A series that runs every Tuesday, where I ask questions unrelated to the environment, fair trade, or local politics that I’ve been wondering about but haven’t been able to google the answers to. Any advice is appreciated.
Can I just say I heart Jim Matson Automotive? I got Mut towed over there this morning — and by 3:30 pm, the nice guys there’d not only found a used engine computer — but even had it installed and ready to pick up!
I couldn’t pick it up, cuz I teach until 6 on Tues., while Jim Matson’s closes at 5. That said, let me take a moment to say that Jim is honest, helpful, ready with recommendations and references for all things auto-related (he had some car alarm suggestions and references for me even before I asked for them) even when his work isn’t necessarily gonna make him money.
So — I’ll pick Mut up first thing tomorrow. At which point, I’m gonna drive it straight to Carmax — Unless you tell me otherwise.
At this point, I’m scared to park my car on the street for any amount of time — I’m planning to pick up my car from Jim tomorrow morn then drive it down to Carmax so I can get an appraisal right away — then I’ll have the day to decide whether or not I want to accept it. I just can’t deal with the stress of theft anymore — and I don’t want to get to the point where I’m putting in alarms, buying locked parking, and generally spending more money on my driving habit when really, what I really want is to live in a city where car isn’t king.
So: My Q is: Has anyone used Carmax’s services? Do you recommend it, or do you think I should avoid it?
I had a car appraised there last year and it was thousands lower than what KBB or Edmunds said it was worth, so I walked. Plus, it took about 1.5 hours for the entire process…waiting for a sales rep, bringing the car into their shop, a bunch of computer stuff, etc. Good luck though…but I think you should sell it on your own on craigslist if you can, you will get more money for it.
Comment by David — January 16, 2007 @ 11:12 pm
Hey David — I’m wondering — Did you in the end end up selling yr car for thous more than what Carmax offered? Gimme hope –
Comment by Siel — January 17, 2007 @ 12:05 am
I don’t have any input on Carmax, but did want to offer support (and congratulations?) on selling the car…it took me a while to get used to not having one, but now I pretty much love it (although part of that may be a result of having to scrape a half inch of ice off the one that I borrowed briefly the other day.)
Comment by Jenn — January 17, 2007 @ 5:42 am
My family has had two different experiences with Carmax. I purchased my current car from them over seven years ago. I’ve been really happy with my purchase and felt the purchasing process went smoothly.
My dad recently took his car to Carmax to have it appraised. He too received an appraisal that was thousands lower than the Blue Book value. He decided to not sell the car to Carmax. Unfortunately, he hasn’t taken any other action regarding the car. So it sits in his backyard.
Comment by Becky — January 17, 2007 @ 8:36 am
I sure did Siel, without a problem. About$3,500 more than Carmax wanted to give me.
Comment by David — January 17, 2007 @ 9:02 am
Hmmm… So far, all signs’re pointing to no for selling it to Carmax. I’m gonna call some other used car dealers once my celly charges up –
One thing I already like about carlessness (carfreeness!): No parking ticket on Wed. morn even when I wake up later than the street cleaners! :)
Comment by Siel — January 17, 2007 @ 9:27 am
It is an easy way to get rid of a car, that’s for sure. But you wont get what it is worth, either.
Good luck on the carlessness. I need to take that step as well, as mine sits in the garage 90% of the time as I work from home.
Comment by David — January 17, 2007 @ 9:50 am
A agree with David. Carmax takes it off your hands smoothly (since you don’t have to meet people, post ads, etc.) but thousands less than what you can get if you sell it yourself. We sold our Passat for $2,000 more than Carmax offered.
Comment by Sarah — January 17, 2007 @ 9:54 am
A lot depends on the value of the car. If the car’s not worth thousands to begin with.
And I suspect that what you’ll get from carmax would be more than what you’d get from most dealers (if they’d take it at all).
Note that selling on your own will be the way to get the most money for the car, but it will be a pain.
To sell your car yourself, it needs to pass a smog check within two months (give or take a bit, I’m going from memory here) of the sale date. If it fails the smog check, you can’t sell it(!).
Depending on the age/condition of the car, expect it to take as much as a month to sell, if not longer.
Get a KBB price on the car (free from kbb.com) to see how much it’s worth.
You also want to spring for a carfax report on the car (
Comment by don hosek — January 17, 2007 @ 10:57 am
Ok — According to kbb, my car in “fair” condition is worth $3300. Maybe I should at least get a Carmax quote? Not sure what the bottom price I should accept is — There are no mechanical issues with the car at all, but the exterior has some dings.
Also, I tried calling a couple dealers — You’re right, don — a 95 is too old for dealers to buy :(
The thing is, if I don’t sell it at Carmax today — which I’m thinking is looking at least semi-likely — I should do something to ward off thieves, as I’ll need to park it in the street until I sell it. Which means that after finishing up at school today around 4-ish, maybe I should go to the alarm dude Jim Matson recommended instead of Carmax….
Cars are stresful –
Comment by Siel — January 17, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
Siel
I am not even sure Carmax would buy a 95…they usually look for late model cars so they can offer their guarantee on it. Who knows though.
As for the alarm, that isnt going to stop these guys. They know their way around those Civics and will just disable it. Maybe try to find a safer neighborhood to park it in? Where do you live here in Santa Monica? If I were you, even though its far away, go park it on Palisades between Ocean and say 4th street. I used to park my Mini over there and never had a problem. Its a residential house area so its pretty damn safe.
Comment by David — January 17, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
Carmax will buy it. My brother sold an older car to Carmax when he moved back to Chicago a couple years back. In his case, there’s no way that he got thousands less for his car than it was worth, if only because it wasn’t worth thousands. (I remember being skeptical when, a day or two before he was scheduled to drive his wife’s car cross country, he hadn’t even begun to sell his car yet… so Carmax is a good option for when you gotta sell that car NOW).
The older cars get dumped at auction, rather than sold through Carmax, btw. We started our last car shopping efforts at Carmax but decided that we’d rather have an older car than they’d sell us (so we could pay cash).
Ya, David’s right about parking the car somewhere else. Of course that’ll make the avoiding parking tickets things that much harder. Man, I’m glad we have off-street parking.
Comment by don hosek — January 18, 2007 @ 7:42 am
Clearly, you need to move to Pasadena. Not only do we have MANY watering holes within walking distance of most places, the City web page has a a car-free link, (www.cityofpasadena.net) and our crime rate is WAY lower. Plus we are only 15 or so Gold Line / Bike miles from USC . . . (grin)
Comment by Roger, Gone Green — January 18, 2007 @ 7:59 am
Roger’s on to something there with moving to Pasadena. The commute is easy, with the Gold Line now 30 minutes, end-to-end, and USC operates a commuter shuttle bus between the campus and Union Station, though it may only run during rush hour.
However, the Metro express buses using the Harbor Transitway (44Xs) run near USC.
Comment by Wad — January 18, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
Wait — I already have plenty of watering holes in walking and biking distance, and the bus takes me 45 minutes, from the steps of my house to Trousdale Pkway within the USC campus. Those are not issues for me — the issues are 1. putting in long, late days at school (by which time the commuter shuttles are no longer running and the neighborhood’s unsafe), and 2. visiting my mom in the OC. Mentioned it before, but it’s buried in the comments…
Have to give props to Pasadena for taking so many green strides, esp. of late.
Incidentally, after David’s comment and before don’s, I went to get a car alarm under the impression that Carmax would say no — and I didn’t want to go to Carmax, have them say no, then come home and park my car alarmlessly. But now apparantly Carmax is an option! Maybe it’s good that I have a lil longer to think about it. Jim Matson highly recommended getting the alarm; it’s obviously not foolproof, but it helps a lot, seems to be the general consensus from everyone I’ve talked to.
I’m at 17th and Wilshire, generally considered a v. safe neighborhood — Not sure that moving it over 15 blocks will really help….
Comment by Siel — January 18, 2007 @ 4:55 pm
Actually, the USC-to-Union Station runs all-day weekdays. See http://transnet.usc.edu/Trams/newroutes.aspx?mode=displayroute&id=13
Comment by Wad — January 18, 2007 @ 9:54 pm
Wow! This must’ve changed relatively recently? I’d talked to a faculty member who takes public transport in to USC most of the time — but since he’s been teaching there for like 2 decades (ah — tenure), I’m guessing he’s not aware of the new expanded hours?
I’m often surprised at the large # of faculty who opt to take public transport! Some of these liberals really translate their politics into action :)
Comment by Siel — January 18, 2007 @ 11:29 pm
FYI: A car is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If you look at carmax.com, you will find that the appraisal offer is a “fair market vaue” offer. It’s what they can go to an auction and buy that particular car for with similar miles, options, conditions, etc. Yes, a lot of times you can get more selling a vehicle on your own. But it depends on how much time, money, and hassle you’re willing to invest in selling it on your own. Also, if you’re talking about a vehicle around $5k or more, you may have to wait on an individual to get financing. And you have to make sure the vehicle is priced competatively against all other used dealerships that can offer financing and warranties.
Comment by LuLu — March 19, 2007 @ 7:44 am