Just hit the five year anniversary of the CarMax Unicorn Blog and thought I’d take a minute to say thanks to the folks who are still reading this from time to time as I still enjoy writing this from time to time. The numbers say I’ve only blogged 31 times so far this year and I normally do 60-80 posts annually so I have some catching up to do. Admittedly, when I’m obsessively searching for my own unicorns I don’t get around to blogging about yours as much as I’d like. And this year not only did I buy two of them (the M3 and the CT6), I sold my 1971 Fiat with a little coverage here and I’m still working on selling my 2010 Mercedes S600 (having conversations with several of you on that car now!). Still getting 2-3,000 visitors a month so will keep this going another year! And oddly, the 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis LS posting here retook the lead from a Cayenne as the blog with the most views ever. Sigh.
When I married my wife in 1996 I started commemorating anniversaries by doing a one of something gift for year one, a pair for year two, three of something for the third anniversary and on. Was easy to be imaginative up to year 12 (particularly enjoyed linking gifts to the nine planets for our ninth, before Pluto dropped out) but I was totally out of ideas as we celebrated our 26th this summer. Maybe I didn’t think we’d make it this long when I started the tradition?
Anyway, for the fifth year of the blog thought I’d go with five unicorns that were actually brand new cars back when I started the blog and are now interesting used cars. Thanks for hanging in there with me and hope you like them.
I like this 2017 Audi S8 a lot, given that it checks (almost) all my boxes for an S600 successor. Fully loaded with Apple CarPlay, adaptive cruise control, seat massagers, and over 600 hp from a twin turbo 4.0 liter V-8 powerplant. And since I started this blog post a few days ago, it dropped $1,000 in price! But I’m hanging in there for the most autonomous driving capability I can get (the Cadillac CT6 spoiled me) and my amateur take is for the German car makers 2019 was a generational improvement. I cannot tell how much auto-driving is available on this Audi.
This car sold new in 2017 for almost $120,000. It sprints to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. Yup – 3.3 – supercar speed in a 4,700 lb sedan. Oh so tempting. Find this 2017 Audi S8 here in Irvine, California.
Stock # 23108469 VIN # WUAJ5AFD4HN901220
I also like this 2017 Corvette Stingray with less than 2,000 miles. It packs a big 6.2 liter, 455 hp naturally aspirated V-8. Why don’t people drive their cars?! This one looks as clean as when it was new. A bit old school with the motor in the front!
Someone paid about $60,000 for this Stingray in 2017. It hasn’t depreciated at all. This stupid low mileage Corvette moving here to Hillside, Illinois but you can still track it.
Stock # 23187843 VIN # 1G1YB2D7XH5100050
Ah the Fiata. Understandably, the Miata that shares this platform lives on and is a success, and sadly the Fiat 124 is no more as of 2020. Introduced in 2017, the Fiat 124 was built in Japan alongside the Miata but had its own drive train – a 1.4 liter turbo four making 164 hp, while the Miata got a 2.0 liter four rated at 155 hp. The Fiat was longer and heavier and had it’s own Italian character. Just didn’t sell and Fiat killed this and the adorable 500. Sigh.
Similar to the Stingray above, this Abarth model hasn’t depreciated hardly at all – maybe $2,000. It’s not a bargain, but they ain’t making them anymore so this pristine model may be worth it. Nothing wrong with Fiat 124’s – just no dealer infrastructure. MaxCare a must. This nostalgic little Fiat is here in Jackson, Mississippi.
Stock # 23071622 VIN # JC1NFAEK0H0115288
From 2016 to 2019 Ford brought us the Focus RS, an econobox with a bawdy 350 hp 2.3 liter turbo four, AWD, a drift mode, Brembo four piston brakes, and a six speed manual transmission. The car hit 60 mph in the mid-four second range. The only more powerful four cylinder sold in the US, I think, is the 375 hp 2.0 liter motor in the Mercedes CLA45/GLA45.
This Focus RS also has the optional RS2 package, adding nav, better seats, and a heated steering wheel, adding $2,785 to its $37,000 base price. Unbelievable that it’s selling for almost $47,000! CarMax has 19 Focus RS models available and all but two are selling over their original MSRP. Once again, there’s a premium for low mileage and an extinct car. Enjoy this hot hatch here in Houston (that worked out nicely).
Stock # 22615031 VIN # WF0DP3TH4H4126041
If I were not so vain, I’d be very interested in this very affordable 2017 Mercedes E300. The car has everything I’m looking for in a sedan….except a motor. It’s absolutely loaded with seat massagers, adaptive cruise control, Apple Carplay, and a Burmester audio system. It’s a very, very comfortable E-class.
What it doesn’t have is an inspiring motor. Only a 2.0 liter four making 273 hp. Unfortunately, today I drove this 2019 E53 AMG with 429 hp and it was a blast. I can’t go back. But if you just need comfortable transportation this one is a good value. This “good enough” sedan is here in Southlake, Georgia.
Stock # 22917835 VIN # WDDZF4KB4HA112940
