3/2020 – The Carmax Unicorn Blog

March 25, 2020

Quick Hit – 1 of 20! Jag Wag. Sportbrake. 2018 Jaguar XF S First Edition.

jag xf side Wagons are making a bit of a comeback (even Buick’s selling one) so pleased to see this pretty 2018 Jaguar XF S First Edition unicorn available at CarMax. But thanks to reader and avid car guy Mustafa Gardezi I learned that only 20 – count ’em 20 – of these First Editions were imported to the US painted in “Farallon Black” – a metallic paint with red and blue flakes normally reserved for Jaguar Land Rover’s SVO personalization cars. Fairly rare, old chap! The CarMax photographer captured it not at all.

The 2018 XF S Sportbrake sported a supercharged 3.0 liter six cylinder good for 380 hp and a 0-60 mph in five seconds. The low mileage car (5,000!) is well equipped with auto cruise control, adaptive dampers, AWD, and hideous (to me) red and black interior. Ironic the last car I blogged about was this 2015 Lexus LS460 F-Sport Crafted Line – also with red and black seats. Somebody likes them. This 2018 Jaguar XF S First Edition sold for maybe $85,000 new two years ago and is now $48,998 – over 40% less. It’s a one owner, no accident car with plenty of miles and years under manufacturer warranty – you might not even need to splurge on MaxCare protection? Find it here in Houston, Texas. 2018 jag xf s first edition $48,998 5k

March 21, 2020

1 of 750 – 2015 Lexus LS460 F-Sport Crafted Line – $38,998. No Baggage.

LS 460 side Didn’t know there was a Lexus Crafted Line so it caught my eye. Almost sounds like a joint Lexus-Sears product but that would make no sense. Turns out the Crafted Line is a limited, high-end add on to a Lexus F-Sport package and only 750 LS models (and 1,500 GS) were made. Makes it a unicorn, I believe. The Crafted Line alone does nothing for performance (the F-Sport part does), and instead includes premium accessories, …uh “interesting” two-toned seats (I think they look a little out of place in this luxury car), and even a matching two-piece set of luggage. Not seeing the luggage in the CarMax photos.

The Crafted Line includes a Shimamoku trim, “alternating layers of dark & light wood veneers are layered and shaped in a process involving 67 manufacturing steps over the course of 38 days” according to the Lexus Enthusiast website. (Ashamed I thought in the CarMax pix it just looked damaged!) The Lexus LS 460 F-Sport sports 386hp vs 360hp in a base model, and sadly Car and Driver reports only a 0.1 second reduction in 0-60mph times. Check out the engine bay below – have you ever seen a more buttoned up “stay outta here” cover?

The air-suspensioned F-Sport also corners at .87g’s against .81 for the base model, and also brakes better with upgraded grippers. This model sold for probably more than $90,000 and for $38,998 isn’t a bad deal. Check out the Motor Trend review, and the Top Speed review from 2015. More performance, more style, and exclusivity with only 750 units – along with Lexus reliability means no need for MaxCare.

Despite my whining about the luggage and the seats, I could easily drive this if I hadn’t gone for the Mercedes S600 last year. Also, if the Crafted Line limited edition doesn’t appeal to you, the same performance is available in a run of the mill LS 460 F-Sport for $3,000 less with this nearly identical model. Find this two owner Florida car here in Irving, Texas. 2015 Lexus LS460 F SPort Craft Line $38,998 38k Irving TX 3-20

March 17, 2020

CarMax, Coronavirus, and Customers. Maintain a Safe Distance?

Recommendation: Solo test drives, wear gloves if you “try on” cars on the lot, and buy on-line.

Was wondering how Covid-19 would impact CarMax operations. Their stock plummeted along with most, and yet there are attributes of their business model that concern me. Here’s a link to the CarMax press release detailing adjustments, which you won’t find on the shopping page – had to go looking. For the most part they are doing what all major employers are doing for their employees. Doing the best they can.

Copied the part that addresses customers below. Wondered about doing test drives with sales reps who may or may not be carriers, and pleased that CarMax will allow customers to do solo test drives if we want. What’s not addressed is the risk of leveraging one of my favorite CarMax benefits – wandering the lot and sitting in all the unlocked cars on the lot. Used to do it for fun every now and then. My local CarMax has 635 cars on the lot. Imagine hundreds (?) of customers sitting in maybe a dozen (?) cars daily and the opportunity for cross-contamination is huge. Would be an enormous task to clean all the cars at the end of every shift, let alone several times a day. Probably not going to happen much. I’m thinking I’ll avoid the lots for a bit. Stay safe.

Taking care of our customers

CarMax is working hard to ensure we can support our customers’ transportation needs during these circumstances.
CarMax Auto Finance customers who have been negatively impacted by illness due to COVID-19 and need additional assistance with their account should contact our customer service team at 800-925-3612.
Customers can test drive a vehicle alone at all open locations if they don’t feel comfortable taking a test drive with an associate.
Many CarMax stores offer expedited pickup, which allows customers to do more of the car buying process online in advance and spend less time in store.
We also offer home delivery at many of our locations, where customers can choose to complete the car-buying experience from home and have the vehicle delivered by a CarMax associate.

March 15, 2020

Cleaning House – 7 Eclectic Unicorns Piled Up in My CarMax Profile

Got a number of unusual or interesting CarMax unicorns piling up in my saved list and thought I should share a quick post to get them on the blog. Most, but not all, are enthusiast cars. Some are just…different. Your call. Here we go. jag xf side

Start with a car I’d actually own – a 2014 Jaguar XF Supercharged. Decent price, 470hp supercharged V-8, two-owner car found here in Irvine California. Only five-years old and a good candidate for MaxCare. 2014 Jaguar XF Super $23,998 49k Irvine 3-20 Continue reading “Cleaning House – 7 Eclectic Unicorns Piled Up in My CarMax Profile”

March 7, 2020

Quick Hit – Cheap Porsche Cayenne SUV Daily Driver – $19,998

2009 Porsche Cayenne S $19,998 43k Littleton 3-20 Who doesn’t need a basic AWD SUV unicorn to haul mulch and tools and the family and the occasional tail gate party? One with a little style and oomph? Thinking a low mileage 2009 Porsche Cayenne S might fit the bill, especially a one-owner, accident free Texas “truck” that even comes with a tow hitch. A real working man’s truck.

This one sold new 11 years ago for about $60,000 given the options (Bose stereo, heated seats and steering wheel, moonroof, and satellite radio – yes that was a paid option back then). The 385 hp V-8 pulls this 5,000 lb vehicle to 60 mph in just over six seconds – not terribly quick – per this review in Left Lane News in 2008.

A GTS or Turbo Cayenne would be a bit faster, but I’ve never seen one near this price. This 2009 GTS I wrote about last fall was $25,000. Also covered a nearly identical 2009 S model here last summer priced at $24,000. I think with the MaxCare warranty (a must) and taxes this 2009 Porsche Cayenne S would wind up being $25,000, and that still seems to be a bargain. Find it here in Littleton, Colorado. 2009 Porsche Cayenne S $19,998 43k Littleton 2 3-20

March 5, 2020

1 of 200 – Half-Price Highest-Priced Volvo Ever; 2017 XC90 Plug In Hybrid T8 Excellence

The 2017 Volvo XC90 Plug In Hybrid T8 Excellence was billed as the most expensive Volvo ever sold, and it was, with an MSRP of $106,000. It was and is the most opulent Volvo you can buy. Only 200 or so came to the USA, and it’s a real unicorn. That said, I’m seeing info from back then that dealers were offering over $20,000 discounts to move the 2017’s to make room for the 2018’s. And this one is selling for “only” $54,000. Thanks to reader Mustafa Gardezi for spotting this rare beauty.

Barron’s reviewed the car here, and described the interior……“On the inside, the news is clearer. The Excellence replaces the five or seven seats of plebeian XC90s with four very plush, heated, and ventilated nappa-leather buckets, equipped with massagers. Surprisingly, even with fewer seats, leg and shoulder room isn’t greater than in other models. Thirsty? Just reach for the midcabin cooler and pour a beverage into one of the two Orrefors crystal glasses that come with your ride. Then, if you’re sitting in back, plunk your glass down on a folding tray table. Bored? Use one of the video display tablets to play a game or catch up on some fake news. In all, the passenger compartment is a welcoming cocoon of fine materials and tasteful understatement, although the Orrefors-inlaid gear selector is a bit cheesy.” Continue reading “1 of 200 – Half-Price Highest-Priced Volvo Ever; 2017 XC90 Plug In Hybrid T8 Excellence”