Carmax?

Has anyone sold a car to Carmax and had a good/bad experience?

I took my car to Carmax because I was freaking out about selling it before I moved. It was going to be my last resort. Basically, the Carmax guy told me to sell it on my own because I'd get more money than what they would give me. He was right.

Everything I've heard about Carmax car purchases is that you can get far more on the private market, even if all you do is wash your car and vacuum it.

As a last resort I'm sure it's fine, but if you have a few weeks to sell your car, I'd post it on craigslist/autotrader/etc. first and see what sort of responses you get.

Put 'For Sale' signs in the windows! That's what finally worked for me!

I agree with everyone.  Use it as your last resort.  I went to see how much they would offer me just to see what the lowest amount I would get for my car.  I ended up selling it privately and doing much better!

This is rather humorous, but all of the advice is great.

67 Ways Not To Sell A Car

Even if you just follow the 10 or so bold items, that's pretty key advice and doesn't take much time.  (Except maybe those bumper stickers..)

I had a lot of trouble selling my car in the current economic climate. 

If yours is paid off and you are willing to let it go for a few thousand, you shouldn't have much of a problem, but I would start sooner rather than later if there is no one to help you if time runs out.

If you still owe a significant chunk of money, it may not be as easy as you expect.

I sold my low mileage, very cool VW for several thousand less than what it was worth (about $1500 less than what I owed) and it took about 6 months after I moved to get that price.  If it weren't for my parents, I would have had to go to CarMax.  They only offered 1/2 of what I owed.

I sold my paid off pretty cool 01' VW Jetta for $1000 more than it's *actual* worth on Craigslist in August of last year.  It was easy, and the buyer gave me cash.

My car's only worth $2750 according to Kelley. In order to sell it privately, I'd need to have a few things fixed on it, probably about $300-500 worth. Then if I sell it, not having use of a car for a few weeks/months before I'm moving will be a huge inconvenience. My plan is to keep the car until I go, then drive it to San Antonio, where my mom lives, and sell it to Carmax there. Even if I get half of what it's worth, it's still a better deal than fixing it + renting a UHaul to move + plane ticket + extra baggage fees to Texas + stress. (I'm already trying to sell a cello, which is a nightmare!) Thanks, everyone!

It does sound like Carmax would be your best bet in this scenario. If it's paid off and you just want to get rid of it, I'd say it's the way to go. If there are some other used dealers around your mom's place you may want to check with them before going to Carmax, just to see who gives you the best deal. Good luck!

Just as an aside, carmax was my last resort as well- however I was able to sell my car 1.5 weeks before I moved on Craigslist.  Have you had a quote from Carmax yet?  The quoted me $1800 and I sold my car on Craigslist for $6500.  The Kelly BB said $5500, but it was in pretty good shape.  It did need a few minor things fixed as well, but I just disclosed that to everyone that test drove it.  Also, maybe you could Craigslist it in San Antonio?  Not trying to cause extra inconvenience but an extra $1500 or so would probably be totally worth the uhaul cost imho. I had great luck on Craigslist selling loads of things, but I have heard instruments are hard to sell. 

Just as an aside, carmax was my last resort as well- however I was able to sell my car 1.5 weeks before I moved on Craigslist.  Have you had a quote from Carmax yet?  The quoted me $1800 and I sold my car on Craigslist for $6500.  The Kelly BB said $5500, but it was in pretty good shape.  It did need a few minor things fixed as well, but I just disclosed that to everyone that test drove it.  Also, maybe you could Craigslist it in San Antonio?  Not trying to cause extra inconvenience but an extra $1500 or so would probably be totally worth the uhaul cost imho. I had great luck on Craigslist selling loads of things, but I have heard instruments are hard to sell. 

I was thinking since I'll be in San Antonio for a week, maybe I'll list it on Craigslist there for that week and see if I have any bites. As for my cello, I've had it on Craigslist since November with no bites.

Could you try eBay for the cello?  Or are there music-related forums you could post on about it?  I look at CL for stuff all the time, but I wouldn't think to look there for instruments.

Perhaps call around to local instructors in the area, too, and see if they have students wanting an instrument, or want one themselves for their students?

Elizabeth, you may want to put it up on Craigslist a week before you go- so you can set up meetings when you get there.  I tried to get everyone to come on one afternoon, people want to buy your car more when they see that someone else just test-drove it. 

Elizabeth, you may want to put it up on Craigslist a week before you go- so you can set up meetings when you get there.  I tried to get everyone to come on one afternoon, people want to buy your car more when they see that someone else just test-drove it. 

Good plan. Thanks!