Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: I've purchased three vehicles from CarMax, what would you like to know about them?
On the first one I picked, there were two cars that were identical, one had less miles and was loaded, and one had slightly more miles and fewer options. I started the one with less miles and more options, and it stalled out within 2 minutes of running. I ended up picking the second one with the slightly more miles. It was a good car, except for the fact that I found a vial of crack cocaine in it (included in the purchase price I guess).
Not all their cars are excellent, they're generally better than what you're going to get at most other used car lots... but let's be honest, it's not like they can take a micrometer to the bearings to see what the clearance is, or take a look at the wear on the transmission clutches.
I would get the extended warranty... but find out how much it is. If you're buying a car that basically has 100,000 miles on it, you're only getting 50,000 "hassle-free" miles out of it with the extra warranty. How much is that warranty? $2,000 more dollars? Then see what you can get for $12,000....
Not trying to be a pain in the ass, but I seriously question when someone buys a car with high mileage and thinks it's ok simply because the "name" suggests that it will be reliable. Toyota has been far from what it was in the mid to late 90s.
Cocain? Bonus!
no they're not perfect, my only point is they are lot more thorough than say buying it from a private party for example.
I work on my own cars, but since I've been in and out of the hospital and sick I'm finding it really hard to do regular maintenance on older cars that have little things going out constantly. frustrating as that is cause I like to work on cars, it's looking like I really need to consider something newer. you guys are right perhaps it would be in my best interest to pay for the warranty.
I just sold my wifes car to replace it, it was a 1999 Isuzu Trooper. Very clean and well taken care of. The only reason we sold it is because it's approaching 200,000 miles and it's 15 years old. Little things on it are starting to go out now and it's getting to the point where I'm constantly having to replace things, such as the power window regulator or the power steering pump etc.
besides being nickel and dimed in parts here and there, it's just tough for me to get out there and turn wrenches.
As far as I can find, the van om looking at has no known issuse, it scores high across the board for reliability. The warranty would increase my monthly payment, but then again if a major repair is needed, it would pay for its self the first time.
I had to replace the transmission in my wifes trooper I just sold a year after I bought it, and that was 1600 dollars.
[This message has been edited by NickD3.4 (edited 06-20-2014).]
Not trying to be a pain in the ass, but I seriously question when someone buys a car with high mileage and thinks it's ok simply because the "name" suggests that it will be reliable. Toyota has been far from what it was in the mid to late 90s.
I don't think in those terms, I'm just repeating what others said about Toyota. As far as I'm concerned all machines breakdown regardless.
the van I'm looking at has 75,000 miles on it. I believe the warranty is $2000. It would add an additional 5 years or 150,000 miles whichever comes first.
we don't drive very many miles, so chances are we would get the full five years out of it.
at first I wasn't going to get it, but now I'm thinking it may be worth 5 years of coverage.
From what Ive seen working on LOTS of used cars over last few years, just about anything will run pretty reliably to over 150,000 miles. Its getting hard to find used cars without 125,000 on them because most people keep them longer now. If your careful checking it out before you buy, you should be good without the additional warranty.
Not sure if this fits your question but: I got a used at the time Oldsmobile Intrigue in 2002. It was a 2002 renatal car with 24k on it. I LOVE that car. It now has 300k on it. It cost me 12K at the time and a brand new one (last year of Oldsmobile) was over 20k. I got my moneys worth out if it and some.
I ended up getting the warranty. I shopped around and carmax offered the best deal. They offered me 5 years/150,000 mile bumper to bumper for $1,700 with a 300 deductible. It increased my payment by $35. My wife really pushed me to get it because of my health. The more I thought about it the more I figured its only $35 extra....that's one time eating out. If I got 4 years from now and a tranny went out I would be very bitter I didn't get it.
When I bought my wifes Isuzu trooper, it was 10 years old. a year later the tranny went out on a road trip. It cost me $1,600 to fix. Thyat right there is almost the cost of 5 years of peace of mind....for this new vehicle, so I gave in and got it. I have 90 days to cancel it if I decide I dont want it and they will refund the money and take it off the principle.
