Author: Chuck Banks

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1 of 2,500 – 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super. $11,599 Sleeper.

2008 BuickI only knew the 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super was a thing because one of the unicorn blog readers told me so last year.  The “Super” was only offered in 2008 and 2009 and sold for over $32,000.  Some say it’s a pretty good sleeper, with a 300hp LS4 V-8 good for 150mph and a 5.7 second 0-60mph run.  Had no idea it was even close to that quick, and perhaps the sub-3,800 pound weight has something to do with that.

This Motor Trend review was quite kind, making it clear the Buick LaCrosse Super was built for a purpose – comfortable, mature performance.  The Buick got Magnasteer (variable assist steering) and Stabilitrak (electronic stability control).  It also was an unconventional front wheel drive V-8.  Thinking the brown-on-brown look is in keeping with the sleeper profile?

I’d still spring for MaxCare – it can’t be expensive and something comforting about having a bumper-to-bumper warranty on a car through 125,000-150,000 miles and until it is a whopping 16 years old!  Find this three-owner, accident free Buick here in Memphis! 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super $11,599 61k Memphis TN

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175mph/Sub-4 0-60 mph Family Wagon for Fast Vacations: 2012 Mercedes E63 AMG

2012 E63 sideThis family rocket sold new for maybe $110,000, so depreciated to $63,000 doesn’t really put it in my unicorn price range, but these are pretty special wagons so thought I’d include it.

Last E63 AMG wagon I covered was this 2018 E63 AMG S that sold for a whopping $92,000.  That was a 600hp 4wd model, so I guess for $30,000 less you only get 2wd and 518hp.  That said, this single owner 2012 model only has 6,000 miles on it — driven less than 900 miles yearly.  Car and Driver had a great review of the car when it was new here.  They dug it.

I do too, from the hand-built motor to the auto cruise control (that’s actually the vool night vision control pictured!)  to the massive cargo bay.  Absolutely MUST get the MaxCare warranty to protect against blowing up the motor or transmission drifting with the kids.  Find this beaut here in Costa Mesa, California.  2012 E63 Wagon $62,998 6k Costa Mesa CA

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Quick Hit – 2011 Volvo C30 T5 R Manual Transmission – $13,599

C30 SideThe first time I saw a C30 T5 R unicorn I thought it was the most badass Volvo since the 80’s chop top Bertone Volvo.  Since then I’ve learned the little two door coupe has quite a following, especially the more hard to find manual transmission model.  This model sold for upwards of $30,000 new with the preferred package, seat heaters, and with 88,000 miles methinks it’s a bit high priced, but it will run for many more miles trouble free.

The 2.5 liter five cylinder turbo is good for only 227hp, and the 0-60mph is only about 6 seconds, so the car ain’t that fast, but the R-Design stiffens the suspension presumably making it a far better handling coupe. 

It may not be the fastest small coupe out there, but it does have that Swedish style and you probably won’t see many others around.  Here’s a review from Left Lane News, and another from New Car Test Drive.  This three owner C30 is available here in Dallas, Texas.  2011 Volvo C30 T5 R $13,599 88k Dallas

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Quick Hit – Four Big Old Cadillac DTS’ (DT’s?) for Cheap.

Won’t spend too much time on these old school Cadillacs, the biggest Caddies available while they were made through 2011, but someone likes them somewhere – they appear to be on the short list of low mileage unicorns CarMax scarfs up all over the country.  There were about 30,000 DTS’ sold in 2010-2011, so they’re not rare, but they were once $50,000 reliable V-8 powered luxobarges, with a trunk that would hold four dead bodies and a set of golf clubs.  They are all the 275hp Northstar V-8’s – no 292hp “Performance” packages.  Means the gas mileage is low, and the cars are slow.  And yet damned comfortable highway rollers.  All are two owner cars, three in California, but the $17,998 model in Columbus would be my choice – nicely appointed with Bose stereo, seat massagers, and other nice stuff from the luxury and premium packages.  Couldn’t find any relevant reviews (that says something) – here’s some quick photos and links.

2011 DTS Side
2011 Cadillac DTS – Columbus, Ohio.  
2011 butt
2011 Cadillac DTS – Roseville, California

Continue reading “Quick Hit – Four Big Old Cadillac DTS’ (DT’s?) for Cheap.”

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Quick Hit – Zombie 2011 Mercedes E63 Drops $3,000, What’s CarMax Up To?

2011 E63 $29,998 55k Kentwood MIWrote about this 2011 Mercedes E63 unicorn here in July, after it appeared and disappeared several times in days.  Well it has been off the net for two months and it’s back.  It moved from Illinois to Michigan, dropped $3,000, but it’s the same car.  Why no pix?  I’m finding more and more cars are being listed as “New Arrivals” after transfer or a price reduction, even though they are not.  I’m tracking about 200 cars in my profile, so will be watching!  If you can’t trust a used car salesman, who can you trust?  The original ad and car pix are below.  I’d certainly spring for MaxCare – read my 2004 Mercedes S55 saga here, and even my failed attempt at buying an E63 here.  Still a great car.  If only there was an E65!   Find this model in Kentwood, Michigan here. IMG_0694

IMG_0693

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Quick Hit – 2013 Infiniti G37 IPL (Infiniti Performance Line – What’s That?!)

g37Taking a break from my addiction to European V8/10/12 unicorns to introduce you to this 2013 Infiniti G37 IPL.  Had to look it up myself in CarBuzz here, as I had no idea Infiniti launched a modest “enthusiast” (?) line similar to, but not meant to compete with, Mercedes AMG or BMW M cars.  Maybe more like the Audi “S” line, tuned a bit but almost always 100hp less than their German brethren.  Regardless, few noticed and the line was limited to this model only for 2011-2013 before being abandoned.  Makes the G37 IPL a little unique.

The 3.7 liter six-cylinder is boosted to 348hp, mated to a six-speed manual transmission, giving it an ever so slight jump on a normal Infiniti G37 or Nissan 370z.  Suspension is stiffened, and the body is clad in side skirts and a chin spoiler.  Every little bit helps.  The red interior doesn’t do a lot for me – the rear seat below looks like a place for midget lap dances.  The Motor Trend review of a 2011 model is here.  (The 2013 reviews were all about the introduction of a G37 IPL convertible.)

The G37 IPL sold new for almost $50,000 six years ago, and perhaps is a little steep at $22,998 for a two-owner, 69,000 mile coupe.  Would probably skip MaxCare – this car ain’t going to break much.  Find it here in Raleigh, North Carolina. 2013 Infiniti G37 IPL $22,998 69k Raleigh

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Another 1 of 500: 2012 BMW Alpina B7 – $100,000 Less Than New

B7 SideCarMax seems so scarf up several BMW Alpina B7 (F01’s) unicorns every year, and this is the eighth one I’ve tracked in the past two years (added links to the other seven at the bottom of this piece).  Understand only 500 Alpina B7’s are imported to the US yearly.  This XDrive model sold for around $130,000 new, and seven years later is only $37,998.

I’d throw in MaxCare no matter what to shift the risk of repair of this high end vehicle to CarMax.  The 2012 B7 is powered by a 4.4 liter, twin-turbo, 500hp V8, a six-speed ZF automatic transmission, and all wheel drive.  The car does 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and is limited to 174mph.

It’s reasonably priced for a 2012 with low miles – 9,000 yearly.  Here’s a Car and Driver review for a 2011 – there aren’t any good reviews for 2012’s (Reviewers waited for the 2013’s that brought us 540hp, an eight-speed transmission, and removed the top speed limiter, allowing the car to cruise at an amazing 194mph!).   Find this two owner car here in Pompano Beach, Florida. 2012 Alpina B7 $37,998 45k Pompano Beach FL

Previous Alpina B7’s at CarMax

In September, 2017 I spotted this 2011 B7 in Duarte, California, selling for $39,998 with 43,000 miles.

February, 2018 brought us a nearly identical 2011 B7 model in Los Angeles for $39,998 but with 41,000 miles (yes, had to check the VIN to make sure they weren’t the same!)

And in May, 2018 this 2012 B7, another California car with higher miles at 56,000, sold for a mere $33,998!  I predicted a quick sale and it went in a day.

 

In March of 2019 we saw this 2012 model for sale in Chicago at $40,998 with 49,000 miles (also had a $65k B6 for sale then too!)

Finally, in May of 2019 we saw three B7’s for sale at the same time – a 2012 and two of the higher-horsepower 2014’s, all in the $40-48,000 range.

 

 

 

 

 

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1 of 23 in the US! 2011 Lexus GS460 $21,998

GS460 SIDEThanks again to eagle-eyed reader and fellow CarMax car nut Mustafa Gardezi for bringing this unicorn to my attention  Had no idea the third generation Lexus GS460 was such a low production vehicle.  Pointed me to the Club Lexus forum page and did some digging to find that only 23 2011 models were imported to the US.  (Per the Lexus data on the club website there were also only 56 units in 2009, and 43 units in 2010.  A good 1,616 were imported in 2008, and CarMax also has a high-mileage one of those for $14,998 here!)

Low production isn’t the only reason to like this vehicle  I dug the Italian design by Giugiaro and once lusted for the second generation Lexus GS400 as a nice sleeper sedan.  This 2011 GS460 has a 4.6 liter V-8 rated at 342hp, good for a mediocre 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds.  Slightly better than the comparable Infiniti M45 but 40 ponies less than the same year Mercedes E550, and 58hp short of the 2011 BMW 550.

But it is a high-quality highway cruiser with an eight-speed automatic transmission, adaptive variable suspension, luxury package, cooling seats, and good old fashioned rear wheel drive.  Not sure I’d even spring for MaxCare – not much going to go wrong here.  Probably sold for $55-60,000 new back in 2011 and selling for $21,998 now – not as much depreciation as I’d like.  Here’s a review from Left Lane News in 2011.  Find this three-owner car here in Atlanta. (You’d think they’d properly close the hood before taking the photos, wouldn’t you?!)2011 Lexus GS460 $21,998 54k Atlanta

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More Rare Than a Ford GT40 and the Plymouth Superbird! 2010 Vibe?

Let’s get this out of the way – like the bearded lady in the circus rare doesn’t mean desirable. But with only 97 2010 Pontiac Vibes manufactured you do get some bragging rights, although you’ll always have to explain why. Kind of reminds me of a Matrix?. Pontiac shut down in 2009 with very few models sold as 2010 – mostly rentals I think. This 2010 Vibe has really low miles, and a really low price, and very few options (it does have an aux jack!) – but get MaxCare and you can drive it 100,000 more miles, to 2024 and into extinction worry free. Or buy your college-bound kid a “collectible”. Find it here in Fort Myers, Florida.

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1 of 1,750 VW Beetle GSR – Better Than a GTI!

VW GSR sideI honestly didn’t know this unicorn was a thing.  A Volkswagen Beetle GSR (Gelb Schwarz Renner, Yellow Black Racer per Wiki!).  At first I was amused by the racing stripes and captivated by the bright yellow Beetle.  But when I checked out the specs and saw it has 10 more horsepower than the same year VW GTI, and a six-speed manual transmission I was intrigued.

I looked it up on the web and read this Car and Driver review, and learned it is faster, and corners and brakes better than the same year GTI!  Also learned it’s a one-year model replicating the 1973 one-year model that never made it to the US.  The 1973 model had a whopping 50hp – this one 210hp.

The VW Beetle GSR sold for $30,000 in 2014 and it’s available here in Phoenix for $17,998.  Not really a bargain, but a bit unique. 2014 vw bEETLE gsr $17,998 52K Phoenix

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