it come up to temp before leaning on the engine.

I am Marsupial! > Shane Moore 09/09/2020 at 17:59

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I will forever love CarMax because they gave me $5k for my 8 year old Mini Cooper with hail damage and loads of issues (just no check engine light ) vs. the $2,000 - $3,700 I was offered from various dealerships (Vroom was the lowest, Carvana at $3,700, local dealerships were in the middle).

That being said, I don’t think I will ever BUY a car from them. They’re probably going sell my old car that will probably need a new engine in the next 5,000 miles for $10k.