1/2019 – The Carmax Unicorn Blog

January 17, 2019

Quick Hits – Three Old School Merc Unicorns; Cheap E550/S550/SL550

Here’s three cheap 11 year old Mercedes unicorns, all different rides although powered by the same 5.5l 382 hp powerplant, and all in their own way be a hoot to own and drive. Reliable E550 family sedan, JR Ewing SL550 drop top, and a luxobarge S550 each for the price of a Honda. And with MaxCare, no high unexpected repair bills. What’s not to like? Check them out below.

Sorry only one outside shot of the SL550 on the CarMax page so far, so the interior will have to do. But this is a hard top convertible loaded with seats that heat, cool, massage, and serve up cappuccino. Great Bose stereo (used to own a Merc with one!) and the sport package. This Car and Driver review from 2007 called the car “Very entertaining for a car so aloof in the city.” Driven about 5,000 miles yearly this car is just getting broken in, and seems like a decent ride for $22k. Find this 2008 Mercedes SL550 here in Tacoma. If the link is broken the car is sold, on hold, or being transferred. 2008 SL550 $21,998 54k Tacoma

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January 7, 2019

Quick Hit – Cheapest M3…and a Better One For $7,000 More.

CarMax tends to sell a lot of BMW (E90) M3’s in the upper $20k and lower $30k range, usually in higher numbers and higher mileage than I’d prefer for unicorns. Right now they have 50 M3’s for sale all the way up to a 2018 for $69,000. But these two caught my eye – a high-mileage 2008 for only $22,998, the cheapest M3 I’ve seen them sell, and a low mileage 2009 for $29,998. Here’s the Motor Trend review of the E90 M3 from back in the day.

The 2008 is a hard top convertible and an automatic, the most plentiful, cheapest configuration you’ll find at CarMax. It’s high mileage at 81,000 miles, and on other car forums (fora?) folks moan that used M3’s are often beat all to hell, but as always, I say “who cares?!” as long as you buy the MaxCare bumper to bumper warranty. Don’t care how trashed the mechanicals are as long as they are covered for another 50,000 miles.

This one has some wear and tear but the seat bolsters are fine – as with my 2001 BMW 3-series they are the first to go with big butts sliding into the driver’s seat. It’s about the engine (8,400 rpm red line!) and the handling and the braking. Find this two owner car here in San Jose – if the link is dead the car is sold, on hold, or being transferred.

This single-owner 2009 M3 is neither a hard top convertible nor an automatic, and really low miles for a 10 year old car. The body lines are tight and neat, uninterrupted like the hard top convertible. And with MaxCare I think you can get another five years and ridiculous 100,000 miles of coverage – drive the snot our of it worry free. Find this one here in Memphis. 2009 M3 $29,998 33k Memphis

January 7, 2019

S600 Update – Not Accidentally Sold After All…..

…..but still not mine. After days of busting chops, CarMax tells me the 2008 Mercedes S600 V-12 was not accidentally sold in Ohio, but was deemed not sellable to customers due to a really bad transmission. I found it on the Dulles lot last week. I have asked a number of times why CarMax went ahead and completed a Virginia State inspection (see sticker below) after the car was deemed not sellable, but no response. They tell me it’s going to a wholeseller. Asked for documentation confirming it went, but no response. Until I verify that, I’m still suspicious this car is going to a CarMax insider. It was a bargain at $22,998 and 44,000 miles. They refunded my $899 transfer fee and have offered to ship another car from anywhere for free. No S600 has been that cheap – and there have only been three – in the two years I’ve tracked CarMax. Will be hard to match. And if I see this S600 sold to an individual and not a wholeseller I’m going to flip out on them! And I will know where this car goes.