A Springtime Solar Eclipse Means Time For 10 Convertible Unicorns!

After playing three hours of country music in a Virginia brewery Sunday April 7th, I immediately drove deep into the night to Cleveland to be in the path of totality for the April 8th solar eclipse. It was spectacular. (The Eclipse above? Unremarkable, I guess. For more fun, check out this old blog of mine on eclipses!) I had hoped to cruise there in the BMW M3 with the top down, enjoying all things sunny, but I still had all my music gear and so it was the Merc SUV again. Got me thinking, though, about how special convertibles are in spring and fall. I’ve owned three and think everyone should own one at least once in life. So I picked out 10 CarMax unicorn convertibles – cars with less than 60,000 miles, priced below $45,000, and with either some driving enthusiast credentials or at least not something you see on the road every day.

At the moment CarMax has over 63,000 cars on the lots, and only 533 convertibles. Mazda takes top honors with 100 (all Miata MX-5’s, although one CX-30 is listed as a drop top!). Chevy is second with 76 (Camaros and Corvettes), followed by Mercedes at 70 (SLC’s, E400’s, and C300’s), and BMW at 68 units. The most expensive convertible at CarMax is a 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 3LT at $95,000 – only 204 miles on it – the cheapest is a cute 2013 Fiat 500 Pop at $13,000. Lots in between. I’m leaving out some good and salutary cars like Miatas and Mustangs and Beetles only because of abundance. Too many to feel unique.

A case could be made for the Polish-built Buick Cascada as a now extinct attempt by GM to introduce the Opel convertible to the US from 2016 to 2019, as well as the Volkswagen EOS, an even smaller hardtop convertible with Golf innards. The Buick wasn’t interesting enough and there aren’t any EOS’s at CarMax right now. And no Nissan Murano Crosscabriolet’s. Or Range Rover Evoque convertibles.

Let’s jump in.

The Porsche Boxster S is an easy choice. Mid-engined, manual transmission, and a sweet flat-6 engine at a fraction of the cost of a 911. And right up front I have to say CarMax, it should be mandatory that ALL convertibles advertised include a picture of the car with the top down!

Not a lot of features on this car, other than air conditioned seats. The 315 hp 3.4 liter motor makes it special. And because it’s hidden, no motor picture on this one. Originally selling for maybe $50,000, it hasn’t depreciated a whole lot. And probably won’t. It’s a two owner, accident free car found here in Tucson, Arizona.

Stock No: 25278196 VIN: WP0CB2A88DS132828

I don’t know much about Mini Coopers, but what I’ve learned has been from my friend Hans. And he usually pings me when a John Cooper Works Mini is on the market and so I thought I’d try to get ahead of him on this one.

The newest car on today’s list as a 2023. Also in its favor – it’s yellow (like the sun!) and another photo with the top down. It’s not a cheap car, selling for maybe $40,000+ new and after 13,000 miles, selling for about the same amount now.

This little Mini (redundant?) is loaded, though. Automatic cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and a heads up display are all modern features. If the trunk wasn’t the same size as the glove box it could be a fun road car. It’s powered by a 235 hp, 2.0 liter turbo four and I’m surprised to see 0-60 mph is only 6.3 seconds. Is that right?

No need for Maxcare I guess since this is still under manufacturer warranty. Find this German built Mini here coming soon in Plano, Texas.

StockNo: 25483370 VIN: WMW63DL07P3P34869

How about some American muscle. The only Corvette convertible that meets my unicorn specs comes next.

Pretty basic Corvette Stingray here. Pretty blue, black wheels, yellow calipers, and a drop top. Not a lot of features – it has Apple CarPlay because it has an aftermarket stereo. It’s fast and sleek and the only way to get a cheaper Chevy V-8 convertible would be in a Camaro, and the Camaro doesn’t have the panache of a Corvette.

What makes the Corvette special is the 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V-8, rated at 455 hp. It’s a light car at 3,300 lbs, and fast. The combination of a good motor and a convertible makes drop top driving audibly fun. Mostly that comes in V-8’s and flat-6’s. Anyone have a four cylinder with a satisfying sound? Guess my Italian Fiat had that. By the way, the Corvette engine bay photo below is the only one I’ve ever seen with a side view. Is that because of the way the hood opens?

This 2016 Corvette Stingray sold new for maybe $52,000. It’s a single owner car and is currently being shipped to West Sahara, Nevada. Here’s the link.

StockNo: 25706858 VIN: 1G1YB3D74G5125126

I’ve had two soft top convertibles, and at the moment a hard top convertible (2013 BMW M3). For daily driver, year round use I prefer a hard top convertible. And that brings us back to an original “driving rich” unicorn – the Mercedes SL550.

CarMax always seems to have a half dozen low mileage, well equipped Mercedes SL550’s on hand. This one is less than $31,000 and fits the bill. It’s not terribly well equipped, but has heated and cooling seats and the wonderful air scarf neck warmers, should spring not be sprung in your area any time soon.

The Mercedes has a 4.6 liter twin turbo V-8 making 429 hp, and 516 ft-lbs of torque. It weighs a good 700 pounds more than the Corvette, trading weight for a retractable hard top. Still does 0-60 mph in the mid-fours.

The 2013 Mercedes SL550 has been shared by five owners over the past 11 years, although with no accidents. Right now it’s in Los Angeles – here’s the link.

StockNo: 24920605 VIN: WDDJK7DA1DF010782

Below we have a 2015 Audi S5 Premium Plus that’s just good enough to make the list and yet not terribly exciting (to me). The 2013 S5’s were the first with the 333 hp supercharged, 3.0 liter V-6, after Audi’s long run with the venerable 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine with 354 hp. The V-6 is just as fast, just doesn’t sound the same. And since CarMax doesn’t carry 2012 (or older) European cars now, no more V-8 S5’s. However, from time to time CarMax will have an Audi RS5 that sported a V-8 until 2017. The RS5 has almost a hundred more horses.

This is a low mileage, low dollar Audi soft top with the Technology Package, a Bang & Olufsen audio system, and not a lot else. Again kudos for the photo with the top down.

I take that back. The Audi S5 has AWD, unusual for a convertible. For the record, at CarMax only Audi, BMW, Jaguar, and Mercedes have AWD convertibles. (Jaguar has this badass 2018 Jaguar F-Type R with 550 hp and AWD but it’s $52,000!) Below are examples of CarMax’s new “Cosmetic photos available” section for some cars – this Audi has a paint blemish on the bumper and on the fender.

Car and Driver dashed to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds in the V-6 S5, which is brisk by any standard. They also rated the coupe as tops over the Cadillac ATS 3.6 and the Lexus RC350, for what it’s worth. If you’re more youthful and technologically progressive than me (and most people are) you can get over the V-8 vs V-6 thing and enjoy this motor just fine.

This was a $55,000 car when new and is half that now. The single owner Audi S5 is currently reserved in Clackamas, Oregon, and you can find it here if you want to track or read more.

Stock No: 25452153 VIN: WAUCGAFH3FN009585

Next we have a practical, if you will, Volvo C70 T5, convertible. I like the hardtop convertible, although the weight makes a slow car slower, and yet few buy Volvo’s to push the performance envelope (Polestar notwithstanding). The C70 is a safe car that Autoblog says is “a handsome luxury hardtop convertible with elegant coupe lines that seats four.” I think the car is lovely with the top up or down.

The C70 has the Climate Package, adding heated seats and rain sensors and headlight washers. It’s Swedish tidy inside, and with only 15,000 miles over 11 years it’s fresh.

The downside is a 227hp inline 5 cylinder, a 2.5 liter powerplant that pulls the front wheel drive convertible to 60 mph in the mid-seven second range. Again, Volvo’s not known for performance cars, and this would try my patience. My standard today, though, was a convertible that has some style to it and one you don’t see at every stop light. The C70 T5 fits the bill.

The car is just $23,998 – about $20,000 less than when it was new – and is on reserve here in Norcross, Georgia.

StockNo: 25467726 VIN: YV1672MCXDJ143182

Here’s another very pretty, very affordable, and not very common hardtop convertible that’s also not very athletic. The 2015 Q60 was once the G37 and still is a fancier Nissan 370. Not necessarily a bad thing. This is a beautiful car and the upside of a car that was dated in 2015 and despite a 2016 refresh, didn’t sell well and was put down in 2023, is that like the Volvo, they’re not spotted on every street corner.

Nothing at all wrong with the interior, and it looks well maintained after eight years and 54,000 miles. Heated and air conditioned seats, navigation, and a Bose sound system. Always wondered why Nissan didn’t buy Infinity audio and rename them Infiniti? Room for four. Sort of.

Infiniti carried the same 3.7 liter V-6 power plant with 325 hp from the much cheaper Nissan 370z until 2017, when an upgraded 3.0 liter V-6 twin turbo made its debut. With the 3.7 0-60 was in the mid-fives, and the newer engine cut a full second off of that. (FWIW – Infiniti unleashed a Q60 Red Sport 400 with, you guessed it, 400 hp in hardtop only!)

This 2015 Infiniti Q60 is a two owner, accident free car currently reserved here in Gastonia, North Carolina. It was once a $50,000+ auto and is selling for the same price as the low mileage Volvo C70 above. Which one would you buy?

StockNo: 25294928 VIN: JN1CV6FE3FM810232 LINK

Let’s get back to legitimate performance cars. When I started writing this piece in Cleveland, after the eclipse a week ago, this hot BMW M3 was not yet on the market. I had included in this draft an identical black M3 that was $2,000 more with 6,000 more miles. That’s what freaks me out every time I prepare to buy a car – next week something better will come along. FOMO.

Yeah, it’s red and somebody is gonna say “ticket magnet” the way you can’t mention Pintos without reflexively smirking “self-immolation” – both references are highly exaggerated. Research has shown that white cars get more tickets than red (Let’s ignore there are more white cars on the road than red – doesn’t help my case.)

If you’ve been here before you know I own a silver version of this car and have a bias. Two years ago I bought a 2013 M3 hardtop convertible, the last year for V-8 M3’s, and love it. Well, I did – drove it to meet an old friend for breakfast this morning, and he showed up in a silver 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo. Sigh.

The heart and soul of the M3 is the 4.0 liter, naturally aspirated V-8. It’ll growl it’s way to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds in “M” mode. BMW ran V-8’s in M3’s from 2007 to 2013, with six cylinders before and after. Keeping in mind CarMax only offers 11 year old or newer European cars, the days are numbered for getting one from CarMax and protecting it with a MaxCare warranty up to 125,000 miles and until 2029. That said, I paid about $5,000 for my MaxCare and haven’t gotten my money’s worth (yet). I’ve put 15,000 miles on it in two years and it hardly breaks.

Don’t wait! This M3 has the back seat wind deflector. It’ll go missing soon. Had to pay $300 to get one.

The 2013 BMW M3 is a real auto enthusiast car, and a red one will get some attention at cars and coffee. I paid $41,000 for mine with 34,000 miles I think, and this one is $10,000 cheaper – but with almost the same mileage. (Make me an offer? Was planning to keep mine two more years but that 911 Turbo looked sweet this morning.) This one is available in Golden, Colorado here.

StockNo: 24832537 VIN: WBSDX9C55DE785352

Going to stick with red cars here on out, since I liked the white/red ticket research from above. This one is a real nice 2019 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth. And a “Fix It Again Tony” comment will get you banned, for being inaccurate and unimaginative! (My 1971 Fiat 124 Spider was one of the most reliable cars I ever had!) This one comes with a no kidding manual transmission. And it’s red. Gotta be fun.

This generation of Fiat 124 Spiders is, of course, a Mazda Miata in vestiário. From 2016 to 2019 Mazda manufactured the 124’s using the Miata MX-5 platform, although the motors were legit Italian Fiat powerplants (the transmission was still Mazda’s.) The 124 is five inches longer than the Miata. And almost 200 pounds heavier, with more sound deadening material. Disturbing fact – CarMax will offer MaxCare for European cars up to 125,000 miles, and for Japanese cars to 150,000 miles. Both cars are built in Japan, but the MaxCare warranty is still reduced for the Italian-badged one. That ain’t right.

The Fiat 124 Spider Abarth has modern stuff like cross-traffic alert and heated mirrors and a rear view camera, and yet a traditional sports car interior. I tried one on once, or at least I tried to, and found it was tighter inside than my 1971. Found Miatas to be too small for me also (I’m 6’4″ and 225 lbs – atm.) The power plant below is a 1.4 liter turbo four, and unfortunately makes the same 160 hp that’s in the non-Abarth 124’s. Only does 0-60 mph in the low six second range. Disappointing, but my old one took 10 seconds to get there. This one has an upgraded suspension over the base 124, though. And a manual transmission!

Here’s a Car and Driver comparison between the Fiat 124 Abarth and the Mazda Miata. Unlike the Miata, the 124 is (again) extinct and no longer being imported. It sold maybe 5,000 units a year, so a bit rare. Not a bad car, and not a total Miata clone. Retained some historical Pininfarina styling. Here’s the link to the 2019 Fiat 124 Abarth, currently on reserve in Spokane, Washington.

StockNo: 25271376 VIN: JC1NFAEKXK0141887 LINK

Hear me out on the next, and last red unicorn to make the list. It’s a weak case, but not ridiculous. This is the cheapest, not seen everywhere, legitimately holds four adults, convertible you’re going to find at CarMax. Emphasis on cheap. It’s $18k and has only 30,000 miles. (Its identical twin just sold elsewhere on CarMax for the same price with 20,000 miles – you missed a bargain by a week!)

Take the time to read the timely election-themed Car and Driver review here from 2012. It’s wonderfully written. Spoiler – it opens with, “Like a single-issue candidate, the Chrysler 200 convertible has stumped on one appeal. In the car’s case, it’s that the top goes down.”

The review also says the “200’s handling is no longer spastic and clumsy” and that it’s actually well sorted out for a front drive, 4,000 pound car. (I think “No longer spastic and clumsy” was also on my ninth grade Phys Ed report card.) The 3.6 liter V-6 motor pumps 283 hp and does 0-60 mph in about the same time as the Fiat 124 above. Not sure if that’s good for the Chrysler or bad for the Fiat.

My M3 and the Corvette Stingray above are perfect for dropping the top and roaring into local breweries this spring, Chris Stapleton streaming from the Bose. But I would not be embarrassed to cruise (slowly) into our Virginia wineries in this Chrysler 200 with the top down, listening to Kenny G on the CD player. I’m that old. And with MaxCare available for another five years and 120,000 miles I could do that long enough to pay for the car with my social security checks. Now I’m sad. Heading to the bar. If this car’s for you it’s currently reserved here in Gastonia, North Carolina.

StockNo: 25491124 VIN: 1C3BCBFG0DN724042

March 16, 2023March 16, 2023

Quick Hit – Another “Hot” Volvo C30 T5 R-Design 6MT

Seems like every two years there’s one of these quirky Volvo C30 T5 R-Design unicorns with the somewhat rare (and fun) manual transmission at CarMax, and here’s another one. Wrote about this one in 2019 priced at $13,599 with 88,000 miles, and this one in 2021 with 50,000 miles at $18,998. Hard to tell anymore what’s a fair price for used cars. These little guys were sold in the USA from 2007 to 2013.

The C30 T5 R-Design got uneven reviews when new but over the years gained a loyal following and in 2020 hotcars.com considered it a “hot hatch” with some nostalgia, although the six second 0-60 mph time hardly makes it hot. I asked my colleague and more knowledgeable auto enthusiast Chad Jeepty what was so special about the manual C30 T5 R, and he noted, “The 2012 Volvo C30 T5 R-Design with a manual transmission was a special edition model only available in limited numbers. The R-Design version of the C30 was already a sportier and more performance-oriented variant of the car, but the addition of the manual transmission made it even more appealing to driving enthusiasts.”

The manual transmission version of the C30 T5 R-Design was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five engine that produced 227 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain was mated to a six-speed manual transmission, which provided a more engaging driving experience compared to the standard automatic transmission. This car has seat heaters, BlueTooth and navigation and gets a “9” (out of 10) rating for features by CarMax, noting it is “loaded” and that baffled me. Dug deeper and CarMax’s definition of loaded is “8-10 Loaded – More premium features than other cars like it.” Pretty scientific if you ask me.

This 2012 Volvo C30 T5R is here in Puyallup, Washington, although I just got an update that it’s out for a test drive. MaxCare is available up to 125,000 miles but only 48 months. Not sure I’d bother – pretty reliable car.

Stock No. 23578885 VIN YV1672MK0C2284519

December 19, 2021December 19, 2021

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

November 9, 2021November 9, 2021

Quick Hit – 2011 Volvo C 30 T5 R – 6SPD M – $19k!

I remember well years ago seeing a Volvo C30 T5 R unicorn for the first time. As I noted in the last review of a C30 I did here two years ago, it was the sleekest Volvo I could remember since I spotted a 1979 262 Bertone back in my Army days. Didn’t know much about the C30 when it was introduced by Volvo in the US as a 2008 model. Automotive expert Wiki tells us the C30 draws on the rear hatch lines of the P1800 ES in the late sixties and early seventies. Perhaps. Here’s another 2011 C30 T5 R with a manual transmission spotted by my bud Hans.

The six-speed manual transmission should make this a fun hatchback. Mated to the 2.5 liter turbocharged five cylinder motor, pumping out only 227 hp, the C30 is only good for a six-second 0-60 mph run. The Volvo has more horsepower than a VW GTI of the same era but not as much as the four bangers to follow. Oddly, Car and Driver was not terribly enamored with the C30 T5 R when reviewed in 2011 here, complaining about the harsh ride, rubbery shifter, and lack of cargo space compared to the VW and the Mini. But HotCars.com in 2020 gushed over the car in a look back at unusual hot hatches in 2020 here. I think for cars like this there will always be a 50-50 crowd that loves-hates them. Hell, there were even people that don’t think my ’77 Gremlin was hot! (Hmmm – check out the Gremlin-C30 mug shots at the bottom? That won’t help sell this car.)

The Volvo is pretty spartan with features – Bluetooth and a USB port but no rear view camera or seat heaters. The C30 I covered two years ago was $5,000 cheaper than this one (but with 60 percent more miles) and seemed like more of a bargain.

The car sold new for maybe $32,000 and over a decade later is available here in Oxnard, California for almost $19,000. It’s a low mileage, one-owner, accident free car. As with more and more old European cars I’m seeing CarMax is limiting MaxCare to 125,000 miles and 60 months. But the reviews suggest these motors are good for 180,000 miles without missing a beat. Not a fast car, but a bit unique and certainly has Scandinavian style!

December 30, 2020December 30, 2020

300+Hp Four Bangers – Seven Not So Spartan Alternatives to Big Motor V-8’s!

These are not them. The cars above are in fact the fleet of cars available at CarMax 18 months ago I covered here that reflected the 600+ horsepower club. A BMW 760, Audi S8, and a couple of GM products. (Since then there’s even been this monster 760hp Mustang GT500!). Anyway, when I covered the high-horsepower cars I wanted to write a piece on impressive high-output four cylinder unicorns – the 300+ horsepower club. And fate has dealt me a cruel Christmas, in that I’m down with Covid and need things to do while in solitary confinement (doing fine, thank you!). So why not take a moment to write about the seven CarMax unicorn models that top 300 horsepower from little four cylinder motors. Some may surprise you.

The granddaddy of these cars is the Subaru WRX STI. Not the fastest or best handling, but almost 20 years ago Subaru rolled out the Impreza WRX and a road ready rally car. The Impreza and WRX split in 2014, and the STI is the most potent Subaru you can buy at CarMax. Rumor has it the 2021/2022 WRX will pack a more powerful 400hp motor!

With a 2.5 liter 305hp engine and a six-speed manual transmission the car is good for a low-five second 0-60mph run. It’s AWD and yet Car and Driver was only able to eek out a 0.93 g lateral grip, far less than some of the hot hatches to follow. The car sold for maybe a hair under $40,000 new, and is offered here in Parker, Colorado – fittingly just an hour north of Pike’s Peak!

With a wacky but innovative three-pipe exhaust, a monster wing, and lots of scoops and wedges the Honda Civic Type R is hard to miss. The first Type R to make it to the US, the 2017 model debuted at $35,000 and seemed like a bargain for such high performance.

Red motor and red interior to remind you this is not your commuter Civic. With 306hp from a 2.0 liter turbo and a six-speed manual, the powertrain pulls this 3100 lb “sedan” to 60 mph in about five seconds flat. Some reviewers have gotten less. Here’s the Car and Driver review from 2017 where they gushed over the Type R entry into the US, and in a later test they were able to pull 1.02 lateral g’s on the skid pad. Impressive in that it’s only 2WD. It also comes with Apple CarPlay and automatic cruise control, if you just want a commuter. The car was $35,000 new and is now here in Richmond, Virginia almost at MSRP!

Sticking with hot hatches, but pivoting from Asia to Germany – here’s a badass Ford Focus RS, with a whopping 350 hp from a 2.3 liter turbo. Imported only from 2016-2018, the RS beast hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and ran all the way to a 165 mph top end.

The engine bay is pretty damned dull for such a hot car. The Ford was more expensive than the Subaru and the Honda, starting at $41,000. Car and Driver described the Focus RS as having “explosive takeoffs, all-wheel-drive grip, drift mode can unlock your inner Ken Block.” (I had to Google Ken Block. Rally driver. Now I know.) The Focus RS is also AWD. It also pulls more than 1 g in lateral grip. Unfortunately, CarMax doesn’t have any of the 2018 models available. With only 1,000 imported, and as the final year of production, would think there’s some collection value to them. Find this pretty Nitrous Blue model here in Birmingham, Alabama.

My favorite I think, because it is the fastest and almost the most understated. The fins on the front fascia I could do without, and maybe the rear spoilers could go, and then it would just be an unassuming small sedan, right? A baby Benz that costs anywhere from $50-70,000 depending on options. But only $38,998 as the lease and factory warranty nears the end. Why is it so alluring?

The motor. This hand-built and autographed AMG 2.0 liter puts out a whopping 375 hp. With AWD and a seven speed dual clutch automatic it’ll do 0-60 in less than four seconds. Preposterous. It’ll also pull 1 g per Car and Driver, who loved everything about this Mercedes here except for its price tag – more than a C63 AMG with a beefy V-8. But it’s depreciated to match the price of the other four bangers. The CLA45 will run to a governed 155 mph, unless it has the AMG Dynamic Plus package, then it’ll top out at 167 mph. Enjoy this ruby red racer here in Norcross, Georgia.

I really, really don’t want to like this Mustang but I do. And yet it confuses me. A real Mustang has a snarling V-8 and the 2015’s and up have the independent rear suspension that makes them handle nicely and this one is yellow, which I really dig, and it’s a six-speed manual. But it’s an itty bitty turbo four cylinder, the first in a Mustang since the SVO’s of the 80’s. A 2.3 liter turbo four pumping 310 hp, 10 more than the Mustang V-6. Sigh. (Okay full disclosure, I had a Merkur XR4ti once – also with a 2.3 liter 175 hp turbo Pinto motor like the SVO. Loved it.) Here’s the Car and Driver review of the automatic version of this Mustang.

But the Mustang only weighs 3,600 lbs (looks so much bigger and heavier!) and will still rip off a low five second 0-60 mph run. Maybe a half second off it’s V-8 kin, and yet it will sip 30 mpg on the highway. I have never heard one of these on the road and think I would be confused by a Mustang with a turbo whirr and hum. If you can get over that, it’s got a fine cockpit and a lotta style, and it’s the cheapest of the seven 300 hp four cylinder cars! This five year old Mustang is available here in East Haven, Connecticut.

**2018 Volvo S90 Plug-In Hybrid T8 Inscription**

This may be cheating. Technically a 2.0 liter four cylinder like the rest, but this big sedan is augmented by a 10.4-kWh Lithium-Ion electric motor. Together they make a massive 400 hp, the most in this group. That hybrid puts it in a sub-5 second 0-60 mph category, very fast for a frugal but luxurious car. Here’s the review from Motor1, where they described the Volvo as “efficiency done with style.”

This Volvo has the most handsome interior and by far the richest list of features. Apple CarPlay, auto cruise control, seat massagers, Bowers & Wilkins audio, it has it all. Surprisingly it sold for $82,000 new and just two years later it’s less than half that. A real bargain. I suspect this is the one car I could own and enjoy almost like my S600 for long distance cruising. But there is one deal breaker for me – it’s made in China. I’m not ready for that. If you are, it’s available here in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Last but not least, a real 365 hp four cylinder mid-engined sports car. A fourth generation Porsche Cayman flat four, going 2.5 liters. Oddly, it’s not as fast as the Mercedes CLA45 AMG at 4.1 seconds to 60 mph, but it will out handle and out class the Benz.

The interior is identical to the Boxster and the 911, as they have been since inception, and smartly appointed. The driving position is even better than my 997 911. I got a kick out of the engine bay photo – nothing to see here! Move along! Here’s the Car and Driver review from 2018. They were a little underwhelmed by the GTS compared to the S models but not unhappy with the car at all. Just unclear on the value. It was an $80,000 car when new just two years ago, and honestly has not depreciated hardly at all. At this price it really doesn’t make my unicorn cut, but it is a 300+ hp CarMax offering. Find it here in Houston, Texas.

So that wraps up all the 300+ hp four cylinder cars you can get at CarMax at this time. There are some oh so close bridesmaids that would be fun, such as the 292 hp Audi S3/VW Golf R, the 291 hp Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR, and even the 263 hp Mazda3 Mazdaspeed. I do enjoy big motors, and yet some of the most fun cars I’ve had, including my 1971 Fiat 124 Spider and my old Ford Fiestas, have been four cylinders. None of them matched the 300 hp of these cars and yet still a pleasure to rev. Having 300 hp in these would be quite the hootenanny!

March 5, 2020

1 of 200 – Half-Price Highest-Priced Volvo Ever; 2017 XC90 Plug In Hybrid T8 Excellence

The 2017 Volvo XC90 Plug In Hybrid T8 Excellence was billed as the most expensive Volvo ever sold, and it was, with an MSRP of $106,000. It was and is the most opulent Volvo you can buy. Only 200 or so came to the USA, and it’s a real unicorn. That said, I’m seeing info from back then that dealers were offering over $20,000 discounts to move the 2017’s to make room for the 2018’s. And this one is selling for “only” $54,000. Thanks to reader Mustafa Gardezi for spotting this rare beauty.

Barron’s reviewed the car here, and described the interior……“On the inside, the news is clearer. The Excellence replaces the five or seven seats of plebeian XC90s with four very plush, heated, and ventilated nappa-leather buckets, equipped with massagers. Surprisingly, even with fewer seats, leg and shoulder room isn’t greater than in other models. Thirsty? Just reach for the midcabin cooler and pour a beverage into one of the two Orrefors crystal glasses that come with your ride. Then, if you’re sitting in back, plunk your glass down on a folding tray table. Bored? Use one of the video display tablets to play a game or catch up on some fake news. In all, the passenger compartment is a welcoming cocoon of fine materials and tasteful understatement, although the Orrefors-inlaid gear selector is a bit cheesy.” Continue reading “1 of 200 – Half-Price Highest-Priced Volvo Ever; 2017 XC90 Plug In Hybrid T8 Excellence”

February 2, 2020

Super Bowl Unicorns: CarMax Kansas City vs CarMax San Francisco?

What else to do before the big game but to match up unicorns at the Kansas City and San Francisco dealerships? KC has a deeper bench with 352 cars that meet my unicorn threshold (Less than $35,000 and 60,000 miles) against San Fran’s 249. Some interesting choices (alas none worth a hoot in each teams’ colors) and I went with my final criteria – what would I drive away if I needed a car today from either dealership and had a bag with $35,000 in cash? My picks are below. s90 side In San Francisco we have this gorgeous 2017 Volvo S90 T6 Inscription. Thought this was a striking design inside and out from the start. Willing to tolerate the 2.0 liter turbo four cylinder since it puts out 316hp since the car is so good looking – and AWD!

Fortunately this Volvo is made in Sweden – I’d rule it out if it was a Chinese-made Volvo (nothing to do with coronavirus!). Find this single-owner Volvo here in Serramonte, California. 2917 S90 T6 $30,998 40k Serrramonte Continue reading “Super Bowl Unicorns: CarMax Kansas City vs CarMax San Francisco?”

September 15, 2019

Quick Hit – 2011 Volvo C30 T5 R Manual Transmission – $13,599

C30 Side The first time I saw a C30 T5 R unicorn I thought it was the most badass Volvo since the 80’s chop top Bertone Volvo. Since then I’ve learned the little two door coupe has quite a following, especially the more hard to find manual transmission model. This model sold for upwards of $30,000 new with the preferred package, seat heaters, and with 88,000 miles methinks it’s a bit high priced, but it will run for many more miles trouble free.

The 2.5 liter five cylinder turbo is good for only 227hp, and the 0-60mph is only about 6 seconds, so the car ain’t that fast, but the R-Design stiffens the suspension presumably making it a far better handling coupe.

It may not be the fastest small coupe out there, but it does have that Swedish style and you probably won’t see many others around. Here’s a review from Left Lane News, and another from New Car Test Drive. This three owner C30 is available here in Dallas, Texas. 2011 Volvo C30 T5 R $13,599 88k Dallas

October 27, 2018December 31, 2018

$109k Porsche 911 Carrera 4S…and The Five Cars I’d Buy Instead With $109k – By Chuck Banks and Mustafa Gardezi

2017 PORSCHE CARRERA 4S – $108,998

911 Side This is only the third $100,000+ car I’ve covered in the year+ that I’ve been blogging about CarMax unicorns. That’s a lot of money. (Keep reading and I’ll share the five cars I would buy with that same wad of cash and have almost as much fun.) This 2017 911 Carrera 4S is a nice enough one-owner California car with a seven speed manual transmission and 420hp good for 3.5 second 0-60mph and 190mph top speed. Not a big fan of the bordello red interior but maybe I’d get over it. Speed does that. I’m loving Etta, the base Carrera unicorn I bought last year, but have my eyes on a 4S (not this 2017….this 2011!) to get me all wheel drive, more horsepower, and more options.

The Carrera 4S is considered an all-weather 911. I want one. This 911 4S is fairly well optioned with the convenience package, sport package, and driver assist package, and while I have no idea what it cost new, the base price was $110,000 and assorted reviews, like this one in Car and Driver, suggests the options push these cars well over $150,000 just as fast as its 0-60! For what it’s worth, the car dropped $1,000 already in the few days it’s been online. Find the car here in Roseville (Sacramento), California – if the link is dead it’s sold, on hold, or being transferred.

2017 Carrera $108998 13k

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FIVE CARS I’D BUY INSTEAD

(ALL OF THEM, NOT ONE OF THEM!)

So if I had $109,000 to spend on wheels, what other options would I have? How about five cars totalling the same amount, and giving me most of what the 2017 911 Carrera 4S does….and more? This was the best all around package I could assemble….had to adjust here and there as cars sold and others came on the market while I was mulling it over. Would be interested in what others would pick. Add comments or email me with your selections – five cars totaling not more than $109,000. Let’s go.

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#1 DRIVE FAST

Clearly, a 911 has to be at the front of the pack. Been watching these race since I first went to Le Mans in 1981, and now that I own one I’m in love. Not $109,000 in love, so I’m including the most decent, cheapest 911 on the CarMax lot at this time. This $43,000 2008 911 Carrera S is almost Etta’s twin, the only difference being the S has 30 more hp, adjustable suspension, and bluetooth – and it’s $8,000 more expensive. But it’s 10 years old, low mileage, and nearly new inside. Yes, it’s an automatic, but trust me, you get over that. Nailing the perfect used Porsche seems to plus up the price by $10,000 with every must have feature. Here;s a thorough review from 2008 that notes a 4.5 second 0-60. This clean little 911 is currently here in Los Angeles. Earlier this week it was in San Diego. Next it will move to your driveway? ($66,000 left to spend!)

2008 911 S $42k 37k LA NOW

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#2 DRIVE RICH

I have a blog reader who bought the Mercedes S600 after I almost did called the notion of driving deeply depreciated unicorns “driving rich”. Loved it. So for the second car in the stable I went looking for the most luxurious sedan, with the most features, that I could affordably include. Had to pass on the Alpina B7 and BMW 760 V-12 – both were in the $40,000 range and had fewer creature comforts than this bargain 2011 Audi A8. When I plugged in the essentials – a V-8 engine, auto cruise control (who wants to do their own braking anymore?), heated steering wheel, adjustable suspension, air-conditioned seats, blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, and seat massagers – all for under $30,000.

I was surprised to find them all in this Audi A8 at only $27,000. And wasn’t a must have, but the A8 has all wheel drive as a bonus. And a trunk that easily holds four bodies. I also dig the tan seats – usually the silver cars have the scorching in the summer black seats. The drawback? Only 372hp. A bit of a weakling in the luxo-barge category after being spoiled by Guenther, my Mercedes S55 AMG with 493hp. But for comfortable commuting or highway cruising it would be hard to beat this Audi A8 in this price category. Car and Driver reviewed the car and ripped an impressive 4.8 second 0-60mph run, and also noted 27 mpg on the highway. This four-owner car split its time between California and Ohio and is now available here in Cincinnati. ($39,000 left to spend.)

Audi A8

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#3 DRIVE BIG

An SUV is a must have for anybody’s fleet, and the bigger the better, since we all think we need to “haul stuff”. Needs to be four-wheel drive and powered by a V-8 to leave no doubt cold weather will lose in a bare knuckle brawl. Doesn’t hurt to have luxury features. The tough guy image will only take you so far. But if that tough guy is Eddie Bauer, all the better. For the record, I had no idea who Eddie Bauer was, or even if there was an Eddie Bauer, until I started writing this. Eddie was an early 20th century outdoorsman from Washington who started his own cold weather gear business, outfitting World War II pilots and Himalayan mountain climbers with life saving equipment. (Thinking there’s a future blog coming on car models named after people. Stay tuned.)

This 2007 Ford Expedition EL Eddie Bauer is a bit old, and a bit worn at 80,000 miles (a good candidate for MaxCare that will take this truck repair free to 150,000 miles until it is a whopping 16 years old!), but seems to be a pretty good value. It’s a one owner Colorado truck with a recorded accident to the right rear – could be it got rear ended, but my guess is with no rear view camera the owner backed this behemoth into another car in an Orvis parking lot. Eddie Bauer probably never imagined his name attached to such a beautiful truck interior, with two color panels, air-conditioned and heated seats – survival essentials in 2018. Third row seating and a rear seat entertainment system will keep everyone happy on the climb to Everest. My buds at Car and Driver reviewed the truck here, writing “Big as a spacecraft, and tends to drive like one too“. There are better SUV’s for the fleet I guess, but none at $17,998. It’s here in Colorado Springs. ($21,000 left!)

2007 Eddie Bauer $17,998 80k Coloroda

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#4 DRIVE TOPLESS

Volvo SIde

Pretty sure it’s written somewhere that everyone should own a convertible at some point in their life. Too lazy to look it up, but I think it’s in the Bill of Rights or a Beatitude or on the Dark Web, and yet after driving my old Fiat today on a brisk Virginia day, it’s clearly a fact. Convertible is Latin for “car you don’t need that the wife probably won’t like”. Get one anyway. Just never, ever, ever drive with the top down and the side windows up. Nothing says “I made a mistake buying a convertible but I’m trying to deny it” like windows up and top down. Sorted through some Miatas and Sebrings and BMW 1-series and decided to go with this high-mileage 2008 Volvo C70 T5 for a number of reasons. Seat heaters for one. Pretty blue color and nice Pininfarina lines. Seats made of “Vulcaflex” (not to be confused with the erectile dysfunction drug by the same name). A center console that had to be made by Ikea. A great Dynaudio sound system to drown out the dump trucks that try to ruin my top down commute. Swedish safety features that guarantee you could drive off a cliff into the Baltic Sea and survive (not covered by MaxCare).

The retractable hard top is nice. Most convertibles looks like shit with the top up. Or at least the top ruins the lines, like they do on the Jaguar XK. Whole different topic on why people buy landau roof cars – looks ugly like a convertible but the top don’t go down! And, by the way, CarMax has 804 convertibles for sale today, and not one with top down photo. I know I have at least one reader who is a CarMax employee – please pass on the word that top up photos are lame. Anyway, I blew a big part of my $109,000 budget on the 911 and the A8 and this was the most unusual convertible left for under $11,000. Top Speed did a decent review from back in the day. Satisfy your Stockholm syndrome with this Fresno Volvo. (Only $10,000 for the fifth car.)

Volvo

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#5 GO FAR

Saudis killing journalists. Iranians eyeballing the straights of Hormuz. Gas was once under a buck (at least in my driving lifetime) and now straddles $3 a gallon. I worry the day is comin’ when we see European gas prices here in the USA, and thinking why not throw in a cool car that gets over 40mpg? So with two German cars, and American SUV, and a Swedish convertible in the fleet, why not an Italian car? (Let’s ignore it’s made in Mexico and Poland – it’s a sensual little Italian coupe at heart.) And I absolutely loved the Fiat 500 from the day it hit the cobblestones streets of Europe in 2007. Keep in mind I only have $10,000 left. The feisty Fiat 500 Abarth blows my budget, so had to make do with this 2015 Fiat 500 Sport. At least it’s still under manufacturer warranty for another year – should keep the MaxCare cost down.

This little guy has a 101hp 1.4 liter engine that putts to 60mph in 10.5 seconds – almost identical to the 1.6 liter in my 1971 Fiat Spider – and a manual 6 speed transmission. Bluetooth, leatherette interior, cool wheels and a rear spoiler – what else do you need? Here’s the Top Speed review. As a bonus, here’s the clever and award-winning Fiat 500 commercial “Liberation”. Look for this one owner car here in Kansas City.

2015 Fiat 500 Sport

Perhaps I dig the car so much because I accidentally rented one in 2009 while living in Europe, two years before they were introduced in the US. I was in Oslo, planning to check off a bucket list item and drive north to the Arctic Circle. Was offered this Fiat 500 and I declined – too small. For 50 Euro a day more I could “upgrade” to a VW Polo. I’m 6’4″. Both cars looked to be disappointingly small, so I pocketed the 50 Euro and took the Fiat. I loved it. North of Oslo the highway disappears into a two lane, winding mountain road. And it was raining. And there were so many logging trucks. And curves. But I was able to flog that little Fiat 500 and work the gears and pass when I could.

One of the top 10 drives in my life. Took 16 hours to cover the 600 miles, with only one stop halfway in Trondheim to buy gas, coffee, and food. And not once, not once, was I uncomfortable in those upright seats! Got 39 mpg and I drove the car hard. Arrived at 2 am – in broad daylight – and checked off the The Arctic Circle Centre in Saltfjellveien the next morning. Raced back to Oslo the day after with an equally exhilarating run. Take your shots at this goofy car, but I’d own one (an Abarth) regardless of the budget.

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So there you have it. Five cars from all walks of life for $109,000. No single car was the best in its field, and perhaps you’d rather spend more on an SUV and less on a sports car, or choose a lesser sports car than the 911, but this was the best all around menu for me. Again, would be a hoot to know what readers might pick – warn you – it’s far more work than I had planned on to mix and match and stay under budget. Add comments or email me at chuckbanks@thecarmaxunicornblog.com if you’d like. And if you made it all the way to here, one of my longest blogs ever, you have my eternal gratitude.

September 16, 2018December 31, 2018

Winter’s Coming -AWD V8 Volvo S80? – By Chuck Banks and Ahmed Gardezi

Yes, it’s a 10 year old Volvo and only the second one I’ve listed loosely as a unicorn. I get the impression it does nothing great, but most things well. It’s the only Volvo with a V8 engine that CarMax sells right now, and it’s also all wheel drive. Not terribly quick with a 0-60 mph just over six seconds, yet it would make a great winter cruiser. What it’s doing in Las Vegas I have no idea. Spent it’s early life in the Pacific Northwest where it’s first owner suffered an accident (shame!). Comes with BLIS (Volvo’s blind spot monitoring), air conditioned and heated seats, and a decent audio system – playing Yo Gotti, BET Hip Hop award nominee and performer of “King Shit” for the CarMax cameraman. And while we’re on the infotainment pod, what’s with that freakish alien Volvo uses for the climate controls? Anyway, suspect MaxCare isn’t terribly expensive for an old Volvo and would make this a trouble free driver. Find it here in Las Vegas – if the link is dead it’s sold, on hold, or being transferred.