CarMax Trade In Value versus KBB?

[Cars and Tea]

CarMax Trade In Value versus KBB?

Those who have traded in their cars to CarMax, how much did you get in comparison to KBB?

I know KBB does not sell nor buy cars so it is a made up number but how much of a hit should I expect between the two?

To give you an example, my car according to KBB is worth between $26,000 and $23,500 it averages to $25,000-ish on their little graph. What do you think CarMax will give me?

[Sir Nuke]

If they do you like they did me....you will run away laughing at them and wondering why you wasted your time. You can take your car there and they will appraise it for you...as though you were going to sell it to them. I truck I was going to trade it, I took to CarMax just for S-n-G's to see. I looked up my truck on CarMax's website to see what they were seeing comparable trucks for....which was very close to what Kellys said, and what I should get for trade it.....my truck was SHOW READY and always was.....those morons would only offer me $5000 for a Truck that had a $9000 trade-in value, which I actually got + another $500 at my dealer.

SO with that.....you couldn't get me to set one foot in one of their lots again for any reason.

[shaffe]

From my experience Carmax is usually trade in value or less

[xc_SS/RS]

They offered me 1,250 less than what I got selling my car myself. So I think it really just depends on what's on the cars history and it's current condition. They were able to notice paintwork was done on the car that I didn't know about and the paintwork that I did know about.

Would I ever sell them a car? Probably not since dealers will meet or beat their offers. Then you could also get more selling yourself, but you'll be sitting with an extra car for longer.

[Apex Motorsports]

I've taken 2 cars to Carmax for a quote and both times I left laughing.

[bobby35ny]

I think it may have to do with region.
I've sold 3 cars thru CarMax, all 3 times they gave me more than a grand on each car more than the dealer at the time. Of course I would have gotten more if I sold private.

It's a tough sell when selling private, seems that once you sell something for over 20K people would rather go to a dealer.

-bobby

[ritchet]

Our trades are never worth what we think they should be. I don't know why NADA, KBB, etc.. even bother. Cars are not worth the same in all parts of the country. You will always do better selling it yourself. It's just a pain. When ever you get an appraisal from a dealer ask them if they will write you a check for that amount. Some will, most won't.

Dealers make their money on used cars. Most of that comes from low balling the trade ins or auction vehicles. I'm sure everyone knows this but always tell the salesman you are looking at a cash purchase. Don't bring in the trade until you have settled on a price.

[roorback]

Carmax will give you a really low offer. If you need rid of it and you don't want the hassle, you can sell it to them. Just expect a little less than trade value.

[Cars and Tea]

I appreciate everyones responses, but I need more.

When you say you were laughing at their trade in quote that does not tell me much.

If KKB says $10,000 they offered you $9,000 for all I know is $1,000 less will make you laugh at them. Personally, I feel it is worth $25,000, but if they give me $23-24,000 I will take it for no hassle.

Can you give me more comparison based on your values?

Like you thought your car was worth X, they wanted to give you Y, you sold it for Z.

[bobby35ny]

I sold my 2010, Car was really worth 26K private. Dealer offered 19K, CarMax gave me 23.5K

-bobby

[witenite]

Almost 3 yrs ago sold my 05 GTO to a dealer for 13k, with 76k miles on it. They cut me a check, knowing I wasn't buying from them. Carmax offered me 12k for it and I think private was around 15-16k.

[Eleven]

Spend the $10 and pay for a week of Galves. They are the ones dealers use. It is a direct line to weekly auctions.

My last trade Galves said $18,600. Dealer gave me $20,500 for the car! I signed the papers in 5 min!!!! lol!!!! Got an Acadia, also got $6200 in incentives and rebates.

So I did pretty good.

[witenite]

Originally Posted by Cars and Tea

I appreciate everyones responses, but I need more.

When you say you were laughing at their trade in quote that does not tell me much.

If KKB says $10,000 they offered you $9,000 for all I know is $1,000 less will make you laugh at them. Personally, I feel it is worth $25,000, but if they give me $23-24,000 I will take it for no hassle.

Can you give me more comparison based on your values?

Like you thought your car was worth X, they wanted to give you Y, you sold it for Z.

Just re- read this. I felt my GTO was well worth 16k. Nothing wrong with it except the 76k miles. If you count that as high. I was stalking carmax s website for months to see what they were selling them for. At the time they were selling them between 19-25k. They all had alot less miles than mine. 16k would have been a dream price but I knew no dealer or carmax would offer me that. Seen my camaro and knew I wanted it so I would have given it to them for 12k but once the dealer stepped in for a grand more took their deal then went back to carmax and bought the camaro. The dealer had my car priced at just above 16k. Sold in a week not sure of the final price. I didn't do too bad I guess. Sorry for the long post!

[PoorMansCamaro]

my experiences, CarMax is good to buy from. I would never sell them my car, because the two times I tried with 2 different vehicles, were really low ball numbers. Got better deals at a dealership.