The Carmax Unicorn Blog

May 21, 2021May 21, 2021

Quick Hit – Last of the CLS550 (W219) Shooting Brakes

CarMax generally carries cars up to 10 years back, so they tell me, although at this moment there are 124 of their 30,000 cars on lots that go back to 2009 – 12 model years’ old. None of them are European cars. There are another 249 2010 models at dealerships, of which a whopping 22 are European (sneak peak – here’s the link to a 2010 Mercedes CLS550 for only $23k coming soon!). And finally, 2011 models – now 10 years old, account for another 350 cars of the 30,000 – and only 39 of those are European. And truly really finally, 2011 was the last year for the lovely first generation Mercedes CLS550 (W219) “shooting brake”. Last year manufactured by Mercedes, and 2021 should be the last year offered by CarMax. A unicorn.

The CLS550 four door coupe is pretty much a more shapely E550 platform, with seating for four, and less room. I’ve been in them and in the E550’s and yes, the sloped roof intrudes on headroom. Everything else is the same, including the 382hp 5.5 liter V-8 that will still get you to 60mph in under five seconds. Not bad. Here’s a link to one of the last CLS550’s I covered – has all the performance info you need!

This 2011 model is selling for $27,998 – pretty high if you ask me even thought it only has 42,000 miles. No auto cruise control but most other luxury features included. Most of the CLS550’s of this era were selling for significantly less at CarMax, including this nice one for only $19,998 just a month ago. MaxCare going to run another $3-5k. But this 2011 CLS550 is a two-owner accident free car from New England, and you can see it here. If it were a CLS63……?

May 12, 2021May 12, 2021

A Really Good Deal on a Jeep SRT-8 (and why I haven’t blogged in weeks)

Oh I so wish this 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 fit the bill for my next family SUV. It’s a damned good unicorn. Over the years I’ve been surprised how much these hot Jeeps retain their value, often costing much more than this one and having far more miles. As of this writing CarMax has seven other Jeep SRT-8’s available or coming soon, ranging from $49,000 for a 2014 model with 56,000 miles to $64,000 for a low miles 2019 model. This hot rod is $38,998 and has only 40,000 miles. That’s a deal.

For 2012 the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 was redesigned with a bigger motor, now 6.4 liters and 470hp, and good for a 4.6 second 0-60 mph run. The Jeep got great marks for handling with AWD and adaptive dampers. Here’s what Motor Trend had to say (I could hardly understand it myself but maybe you will) “The rear-mounted electronic differential also uses clutch packs to send power side to side. The torque vectoring keeps the Jeep turning even when the front end is losing grip. It felt much more natural on the racetrack than it did on our figure-eight. In big sweepers, it is tough to keep a steady speed as small inputs in throttle will cause torque vectoring, but as soon as neutral throttle is needed, the added turning force goes away.” Remarkably, the Grand Cherokee SRT-8 handled as well in the slalom and on the track as the Charger and 300 SRT-8 sedans. The Brembo brakes stopped the 2 1/2 ton Jeep from 60 mph in 106 feet – less than comparable Porsche Cayennes and BMW X5’s. What was unimpressive in the reviews was the outdated five speed automatic transmission with no rev matching on downshifts.

As impressive as all the oomph and performance and raucous V-8, the interior features surprised me at this price point. Auto cruise control. Air conditioned and heated seats. Heated steering wheel. Panoramic sunroof. Carbon fiber trim as standard. This Jeep sold new for just under $60,000. While $38,998 may not seem like much depreciation for a nine year old Jeep, given the prices of all the others on the lots it’s damned good. And with 40,000 miles, add on MaxCare and this thing is good for 85,000 more worry free miles. And yes I checked – accident free and only two owners! Find this 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 here in Torrance, California.

April 28, 2021April 28, 2021

Very Quick Hit – 2010 Mercury Grand Marquis LS. Like New Panther.

Sample photo “borrowed” from the web. Photos aren’t yet available for this car.

Many thanks to Hans for bringing this car to my attention this morning. Would normally wait for photos (and will update when available) but this unicorn may not be around that long. And I don’t quite get it, but when I post about Ford-Lincoln-Mercury Panther line cars readers go batshit. My blog stats skyrocket, especially when linked to David Fesz’s Unique Cars 2.0 Facebook page (check it out). This post on the final year cars is unmatched. The Panther line hadn’t been updated in years and expired in 2011. The V-8 makes four cylinder power and six cylinder torque. But is has a bench seat and folks love it as a comfortable, reliable highway cruiser. Here’s why this one rocks:

Only 16,000 miles in eleven years! And it’s less than $16,000. The car sold new for almost $30,000. AND as you can see CarMax is offering the MaxCare warranty for another 134,000 miles until the car is sixteen years old. Not sure MaxCare is even needed given this car’s bullet proof history, but why not? Here’s the cost and coverage options for this car:

Again, a borrowed photo until the real ones are available but suspect it looks like this inside. Gold over tan car, with golf clubs in the trunk and blazers hanging from a rear seat coat hook bar would make me feel so retired. Here’s the link to this two owner, accident free family sedan currently in Knoxville, Tennessee. Enjoy.

April 25, 2021April 25, 2021

Quick Hit – 1 of 711 (or 1 of 40?) 2016 Chevrolet SS Manual Transmission Collector (And Bonus 2017 SS)

Manual transmission Chevrolet SS models are the most sought after of the Australian Holdens rebadged and imported to the US from 2014-2017. And two of the five Chevrolet SS cars on CarMax lots are 6-speed manuals. Fortunately, GM releases production numbers for these cars by year, color, and options. Chevrolet sold 2,202 SS models in 2016, 711 with manual shifters. Only 168 in Red Hot Red. It gets harder after that – 13 with sunroof, inflator, and manual transmission, and 27 with sunroof, a spare tire, and manual. So… this 2016 Chevrolet SS is at a minimum 1 of 2,202. Or 1 of 711. Or 1 of 40 (I can’t tell if this has a spare or inflator!), or at best, 1 of 13. All of them say unicorn to me.

Just over three years ago, while Chevrolet was still importing and selling SS models, I wrote here about the inexplicable boost in SS inventory at Carmax – they normally carry a handful and in December 2017 had a remarkable 24 units on lots. Maybe they knew something. TheSS listed new in 2016-2017 for $42-48,000. They also came with significant rebates making them ridiculous values. What’s surprising to me is they are selling now, four years after extinction, for almost what they sold for new. Very few used cars are retaining value like that. This low mileage model is surely selling for at or above its new car price.

The Chevrolet SS was powered by a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated LS3 V-8 pumping a decent but not spectacular 415 hp. Car and Driver still made a 4.6 second 0-60 mph run – no slouch – and just short of 1g lateral handling on the skid pad. Respectable numbers. The car has adaptive suspension and is adequately appointed but by no means loaded. I doubt SS owners care. Find this low mileage, one owner accident free 2016 Chevrolet SS here in Hartford, Connecticut.

April 22, 2021April 22, 2021

Quick Hit – 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera Black Edition. Slightly Unique. Slightly Inexpensive.

Porsche offered only 1,911 “Black Edition” 911 models in 2012, one of almost two dozen 911 variants for the final year of the 997 line. I always have to doublecheck the 2012 911’s – Porsche also replaced the 997 with the all new 991 line in 2012 so you can find both listed as 12’s. This 2012 911 Black Edition is a beauty and a bit of a unicorn.

Few cars have such a sleek silhouette to me!

Visually, the only way I can tell the 997 from the 991 models is the totally redone interior. I know Porsche pros note all the exterior cues but I’m not one of them. This interior layout is identical to my recently-sold 911 and a bit plain for me. The Black Edition adds a Bose 13 speaker audio system, monochromatic interior with specially trimmed door sills, gauges, sport steering wheel, emblems, and other cosmetic doodads. So far, the Black Edition seems to be mostly an appearance package.

It would be totally okay to ignore whether the Black Edition is special or not. The car is still a Porsche 911 and a wonderful driving experience. The 3.6 liter naturally aspirated motor runs a 4.4 second 0-60mph sprint, drawing on 345 hp and a seven speed PDK automatic transmission. As I’ve described in my road trip with Etta, my 2008 911, the handling is astonishing. I’ve been on the fence on whether to buy another 911 and as I write I’m feeling the enthusiasm to do it again. Not this car – I need a 991.2 – and yet this car is right for someone at only $47,998. It was once close to $90,000 new, and with only 36,000 miles it’s not a bad deal. My 2008 car was $34,998, purchased in 2018, and since then very few 911’s have been offered by CarMax for under $50,000. Only a handful under $60,000. MaxCare? I’d say yes. My plan was $3,500 I think, and while I did not have enough repairs to cover that cost, CarMax refunded $1,100 of pro-rated MaxCare when I sold the car. Why not? This 2012 Porsche 911 Black Edition is offered here in Renton, Washington (was in California last month). Enjoy.

April 17, 2021April 17, 2021

Quick Hit – Old School BMW 650i Makes Me Rue The M6 That Got Away

Surprised to see a 2010 BMW 650i unicorn pop up at CarMax this week. This is a second generation E63 as BMW folks know, and the last year for this model. This 11 year old offering gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance coming to score a CarMax E63 M6 of fabled V-10 fame, aka the one who got away from me when I was looking to replace Guenther. It was this 2007 BMW M6 selling for $23,998 and only 44,000 miles. Still kicking myself.

I never liked the lines of the trunk, but could get over it for the right car. Car and Driver called it “semi-demented”.

I’ve test driven a couple of these big (4,400lb) coupes and they fit me like a glove – better than a 3-series by far. Cup holders suck. If you really REALLY want to see an in depth review of this car here’s a NewCarTest review from 2010. The 2010 BMW 650i sold new for upwards of $80,000. This one is just over $20,000 and eligible for MaxCare until it’s 16 years old. Still amazes me. Suspect CarMax will go to a 125,000 miles cap but that’s still plenty of driving miles left. The 650i has a 360hp V-8 that will only get you into the five second 0-60 mph zone, not terribly quick. Find this four owner, accident free beauty here in Athens, Georgia.

April 6, 2021April 5, 2021

1 of 300 – 2020 Subaru BRZ TS ( and it’s 1 of 1,418 Twin Toyota 86 TRD SE!)

On one hand I don’t get the underpowered but surgically superior handling small cars. They’re just not fast. The Miata. The Toyota 86. The Subaru BRZ. All low powered four cylinders.

But a backroads spin in my 1971 Fiat 124 Spider, with only 110hp, reminds me of all that is right and salutary about a nimble sports car on a windy road. My apologies to these little sports coupes. So what we have here in the “Coming Soon” section on the CarMax website is a 2020 Subaru BRZ TS – of which only 300 were imported into the US. All in white. A true unicorn. And it’s not even on sale yet!

The 2020 Subaru BRZ TS is more than visual changes – it’s all about handling and braking. According to Motor1 – “The meaner version of the coupe uses Sachs dampers and coil springs with a tuned setup from STI. There is also a flexible V-brace in the engine bay. For sharper steering response, there are draw stiffeners on the chassis and sub-frame. Up front, Brembo four-piston brake calipers clamp onto the rotors, and there are two-piston stoppers at the back.”

The Subaru motor remains a 2.0 liter, 205 hp boxer four cylinder and all BRZ TS’s are 6 speed manual transmissions. The combo will only get you a 6.3 second 0-60 mph run, pitiful by today’s standards, but again it’s about the handling. The car sold new just last year for about $33,000, so truly amazing it’s selling at this premium, but then again it is just one of 300 in the USA! Skip the MaxCare – this car is under dealer warranty and no reason to expect reliability issues. Find it here in Fort Worth, Texas.

March 31, 2021March 30, 2021

Quick Hit – 2013 Toyota X-Runner. What’s an X-Runner?!

This is an X-Runner. Honestly, I’d never heard of them until reader Brandon Baker pointed this out to me today. The Toyota X-Runner was a “performance” small sport truck manufactured from 2007 to 2013 – makes this model the last of the line. A unicorn. Looks like lots of cladding and skirts and flares, but it has a tuned suspension, a solid 4.0 liter six-cylinder engine, and a six-speed manual transmission.

The motor only produces 236 hp and moves the 3,800 lb pickup to a seven second 0-60 mph run. But seriously, CarMax….what’s with the filthy engine bay? Maybe that sells trucks.

The X-Runner is pretty basic inside – Bluetooth, rear view camera, a CD player, and cloth seats. What’s surprising is this was a $28,000 truck new in 2013, and eight years later it’s offered by CarMax for only $2,000 less! Says to me there is a following for these pickups – even high mileage ones. It’s a Toyota, so I wouldn’t pay for MaxCare on this one. And it’s a Toyota manufactured in Texas, for what that’s worth. Find this three owner sport pickup here in Sanford, Texas.

March 29, 2021March 28, 2021

Quick Hit – Bargain Benz. $29,998 ML63 AMG

There’s a lot to like about this 2011 Mercedes ML63 AMG unicorn. Of course I have to start with the hand built 503 hp, 6.2 liter V-8 motor. A certain unidentified reader (we’ll call him Hans) who has another Mercedes with this same powertrain said it sounds like God gargling. Love it. When new, it sold for almost $100,000. This 2011 ML63 is sorta nearly new with only 37,000 miles on it – not even broken in over 10 years. The last ML63 I covered in January here was a 2013 model with more miles and more price. Me thinks this 2011 is not a bad deal. Buy MaxCare with the savings.

God is also thirsty, and this motor will guzzle gas – 11 mpg city, 15 highway, and 12 combined. Takes a lot to move a nearly 5,100 pound SUV. Stick to the highway. Or some light offroading since the ML63 is also AWD. But with the seven speed automatic the vehicle will do sub-5 second 0-60 mph runs, gas be damned.

The SUV is fully loaded with auto cruise control, read DVD system, heated and air conditioned seats, and even a tow hitch. Love the gray over tan colors. My wife thinks tan interiors look cheap. I think they look rich. My S600 has a tan interior. I win. Find this three owner SUV here in Hillside, Illinois.

March 27, 2021March 28, 2021

Quick Hit – Manual Transmission 2010 Chevrolet HHR SS – Low Miles, Reasonable Price

Two years ago I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the 260 hp Chevrolet HHR SS unicorn and wrote about it here. Was even more surprised when a blog reader bought it! Well, here’s another one with lower miles and a higher price, but it comes with a five speed manual transmission. And 2010 was the last year for the HHR. The HHR forums suggest there were 916 HHR SS’s sold in 2010, and not a lot of them with manual transmissions.

The SS also included launch control and no-lift shifting for the manual transmission model, should you be so inclined, and while fun not necessarily fast at 6.5 seconds to 60 mph. I would have expected better for a 3,100 lb vehicle. Gone is the boost gauge in the A pillar that was in the 2008 model. Here’s the review from Car and Driver’s 2009 piece.

This car is damned clean with only 28,000 miles in 10+ years on New Hampshire roads. It’s a one owner, accident free car. It sold new for north of $26,000 and may not be a huge bargain at $16,998. But throw MaxCare in and you’ll be out the door for $20,000 with bumper to bumper coverage for another 125,000 miles until it’s 16 years old! Could be fun and not a lot of HHR SS models out there, and few in this condition. Find it here in Westborough, Massachusetts.