CarMax

Jonathan Potter _{on Google}

Apr 9th, 2024

Summary: Avoid CarMax. The extra price you pay for "convenience" isn't worth it, and they don't properly prep their cars for sale.
I bought a 2019 Kia Sedona LX. The purchase process was relatively good, though I was turned off by the fact that when I arrived, the person helping me wanted to get started on the paper work and had me go out into their huge car lot to find the vehicle I'd reserved. But I couldn't find itshe didn't even know exactly where it was. So think of CarMax as more of a Costco for buying cars. Except you pay MORE for cars here than you would else. Here was the other negative part of the experience: I kept getting rushed when I was checking over the vehicle, with the person reassuring me that if I wasn't happy with the car, I could return it under their 30 day/1000 mile (or whatever it is) guarantee. The problem of course is that buying a car isn't just a simple thing, and if you're trading in like I was, it's even more complicated. I knew that if I needed to return the car, I wouldn't have a car until I found a new one. So I took my time, but I'm not a mechanic (and they don't let you take it to your own mechanic before purchase), and apparently there were some things I missed. But we had a long trip shortly after purchase, so I couldn't take advantage of the 1000 mile money-back guarantee anyway. Long story short: the van they sold me, that supposedly had a 125-point inspection, needed the following repairs: both front CV-axles replaced, all spark plugs and fuel injectors replaced (check engine light came on during our first trip), ignition coil replaced, rear bushings and sway bar links, power window motor replacement, sliding door adjustment/lubrication (that still doesn't close sometimes), oil filter gasket (which I had to replace on my own dime since it took so long to get an appointment), tail light, and, to top it all off, one of the interior dome lights. Three months after purchase (and after a full MONTH of having the van in their shop) all of that stuff is finally fixed (at a different CarMax location closer to meNorcross; see my separate review of service at that location!). Thankfully most was covered by the main warranty. But then I'm driving it home, and it seems a little underpowered, but in an undefinable way. And in any case, the warranty is about to expire that week. Fast forward to March, and the check engine light is on again. I setup an appointment, since previous repairs have their own warranty, so I'm hoping they'll cover this since it seems related to the fuel injection issues they already fixed. I end up having to rent a car (on my own dime) for THREE DAYS just for them to do the diagnostic and tell me that it's the oxygen sensors, and since they didn't previously work on those, it's not covered.
Conclusion: CarMax tries to convince you that their higher prices are worth it both for the convenient, no-hassle purchase process and for the higher quality of their cars, which they say have been rigorously inspected. Neither is true. What I think they actually do is sell substandard cars with a warranty, which they hope will be so inconvenient to use that most people won't bother. I will not be returning to any CarMax in the future.

John Lineweaver _{on Google}

Apr 8th, 2024

Prices are too high and the vehicles are usually dirty on the outside. They used to be more fair in pricing of a vehicle being sold or purchased however they are falling behind

Michelle Kelly _{on Google}

Apr 8th, 2024

I sold my car to CarMax with no hassle. CarMax gave me the exact amount that it was appraised for online! Great experience and fast too.

Heather Sumners _{on Google}

Apr 6th, 2024

Sold a car. Did the online appraisal, made an appointment to bring the car in, wait time was more than expected once we arrived but they were apologetic. We were given the same amount as online appraisal. Process took about 1.5. Staff was nice

Ken Sysyn _{on Google}

Apr 5th, 2024

I went online and got an offer for my car. I was truthful about mechanical issue it had. Received an offer and took it in to sell it. They reviewed the car and offer online was same offer I received in person. Process too a little longer than I liked (2 hours) becuase of computer issues. Person that took care of me I think was Jordan, and he constantly apologized for wait, but was always communicating and very polite.