Farewell 2009 and the 2010 Euro-Purge Complete? (And a Beautiful 2010 Cadillac Consolation Prize)

September 24, 2021September 24, 2021

Farewell 2009 and the 2010 Euro-Purge Complete? (And a Beautiful 2010 Cadillac Consolation Prize)

A number of times I’ve written about the CarMax “policy” (meaning I think a sales manager told me this but I cannot find it written) of offering for sale cars not more than 12 model years old, and 10 for European cars. Recently a sales rep told me that’s because of the CarMax policy of offering MaxCare on everything they sell, and they need an underwriter that will cover even those older cars. Given that we are well into the 2022 model year – there are right now 33 CarMax used cars from 2022 – the purge of “old cars” is underway.

Hey Mick! This van looks badass and I think has your name on it.

Two weeks ago there was a lone 2009 Acura MDX available that is gone. If my arithmetic is correct that’s 14 model years ago! In fact, the choice of years on the CarMax website now begins with the year 2010 (although on the iOS version you can still choose years going back to 2007 – just not going to get any hits). Last week there were a handful of 2010 European models for sale. Today there are none – not a single European car from 2010 – only 142 2010’s at all of the almost 42,000 cars CarMax is selling today.

This low mileage single owner accident free Cadillac may be worth its own blog post!

So we are truly down to American and non-European foreign cars that are 13 years old, and for 2011 – of which CarMax has all of 338 models of all kinds on the lots, there are only 25 European cars. Makes me a bit wistful. Anyway, for what it’s worth, the best unicorn left from 2011 happens to be this bargain Boxster with low mileage and a low price. Get it while you can here in Clackamas, Oregon – and you can still get a five year, 125,000 mile MaxCare warranty! If I were a betting man I’d say 2011 European cars will be scare shortly at CarMax.

July 12, 2021July 12, 2021

1 0f 62 – 2018 Cadillac ATS V Manual Transmission Sedan. Not slow. Not Cheap.

I’m going to cheat and add the link to the last 2018 Cadillac ATS V manual transmission sedan unicorn I wrote about five months ago here in order to get this posted quickly. But here’s the three points I’d like to make about this car. First. Cadillac only sold 62 manual transmission ATS V’s in 2018, and 54 manual transmission coupes. I have not yet spotted a 2018 manny tranny coupe at CarMax. Second. the car is a legitimate performance sedan. Sub-4 second 0-60 mph and 189 mph top speed from a six-banger, and 1 g lateral grip. Third, while this 2018 sedan has fewer miles than the one in my February 2021 blog, it’s $9,000 more. I absolutely HATE that the price of unicorns is going up! Reminds me of the Chevrolet SS’s that CarMax is selling used for more than they sold for new! Tossing in some pix and then the obligatory link to the CarMax sales offering below. Enjoy.

Handsome interior but nothing luxurious. Almost German in its functionality.

Honestly the automatic ATS V is a great car – the manual transmission makes this great and rare.

The 3.6 liter six cylinder makes 464 hp. Honestly, CarMax, why can I NOT see horsepower or my laptop but on my iPhone app it’s right there on the first screen?!

The 2018 Cadillac ATS V sold for maybe $80,000 new and three years later has only depreciated to $56,998. Low miles so maybe a bargain. Regardless, buy the MaxCare warranty (although it still has a little GM warranty left!) and drive this hot sedan hard. Find this accident free one-owner hot rod “coming soon” here in Orlando, Florida.

February 28, 2021February 28, 2021

Quick Hit – 1 of 62! 2018 Cadillac ATS-V Manual Transmission Sedan. (And Bonus Heads Up – S600 Cross Country Trip Starts 3/1)

Last spring I covered not one but two of 89 2017 Cadillac ATS-V’s with manual transmissions here. Thought they were pretty exclusive unicorns until this 2018 model posted and learned it’s only one of 62 ATS-V manual transmission sedans sold that year. THAT’S exclusive! Manual transmission coupes were even more scarce for 2018 at 54 units sold. Will keeping a lookout for those.

The twin-turbo V-6 makes 464 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque and with the six-speed manual cranks out sub-four second 0-60 mph runs. It also tops out at 189 mph and pulls 1g in lateral handling. Badass numbers all around for an American six-cylinder. I have a soft spot for Cadillacs after going to the 24 Hours of Daytona the last six years and watching the black Caddy’s win overall four of the last five years (second this year). Some serious engineering chops.

This 2018 review in CarBuzz gave the car tremendous props for performance, but dinged the Cadillac for a below grade interior for the money. I’ve plopped my butt in a fair number of Cadillac CTS-V’s and have to agree that the interiors don’t impress me neither. That said, the “for the money” part becomes more interesting when taking into account the car sold new for maybe $70,000 just two or three years ago. Used, with 20,000 miles on it $47,998 makes it seem like a bargain and the interior more defensible. And while I normally almost always advocate for MaxCare, this car is likely still under GM warranty. Find this single owner, accident free Cadillac ATS-V here in Kennesaw, Georgia.

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!)”

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”

November 26, 2019

10 Low-Grade Low-Priced Unicorns Somebody Wants. Maybe You? (If not I have 10 more!)

Doing a bit of house cleaning. Have over 200 unicorns in my profile, some more intriguing than others, and thought I’d get 10 of them out here for you to pick through. In my years as an auto enthusiast I’ve learned there are car fans and car clubs for pretty much every car out there. These caught my eye – some I’d actually own – and others because they are an interesting combination of price, performance, mileage, and maybe extinction? Anyway will keep the writing short and get them to press. Here we go.

Only 6,000 miles on this modest beauty. Not yearly – total! A decent 328hp and AWD. Here’s an Autoblog review. This two-owner Maryland car sold for almost $40,000 when new eight years ago and is available here in Midlothian (near Richmond) Virginia for $20,998. Nice car and thought the depreciation would be more. The crazy low miles are to blame.

2011 Infiniti G37X $20,998 6k Midlothian

Drove one of these before I bought my 911 and was really impressed with the all around poise and performance. Reminded me of my old Camaro with the long nose and two door look. Except that was a slow six cylinder. Anyway, this 2010 is both low-priced AND low miles AND pretty well equipped – seat heaters, blind spot monitors, rear view camera and AWD. Sold new for about $58,000. Has the 354hp 4.2l V-8 also found in the Continue reading “10 Low-Grade Low-Priced Unicorns Somebody Wants. Maybe You? (If not I have 10 more!)”

November 7, 2019

1 (or 2) of 1,972 – Almost New 2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT (Plus a Cheaper One!)

ext 1 side pole The Wiki on the third generation Cadillac Escalade EXT – a more elegant Avalanche – says it was the General’s answer to the “failed Lincoln Blackwood”, and fails to mention the EXT was not exactly a success. Only 1,972 were sold in its final year – 2013 (there were 52 2014’s sold, making them real unicorns!).

This single owner California truck, though, has only 7,000 miles on it and is really quite nice. Sold for maybe $70,000 when new, so not thrilled with the minimal depreciation – the low mileage I guess keeps the price high. That’s why I threw in the $35,000 model at the bottom of this post. The Mexican-made 2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT had a 403hp 6.2 liter V-8 and a six speed transmission, and Motor Trend gave it fairly high marks for performance in this review.

It also had the “Convert-a-Cab” composite pickup bed that can be expanded into the truck’s cab through a bottom-hinged door – per Wiki. Yes, there are almost 200 of these third-generation EXT’s available on cars.com, but none are even close to this mileage, and one with 16-30,000 miles are selling for more. Not saying it’s a deal, but it’s not crazy if you like these. Find this truck here in Fresno, California.

2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT 1 $49,998 7k Fresno

2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT $35,998 72k Milwaukee — **THE MUCH CHEAPER BONUS TRUCK!**

September 13, 2019September 12, 2019

Quick Hit – Four Big Old Cadillac DTS’ (DT’s?) for Cheap.

Won’t spend too much time on these old school Cadillacs, the biggest Caddies available while they were made through 2011, but someone likes them somewhere – they appear to be on the short list of low mileage unicorns CarMax scarfs up all over the country. There were about 30,000 DTS’ sold in 2010-2011, so they’re not rare, but they were once $50,000 reliable V-8 powered luxobarges, with a trunk that would hold four dead bodies and a set of golf clubs. They are all the 275hp Northstar V-8’s – no 292hp “Performance” packages. Means the gas mileage is low, and the cars are slow. And yet damned comfortable highway rollers. All are two owner cars, three in California, but the $17,998 model in Columbus would be my choice – nicely appointed with Bose stereo, seat massagers, and other nice stuff from the luxury and premium packages. Couldn’t find any relevant reviews (that says something) – here’s some quick photos and links.

2011 DTS Side — 2011 Cadillac DTS – Columbus, Ohio.

2011 butt — 2011 Cadillac DTS – Roseville, California

Continue reading “Quick Hit – Four Big Old Cadillac DTS’ (DT’s?) for Cheap.”

April 24, 2019

The CarMax 600hp Club – 19 Hot Rod Unicorns

Corvette front

The Trump administration and the Iranians are circling once again and oil prices are skyrocketing – what better time to pick up a bargain 600 hp unicorn before they become extinct! And CarMax has 19 of these high-horsepower bad boys on lots nationwide. Almost all of them are General Motors products, with one Audi and one BMW from our (for now) European ally, the Germans. Been watching, and (surprise) no Hellcats have made it to CarMax, and Ford isn’t making a Mustang that bucks 600. So here’s what we have today (CarMax listings at the bottom).

M760 Side The lone BMW M760 is a beautiful, big sedan that squeaks in at 601hp from a 6.6 liter twin-turbo V-12. This is the motor Rolls Royce uses in the Ghost and Wraith, I’ve learned. If you’ve been here before, you know I have a thing for V-12’s. (Check out my S600 with a measley 510hp here.)

This 2017 BMW M760 has only 14,000 miles, and is loaded with AWD, auto cruise control, and a business class backseat – at 206″ long it’s almost business jet sized – and tops the price list today at $97,998. According to this Motor Trend reveiw the M760 once sold for maybe $170,000. It’s a one-owner car still under dealer warranty (buy the MaxCare Continue reading “The CarMax 600hp Club – 19 Hot Rod Unicorns”

April 15, 2018June 7, 2018

1 of 1,250 2008 Cadillac XLR (aka the offspring of Corvette and Allante)

2008 XLR CarMax doesn’t carry Cadillac XLR’s very often, and this is the only one I’ve seen in the fleet nationwide since I’ve been blogging. At 67,000 miles it’s higher mileage than I would normally include as a unicorn and at almost $29k it ain’t cheap, but if you’re looking for an interesting hard-top convertible, produced in low numbers, with a solid drive train and Corvette C-5 platform pedigree, this may be for you. There were 1,250 XLR’s manufactured in 2008, and just over 15,000 total during the 2004-2009 production run. No, it’s not the supercharged XLR-V, or the 2009 last model year, but I’ll let you know if and when one becomes available. The XLR has the 4.6l 320 hp Northstar V8, not loved by all, but adequate and if covered by the MaxCare warranty (that will also cover the radar-adaptive cruise control and retractable hard-top!) it should be an inexpensive daily driver. This four-owner car has hopped between Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and Florida and can be found in Fort Myers via this CarMax link. If dead, car is being transferred, on hold, or sold. 2008 Cadillac XLR $28,998 67k

Category: Cadillac