CarAndDriver

I'm going to get rid of my 2005 RX-8 Grand Touring, 6M, 103,700 miles, and am going to see what Carmax offers me. Everything is stock on it (except clear corners) and it needs a new engine; however, it runs fine around town and shorter drives. The check engine comes about once every 6 months and turns itself off. Unless, I'm unlucky - it will run fine for their test drive.

Anyone had Carmax experiences? Would be interested if anyone had any offers that they could provide as info.

Thanks!


RX-8 RESURFACES POST UPDATED 7/23/15:

Carmax bought my car and sold it at one of their auctions. I found my VIN and car at a private dealer selling my RX-8 for $8900 without any repairs to the bumper or tail lights - for sure that means it has the same old ticking time bomb engine. The price is outrageous and I feel bad for any buyer thinking they are getting a healthy car for that price.

RX-8 SOLD - POST UPDATED 5/25/15:

RX-8 was sold to a Carmax in Northern California for $3000. Wanted to share my experience to help others. This board has been so very helpful and friendly for the nine years and 90K miles I owned the car. I converted my appraisal to JPG and redacted the personal information so everyone could see what the quote form looks like and what they are appraising.

I sold the Mazda to Carmax, because:
1. Engine needed to be replaced (mechanic confirmed awhile ago, ran okay around town, but check engine light could come on during a long freeway drive and power in high revs went to zero). Engine was ok during appraisal drive.
2. Rear bumper and supports needed to be replaced from someone rear ending me recently. I took the $2039 check. Thanks guilty smartphone-distracted idiot for giving me some extra $$.
3. HID headlights would get condensation in them at times.
4. One of the rear tail lights was a fishbowl when wet. I dried it out for Carmax.
5. Didn't want to deal with Craigslist and I wanted to be upfront about the above issues with a private party sale (don't want to be a d-bag). In addition, Takata airbag saga still going on.
6. I have a replacement car so better to get rid of the car before it got worse.
7. Choosing lowest condition options, Edmunds said $3084 for trade in and KBB said $3734. I'll assume those prices weren't taking into account a pricey engine replacement.

Process (recommendations and thoughts):
1. Make an appointment online or via mobile app. This Carmax got better feedback than another one. Everyone was friendly. Free water/coffee/wifi.
2. Make sure to bring the license, title, registration and all keys. The last title, even if a duplicate, is the valid title. I applied for a duplicate title awhile ago and found the original and neglected to bring the duplicate. I had to sell my car with a lost title or I'd have to drive back with the duplicate. I am going to mail them the duplicate Tuesday and they will rip up the lost title form however. Unlike a private party sale, they are not interested in a smog check, only valid registration.
3. If you are planning to sell, make sure to take whatever you want out off or out of the car before you get there. Better not to sign it away and forget something.
4. They will note any exterior paint or body work issues (see my appraisal). OK is their equivalent of acceptable/good - one word fits all.
5. Budget about 1 hour for a quote and 2 hours for quote and sale. A customer representative will take your information and keys. A separate appraisal person goes over the car and takes it out for a test drive (not sure if one can go on the test drive - didn't ask). The customer rep then provides you the quote which is good for seven days.
6. They use crappy Autocheck to check for accidents and salvage. It definitely did not match the Carfax report I ran on my car before. Carmax didn't seem to care about minor bumper incident with an earlier owner. They seemed to only car about title and salvage issues. It didn't notice a minor solo incident I had with a small dent on the side door that Carfax noted. It also didn't notice a recent incident where someone rear ended me (found responsible) and I just got a check cut recently from the insurance company (I doubt Carfax had that info yet either).
7. If you move forward with the quote, you will give the quote, keys and paperwork to the sales counter and you will get a paperwork representative who will then have you move the car to their bay and then sign all the required documents, check the odometer one more time and cut you a check. She commented about how gorgeous and well kept the black/red interior was.
8. Unless your RX-8 is in great condition, under 10 years & 100K miles, it will be going to auction instead of the lot. Mine is off to auction to get whatever profit they can get (profit in volume!). I have my VIN and will keep checking Google to see where it lands.

Any questions, feel free to ask.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I have no experience on an RX-8 but they tried to low ball the **** out of me on a company car (mint low mileage Civic Sedan) I got an offer from them on. I ended up getting $3,500.00 more from the local Honda dealer. Most dealers will do cash offers, they just don't advertise it.

I would not expect more than $4,000.00 or so on your RX-8 from Carmax. Report back and let us know, I am curious.

generalee2010

I was curious about this a couple of months ago and took my 2005 shinka in with 101k on the clock. i was offered under 3400 for it. i did have a mild amount of body work that needed to be done to it(still does) but i cant imagine them offering much more that that with clean lines and paint.

CarAndDriver

Thanks for the two data points. Someone hit me in the rear last November and I'm getting $2K from that person's insurance shortly. The bumper looks okay for the most part until you get closer. I'd be happy with $3-4K. Saves me the effort of CL, Cars.com, Autotrader, etc.

I'll go this weekend or the next and report back.

pianoman-1

iTrader: (1)

I took a car there a few years ago (Eclipse Spyder). It was worth close to 10k to sell it myself but at that time in my life I didn't really want to go through the hassle. So I took it to them because that's where I had purchased it two years earlier, for 11.5k. They looked it over for a while, then the sales person came back, told me what incredible condition it was in, and that he thought I would be very pleased with their generous offer. It was an offer of $4,500!! Seriously? So basically, they wanted to give me half of what they could sell it for. I ended up selling it myself for $9,500.

CarAndDriver

My RX-8 was sold to Carmax. See my first post for the update.

Happy to answer any questions.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

That is a fair price considering the condition of the car.

CarAndDriver

Thanks for the opinion. Some expensive fixes required for that car. Best to unload now while I still could.

Bladecutter

I hate to ask, but did you get a trade in quote from your BMW dealer?
How much were they offering for it?

BC.