4/2020 – The Carmax Unicorn Blog

April 20, 2020

One…and Two of 89 – 2017 Cadillac ATS V Coupes with 6-Speed Manual (And a One of 261 2016 Model to Boot!)

BLACK ATSV SIDE Not often we score three, count ’em three nearly identical unicorns for sale at CarMax. What makes them rare is that not a lot of manual transmission Cadillac ATS V coupes were sold; 261 in 2016 and only 89 in 2017. Makes the 2017 manny coupe one of the more rare cars here. Featuring the 2017 black model because it’s “reasonably” priced in the middle of the three, has the most features (sunroof and Apple Carplay) and low miles. Pix of the other two are at the bottom.

All of the cars are two owner cars (the black one spent its life in Florida – the other two in Texas and California) but this one still has a year plus and 22,000 miles of GM warranty – will make MaxCare relatively cheap, and I would recommend that extended warranty should the twin-turbo V6 blow. If I owned it, that would be my goal. These cars sold for $65-70,000 new, depending on options. I prefer more depreciation, but still special.

The Cadillac ATS V gets surprisingly good reviews (here’s one from Car and Driver in 2016) for it’s 464 hp 3.6l six, 0-60 mph in less than four seconds, 189 mph top speed, and 1g lateral handling. Read some other reviews that are also complimentary, with the only squabbling about whether it’s a legitimate contender to the BMW M3. Ain’t going there.

But I recall Car and Driver flogged the 2016 Cadillac ATS V sedan around Virginia International Raceway as part of the annual “Lightning Lap” comparison, and it equalled the Mercedes C63 AMG S and actually beat the Mercedes E63 AMG S and Audi RS7 – both V8’s with over 500hp. Another review only complained that the ATS V is the smallest Cadillac and doesn’t have the sex appeal of it’s European competitors. Maybe so. But the ATS V was only sold from 2013 to 2019 and and was replaced by the CT4 in 2020. Makes this one of 89 (and its sister below) a fairly rare unicorn. Find it here in Doral, Florida. 2017 CADILLAC ATS V $39,998 28K DORAL FL 4-20 Continue reading “One…and Two of 89 – 2017 Cadillac ATS V Coupes with 6-Speed Manual (And a One of 261 2016 Model to Boot!)”

April 10, 2020

2015 BMW 760 Li V-12 Reduced to $44,998 (and CarMax Covid-19 Impact)

760 side (CarMax Covid-19 impact at the bottom.) Just got an alert from CarMax that this car dropped another $1,000. Okay not the deal my 2010 Mercedes S600 was last year at $30,998, but this 2015 BMW 760 Li unicorn is much newer than mine, and here to say there are few things as sweet as a V-12 European motor. Silky sooth, powerful, and quiet power plant for big luxurious European sedans. Not a lot of them sold here.

This BMW 760 Li sold for probably $150,000 new ($50,000 more than the V-8 750) and is now only $44,998. Fairly well equipped car with auto cruise control, seat massagers, and most every luxury amenity (although no night vision) and was first listed a month or two ago for thousands more. Check out that back seat.

The twin turbo 6.0 liter V-12 launches the BMW to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and a governed top speed of 155mph. Saw a review that hit over 190 mph on the autobahn in Germany. Find this beautiful car here in Raleigh, North Carolina. And of course, don’t buy without MaxCare! 20155 BMW 760 Li $44,998 31k Capitol Blvd 4-2020

CarMax Covid-19 Update – Last wrote about CarMax and coronavirus here. Learned this week CarMax has laid off 15,000 of their 27,000 employees nationwide. Half of their 200+ stores are either shuttered or by appointment only. Inventory is at 55,000 cars….financial analysts saying that’s at an all time high for “year end” – but fiscal year end for CarMax is the end of February. I’ve written before that CarMax tends to beef up to 70,000 cars during this period, dropping to 45,000 or so at the low point in the fall – so not sure what that’s about. I do know that something is up with transfers – not the free regional ones, but the long distance transfers we pay for. Transfers that used to be $750 are now almost $1,500, and the $949 coast to coast moves are now $1,999. Don’t know if that’s a real increase due to real cost jumps, or a price that says “we really don’t want to do long distance transfers at this time”. What I do know is there would have to be a really, really unusual deal to get me in a CarMax at this time – say a 2015 S65 AMG Coupe?

April 10, 2020

Update – 2012 BMW Alpina B7 Resurrection? More Expensive – What Gives?

B7 Side

Blogged about this 2012 BMW Alpina B7 here in August, 2019 when it was selling for $37,998 – almost $100,000 less than new. And now this unicorn is mysteriously up for sale again by the same Pompano Beach, Florida CarMax dealer for $39,998 – $2,000 more than it sold for by the same dealer in September, 2019. – and with another 1,000 miles on it The vehicle history on the CarMax website clearly lists the car as having sold then. Can’t believe it was returned under the seven day return policy and off the market for six months. Not sure what gives – why it’s back and why the price increase – and the dealer won’t answer my questions on the phone.

In short, 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. Maybe 500 imported annually. It’s still a bargain IMHO, and still worthy of MaxCare to protect against huge repair bills. Find it (still) here in Pompano Beach. 2012 Alpina B7 - $39,998 46k Pompano 4-2020