Hard to read the screenshots, so will summarize quickly. Twelve nearly new (2019-2020) Mercedes A220’s with a handful of miles on them, one or two each at all of the CarMax dealers within spitting distance of me (Baltimore-Washington area), and all 12 came out of Washington State as fleet vehicles. The mystery for me is who in Washington State ordered a small fleet of A220’s for $36-50,000 each and unloaded them on CarMax all at once? Why did CarMax put them all (probably) on a single car hauler and move them cross country? Is there that much demand for A220’s here? Welcome any ideas from all of you. Perhaps the open recalls common to all 12 are a clue:
“FONT SIZE OF TEXTS IN THE INDICATOR LIGHTS. LOCATE YOUR NEAREST AUTHORIZED MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER TO SCHEDULE REPAIR.”
Sportlich (sporty), Leicht (light), and Kurz (compact). The Mercedes SLK’s are all that and more. And they seem to come in unicorn pairs for me. About 18 months ago I covered a pair of SLK55’s here, and today we have an SLK250 and an SLK55. Let’s start with the 2013 SLK250, mostly because it’s cheaper and has a rare 6-speed manual transmission. It’s no rocket with only a 1.8 liter 201 hp turbo-four, but it is nimble. And good looking.
The 2013 SLK250 appointed like this one, with “air scarf”, heated seats, and a decent audio system ran about $50,000 new. It’s half that now. It’s also only been driven about 4,000 miles annually. It got reasonably good reviews here in Auto Guide back in 2013. Sporty. Light. Compact. Find this accident free car here in Knoxville, Tennessee. Keep scrolling for the badass SLK, though.
I hope you’re not tired of affordable V-12 Mercedes. I’m not, but I promise to move on to other cars soon. I got carried away with them in this V-12 Lollapalooza in October, and this one is an awful lot like my 2010 S600 so I have no interest in buying this one. Just something about a car that was over $160,000 new selling for this price. Driving rich.
Luxurious interior with the high end Bang & Olufsen audio system (pro’s tell me I should just call it a “B&O” but that sounds like a railroad), I have to admit I’m baffled by the torn up center console cover – I’d be having CarMax repair that before buying. On the other hand, looks like the previous owner left behind an aftermarket wedge cup holder storage bin – totally unnecessary given all the storage space in an S-class.
What’s with the mud, CarMax??!In the center arm rest there are headphones and a remote control. I did not check when I bought mine and the remote is missing. Will have to buy one before I sell .
The creature comforts are impressive, and so is the S600’s performance. The 5.5 liter twin turbo V-12 is rated at 510 hp and a whopping 612 lb-ft of torque, and while it only has a five speed automatic it’s good for a mid-four second 0-60mph run – and a 186 mph top end. When I think you all have forgiven me for my road trip posting in the 911, I plan to write about the 6,700 mile journey I just took in my S600. Absolutely a sublime long distance cruiser these S600’s are! This accident free, three owner 2012 Mercedes S600 is available here in San Antonio, Texas for $35,998. And don’t forget the MaxCare!
Remember the fully loaded 2011 Mercedes E550 unicorn I wrote about in October 2020? (Act like you do while catching up on it here.) Well here’s its BMW twin, a 2011 550i chock full of features usually only found in the more expensive 750’s.
A handsome interior with a nice infotainment screen, the car also has all the buttons – blind spot, collision avoidance, lane departure, my beloved night vision assist, and heads up display.
The BMW 550 also has rear DVD entertainment for the kids or your Uber customers. But wait there’s more! Cold weather (heated seats and steering wheel) and convenience packages, air conditioned seats, and a 400hp twin turbo V8.
If the car had AWD it would be perfect. It’s a two owner, accident free southern car currently here in Naples, Florida. Enjoy.
Fifty years ago Dodge introduced the Challenger to compete with the Camaro and Mustang. Bigger than both in size, it was dwarfed in sales. The Challenger sold about 76,000 models in 1970, compared to about 125,000 Camaros and a whopping 190,000 Mustangs. Sales dropped off rapidly for the five year run of the first generation and the model disappeared after 1974. Skipping the second generation Challenger of 1978-1983, a rebadged Mitsubishi import (although I’d love to have one of those!), the Challenger returned in 2008 for a third run. The Challenger below looks remarkably like the original, and the model continues to sell well despite little change for the last 12 years – over a half a million so far. I don’t know how they do it, but CarMax just Hoover’s up low mileage, older muscle cars. Could write a whole piece about the scores of Corvettes, Camaros, Mustangs, and Challengers on the lots that have hardly been driven, but after last weekend’s novel I’ll stick to one. And keep it short.
My favorite, and not just because it’s yellow. A 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 Yellow Jacket with what appears to be 393 miles on the odometer. That’s crazy – 50 miles yearly?! Yeah, yeah, yeah, cars are meant to be driven….all the rubber and gaskets could be rotted….but it’s damned near new!
Love those seats, although I suspect wrestling with the bolsters to get in and out might get old. The 6.4 liter V-8 is good for 470 hp running through only a five-speed automatic, but still hits a high four second 0-60 mph run and a top speed of 175 mph. Plenty good enough for me. Heated steering wheel, but not seeing Bluetooth. But with a 900 watt audio system I wouldn’t hear the phone anyway. Here’s the thorough Top Speed review from back in the day.
The SRT-8 has four piston Brembo brakes, and the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) – tracking acceleration, g-force, and other cool stuff we had to do with a slide rule and stopwatch in the original! The car sold for a good $45,000 new just eight years ago. Not sure it’s a bargain but the price just dropped $1,000 to $36,998. Find this NOS (new old stock) one-owner, accident free Dodge here in Buford, Georgia.
The auto industry and American buyers are shunning the sedan, and my hunch is that it’s cyclical. We went nuts for front wheel drive hatchbacks for a while, then minivans, now SUV’s – I’m betting sedans will be back at some point. Here’s seven that caught my eye for various reasons and I thought I’d unload them all at once. Enjoy.
#1 – Cheating by starting with a red car to get your attention. It gets better.
It wasn’t just the red that caught my eye. This 2014 Audi A4 Prestige S-Line has a manual 6-speed coupled to a 220 hp 2.0 liter turbo four. Not a lotta manual transmissions at CarMax – of the 60,000 cars on their website today only 1,500 have manuals.
This little Audi is also well equipped as an S-Line and Prestige model. It’s a one-owner accident free Minnesota car (love the Audi AWD) and only 30,000 miles – and it’s still here in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. (Pssst – there’s a cheaper manual 2012 A4 here in Puyallup, Washington but it’s the lower horsepower model and higher mileage. This doesn’t count towards the seven.)
#2 – A Subaru sans wing. I hate wings. Sports bars notwithstanding.
Very nice sleeper sedan here – a 2016 WRX STI Limited with only 8,000 miles. It also has a manual transmission, AWD, and a crazy 2.5 liter 305 hp four cylinder motor. The Audi A4 wouldn’t have a chance. Of course, this is a good $8,000 more than the Audi.
The WRX just screams rally car to me. Pike’s Peak. Michele Mouton. So many of them come with the boy racer wing that this wingless, ultra low mileage sedan and slick silver color just got my attention. Find this single owner WRX here in Oxnard, California.
#3 – Another AWD sedan and another Japanese car. I blog too much about European cars!
My best bud had an Infiniti M45 and I loved it. We’ll ignore that he once had a Citation X-11 and I loved that, too. This 2009 M45X is selling for only $14,998 but it does have some miles on it – all by a single owner from Illinois. This car sold for over $50,000 new back in the day, and in that day 325 hp from a 4.5 liter V-8 was good enough.
The interior is quite handsome and luxurious. Interesting for an 11 year old car, this model has automated cruise control – a highway cruising feature I can’t live without. Bluetooth, Bose, lane departure warning, air conditioned and heated seats, and AWD. And beautiful blue over tan – my favorite combo. Not seeing many third generation M45’s any more. Only 8,500 2009 models were made. You can get one here in Tampa.
#4 – Sticking with the non-European AWD sedan for a second.
I’m on a roll. This is a Korean AWD V-8 cruiser. How did it come to my attention? Two ways – reader Jerrell Maple got me interested in G90’s, and as many of you do, sometimes I search by compiling features I like and see what comes out. In this case, I plugged in AWD, Apple Car Play, automated cruise control, a heated steering wheel, and a V-8 motor. And a price tag under $40,000 (otherwise the BMW M550ix is just a better car!).
By checking those boxes, out came the 2018 Genesis G80 Ultimate. Powered by a 420 hp V-8 and having every single feature I could want in a car, it’s a really, really nice bargain at $36,998. If I wasn’t so vain I’d buy one and debadge it. Oddly it’s a three owner car – what’s that all about? But it’s still under the Genesis warranty so no need even for MaxCare. Jerrell likes G90’s or this would be his. So it’s still here in Tinley Park, Illinois.
#5 – A Cadillac that’s not an old guy car!
Well, this is also an AWD luxury sedan, but not an eight cylinder. That said, this 2014 XTS Vsport Platinum has a powerful 410 hp turbocharged 3.6 liter six. That’s good for a mid-five second 0-60 mph run. No slouch at all for a two ton sedan. A nice alternative to the rough and ready CTS-V.
With handsome two-toned interior and every feature the Genesis above has – except Apple Car Play. It’s also $10,000 cheaper, and almost $50,000 less than new. Yes, these were $70,000 cars new. It’s a two owner, accident free Illinois car here in Omaha, Nebraska.
#6 A phantom Mercedes. Watch this one.
I try not to cover cars that are not currently available. This 2011 Mercedes E550 luxury came online yesterday and went offline while I was writing. I’m so hoping it comes back. It’s a great example of “driving rich”, in that it’s a nicely appointed low mileage German sedan for not a lot of money.
Two-toned like the Cadillac. Air conditioned and heated seats. Adjustable suspension. Bluetooth and Harman Kardon sound. Blind spot monitor. The 5.5 liter V-8 is good for 382 hp. Not bad. But here’s the clincher.
Only 18,286 miles on this nine year old car. Damned near new, except it was a nearly $60,000 car back then. Now only $20,998 it’s here in Duarte, California – or hopefully it will be again!
#7 – The American dream? Yes, if that American is cruising the interstate to Florida for the winter.
The 2011 Lincoln Town Car was the final year for the Panther platformed luxury yacht. And this one is an ultra low mileage (30,000) Signature Limited model. What’s special about a Signature Limited? Absolutely nothing – that’s what the base Town Car was called in 2011. Let’s keep that between us. I’d feel special in this, an old school car – baby blue like Frank Sinatra’s eyes over an interior as tan as Trump.
Tan as Trump? That was kinda dumb. Pale like Pence more fitting. Regardless this was a $57,000 buy when new and is less than $20,000 now. I wouldn’t even spring for MaxCare. The 4.6 liter V-8 is solid, a little underpowered at 239 hp. And while the car looks enormous it’s only 150 pounds more than the Cadillac XTS above, and still 600 pounds less than my S600!
What’s with this oddly configured Town Car trunk? I swear it looks like there are hidden compartments for running guns or other contraband. If this scratches your itch, this two owner Town Car is available here in Kenner, Louisiana.
CarMax continues to surprise me with unicorns I thought we might not see anymore. For example, this 2010 Mercedes CL550. I’ve covered more than a few of these and if you’re familiar with them you know it’s an S-class coupe.
Love this 2010 Range Rover Sport Supercharged unicorn and impulsively put it on hold like a fool. I keep forgetting I must replace the 911 soon, the S600 later, and my old Ford Escape….someday. But it’s free again and at $21,998 for 510 hp it’s an interesting buy.
Fairly well appointed for a 10 year old SUV with heated steering wheel and seats, rear view camera, Bluetooth, and adjustable suspension. For $22k it’s damned near a British beater!
But for me it’s about depreciation, loads of luxury and horsepower, and MaxCare. Your chance to be Doug DeMuro (although he only got $16k in repairs on his CarMax Range Rover – I got $35k on my S55!). This beaut is here in Scottsdale, Arizona. Sorry for the iPhone formatting – WiFi failed in my hotel and wanted to get this out quick!
I have a thing for extinct unicorns and the Mercury Mountaineer sure qualifies. This third generation 2010 model – actually purchased in November of 2009 by the original owner – was the final year for the model and the brand. Mercury was discontinued by Ford in 2010 after a 72 year run. A real body-on-frame truck, albeit with a paltry 210hp six-cylinder and four wheel drive, it’ll tow 2 1/2 tons…slowly. Many moons ago I test drove a second generation model new and was surprisingly comfortable and yes, even then, I was vain enough to enjoy that it’s not “common” like a Ford Explorer.
It’s attractive enough for it’s age (I would be flattered if someone said that about me) and has a certain style. Once the third best selling Mercury by 2010 with less than 6,000 sold it was the worst when discontinued (per Wiki) – so there’s that. Again, you won’t see your twin at the gas pump very often – and you’ll be at the pump a lot with 14/20 mpg. And if you believe Wiki, you might get a kick out of this case that the Mountaineer exists at all because of the 1990 Oldsmobile Bravada – a luxury trimmed offshoot of the Chevy Blazer – a concept that begat the Acura SLX, Infiniti QX4, and the Lexus LX450. Who knew?!
*Mercury Blues….aka Mercury Boogie was written and recorded by K.C. Douglas in the late 40’s. Alan Jackson had a hit with it and Ford bought the rights to the song that I have so abused in this blog title. It doesn’t take a lotta money to buy this Mercury at only $12,998, and it probably was a $30,000 truck new. For that price you get Bluetooth, parking sensors, running boards, and leather seating. Oh yeah – the B side of Mercury Boogie was “Eclipse of the Sun” – the Mountaineer comes with a sunroof. 🙂 And third row seating.
An outdated SUV isn’t for everyone, especially when the best US News could say in this 2010 review was “Overall, the Mercury Mountaineer is a passable family vehicle for those who need off-road capability or tow on a regular basis.” But it’s $13k and it’s a little bit different. It’s a two-owner truck for sale here in Tulsa. Someone will be crazy about a Mercury.
Last updated my V-12 conundrum here with my decision to pass on the 2010 Mercedes S65. I liked the idea of an AMG and the lower miles but was just too much like the S600 I have and I couldn’t justify the expense of selling my car and buying the S65. So I collaborated with a reader who wanted it and we engineered a transfer to North Carolina. Good chance he’s reaching the same conclusion – a bit more docile than he would like, and will probably pass. If he does he has graciously offered to work with another unicorn hunter before it goes back on the market. If you’re interested shoot me a message and I’ll put you all in touch. It’s a helluva car – just didn’t match what he and I were looking for.
