Category: Enthusiast Unicorns – CarMax Bargains (Under $35,000)

CarMax inventory is returning to pre-pandemic levels – about 60,000 as I write – and things are changing. Not easy to see, but perhaps you can tell what the cars above have in common? If not, they’re 2023 cars – used cars – at CarMax lots. Only a handful, and yet it means CarMax is moving into a new inventory year and will be jettisoning some from long ago. Traditionally, CarMax says they offer European cars up to 10 years old, and all others up to 12 years old. In the five years I’ve been blogging, that really hasn’t been the case. There are (technically) 12 year old European cars still in the fleet, although not many. Of the 519 2011 model year cars nationwide there are only 41 European cars left. At some point there will be none. Some of the more interesting ones I’ve included below. For non-European cars, there are a whopping 156 cars from 2010 – two offered below. As you know, I love that CarMax will sell nearly bumper to bumper MaxCare warranties for cars that are now up to 13 model years old! And as part of this nostalgic post, here’s the link to last year’s post when 2009 models were sunsetting.

I (almost! Update below.) missed the opportunity to write about a 2011 Mercedes CLS550 available last month. It’s significant because 2011 was the last year for the C219 “shooting brake” model before it was redesigned in 2012. Maybe CarMax will get one last one. For now, here’s a 2011 Mercedes SL550 with an unbelievably low 17,000 miles on it. It’s being transferred at this time. MaxCare available for another 108,000 miles. With a 5.5 liter V-8 making 382 horsepower, heated and cooling seats (with massagers), Bluetooth, air scarf – it’s a fairly nice old convertible.

I believe the car is headed to Irvine, California. Here’s the link if you want to track it.

Stock # 22955064  VIN # WDBSK7BA1BF161828

UPDATE. Here’s the 2011 Mercedes CLS550 I thought had been sold. It’s back for $23,998 at 53,000 miles. Nice four door coupe. It’s back in Phoenix. Stock number 22953003.

What we have below is a truly obsolete car – a Saturn. Thought I had seen the last of these at CarMax some time back, but here’s an Outlook from 2010 – the final year of manufacture. It’s not the greatest SUV every made and only 3,600 were sold in the final year. It has a modest 281 hp 3.6 liter six cylinder and not much technology. It’s definitely cheap by CarMax standards at $10,998. Surprisingly, there are only about a half-dozen cars less expensive than this one out of 60,000 in the inventory. Used to spot unicorns for half this price.

Interestingly, CarMax is going to 150,000 miles for MaxCare but only 36 months. This 2010 Saturn Outlook is priced at $10,998 and in being transferred to Houston, Texas. Here’s the link.

Stock # 21947867  VIN # 5GZLRUED3AJ197696

The year 2010 also saw the last Cadillac DTS roll off the line, and this one’s a beauty – if you can get over the fake convertible vinyl top that takes us back to the 1920’s and 1930’s when automobiles hoped to replicate the style of horse and carriage coach builders. While you probably think I have a deep knowledge of these automotive topics, I stole this vinyl top background too from an eBay Motors blog. Odd it has a sunroof in the fake convertible roof. No shame.

This 2010 Cadillac DTS is less than $20,000, really low miles, and for an old GMC has some surprising features; seat massagers, lane departure and blind spot warnings, heated and cooled seats, Bluetooth, Bose sound – but no rear view camera. It does have the anemic 275 hp Northstar V-8, and it also has about 122,000 miles and 60 months of MaxCare available! It’s a platinum edition here in Southlake, Georgia.

Stock # 22551884  VIN # 1G6KP5E9XAU133371

Not obsolete, but this 2011 Mercedes E550 is just one handsome, 14,000 mile German family car. The 382 hp V-8 ain’t even broken in. It’s nicely appointed, with a Harman Kardon sound system.

This 2011 Mercedes E550 Sport is a one owner, accident free car available here in Doral, Florida.

Stock # 22844553  VIN # WDDHF7CB1BA420943

While on the subject of beautiful, low mileage German cars, how about this 2011 BMW 328 with less than 9,000 miles! Not even driven a thousand mils a year. Looks almost new inside. The 328 has a 230hp inline six cylinder not unlike the one in the 2002 BMW 330, and the 1992 525i I once owned. In all of them I could not understand the strong acceleration from such little horsepower. The car is selling for $26,000 a dozen years old.

This 2011 BMW 328 don’t have much in the way of modern technology – seat heaters and parking sensors and Bluetooth – but it has a ton of personality. Find this one owner, California car here in Burbank.

Stock # 22905123  VIN # WBAKE5C59BE755035

If you’re aware of specific models that are about to sunset (European 2011’s and non-European 2010’s) please let me know. Will do my best to track them. Thanks for reading.