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

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Which Do I Want – Jaguar XKR or Mercedes SL550? Which Do You Want?

Considering both of these unicorns, and both thrilled and disappointed by each. I had the Jaguar for a 24 hour test drive in early January, noted some mechanical and cosmetic issues, and almost a month later they offered it again (allegedly after fixes) for another 24 hour test drive. I did pay $99 to have it transferred from Newark so it was sort of reserved for me until I didn’t want it, although it wouldn’t be the first car CarMax “lost”. I have not driven this SL550 but a few months ago I drove a similar one and was quite surprised at how fast it was. Let’s get to the cars.

2012 Jaguar XKR. $36,998. 47,000 miles. Supercharged 5.0 liter V-8 with 510 hp.

2013 Mercedes SL550. $45,998 41,000 miles. Twin-turbo 4.6 liter V-8 with 429 hp.

The interior of the Jaguar seems spartan compared to the Mercedes. The seats aren’t uncomfortable for short rides, although the seat back seemed to have little to no cushioning. It wasn’t very adjustable and when the seat back bumps against the rear “seat” it automatically moves an inch forward. Wasn’t a fan. The infotainment system is painfully archaic. Jaguars of this era also have a problem with tacky steering wheel controls – actually sticky and gummy, not unfashionable. Googled it and a known problem with lots of home made attempts at fixing, none reliable. Liked the heated seats and heated steering wheel.

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Quick Hit – 1 of 417 2016 Mercedes SL550 Mille Miglia 417 Special Edition

The matte black finish on what is normally an elegant Mercedes SL550 caught my eye first. Then the 417 logo on the head rest puzzled me. Retreated to my extensive automotive library (aka Google) and immediately learned this car is a one of 417 special edition models commemorating Mercedes unexpected win in the 1955 Italian road race called the Mille Miglia. Sixty years ago a Mercedes 300SL was driven by a pair of Americans to a first place in class and fifth overall over the 1,000 mile road course. The race started at 4:17 am and the 300 SL’s race number was 417, hence the “417” moniker. Me thinks that’s a little odd but as the last year of the R231 platform before the 2017 refresh I guess Mercedes needed a marketing boost. This 2016 Mercedes SL550 Mille Miglia 417 Special Edition sold new for perhaps $120,000 and six years later is available at half that. A unicorn.

Car and Driver made note of the extensive use of red stitching and interior trim, writing “It’s not discreet, but it is well executed.” I’d second that. I don’t hate it although it’s an awful lot of race car aesthetics on what is still a JR Ewing car (and yet a model I am seriously considering – more on that tomorrow). It may be a low end niche collector car someday due only to the low numbers?

Not only does the head rest have the Mille Miglia 417 logo, it’s home to the wonderful Mercedes Airscarf heated blower to keep the neck and shoulders warm during top down fall runs to the winery. I really, really like this.

Even the rims get red lips. The color is officially Designo magnetite black metallic paint finish. I wonder how many times at cars and coffee I’d be asked if it was wrapped? I think I like it, although I wish something more had been done to the car’s performance. Borrow some bits from an SL63, perhaps?

The Mercedes SL550 is powered by a 4.7 liter twin turbo V-8 and a seven-speed automatic transmission, good for 60 mph runs in a windblown hair over four seconds. Not an SL63 but still very fast. The V-8 makes 449 hp and 516 lb-feet of torque at only 1,800 rpm. I drove a 2013 SL550 not long ago and mistakenly thought it was the older 380 hp SL550 – was stunned at the acceleration. Top speed is a governed 155 mph. This car is loaded and a data card search revealed it actually does have auto cruise control (Distronic Plus) even though not noted by CarMax. Might cost more if it did. Use the savings for MaxCare – this one will not be cheap to fix. Find this two owner, accident free Mercedes SL550 here in Rivergate, Tennessee.

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Quick Hit – Four NOS SUV’s for Snow? (And Inventory Coming – Maybe More Unicorns?)

New old stock (NOS), or old stock for short, refers to aged stock of merchandise that was never sold to a customer and still new in original packaging. Such merchandise may not be manufactured anymore, and the new old stock may represent the only current source of a particular item.[1] There is no consensus on how old a product must be to be NOS, and some people reserve an NOS label only for products that are actually discontinued. – Wiki

Not to be confused with nitrous oxide engine offerings, also known as NOS in the automotive hot rodding world, the handful of SUV’s below are what I could find of older vehicles with almost no miles on them – or damned near new in unicorn terms. They’re not terribly special otherwise, but I was sitting in my home office watching the snow fall and the plows at the ready, and thought why not?

Interestingly, I started writing this on January 19th when CarMax inventory was maybe 50,000 cars. On January 21st we are up to 65,319 vehicles! Pre-Covid CarMax held maybe 50,000 cars in inventory year round, and beefed up to 70,000 around the end of their financial year (spring). I’m already seeing some fascinating cars, unfortunately most are higher than my unicorn cap of $35,000. Think I’m going to have to up that. There was a time when CarMax offered lots of cars in the $5,000-8,000 range, and rarely one over $100,000. (Here’s the link to the first one I ever saw in 2017 – a Mercedes AMG GT S). Now the cheapest cars (3) are $9,000 and there are 36 cars on their lots that are over $100,000. The market has gone mad. Anyway, let’s get to the SUV’s. It’s still 19 degrees in Leesburg. Maybe when it warms up I’ll find us a real unicorn?

This 2014 GMC Terrain Denali is eight years old, and has only a couple of hundred miles on it. Adequately, but not opulently equipped, no third row, and a decent 301 hp six cylinder driving the front wheels, it’s mostly interesting as a bit of a time capsule. GMC sold about 100,000 units of these first generation Terrains yearly.

Find this single owner, accident free 2014 GMC Terrain Denali here in Las Vegas.

Stock # 21719671  VIN # 2GKFLUE36E6346763

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Quick Hits – Seven Old Fashioned Family Sedan Unicorns

Time to get back to blogging after being totally consumed by the successful auction of my 1971 Fiat 124 Spider on Bring a Trailer – and yet another search for my next unicorn. Will post about both later, but it’s mid-January and I’ve hardly shared the cars piling up in my profile faster than a snowy stretch of I-95 in Virginia. Speaking of which, with another snow storm headed our way this weekend I thought I’d post seven sedans worthy of loading up and heading south to sunnier places. I can picture all of these with a clothes hanger bar spread from coat hook to coat hook over the back seat, with nicely pressed shirts and slacks at the ready for beach bars and buffets. Let’s start with one I didn’t think I’d see at CarMax again, a 2011 Lucerne Super.

I last blogged about a Lucerne Super here, another 2011 with 77,000 miles priced at $11,998. This one has 90,000 miles and lists at $19,000 – just another reflection of how crazy used car prices have gotten. If a front wheel drive 292 hp Northstar V-8 is what you’ve been waiting for (Mick?) this car is for you. I do find the lines and wheels to be quite handsome, actually, and while CarMax describes it as “fully loaded” (for 2011) it only has a heated steering wheel and heated seats – a bit austere for me.

Front wheel drive and a full size sedan means a GIGANTIC trunk.

You can find this 12 year old Buick here in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (where my Fiat is headed!).

Stock # 21016725  VIN # 1G4HK5ES3BU129006

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Farewell Val of CarMax Dulles!

One of the reasons I keep going back to CarMax Dulles is because of the top notch representatives in Service. Not only do they have to know a wide variety of cars, since CarMax sells dozens of brands, but they are also friendly and forward leaning. I’ve been to a number of dealerships and a number of you have written to me about less than satisfactory engagements with CarMax dealerships elsewhere, and so I’m confident I’m not off the mark. In fact, I’ve heard that car owners bring their cars to this service center from distant places, bypassing other CarMax dealerships.

Today is the final day after 19 years for Val at CarMax Dulles. I’ve know her from Guenther’s earliest days, before I even considered a unicorn blog. We’ve commiserated on cars, work, and families even when I was just passing through with no car in the bay. Val is a genuinely nice person and today she is retiring to move home to Pennsylvania, take care of her family, and enjoy her retirement. I wish her nothing but the best, and when I pass through the CarMax service department, and I no doubt will, I know she will be missed. Best of luck, Val!

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1 of 159 – 2016 Volvo V60 Polestar

Polestar is to Volvo what AMG is to Mercedes and Alpina is to BMW. Well, except Volvo owns Polestar and Mercedes owns AMG, but BMW does not own Alpina. And Mercedes and BMW’s are German and Volvos are….Chinese. Regardless, Polestar is the performance arm of Volvo – or was, until lately when Polestar began producing electric vehicles (EV’s) under its own name. Anyway, Volvo Polestars are unicorns from both a performance angle for Volvo, and that only 265 were imported in 2016 – about 159 of which were the V60 wagons (the others were S60 sedans).

* Thanks to Hans for taking time off from birthing his second son to point out this car to me!

** Update on the 2011 C30 T5 R I wrote about here in November at the bottom.

The V60 Polestar sports a beefy inline six cylinder, a 3.0 liter twin-turbo with 345 hp. Mated to a six speed automatic the sub-4,000 lb wagon will rip 4.8 second 0-60 mph runs and an electronically limited 155 mph top end. The vanilla Volvo V60 comes with a 2.0 liter turbo four and only 240 hp. The Polestar also gets Öhlins shock absorbers and 6-piston ventilated Brembo brakes for the 20-inch Polestar-only wheels. And the car only comes in Rebel Blue and Black Sapphire paint.

The interior comes with carbo fiber trim (of course) and sporting seats that reviewers loved. Reviewers also loved the spittin’ snortin’ engine and performance, but one complained that at highway speeds the engine and frame produced some **technical talk technical talk** harmonic echo dissonance buzz drone that drove them crazy. If I were looking for a long distance cruiser that might be a turnoff. Or I would spend more time learning what that criticism meant and drive it for myself and see? Have a special place in my heart for Volvos. In 1983 while studying with the University of Maryland in Germany (in the Army there at the time) I got to take a management course that included a field trip to study the traditional assembly line at the Volvo factory in Göteborg, Sweden, and the modern employee-run plant in Malmö. Eventually, the Malmö plant with self-directed work teams shut down since it was less efficient.

The 2016 Volvo V60 Polestar sold for over $62,000 new. This is a two-owner, accident free California and Texas car with 44,000 miles in its five year life. It’s pretty loaded with features and accessories but at $41k not sure how much of a bargain it is anymore. It’s an exclusive car for sure and not a bad performer. I’d be springing for MaxCare and driving it hard. Find it here in Fort Worth, Texas.

Stock # 21399033  VIN # YV1A92SW0G1305570

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Lamborghini Urus or Audi RSQ8?

On a roll with hot Audis after yesterday’s RS6 Avant. Feeling a bit like an Audi Savant. Anyway, this one is a 2021 Audi RSQ8 (Resquate?) unicorn. The same platform and motor as the Lamborghini Urus, also part of the Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG). But the RSQ8 sells for $100,000 less. And CarMax don’t sell Lambos. So what do we have here?

The RSQ8 Interior

Reviewers give the Audi credit for the more luxurious interior in the RSQ8 above. The Urus’ interior is below. I can’t find fault with either. All of the same high end features in the RS6 Avant, and I still get a kick out of the 1,920 watt Bang & Olufsen® 3D Advanced Sound System. I guess that much power in a car stereo makes as much sense as almost 600 hp in an SUV. Maybe 45 years ago in my teenage years I listened to music like Blue Oyster Cult and Uriah Heep at full volume with my head on the floor wedged between cheap bookshelf speakers because we didn’t have headphones. The tinnitus keeps me awake still. That said, sweet Lorraine I’d love to hear classic rock through the RSQ8 audio system. At 100 mph. What’s done is done. Don’t fear the reaper.

The Urus Interior

The RSQ8 doesn’t look all that more aggressive than the Q8 or SQ8 (Squate?). A bit of a sleeper. The 5,300 pound bulk belies a 0-60 mph run of 3.6 seconds and a governed top speed of 155 mph – 190 mph with the Dynamic Package. Fastest SUV around the Nürburgring circuit. The Urus is faster (and the fastest SUV overall – just not at Nürburgring) because VAG allows the Lamborghini an additional 49 hp. Both cars have an eight-speed automatic transmission. And both have GIGANTIC 17″ brake calipers – the biggest ever in a production car.

Is this the same RS6 motor photo I used yesterday? No, but it is the same motor.

Here’s a good piece on why the Audi RS Q8 is a better buy than the Lamborghini Urus from HotCars.com. It’s called “Here’s Why The Audi RS Q8 Is A Better Buy Than The Lamborghini Urus“. (I never claimed to be an original auto critic!) Original MSRP on the Urus was $218,000 and the Audi sold for maybe $100,000 less when new. The 2021 Audi RSQ8 is now offered by CarMax in California for $137,998 – or it was previously and likely will again. It’s off the market right now but not yet sold. Here’s the link if you want to track it. One owner, less than 8,000 miles on it, and plenty of manufacturer warranty left. What a bargain! Of course, owning an Audi just doesn’t have the cachet of a Lamborghini and no good comes from coveting a Urus. Ask Lee Price III, the Texas man in this article who used Covid-19 relief aid to buy a Lamborghini Urus and a Rolex and got 9 years in prison. The Robb Report article is called “A Man Who Used Covid-19 Relief Aid to Buy a Lamborghini Urus and a Rolex Gets 9 Years in Prison“.

Stock # 21242017  VIN # WU1ARBF10MD028842

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1 of 1,200 – Seems More Rare – 2021 Audi RS6 Avant

When the 2021 Audi RS6 Avant was introduced to the USA Car and Driver referred to it as possibly the ultimate Audi, up there with the R8. Why? Perhaps it’s the 190 mph top speed, the 0-60 mph blitz in 3.1 seconds, the AWD and all wheel steering? The 591 hp twin-turbo 4.0 liter V-8 with mild-hybrid technology? And it’s a wagon – I’m sorry, an Avant. Me thinks all of the above. It’s a unicorn, alright, just not an affordable one.

Had to look through the Audi forums to learn that Audi had planned to build 8,700 for worldwide distribution and 800 for the USA, but due to demand upped our imports to 1,200. If you really, really want an exclusive RS6 Avant, look hard for one of the Nogaro Blue models – only 25 were sold here. I started to look through the forums for why it’s called an Avant and got hilarious but unhelpful answers.

The interior oozes luxury, not race car. If there was a technology or creature comfort available in 2021, it’s in this car. CarMax is limited to their standard menus to list heated and air conditioned seats, Bang & Olufsen Audio (B&O, I’m told it’s called!), heated steering wheel, Apple Carplay, auto cruise control and so on. Has the Executive Package. Car reviews will tell you the RS6 coddles you in “Valcona leather” but Google had to explain to me that Valcona leather comes from special South German cow hides. The reviews mention the 12.3″ instrument cluster, the central 10.1” haptic touchscreen display, and another 8.6” screen with climate and driver controls. For a guy who had to leave home and join the Army to afford a color TV back in the day this is all overwhelming.

Not sure why I add motor photos. The plastic coverings make a 591 hp V-8 look no sexier than a 140 hp four.

This Audi RS6 has been on and off the CarMax web page since it popped a week ago. Today (December 5th) it’s available but may not be tomorrow. You can find it either way at this link in Orlando, Florida. Selling for $132,998. If I were buying it, and there is no doubt I’m not, I’d struggle with buying MaxCare. On one hand, this car is under manufacturer warranty for another three years and 40,000 miles. MaxCare will only add two more years and 115,000 miles of warranty. Worth it? I suspect if you’re dropping $132,000 on a car you don’t care so much about repair costs. Last year when new MSRP was $110,000 but dealers marked them up considerably. We’ll see if this goes at this price or gets marked down. A lotta money for an Audi station wagon Avant, but it’s a helluva lotta car.

Stock # 21573842 VIN # WUA1CBF21MN905181

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Quick Hit – 1 of 649 Lexus HS 250h (Low Production for a Reason?)

First, I have to admit that the only reason I clicked on this car and that I’m blogging about it is because I had never heard of a Lexus HS 250h. A couple of clicks on Google and I learn this 2012 model sold only 649 units – a bit of a unicorn. Five more 2012 units were sold in 2013. This “compact executive car” was imported from 2010-2012 and while it sold wildly in Japan, with a six month wait list when introduced, it never really caught on in the US. Google tells me the HS stands for Harmonious Sedan and the car fit between the IS and the ES. I’m thinking here in the USA it really never fit in at all.

Have to admit the interior is quite handsome, a bit stark but efficient. Took me a while to find the shift lever (below). Way out of date now but it is a 10 year old car. In keeping with the green theme, 30 percent of the car’s interior plastics are made from environmentally friendly materials. The car has nav, sunroof, and seat heaters to tackle climate change.

The HS 250h looks a bit like a Corolla to me. A high-end hybrid Corolla perhaps. The first Lexus four cylinder hybrid in the US. Good for 187 hp, 35 mpg, and a 0-60 mph time of way over eight seconds from this 2.4 liter motor. But you wouldn’t want this to go fast anyway. (If you want a fast, low volume Lexus, go for the RC F Track Edition previously covered here!)

Car and Driver says “The HS is strictly for folks who just have to have the Lexus of Priuses.” Seems about right. A fat Prius. This one-owner California car sold for about $38,000 new and 10 years later, with some decent mileage on it, is now selling for half that in Sacramento, California here.

Stock # 21677689  VIN # JTHBB1BA0C2049060

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Quick Hit – Another 1 of 50 Lexus RC F Track Edition

Didn’t we just see one of these 1 of 50 2020 Lexus RC F Track Editions here? Well yes, in August there was this one for $86,000 in Tampa. Now “Coming Soon” is a second one at a higher price and higher miles. Another unicorn. I’m going to keep posting on these until all 50 hit CarMax!

The Lexus RC F used to have a half-volleyball hump along the transmission tunnel just aft of the gas pedal that drove me bat shit. Hit me in the calf. It’s gone now, and I sat in an RC F last week and it fit just fine. The cockpit seems so modern and unconventional compared to all the Euro cars I’ve been covering. Afraid I dig it too much!

But the red interior makes it a non-starter for me, as does the “not approved by AARP” rear wing. But Car and Driver reviewed the car and while they thought it a pretty good Lexus, it was not a “track edition” the way you might think of an M4 or 911 GTS when it comes to track.

The car still does a very low four second 0-60 mph run and tops out at 168 mph. What little performance improvements there are over a base RC F are due to the weight savings from extensive carbon fiber replacement parts, and the downforce from the rear wing above.

Something about a naturally aspirated V-8 that sounds powerful and old school. Hard to think of a Lexus as old school It puts out 472 hp, within spitting distance of the Mercedes C63, the BMW M3, and Chevrolet SS’s I’ve covered here. Perhaps at only 1 of 50 in the USA it’s for a driver that wants an edge over “base” RC F’s, but at $30,000 more than a non-track car seems to be a stretch on value. Add MaxCare if you must and be into the high $90,000’s, but this car is still under Lexus manufacturer warranty. The car is “Coming Soon” to Gastonia, NC, just outside of Charlotte. The link is here, and because I’m finding the final pix I post from the website damn near unviewable, I’m going to start adding the VIN and Stock Number to better track (pun intended) cars when they disappear (and reappear) on CarMax websites. Why didn’t I think of that years ago?

VIN # JTHYP5BC2L5007752 Stock # 21639588 

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