Category: Monthly Finds (…but unicorns move fast! These may be gone.)

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Spring Is In The Air – 12 Convertibles for Less Than $40k

Don’t Judge Me For Trying

Spring is in the air, and spring is in my step (the knee replacement recovery going very well), so I thought I’d fire up the M3 and go for a top-down drive. Granted, I only started it once in January, and the battery was low, but surely a jump from the big Merc and all would be good. But it wasn’t. My excellent CarMax service tech Ryan suggested leaving the cars attached for a bit to add juice to the BMW, and while that made the cockpit lights and dash work, it would not fire up. The Mercedes became the most expensive trickle charger ever. I summoned MaxCare roadside assistance, and Tony brought a 240 amp battery pack that jumped the BMW, but it totally died when I attempted to drive it and charge up the system. So he towed it to CarMax, and we shall see if there’s anything more to the problem than a two-year-old dead battery.

Last year, I used the springtime solar eclipse as an excuse to write about 10 convertible unicorns. Today, my broken M3 is my motivation. My criteria, as always, are arbitrary: Fun, fast, cheap, and not too common. (It sounds like my ideal date in high school.) I ditched Miatas and Minis not because they aren’t good cars; there are just too many of them out there. I will run through these 12 unicorns quickly, from cheapest to most expensive.

Budget Drop Top

Let’s start with the least defensible convertible, a 2014 Chrysler 200 Touring. Why is it here? It’s the cheapest convertible on CarMax lots nationwide. (I’m leaving out the Fiat 500 “convertibles” that are really soft top moon roofs.) Last year, I included one on my list, and the quotes from the Car and Driver review are too good not to recycle, “Like a single-issue candidate, the Chrysler 200 convertible has stumped on one appeal. In the car’s case, it’s that the top goes down.”

CarMax lists this car as equipped with “The Basics” because it has no noteworthy equipment. It gets worse before it gets better. The car doesn’t even have the V6 from last year’s recommendation; it has the 172 horsepower four-banger under the hood. It also has over 100,00 miles on it. What’s the positive?

It’s a convertible. And a drive in good weather with the top down will raise your mood by 50%, even in a shitty car. I believe everyone should own a convertible at least once in their life. If you don’t want to spend a lot to own an extra car just to drive top down, this one is for you. It sold for $21,000 new and is half that. I wouldn’t spend anything on MaxCare, not because this Chrysler is all that reliable, but because it’s just so cheap that if it breaks down, just push it into a ditch and buy something else. And if you think it’s an undesirable car at the moment, someone has it on reserve here in Southlake, Georgia!

Stock No: 26436621 VIN: 1C3BCBEB9EN112235

A More Legitimate Daily

Here’s another entry-level convertible that’s a whole lot more lovable. A 2014 BMW 428i. It’s a hard-top convertible, which I love a whole lot more than a sometimes noisy soft top (I’ve owned both). It’s a BMW. An “Ultimate Driving Machine,” as they say. It’s not a boy racer, no M3, just a credible topless driving car. This could easily be a four-season daily driver. Love the gold color. Too bad it’s not the old man gold over cream my generation so loves.

The BMW 428i doesn’t have many more features than the Chrysler 200, but it is by far more of a driver’s car. It also has a four-cylinder motor, but at 2.0 liters, the turbo makes 240 horsepower and runs to 60 mph in the mid-five-second range. Years ago, I had a 225 horsepower 330Ci convertible and never understood how BMW coaxed such acceleration out of little motors.

This 11-year-old BMW sold new for about $43,000 and is under $15k now. It’s got 83,000 miles and may need MaxCare as its systems age. It’s here in Norcross, Georgia. Not reserved!

Stock No: 26784455 VIN: WBA3V7C5XEP770684

EOS, Greek Goddess of the Dawn (or a unique Golf Cabriolet?)

The BMW 428i convertible is nice, but the VW Eos is unique. Based on the Golf platform, this diminutive hard-top convertible was sold in the US from 2006 to 2015, and this one is a last-year model. Its claim to fame is that it includes a fully accessible sunroof, the only one of its kind. I sat in one once, although I never drove it, and was surprised there was enough room for my 6’4″ frame. I just was never secure enough to buy one.

CarMax lists this car as “Loaded,” although it’s about the same inside as the 200 and 428. The 2.0-liter motor makes 200 horsepower and runs to 60 in 6.5 seconds, which ain’t awful, but that’s not why you’re buying this car. It’s all around a decent little second car with acceptable fuel economy, a low price, and a convertible with a sunroof!

This 2015 Eos sold new for maybe $36,000 and has very low mileage for a 10-year-old car. It’s less than $20k now and reserved here in Daytona, Florida. CarMax has a couple of very nice Eos, so there’s no need to wait on this one!

Stock No: 26578564 VIN: WVWBW8AHXFV002862

Nicht der Buick Deines Vaters

Put the 2017 Buick Cascada Sport Touring in the same category as the VW Eos – an attractive little German convertible, albeit a soft top, good for around-town top-down driving, but not much for “sport” or “touring.” Yes, the Buick Cascada is really a German Opel manufactured in Poland. The car sold as an Opel, Vauxhaul, Holden, and Buick from 2013 to 2019 (only 2016-2019 in the USA). It was the first Buick convertible since the 1991 Reatta.

The Buick has heated seats and a heated steering wheel, but it has only a handful of features despite being listed as “Loaded” by CarMax. It’s a two-owner car, and you can see from the photo below one of those owners badly needed their fingernails trimmed.

The Cascada got lukewarm reviews in the USA. The 1.6-liter turbo motor made 200 horsepower, like the Eos, but lagged to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. Top speed was 130 mph. Although we don’t drive at top speed much in soft top convertibles, do we? They’re a bit noisy, top-up or top-down.

The 2017 Buick Cascada is probably an acceptable car for seasonal commuting or a spin to the vineyard for a riesling. The car sold new for maybe $34,000 – a ding at the time for not being competitively priced – and is selling at two-thirds that now. Interestingly (to me), MaxCare is only offered to a cap of 125,000 miles on German cars, but as a Buick, this German car is available with a 150,000-mile ceiling. Same thing with the Jeep Renegade, made in Italy. Higher ceiling as an “American” car. And while we’re at it, how about the Fiat 124, made in Japan, limited to 125,000 miles, while the Mazda Miata, also made in Japan and pretty much the same car, gets 150,000? You’d think CarMax would know better.

The Buick Cascada is reserved here in Killeen, TX.

Stock No: 26968832 VIN: W04WJ3N56HG037175

Why?

Nissan billed the Murano Cross Cabriolet as “the world’s first all-wheel drive crossover convertible. ” It was sold from 2011 to 2014, and we have here a final-year model. I chuckled at The Truth About Car’s introduction back in the day as they headed to the California media introduction. “If you’ve ever been to a topless beach, you know the basic problem: you expect a bunch of topless Jags and Maseratis, but what you actually get is this, the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet. Four thousand pounds of roly-poly crossover blessed with the totally misguided belief that people want to see it with its top off. We’ll keep a corner of our eye on this as the LA Auto Show kicks off… but we’ll be sure to avoid eye contact.“

Yes, the Murano is AWD and has the only available option—$500 leather seats that are heated—yet it seems like every other Murano inside. It’s not bad—just dated. I like to play a game on road trips, thinking, “When was the last time I saw a XXXXX on the road?”. This month’s Car and Driver has a piece on the Merkur Xr4ti on the back page, which I owned once (a Merkur, not Car and Driver), and I can honestly say I haven’t seen one on the road in over 25 years. Since I started this piece on convertibles, I’ve seen two Murano Cross Cabriolets out and about in Virginia. More fascinating, over 42,000 Xr4ti’s were imported, but only 6,000 Murano Cross Cabriolets. Makes it a unicorn, yes? And more reliable than a Merkur by far.

As an SUV, the Murano lacks trunk space because of the convertible mechanism, and the back seat, while spacious, is hard to access because of the massive two-door configuration. It’s not an ugly car top-up or top-down, and there is the uniqueness of tooling around in an SUV convertible if it’s just me and the wife and an overnight bag in the back seat. Except she hates convertibles.

The Murano Cross Cabriolet “sports” a 3.5-liter six-cylinder with 265 horsepower. It’ll run to 60 mph in about eight seconds, which makes it the slowest, I think, in my selection. The Murano sold new for maybe $42,000. It is coming soon to Phoenix-West Valley.

Stock No: 26812848 VIN: JN8AZ1FY6EW301037

$7,000 More for Legit Street Cred

The first batch of convertibles are decent daily drivers, but this 2014 Jaguar XK will make folks think you are on a different level of affluence. This was once an $85,000 luxury car, and you can have it for the price of a Camry. That’s the whole premise of this blog. Lord knows how many XK’s I’ve blogged about, and I still wish I had pulled the trigger on an XKR, and yes, F-Types have depreciated almost to the point of XK’s, but these are beautiful cars. Granted, the top-up version of the XK is not as sleek as the hard top, but it ain’t ugly.

The XK comes with heated and air-conditioned seats, a heated steering wheel, and a Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and it just feels like a high-end British touring car. And it’s green over tan—about as good as it gets for 2014. The motor is a naturally aspirated 5.0 liter, 385 horsepower V-8, good for a 5.1-second 0-60 mph run and 155 mph top end. This is the first enthusiast convertible on the list.

This Jaguar XK is currently reserved here in Serramonte, California. It also has very low miles for an 11-year-old car. Buy the Maxcare.

Stock No: 26703326 VIN: SAJWA4GB1ELB53406

Wait! An Even Better Euro-Unicorn!

If I weren’t such a slacker, this car would warrant a blog post all by itself. It’s a 2014 Mercedes SLK55 AMG hardtop convertible. It costs less than $30,000. It has a naturally aspirated hand-built V8 motor that my friend Hans covets. It can go from 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph. This is a driver’s car in and out.

In CarMax’s bizarre lingo, the car is listed as “loaded” even though it has the same features as everything else. It does have the Mercedes only air scarf neck heaters from the headrest. I love the idea. I also was puzzled by CarMax’s suggestion that the car has a “Rear Entertainment System. It includes one or more rear seat screens and might support Blu-ray, DVD, HDMI, or USB.” There are no rear seats.

The 2014 Mercedes SLK55 AMG was sold new for about $65,000. It was a bargain then, and it remains so now at less than half that, with really low miles. Of course, I would add Maxcare and drive the snot out of it—if I fit into it. It’s currently reserved here in Phoenix-West Valley, Arizona.

Stock No: 27001395 VIN: WDDPK7FA2EF077576

(This One Doesn’t Count)

Since we have an SLK55, I thought I’d include the ad for this 2022 SL55 AMG, the most expensive convertible on CarMax lots at the moment. It’s a beautiful car, although with a soft top. It has a 469 horsepower V-8 under the hood and every modern luxury feature—even the air scarf! It’s here in Kearny Mesa, California, if you want it.

The Convertible That Started It All

I spotted this 2015 BMW 650 I on the CarMax page a good two weeks ago; I was impressed with the tan-over-blue exterior, baseball glove leather interior, decent motor, low miles, and relatively low price. I thought, “This will make a good piece on springtime and convertible unicorns!” Then the road to hell….”I wonder what other cool convertibles are out there? Maybe I’ll do a longer piece with just a few more cars. I’ll keep my commentary limited and get it to press quickly.” If you’re a regular reader, you’ve heard this before. This year, a road trip to Ohio to see the kickoff of March Madness interrupted my writing, followed by too many games on TV when I returned. So here we are.

This car almost has it all: heated, cooling, and massaging seats, Harman Kardon audio, but no auto cruise control. Under the hood, a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 445 horsepower gets you to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and a top-end (governor limited) of 155 mph. This, my friends, is a sport touring automobile. Pretty close to the ultimate driving machine, at least with a soft top.

This 2015 BMW 650i is a four-owner car that spent most of its life in and around my hometown of Baltimore. A few years back, it suffered a door ding in Delaware. The car has surprisingly low miles and is now for sale here in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Stock No: 26927751 VIN: WBAYP9C54FD169687

The British Murano?

Didn’t we just do this? If it didn’t make sense from Japan, why would it from the United Kingdom? This AWD convertible SUV is, in fact, a 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque SE Dynamic. Long name for a short SUV. Conceptually the same as the Murano, it is a far more high-end version of a convertible SUV.

Land Rover design chief Gerry McGovern said, “It’s the first luxury SUV convertible. There have been other convertible SUVs, but not a luxury execution. We’ll take buyers from other luxury cars. Most Evoque customers came from premium brands, but had never owned an SUV before“. The convertible Evoque was sold from 2017 to 2019, and while there were hints of a 2020 facelift, I can’t find any confirmation on the net of the model making it beyond 2019. And I’ve wasted another half hour looking!

This Evoque is almost the most modern convertible here, I guess, with Meridian audio, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and Apple CarPlay. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter turbo four, with 237 horsepower and a mid-seven second 0-60 mph time. Unlike the Murano, Land Rover bills this SUV as equally capable off-road as its other models. Something to be said for wind and mud through the hair!

Selling new for perhaps $58,000, this is a nice two-door SUV that happens to be a convertible. I think Land Rover design chief Gerry McGovern overstated the demand above. Owners looking for production numbers think maybe 10,000 were sold. I think that’s optimistic based on my scientific data analytics of having never seen one on the road. This one is shipping to Columbus Sawmill, Georgia. Here’s the link. CarMax also has two others if you’re in a hurry!

Stock No: 27029985 VIN: SALVC5RX0KH342314

Muscle Car Mania

The 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has the most horsepower of the convertibles on my list, although it’s not the fastest. At $39k, it’s a bargain. This is the fifth generation Camaro, and 2013 was the first year for the ZL1.

This 12-year-old Camaro has seat heaters, a heads-up display, remote start, and navigation. What makes it special is the 6.2 liter supercharged V-8 power plant, first produced for the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V. It pumps 580 horsepower through the rear wheels and hits 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The top speed is a crazy 184 mph. The sixth generation Camaro ZL1 bumps power up to 650 horsepower! It’ll cost you another $13,000 to upgrade from this 2013 ZL1 to a 2016 to get all that oomph.

The 2013 Camaro ZL1 convertible sold new for around $60,000. This one is only $39k and has very low miles on it. MaxCare is available for another five years and 130,000 miles (to 150k). Right now, it’s on reserve here in Gaithersburg, Maryland – same as the BMW 650i above. Go drive them both and choose?

Stock No: 26838548 VIN: 2G1FL3DP8D9806764

Camaro or Corvette?

I don’t know a lot about C7 Corvettes, or any Corvettes, or really any cars for that matter, so when I was trying to learn if this Corvette Stingray Z51 had the performance package, not only was I unsuccessful, but I found that Corvette folks are uncertain on how to tell a Stingray is even a Z51 without scanning the QR code on the door sill. I cannot confirm any emblems or visual cues. So, I must take CarMax’s word that this is a Z51. They have misidentified cars before, sometimes in our favor.

The “base” Z51 still offers a 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V-8 with 460 horsepower that will crack 60 mph in less than four seconds. Less horsepower than the Camaro ZL1 and also less weight. The top end is allegedly 190 mph, and it’ll pull over 1g in lateral handling. The Z51 package gets you splitters, better brakes, better exhaust, and better suspension. And apparently gobs of carbon fiber all over the interior. The Stingray has heated and air-conditioned seats, a heads-up display, and Bose audio. And the hood opens from the windshield side, cool like the Jaguar.

When new, the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 was in the mid-$50,000 range—more if it had the performance package—less than the Camaro ZL1. It hasn’t depreciated much. It’s currently reserved in Jackson, Mississippi here.

Stock No: 26481858 VIN: 1G1YM3D72E5124743

Finally, a Manual Mustang

CarMax has 1,200 convertibles for sale today, out of about 58,000 cars overall, and only 227 of those convertibles have a manual transmission. Of those, the most interesting one to me was this 2020 Ford Mustang GT Premium, also the newest and most modern, if you will.

The Mustang has air conditioned and heated seats, a heated steering wheel, auto cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and even not one but TWO smart keys. Pretty well equipped convertible. I don’t get the Carroll Shelby floor and trunk mats, though.

The Mustang has the 5.0 liter naturally aspirated V-8 pushing 460 ponies. It ran 0-60 in 4.2 seconds and would max out at 155 mph, right behind the Chevrolets. It’s a clean car with three owners already – owners who drove it very little. The manufacturer warranty has expired and I don’t think MaxCare would even be needed for such a tried and true platform.

The only disappointing thing is the lack of depreciation. The car sold new for only $6,000 or so more than it’s offered here. Here’s the link. The car is currently on its way to Gainesvile, Florida.

Stock No: 27155931 VIN: 1FATP8FF7L5156665

The BMW M3 is back on the road! The battery needed replacement after all. Thanks to Ryan of CarMax for getting me back on the road!

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Quick Hit – 2015 BMW 650i Gran Coupe. A Reasonable Alternative to the Alpina B6?

Sometimes, I remind myself that not everyone is pursuing 600 horsepower and can be more reasonable than me (see my GLE63 here!) I find really nice unicorns for grown-ups. Unlike yesterday’s Alpina B6, here’s a very nice, low-mileage BMW 650i Gran Coupe with the same motor…almost. This sedan is more affordable and more sedate – yet still high-performance- and meets all the unicorn requirements. And super low miles.

As far as accoutrements, the 650i is fully loaded, with heating, cooling, and massaging seats, a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, auto cruise control, and Bang & Olufsen audio – all the same stuff on the Alpina B6. The car has the Cold Weather Package, Comfort Package, Driver Assistance Package, and M Sport Package – so you get M logos almost like a real “M” BMW. I like the unblemished, handsome, tan interior.

And unlike the Alpina from yesterday, two keys!

The 650i has the same 4.4 liter V8 the M6 and B6 are based on, albeit without the beefed-up tuning and horsepower. It “only” makes 445 horsepower, and yet, with the eight-speed automatic, it will pull off a 4.5 second 0-60 mph run and hit a governed top speed of 155 mph. That’s sleeper sedan numbers there! I’m 12 years into my CarMax unicorn ownership experience. While my GLE63 does sub-4 second 0-60, the other CarMax cars I’ve owned – the Mercedes S55 and S600, the Porsche 911, and the BMW M3 – all did mid-4 seconds to 60, and I was perfectly happy. I swear my next car will be more reasonable, and I’ll stop chasing horsepower.

The 2015 BMW 650i Gran Coupe sold for maybe $80,000 ten years ago. It’s less than half that now and has a ridiculous 19,000 miles on it. MaxCare will see you through another five years and 106,000 miles of driving, if you choose, on a ten-year-old car. That seems like a deal. This car is here in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Stock No: 26664921 VIN: WBA6B2C53FGB99228

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Rare 600 hp 2016 Alpina B6 – $44k

Only a couple hundred expensive Alpina B6 unicorns make their way to US shores annually before depreciating like hell. We like depreciation. We also like that when they make it onto a CarMax lot, we can protect ourselves from financial ruin by buying the MaxCare warranty, which will cover this nine-year-old somewhat exotic car until 2030 and another 90,000 miles.

This one is a 2016 Alpina B6, a 6-series Gran Coupe modified by BMW partner Alpina. It’s a cousin of the BMW-produced M6. The difference? The B6 has 40 more horsepower, all-wheel drive (X-Drive), an eight-speed automatic instead of the “M” seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and costs $4,000 more than the M6 when new. As with all unicorns, it’s all about tradeoffs. Reviews suggest the lower horsepower M version is more aggressive, and the Alpina is more like a luxury car with a more powerful motor.

Inside, the Alpina looks a whole lot like any B-series Gran Coupe. This one has air-conditioned, heated, and massaging seats, a heads-up display, a heated steering wheel, Bang & Olufsen audio, and auto cruise control. Everything you need for high-speed cruising.

The downside of the Gran Coupe for tall guys is the seating position. I’m 6’4″, and the last time I drove an M6 Gran Coupe, I was disappointed with how far behind the B-pillar my noggin was. You can see it in the CarMax shot above (the seating position, not my head). That made getting out of the car harder than usual, having to twist and thrust my torso up and past the pillar. It was a deal breaker. Below, you can see the Alpina logo on the steering wheel that distinguishes the Alpina from a vanilla B-series, and the infuriating photo CarMax provides to indicate they only have one key for the car. You’re on your own to get a second. Total bullshit for a company with $2 billion in profits last year.

Back to the motor. The 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 makes 600 horsepower and with X-Drive will rocket the 4,700 lb sedan to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. It has an electronically limited top end of 200 mph. Yup – TWO HUNDRED MILES PER HOUR! The M6 has a governed top speed of 155 mph. That’s why you pay the extra money!

Maybe they’re out there, but I don’t know where you can get a 200 mph, limited-production German car (or any car) for $44,000. And throw in maybe $5-7,000 more for a near bumper-to-bumper extended warranty that’ll last until the car is 14 years old. The 2016 BMW Alpina B6 sold for maybe $125,000 when new. And now selling for a third of that. Tomorrow, my daughter and I are going to CarMax to look at a 2025 Honda CRV for $44,000. Which would you rather drive? This is an accident-free, three-owner car that lived in Illinois and Florida (wealthy snowbird auto enthusiasts?). Oddly, it’s available only here at the Bradenton CarMax with no option to transfer. I’m heading to the Daytona 500 this week. I’d happily buy it for you and drive it back. Email for instructions on how to get me the cash!

Stock No: 27020592 VIN: WBA6D6C50GGK18284

And just for fun, here are the last two Alpina B6s I found at CarMax.

Quick Hit – Rare 198 MPH Alpina B6 On A Unicorn Budget
Pair of Pretty and Pricey Alpinas (Say THAT Three Times Fast!)
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Quick Hit – 2015 Audi S8 Unicorn

Pain meds and some knee pain (you’d think it would be one or the other, but not both?) have me up most nights doom-scrolling or shopping for CarMax unicorns. Last night, I was pleasantly surprised to see an old-school Audi S8 reasonably priced and with low mileage. Thought I had better post it before it sells. (This one is a 2015 model, but if you’re feeling wealthy, here’s a 2023 for $90k!) This is a third-generation S8, the high-performance version of the flagship A8. The only Audi sedan that is bigger and better is the Audi A8 W12, which is no longer in production.

Inside, the car is fairly well equipped with auto cruise control, the driver assistance package with cross-traffic alert, lane departure, and blind spot warnings – things pretty standard nowadays – as well as heads-up display, navigation, Bose audio, and seat massagers. No night vision or heated steering wheel.

Just a big old comfortable family car with a giant trunk that would be as comfortable as anything on a thousand-mile drive.

The heart and soul of the Audi S8 is the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, making 520 horsepower. With AWD, it will out-accelerate a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the Ford Mustang GT500 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and hit a governed top speed of 155 mph. Motor Trend says the positives are “Surprisingly good fuel economy, drives smaller than it actually is, and great performance and handling.” The downside is the “Steering lacks feel and is prone to understeer.” I’m unsure how to reconcile the great handling against the steering description.

Oh yeah. It’s a single-owner car, and in 2018, the single-owner crashed into something in Georgia. The Experian Auto Check Report notes:

Accident or Damage Reported
Moderate Damage Reported
Right Side Damage or Repair Reported
Front Damage or Repair Reported
Damage or Repair to Bumper Reported
Damage or Repair to Hood Reported
Damage or Repair to Radiator Reported
Damage or Repair to Grille Reported
Damage or Repair to Fender Reported

That sounds like a lot. On the other hand, this was once a brand new Audi selling for $115,000, and it is now under $40k. Driven just over 4,000 miles a year. The Experian report says no frame damage, but it might be worth it to buy the car, get it fully checked out by an independent shop, and if it isn’t right, return it within the 10-day full refund period. I’d throw in maybe $5,000 for MaxCare for the next five years and up to 125,000 miles of no major repairs. This car is currently here in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Stock No: 26644769 VIN: WAUK2AFD4FN014348

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Five Quick Hits To Get Back In The Game

My Latest Ride

Just before Christmas, I had a major upgrade to my 64-year-old vintage body – a brand-new high-tech knee. For the first three weeks, I relied on this 2025 Walker, lightweight aluminum frame with a carbon fiber cross member, two-wheel drive up front, and rubber stopper braking in the rear. A whopping 350 pound capacity. The original MSRP was $30. No warranty. Same with the new knee, I presume. Last week, I transitioned to a cane and snuck out to drive my SUV. Gas-to-pedal movement excruciatingly tweaked the knee, so I have canceled my plans to drive to Florida for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona this year. Sad and disappointed, and to distract myself I sifted through my “saved” CarMax unicorns and sharing a few below. Let’s get started.

Opening with a 2016 Lexus GS F, a relatively high-performance sedan that sold in limited numbers from 2016 until discontinued in 2020. Less than 2,500 were sold in the US, and most of those (1,418) were sold in that inaugural year. Car and Driver dug the torque vectoring differential and thought the car handled exceptionally well, yet dinged it for not being on par with the Audi RS7, the BMW M5, and the Mercedes-AMG E63. I never really thought it was meant to compete with those.

The GS F has heated and cooling seats, Mark Levinson sound, auto cruise control, and a heads-up display. It is a nice-looking four-door sedan with a tidy and luxurious interior. What makes it fun is the 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V-8 motor that makes 467 horsepower. With an eight-speed automatic transmission, it hits 60 in 4.4 seconds.

Car and Driver shared some disappointment with the performance given the $87,000 price tag when new. Eight years later, it’s half that at $43,998. Is it a bargain? Don’t know, but it is a decent, fast family car, and you won’t see many of them on the road. You can also get Maxcare for another five years and 100,000 miles. Is it necessary for a Lexus? This one is on reserve here in Laurel, Maryland.

Stock No: 26838218 VIN: JTHBP1BL8GA001594

And below, we have a trip down memory lane, with the lowest-priced Porsche 911 I’ve seen at CarMax in years. It is not the bargain I found with Etta, my 2008 911, that I loved despite its shortcomings, but given used car prices, maybe track it and see if it drops below $50,000?

This is a 2014 Porsche 911 Carrera, a base model that I’d view the same as my 2008 – an entry-level 911 to test the waters and see if a rear-engined iconic sports car is for you. Enjoy it, thrash it, then sell it and bide your time to get the 911 you really want. Or just be content with this one. The CarMax description says it’s burgundy over black. I can’t see the burgundy in the photos. If it is, it would be nice to have around my town, where we are enjoying the Washington Commanders NFL team making a playoff run (for now) we haven’t seen in decades. (For you non-football fans, the Commanders’ colors are burgundy and gold.)

The 911 is pretty bare inside. No rearview camera. No steering wheel controls. Heated seats, Bose stereo, and navigation. Just a 3.4-liter flat-six-cylinder engine that produces 350 horsepower and 287 pound-feet of torque, 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, and a top speed of 179 mph. Subjectively, it is a wonderful one-of-a-kind engine note from behind and inexplicably great handling. My 2008 911 was a “997” model that I loved, although it really beat the hell out of me on even mildly bumpy roads. Hated that. From mid-2012 to 2016 Porsche produced these 991.1 models, with a wheelbase a good five inches more than the 997 predecessor. I test-drove one, and it was light years more civilized in town and over uneven pavement. I want one. (Starting in 2017, all 911’s are turbos, and I’m not sure I want to give up the thrashing sound of a naturally aspirated motor.) When the time comes to replace my M3, I must find a 991.1 for “cheap,” with more options.

The 2014 Porsche 911 base model sold for maybe $85,000 new, and ten years later, this one is “only” $53,998. That is not a huge amount of depreciation; it is the cheapest 911 we’ve seen in years. My 2008 was also ten years old, but I paid $36,998, and it had only 34,000 miles. I would also offer that I paid another $3,000 for MaxCare, and it was barely worth it. Here’s the lengthy analysis, but the short version is that MaxCare paid for $4,100 in repairs, and because I did not transfer the warranty to the buyer (a dealer) when I sold the car, MaxCare refunded me just over $1,100. The Porsche 911, like my BMW M3, didn’t have expensive mechanical warranty fixes like my Mercedes S55 and S600. I’m too chicken to roll the dice and buy a Porsche 911 without MaxCare, though. If you’re in the market for an entry-level Porsche 911, this car is available in Irvine, California here.

Stock No: 26922560 VIN: WP0AA2A90ES107023

The 2015 Volkswagen CC VR6-4 Motion-Executive below caught my eye somewhat because of the lengthy and interesting name. Really, the VR6 motor got my attention, as I remembered the transverse-mounted six-cylinder from the VW Golf R32, back when the VR6 was a 3.2 liter. By 2015, it was up to 3.6 liters. More on that later.

The Volkswagen CC is to the Passat what the Mercedes CLS-class is to the E-class, a swoopier version of the basic sedan. Loses some rear-end room but comes with more style. The CC VR6-4 Motion-Executive comes with heated and air-conditioned seats, navigation, and, check this out, seat massagers! That’s for the executive butt, I think.

Here’s what I’ve learned from Wikipedia about the VR6 motor that makes this a bit of a unicorn. Wiki says, “The name VR6 comes from the combination of German words “V-Motor” and “Reihenmotor” meaning “inline engine” referring to the VR-engine having characteristics of both a V-layout and an inline layout.” Not sure what to make of that. The engine has only 10 degrees between the cylinder banks, which makes it perfect for stuffing a V6 into a small engine bay. One cylinder head for two banks of cylinders.

More fascinating, the same engine in this VW CC was used to power the six-cylinder Porsche Cayennes from 2010 to 2018. Even more mind-blowing, VW-Porsche-Audi jammed together two VR6 motors to make the over-engineered W12, the 12-cylinder engine that powered select Audi A8s (check out this one I considered from CarMax at a ridiculous s$35,000!) the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, the Volkswagen Phaeton, and even some VW Touregs.

Back to this VW. The VR6 makes 280 horsepower, not a lot, and pulls the AWD (4-Motion) sedan to 60 in an unremarkable 6.4 seconds. This one-owner, accident-free car sold new for perhaps $45,000, and with only 24,000 miles, is now $20,998. It’s on reserve at the moment here in Lexington, Kentuky.

Stock No: 26182579 VIN: WVWGU7AN4FE801791

Back to Japanese cars. Remember the Acura RL? This is not that. The RL gave up the ghost in 2012, replaced by this, the Acura RLX. The RL was pinged for being too small, and reviews suggest Acura got the message. The RLX is a full-size sedan that’s bigger and more comfortable. Just under 18,000 RLX models were sold from 2012 until 2020, and I cannot remember the last time I saw one.

The 2014 Acura RLX was fairly high-tech for its day, with a camera and radar-driven auto cruise control that could bring the car to a halt if traffic ahead came to a stop. Even had lane-keeping assist. I was amused that the two screens in the dash confused the Car and Driver reviewers – nowadays, two or even three screens are considered contemporary. With such low mileage, this 10-year-old Acura looks almost brand new.

The Acura RLX is powered by a 3.5-liter six-cylinder powering the front wheels only and is good for a sub-six second 0-60 mph run. Not bad. Other than the VR6 ingenuity, it’s quite similar to the VW CC – but bigger and faster.

The 2014 Acura RLX sold for $50-60,000 when new and is only $22,998 at the moment. It’s listed here as “Coming Soon to the Laurel, Maryland CarMax, the same place as the Lexus GS F at the top of this piece! I really don’t think MaxCare would be warranted for this car. Last thing – what’s the deal with the headlights? Cool high tech, or bizarre?

Stock No: 26446060 VIN: JH4KC1F55EC000802

One last car. It’s not an enthusiast car by any means. More of a novelty I was unaware of and wanted to share. The 2019 Infiniti QX30 Essential. The Nissan/Infiniti clothed Mercedes GLA250 was sold from 2017-2019 in the US. Engines from Germany. Assembled in the UK. Kind of cool, except the GLA250 ain’t exactly the finest Mercedes ever made. It’s good enough, I guess.

Check out the QX30 above and the GLA250 below. I believe the QX30 has more style.

The QX30 has leather seats, Bose audio, and AWD, and with only 6,400 miles, it looks very fresh inside.

The QX30 is above, and the GLA250 is below. While I love tan interiors, I think I prefer the Infiniti layout. Infotainment display embedded in the dashboard, and not one but TWO cupholders! The Mercedes vents are more impressive to me.

Both cars are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, good for 208 horsepower and AWD, and a 0-60 in the low six-second range. Not bad.

This 2019 Infiniti QX30 Essential is available here in Orlando, Florida. It was once a $40,000 car. The price is high because of the ultra-low miles. If you really want one, CarMax has 42 QX30s at the moment! I must admit I have been tempted by the 375 horsepower GLA45 AMG as a local runabout, but never the base GLA250 – and didn’t know the QX30 even existed!

Stock No: 26795637 VIN: SJKCH5CR3KA011100

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Circle the Wagons! Eight Interesting Estate Unicorns

My Dad was a station wagon guy, and maybe someday I’ll own one if I tire of having an SUV. It’s a family tradition. I’m not sure what keeps me from moving in that direction. A couple of CarMax unicorn wagons hit the inventory, so I searched the inventory for more interesting ones that might be worth sharing. CarMax has 2,400 cars listed as “wagons,” although many are questionable. Four-door hatchbacks, really. I’m going to run through eight of them a little differently than usual and see if I can get this out quickly before they’re all gone. The “Highs and Lows” are all from Car and Driver reviews.

2015 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S

The E63 is a legitimate unicorn—a high-performance enthusiast car that has depreciated a bunch. At $48k, it’s just above my unicorn threshold, but maybe it’ll come down in price? It’s a beautiful color with low miles and a badass motor. Unfortunately, there are no rear-facing third-row seats like in normal E-wagons to let the kids watch the traffic disappear behind them.

HIGHS: This is not a vehicle for the measured and rational. It’s absurdity overload, unchecked enthusiasm manifest. It’s all ate up with hedonism

LOWS: It doesn’t have the 664 lb-ft this engine makes in the full-size S-class AMGs.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

2013 Acura TSX

I’m bracing myself for Roger’s wrath, but I’m intrigued by this 11-year-old Acura with only 900+ miles on it. I have no idea why people don’t drive their cars. It’s not a terribly sporting vehicle, yet you don’t see many of these on the road. It’s in a three-way tie for second place (whatever that means) on my list at $24,998. Last, probably no need for MaxCare for this Acura, although you could get coverage until it’s damned near vintage and another 140,000 miles!

HIGHS: One of those rare cars that needn’t be fast to be fun or have a trunk to be stylish.

LOWS: One more gear, please.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack SE

What’s so special about a VW Golf Alltrack? Well, it’s one of two wagons at CarMax with a manual transmission. The other one is a VW Golf Alltrak also. That said, with AWD and a slightly elevated suspension, the VW could make a case that the Subaru Outback is also a wagon. Subjectively ruled the Subarus out for this. The other interesting thing about this wagon is it’s five years old and still under manufacturer warranty for another year and 24,000 miles. Again, no MaxCare is needed. How proud would my Dad have been if I had a manual transmission wagon?

HIGHS: Energetic handling, refined interior, generous cargo space.

LOWS: Below-average fuel economy, lazy infotainment-screen response, costly compared with the less SUV-ish Golf SportWagen 4Motion.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

2019 Buick Regal Tourx Essence

I like this Buick wagon way more than it deserves, first and foremost because it’s a German Opel, albeit with an American motor—like my Merkur. You’d think I’d know better. This is Buick’s first wagon since the enormous Roadmaster gave up the ghost almost 30 years ago. This Regal has nothing to do with the Buick Regals manufactured in the US until 2004, or the Buick Regal wagon of the 1980’s. Buick started importing Opels as Regals from 2008-2017, and then this estate from 2018 until it was discontinued in 2020. Makes this Regal a true unicorn, since it’s extinct.

HIGHS: Nice lines, huge cargo hold, low starting price.

LOWS: Recalcitrant transmission, commodity-car interior, neither sporty nor rugged.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

2014 BMW 328 XI

For $2,000 less than the Buick, you can get a more refined German compact estate, the BMW 328 XI. It’s five years older than the Buick and a few more miles. The drivetrains are similar – 2.0 liter turbo four cylinders making 240-250 horsepower and AWD, both hit 60 mph in about six seconds, but the BMW gets far better reviews as a driver’s car. The Buick has more modern features, like Apple CarPlay. Tradeoffs. Of course, I like the gold over tan senior citizen color combo.

HIGHS: Low and nimble feel, wagon cargo versatility, nearly 50/50 front-to-rear weight balance, closet hatchback.

LOWS: Creamy six-cylinder no longer available, gets pricey with options.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

2018 Jaguar XF S

Now that I think about it, the Jaguar XF S saloon may be the most solid unicorn wagon overall. Pricing, at $36,000, is right in the middle of the pack, and so is performance from the six-cylinder supercharged motor—a low five-second 0-60 mph. The “shooting brake” is also a lovely design. The only British car in the bunch.

HIGHS: Stunning looks, lithe dynamics, it’s a wagon.

LOWS: Lacks refinement for the price, subpar interior environment.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

2024 Volvo V60 Recharge PHEV T8 Polestar

A Swedish made, plug in hybrid, designed by “Polestar” and manufactured in a Chinese-owned factory? Third quickest to 60 mph on today’s list, after the E63 and RS6? Way too much for my simple blogging brain to digest. I understand Polestar to be Volvo’s acquired tuning shop, like AMG and Alpina, although entirely electric currently. As a 2024 model the Volvo Polestar is the most modern and well equipped on the list.

HIGHS: Impressive EV range, solid hybrid performance, did we mention it’s a wagon?

LOWS: Slow AC charging, modes buried in menus, limited front-row storage.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

2021 Audi RS6

Finally, the all around world class champion of high performance wagons, the Audi RS6. A few more horsepower and a little faster than the E63. The RS6 is considered to be more exclusive with far more limited production numbers than the E63. Can and Driver bemoans the exotic price, but if you have $90,000 to spare…..?

HIGHS: Mind-melting, brain-rattling V-8; light-footed dynamics; fun for the whole family.

LOWS: Thirstier than a salmon in the Sahara, exotic price.

THE WHOLE CAR AND DRIVER REVIEW

LET’S TAKE A LOOK INSIDE?

(NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

The Polestar. You know it’s fast – it has yellow seat belts! Heated and cooling seats, Bowers & Wilkins audio, Apple CarPlay, auto cruise control, panoramic sunroof. Comfortable car.

The BMW 328. Could be just about any BMW 3-series. Clean tan interior belies 40,000 miles and 10 years old. Not much in the way or modern features. Not even a rear view camera. Pretty straight forward and ideal for folks who complain about too much automation?

The Acura TSX. Looks a little dated and despite less than 1,000 miles looks more tired than the BMW of the same age. CarMax calls it a “10” although all it has over the BMW is a rear view camera. Reliability over personality, I guess.

The Buick. Clean and Germanically efficient, too. Apple CarPlay, heated steering wheel, Bose sound system, navigation, and remote start. Nothing great to say. Nothing bad either.

The Jaguar. Has a sporting look to it. The same interior across the Jaguar brand in 2018. Heated and cooling seats, Meridian audio, navigation, safety stuff like cross traffic alert.

The Mercedes. I once owned a 2010 non-saloon version of this from CarMax for about 48 hours until something blew under the hood and I returned it. But in that 48 hours I found the cockpit to be a friendly place where everything was right where it was supposed to be. Well, except for the odd seat controls wedged between the driver’s seat bolster and the center console. Seems odd. This E63 is loaded. Auto cruise control, self-parking, seat massagers. If it had self driving and Apple CarPlay I would ditch my GLE63 and buy this.

The Volkswagen. That third pedal would be the clutch, and that’s what makes this more special and fun. This 2019 car also has Apple CarPlay, cross traffic alert, and heated “leatherette” seats. Adequate. A simple, functional, fun wagon to drive yourself.

The Audi. The interior says “RS” with the stitching and the upholstery. It’s high-tech. The cargo floor (way down below) has a motorized cover. It’s got the Driver Assistance Package and Executive Package. Auto cruise control. Heads up display. No seat massagers. I’m out.

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE WAGON FROM THE “WAYBACK”?

(Answers at the end!)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

1. Buick. 2. BMW 3. Mercedes 4. Jaguar 5. Volkswagen 6. Acura 7. Audi 8. Polestar

WHAT MAKES IT GO?

2021 Audi RS6

  • Engine & Drivetrain: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8, 591 hp, 8-speed automatic, Quattro AWD.
  • 0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds

2015 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S

  • Engine & Drivetrain: 5.5L twin-turbocharged V8, 577 hp, 7-speed automatic, AWD.
  • 0-60 mph: 3.6 seconds

2024 Volvo V60 Recharge PHEV T8 Polestar

  • Engine & Drivetrain: 2.0L turbocharged I4 + electric motor, 415 hp, 8-speed automatic, AWD.
  • 0-60 mph: 4.3 seconds

2018 Jaguar XF S

  • Engine & Drivetrain: 3.0L supercharged V6, 380 hp, 8-speed automatic, AWD.
  • 0-60 mph: 5.3 seconds

2013 Acura TSX

  • Engine & Drivetrain: 2.4L I4, 201 hp, 5-speed automatic, FWD.
  • 0-60 mph: 7.6 seconds

2019 Buick Regal Tourx Essence

  • Engine & Drivetrain: 2.0L turbocharged I4, 250 hp, 8-speed automatic, AWD.
  • 0-60 mph: 6.1 seconds

2014 BMW 328 XI

  • Engine & Drivetrain: 2.0L turbocharged I4, 240 hp, 8-speed automatic, xDrive AWD.
  • 0-60 mph: 6.0 seconds

2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack SE

  • Engine & Drivetrain: 2.0L turbocharged I4, 250 hp, 8-speed automatic, AWD.
  • 0-60 mph: 6.1 seconds

AND FINALLY THE ADS, LINKS, STOCK NUMBERS AND VINS

This 2014 BMW 328 XI is here in Austin, Texas. It’s a single-owner car that got bumped in the butt once. Just dropped in price by $1,000. Wonder why?

Original MSRP: $42,000.

STOCK NO: 26476987 VIN: WBA3G7C50EKN36268

This 2013 Acura TSX is currently reserved here. It’s a one-owner car that spent the last 11 years in Dallas, Texas. Did I mention it has less than 1,000 miles?

Original MSRP: $32,000

STOCK NO: 25846374 VIN: JH4CW2H60DC000678

The 2019 Buick Regal Tourx Essence is being transferred to Columbia, South Carolina, at the moment. Here’s the link. It’s a two-owner Florida wagon. Buy MaxCare. It’s German.

Original MSRP: $41,000

STOCK NO: 26522155 VIN: W04GV8SX6K1015943

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack SE is reserved here in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It’s a one-owner car that spent the last five years in Baltimore, my home town!

Original MSRP: $31,000

STOCK NO: 26154364 VIN: 3VWM17AU6KM503666

The 2018 Jaguar XF S is a two-owner car that’s been in Ohio and Kentucky and is reserved here in East Haven, Connecticut.

Original MSRP: $70,000

STOCK NO: 26512200 VIN: SAJBM2FV6JCY65617

The Mercedes E63 AMG S is currently reserved here in Irvine, California. It’s a two-owner California car that had one minor accident in 2021.

Original MSRP: $105,000

STOCK NO: 26554952 VIN: WDDHH7GB4FB123539

This Polestar is currently here in Orlando, Florida. Single owner, accident-free. Was leased just a few months ago – default?

Original MSRP: $63,000

STOCK NO: 26522012 VIN: YV1H60EP1R1616556

The 2021 Audi RS6 Avant is reserved here in Tampa, Florida. It’s a one-owner car that unfortunately rear-ended someone in Miami in 2023. Going too fast in a too fast car? Had to be towed away. Still the hottest wagon CarMax has.

Original MSRP: $116,000

STOCK NO: 26508128 VIN: WUA1CBF28MN903542

THANKS FOR READING!

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Quick Hit – Two of Two Thousand – Final Edition 2023 Chrysler 300C

Chrysler ended production (again) in 2023 with a limited run of final edition 300C models – 2,000 for the US market and 200 for Canada. A bit of a unicorn. Rumor has it all 2,200 cars were preordered within a half-day of becoming available in 2022. Chrysler beefed up some parts and trim here and there, but the coup de grâce was the upgrade to a 6.2-liter V-8 pumping 485 naturally aspirated horsepower. More than the SRT-8 but not as much, not even close, to the Hellcat motor that was never offered in the 300C anyway. Well, CarMax has two of these Final Edition models for sale. Autotrader has another 28 for a little more money, although none sell above the MSRP of $56,000 when new. Folks probably weren’t buying them as investments anyway.

The Chrysler 300C debuted in 2005 (not the 1950’s version) and hasn’t changed a whole lot since then. Car and Driver posted, “The 300’s styling, interior comfort, and driving dynamics earned it 10Best honors in 2005 and 2006.” The second generation spawned in 2011 and got a facelift in 2015. For better or worse, the 2023 Chrysler 300C is almost a straight-line descendent of the original. Sales started to plummet in 2019, and the model was discontinued in 2023. We will miss all the cool trim levels. Not just the SRT-8, but the Varvatos, the Uptown, and the Motown trim levels as well.

(My apologies to regular readers for plagiarizing here and there from my blog two weeks ago that included the 2019 300S. I’m hoping to cross-post this on David Fesz’s Facebook page, “Unique Cars For Sale 2.0“. Give it a look. Moderator Rick Jaeger is way more clever than I will ever be.)

The 2023 300C Final Edition got four-piston Brembos and a limited-slip 3.09:1 rear end. With an eight-speed automatic, it hits 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. I got a chuckle from Car and Driver’s review: “Chrysler unlocked a couple of unique achievements with the 300C. At wide-open throttle, we recorded 88 decibels, an absolute roar that tops even the Lamborghini Urus Performante. And this long, angry barge is also the only car in recent memory that can use every bit of its 160-mph speedometer.” Something to be proud of.

Inside, in addition to specially stitched and logo-embossed Laguna leather seats, the Final Edition gets a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, panoramic sunroof, auto cruise control, heated and cooling seats, rear heated seats, heated steering wheel, automatic headlights, and Apple CarPlay. And some carbon fiber here and there.

I have my own history with the 300. Back in January 2016, we had a blizzard in Northern Virginia on a Sunday morning, and I needed to be in North Carolina to work by Monday morning. My neighborhood was impassable. Airports and Amtrak were shut down, but the National Car Rental at Reagan National had a few cars for rent. I answered an ad on Craigslist offering 4×4 rides for $100, not much more than a regular taxi! I asked my daughter to take down the license plate of the Jeep when it came in case I got murdered. I did not. I rented a very nice Chrysler 300S and raced in the night down the single-plowed lane of I-95. It was a remarkable ride, and I had no complaints about the Chrysler. Like many rental cars, I could see myself owning them…..for a while.

The 2023 Chrysler 300C Final Edition is currently reserved here in Fresno, California. You can track it using that link or search on CarMax for the stock number or VIN below. It’s an accident-free car that oddly lists three owners on the road in just over a year. I wonder if that’s a paperwork issue, a repossession, or a sale and return to CarMax? It’s the lowest-priced 300C Final Edition I can find, and it’s still under manufacturer warranty for another two years and 26,000 miles. If MaxCare were cheap, and sometimes it is because you’re only buying the handful of years post-manufacturer warranty, I might recommend it mostly for the electronics and higher-tech doodads. The motor and drivetrain should be fairly reliable for this old design. As reliable as a mass-produced Chrysler can be. Scroll down if you’re interested in the second 300C Final Edition!

Stock No: 26506546 VIN: 2C3CCAPJ5PH542472

There is no need for screenshots of the lower-mileage one below, which costs $5,000 more. It’s an identical twin but with 3,000 fewer miles. This one is coming soon to my local CarMax in Dulles, Virginia! Here’s the link. You can also find it by the stock number and VIN below.

Stock No: 26187633 VIN: 2C3CCAPJ0PH501957

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Three Reasons (Excuses) I Haven’t Written Much and Three Corvettes That Haven’t Been Driven Much

Snowed In – Colorado Springs.

Reason #1 – I drove the Mercedes GLE63 from Virginia to Seattle and back, with more than a bit of craziness along the way. Most of of it captured on a dashcam. That’s about a hundred hours of video to sort through so I can write a wildly entertaining blog post on that.

Rental BMW 530i in Monument Valley

Reason #2—My friend (we’ll call him “Jerry”) rented this 2024 BMW to drive his son from Virginia to California, and I flew out to drive back with Jerry. I have another blog post to do on that road trip, without violating his privacy, of course.

Virginia Beach Marathon – Back When All My Parts Worked

Reason #3 – I have been inspired to resume writing a book on my marathon running experiences, which has consumed much of my free time. I had set it aside for years, and now I have a November deadline to complete it. For what it’s worth, there are more than a few similarities between cross-country driving and marathon running. Someday, maybe I’ll write a piece on that!

All that rationalizing aside, I’m taking an afternoon coffee break from writing about running to blog about these Corvettes. I also got a notification this morning that a gentleman, who I believe goes by Jim, just signed up to follow the blog, and I thought I owed it to you all to stop whining and actually write a blog post.

These Corvettes really don’t fit my standard model for unicorns because they are way over my new threshold budget of $45,000. They’re unique because they’ve hardly been driven—less than 999 miles each. I’m still amazed that CarMax is able to buy up so many ultra-low-mileage cars. At the moment they have about a half dozen cars, three years old or more, with less than 1,000 miles on them. In fact, bump that up to 10,000 miles and you get about three dozen muscle cars, most less than $40,000. Does anyone know why owners don’t drive them more?

The standout here is the 2016 Corvette Z06 above. Over eight years old and less than a thousand miles on it. And a convertible to boot. The C7 Corvette was manufactured from 2014-2019 and was the last of the front-engined cars. The C7 was developed to offset the research suggesting the C6 Corvette had become an “old man’s toy”. The head of Chevy marketing thought too many people saw it as the car of “the successful plumber.” (thanks to Wiki for that – no offense to plumbers?)

Our next two contestants are newer C8s: a red 2020 Corvette Stingray and a black 2023 Corvette Stingray—both in 3LT trim. The 2020 was the first year for the C8, and the mid-engine was GM’s first since the 1984 Pontiac Fiero. These 2020 and 2023 models have targa tops that can be stored in the boot. Not quite a convertible.

The 2016 Z06 (below) surprisingly offered Apple CarPlay with the MyLink 8-inch touch screen, a heads-up display, and air-conditioned and heated seats. The interior looks damned near new, as it should with so few miles. The 2016 Z06 had the Performance Data and Video Recorder with Navigation feature. and front curb-view cameras. Nice to have. The GM of old, though, continued to use the same switches and buttons across more pedestrian models like the Impala and Suburban, detracting a bit from this sports car’s panache.

I don’t know why I said panache. I never use that word, and if I did, I should have saved it for the C8 interior below. It’s very…panachy? As modern and high tech as the whole car. I love that whole bank of buttons on the right side of the console. Pretty sure zipping around turns my passenger wife would be gripping that and accidentally turning stuff on and off. I once sat in a C8 and found it way more roomy and comfortable for my 6’4″ 225-pound frame than the C7. The bulkhead behind the C7 driver’s seat prevented me from reclining the seatback to get more hip room. Not so in the C8, even with the big motor behind me. That said, I found it harder to ease through the C8 doorway and into the cockpit than the C7, and pretty sure I’d be banging my door into every car I parked next to. It was not for me as a daily driver.

The 3LT trim upgrades the 2LT interior to leather-trimmed everything, and Napa leather sport seats with carbon fiber accents. The 3LT upgrade was $4,650 on top of the $7,300 for the 2LT features – an additional front HD camera and HD rearview camera, rear cross-traffic alerts, and blind-spot monitoring. The 2LT also provides heated and cooling seats and a heated steering wheel. Read in Top Flight Automotive: “A feature you might choose for your 2LT trim is the automatic front-lift tool. With just the click of a button in the center console, this tool elevates your front bumper about two inches from the ground to keep your Corvette scrape-free. It’s important to note that this option isn’t standard and is only offered for the 2LT and 3LT trims at an additional price.” I can’t tell if these 3LTs have that – CarMax doesn’t have a tab to search for it.

The 2020 Corvette Stingray has a mere 693 miles!

And the 2023 looks like only 724 miles. (Unfortunately, CarMax’s photo of the 2016 Z06’s dash was taken with the display turned off, so no mileage display. The service history shows an inspection in late August at 940 miles. I’d bet that’s close now.)

The 2016 Corvette Z06 is powered by a monster 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 (above), making a whopping 650 horsepower. With an eight-speed automatic, it will knock out 60 mph in just three seconds. The top speed is 186 mph. Supercar performance on the cheap?

The 2020 Corvette Stingray 3LT engine bay.

The 2020 and 2023 3LTs are powered by far less powerful naturally aspirated V-8s, also 6.2 liters, producing “only” 490 horsepower. But with the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, no manual available anymore, the C8 is still faster to 60 mph, hitting it in 2.7 seconds. Top speed is 194 mph. Highway mpg is 27….obviously not at that speed.

CarMax’s photo of the 2023 engine bay shows the plastic protective cover, which looks dented.

The 2016 Corvette Z06 sold new for maybe $90,000. It hasn’t depreciated very much in eight years. It’s a one-owner, accident-free car that’s been in California from the start. Right now it’s here in Palm Springs. Although the car hasn’t been driven enough to deserve an oil change it has been serviced. I’d still spring for MaxCare for another five years and 150,000 miles. And drive the hell out of it. Quickly.

Stock No: 26422360 VIN: 1G1YU3D62G5601343

The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 3LT listed new for perhaps $71,495, although if I recall, nobody was getting the first-year C8 Corvette out the door for under $90,000. I may remember wrong. Of interest is the photo above, which shows a price drop of $2,000. Since I started writing, it has dropped another grand to $69,998. Is CarMax getting itchy to unload this Corvette? It’s a one-owner Florida car currently here in Fort Lauderdale.

Stock No: 26412626 VIN: 1G1Y82D41L5113752

Finally, the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 3LT sold new for about $78,000, or at least that was roughly the MSRP. However, I still don’t think they were really available for that. This one has hardly depreciated in a year, although it was in a “moderate” accident in Greenville, South Carolina, which might give me pause. It’s still under manufacturer warranty, but I’d still do MaxCare. It’s not a coveted 70th-anniversary car, but it’s still a world-class sports car. It’s currently reserved for a drive here in Augusta, Georgia.

Stock No: 26128144 VIN: 1G1YC3D44P5105218

Now back to marathons!

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Quick Hit – 2013 Mercedes ML63 AMG – $27,998

I still can’t understand the CarMax applications. When I searched on my desktop PC, I found that this 2013 Mercedes ML63 AMG was not visible. It is on my iPhone app, though. I saved it in my CarMax favorites so I could find it while writing on the desktop. It shouldn’t be this hard to keep track of unicorns! I would hate to lose track of such an affordable AMG SUV.

Fun fact: When I lived in Alabama in 1993-1994, a couple of states in the US were competing to land the new Mercedes factory that would build the ML-class SUV. Alabama won and threw in an incentive to have the Alabama National Guard clear the land for the factory. The first generation ML rolled off the line in 1997 as a 1998 model, the W163. The second generation ran from 2005 to 2011 (W164), and the third generation from 2012 until the naming convention changed to the GLE class in 2015. And 20 years after that factory opened, I own a fourth generation, if you will, GLE63 AMG! When I lived in Alabama, I drove a Merkur XR4ti – a German sedan with an American motor. My GLE63 is American-made, with a German motor. Not sure what to make of all that.

The ML63 AMG is an excellent sleeper SUV, with almost nothing on the outside giving away the performance it’s hiding. The 5,100-pound SUV will hit 60 mph in about four and a half seconds. Maybe 154 mph top-end governed. It sports active damping control, active anti-roll bars, and airbags. Braking happens by AMG 15.4-inch front with six-piston calipers up front and 13.6-inchers in the back. The ML63 has Distronic Plus active cruise control, although not listed on the CarMax site as a feature – drives down the price? Also has blind spot detection, active lane-keeping assist, and Parktronic parking assist. Quite a lot for a 12 year old Mercedes.

Inside, the ML63 offers a 13-speaker Harman Kardon LOGIC7 sound system, heated and air-conditioned seats, and navigation. Alas, there are no seat massagers. However, it’s a comfortable enough two-row SUV. There are people who need three rows, and this ML63 wouldn’t work for them. I only need two rows and have an aversion to hauling around a third row buried in the cargo floor, presuming I’m losing trunk space. Who knows if that’s true?

The 2013 Mercedes ML63 is so fast because of the 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8, which produces 518 horsepower, mated to an AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic transmission and AWD. A performance package was available, pumping horsepower up to 557, but I have no reason to believe this one has that. Mercedes spotters might know.

The 2013 Mercedes ML63 AMG, similarly equipped, sold for $107,000 new. This one-owner, accident-free SUV has spent its entire life in California. It’s selling for just over a quarter of that now. Throw in MaxCare, of course, to protect yourself when that motor or the airbags go bad on you. That’s the whole point of this, right? You can find this affordable 2013 Mercedes ML63 AMG here in Los Angeles, California.

Stock No: 26336149 VIN: 4JGDA7EB8DA121582

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