mynameisjacob

Hi guys,

I am looking to buy a 09'-11' SH-AWD TL... but having a hard time finding the right color, mileage and etc... I've always been set on purchasing from an Acura dealership for certified pre-owned and all the benefits it carries (warranty).

I found a vehicle to my liking on Carmax. Anyone have experience with them? How is the buying experience with them? Obviously it can't be a certified pre-owned... can I be confident that I am buying a quality automobile? They also offer an extended warranty plan called 'maxcare'. Is that worth considering? Or should I just wait it out for my dream CPO from Acura?

Please help!!

HeartTLs

iTrader: (5)

What state are you in?

mynameisjacob

New York. The carmax listing is in Laurel, MD.

KeithL

I have never bought from Carmax, but a friend of mine did and they seem to be very good. He bought a SUV a few years back and after a few month they called him to tell him they found out the VIN number had been tampered with and the title was not clean. They bought back them SUV for what he paid for it and bent over backward actually getting him set up in a new SUV. I would trust them over any other used car, except for a CPO since you have Acura behind the CPO.

Tech12

I have bought three cars from Carmax, two Toyotas in Laurel. Buying experience was very easy. Very good experience from sales to finance; huge selections on new. They are pure no haggle, on new and used, not just dealerships who claim you get the best price because they are no haggle. However, all three of my cars were new, so I know you are looking at used car. Prices are very competitive. Hope that helps a bit.

BEAR-AvHistory

Sold a car to CarMax & they were very professional in how they checked it out. Price was more then dealers offered on a trade-in. Would think they would be a good choice after a BMW dealer.

chase101381

I purchased an 2009 Acura Tl SH with low miles, so car still under warranty for another 1 1/2. I've had zero problems and would recommend.

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

I purchased a car from Carmax (and sold my old one to them) and had an excellent experience. However, that car was still under factory warranty so it went to the dealership when issues arose.

I have heard some horror stories about the maxcare warranty though...basically just limiting what they want to cover when it comes time to make a claim. I've also heard it's not even the same company as Carmax, so that way their name stays clean when consumers have problems.

A simple google search for "maxcare warranty reviews" will show you what I mean.

Good luck with your search!

exonomix

This is an interesting topic. On Motorweek this week they were discussing the difference in a MANUFACTURER based CPO (not just a "CPO" from the guy on the corner) vs a used car dealer and the CPO of a regular lot - and I think this topic stems from that discussion. They really focused on what that certification meant and how they differ greatly even though the window stickers and price tag seem to justify this service.

Really, they had made the argument that anytime you can afford the extra MANUFACTURER CPO costs, take it because a regular used car dealer, albeit slightly different for Carmax but I place them as a dealer CPO (not manuf CPO), is far less likely to understand the nuances that a MFG CPO technician who's trained on that vehicle with a specific checklist for that 'certification' has to meet as well as their trained eye for working on those vehicles constantly.

I can't speak for Carmax, just reporting the news the way I recall it. But, if this weren't a luxury car with high tech goodies in it, maybe I wouldn't mind buying from someone that's not nearly as certified. I'd just be worried you may catch a case of buyers remorse being sold a bill of goods in some cases. V8 RWD 1992 Ford Mustang, sure, buy from anyone because my mother could wrench on it, but an SH-AWD with electric power steering and all that other fun stuff, I wouldn't risk it (sure, drastic example, but I think you get my drift).

KeithL

^^^

Funny just watched same episode last night.

exonomix

Great show in general and very applicable to this discussion, win-win.