Carmax Appraisal

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My wife likes CarMax a lot.

I thought most cars were about $1000 too high.

But they did give us about $2000 more for our Eclipse GT than I expected and our 4000 mile PT Cruiser GT was $15,995. That was only about $1000 more than a Touring model with plastic wheel covers and about 20,000 more miles.

The sticker in the glove compartment indicated that the car's suggested retail price was over $25,000.

I do have to drive a PT Cruiser but it has 220 hp, heated leather, moonroof, traction control, ABS, AutoStick...etc... for about 10 grand less than the original purchaser had paid. $10 grand depreciation for his 4000 miles.

You can get a good buy at CarMax. You just have to look.
 
Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
critic already trying to get rid of his prius. he sunk alot of money into it too


Not saying I will. But if I do, the TRD parts are going to another priuschat member.
 
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Originally Posted By: The Critic
New tires all around
SET Fog Light kit
TRD springs, TRD rear sway bar.

Point is, I am surprised how well the Prius has held its value. I paid near MSRP for it last June and I would only lose 20% after 1 year and almost 30k (essentially 2 years of mileage). In addition, I was surprised by how strong Carmax's offer was for it.


Does that 20% of your loss include new tires, fog light kit, TRD suspension components and your clear bra?
Only if the car was completely stock, with no extras and with nothing but routine maintenance and maybe those new tires, would I consider this a good offer. You have to consider everything you've put into the car, not just the purchase price, and if you do, you'll see that trade in, especially on such a new car, is not a good financial proposition.


Does not include the fog lights ($120) or TRD parts ($500). Those items would be sold separately if the car was getting traded.
 
Toyotas hold up there value. Last time I check kbb my Tacoma is valued 10K. When the time comes to sell I may try carmax just to see.
 
Amazing. You've had it what-a year or so? And already want to sell it after investing time and money in a bunch of doo-dads for it?

What a waste.
 
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Amazing. You've had it what-a year or so? And already want to sell it after investing time and money in a bunch of doo-dads for it?

What a waste.


Luckily, in the U.S. we are each free to choose how or what we consider is appropriate waste:
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
The finshed square footage of just the basement is about 1800 square feet (house total of just over 4000), and our total monthly electric bill is about the cost of your dehumidifier alone.

In this case, we are talking about $1,500 per month
crazy2.gif
 
The Critic:

Question for you.

I notice from your other thread that you've now gone through three sets of tires on the Prius trying to gain optimum fuel economy, yet at the same time, you've installed lowering springs and other things.

So my question is, since you are obviously entertaining the idea of dealing the Prius, what are you planning on replacing it with if you do?

Your current trend with the Prius has me confused. Lowering springs would appear to hint to an owner who is interested in improved handling, but extreme low RR tires trying to irk every last MPG out of a chassis speaks otherwise. Obviously you can't have it both ways.
 
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Amazing. You've had it what-a year or so? And already want to sell it after investing time and money in a bunch of doo-dads for it?

What a waste.


Luckily, in the U.S. we are each free to choose how or what we consider is appropriate waste:
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
The finshed square footage of just the basement is about 1800 square feet (house total of just over 4000), and our total monthly electric bill is about the cost of your dehumidifier alone.

In this case, we are talking about $1,500 per month
crazy2.gif



Could you give a little more info? What you quoted leads me to believe that his electric bill is LOW, not what you stated.

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
The Critic:

Question for you.

I notice from your other thread that you've now gone through three sets of tires on the Prius trying to gain optimum fuel economy, yet at the same time, you've installed lowering springs and other things.

So my question is, since you are obviously entertaining the idea of dealing the Prius, what are you planning on replacing it with if you do?

Your current trend with the Prius has me confused. Lowering springs would appear to hint to an owner who is interested in improved handling, but extreme low RR tires trying to irk every last MPG out of a chassis speaks otherwise. Obviously you can't have it both ways.



It always strikes me as odd when people add springs and larger sways, but never consider changing out their all-season tires. With that being said, the Prius probably has a lot of room for improvement with respect to roll resistance, irrespective of the tire's at-limit performance. Also, it's more about how the car feels most of the time, not whether there is an actual improvement in overall performance. So, I wouldn't necessarily say that modding the suspension and wanting lower rolling resistance tires should be mutually exclusive.

One thing that SHOULD be considered is the transfer of grip, and how it affects under/over steer. LRR tires and an over-steer-prone vehicle (due to mods) is a recipe of disaster if the driver doesn't know what he or she is doing.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
He probably wants his car to drive like a BMW but keep the reliability of a Toyota.



We both know that isn't happening. You can't put low RR tires on a rolling battery pack and expect it to handle like an M3 with Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

But in that same vein, you can't put low RR tires on an M3 and expect it to get Prius fuel economy either.

Very different target audiences, and while I know the OP was originally wanting a BMW, he certainly appears to be enjoying the fuel sipping characteristics of the Prius. To the point where he's trying to extract more out of it with these tires swaps. But if that's the case, and it DOES appear to be the case, then again I ask, why is he considering dealing it?
21.gif
 
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Critic,

Can you post a picture of your car with the TRD springs.


Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
critic already trying to get rid of his prius. he sunk alot of money into it too


Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
The Critic:

Question for you.

I notice from your other thread that you've now gone through three sets of tires on the Prius trying to gain optimum fuel economy, yet at the same time, you've installed lowering springs and other things.

So my question is, since you are obviously entertaining the idea of dealing the Prius, what are you planning on replacing it with if you do?

Your current trend with the Prius has me confused. Lowering springs would appear to hint to an owner who is interested in improved handling, but extreme low RR tires trying to irk every last MPG out of a chassis speaks otherwise. Obviously you can't have it both ways.



I think he likes to talk just to get comments from other members. I've read a few of his posts, and they have [censored] written all over them!
 
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
When did he say he wanted a BMW ?

For the price of a new Prius he could of bought a used BMW.



Back when he was car shopping, before he bought the Prius, he was going to get a BMW. But I believe his parents (I could be wrong) bought him the Prius?

Something to that effect anyway.

Him considering a BMW 330i (this was just before he got the Prius):
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...994#Post2274994

And the thread mentioning his parents involvement (and him ultimately getting the Prius):
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...168#Post2284168

Originally Posted By: The Critic
and the Prius (or whatever it turns out to be) will be an addition. Dad wants something practical and reliable for me, so we'll see how this goes...
 
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
He probably wants his car to drive like a BMW but keep the reliability of a Toyota.



Then he should look at the new GS.
 
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Critic,

Can you post a picture of your car with the TRD springs.


This is the best picture I have:

2012-04-14_19-14-36_456.jpg


Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Amazing. You've had it what-a year or so? And already want to sell it after investing time and money in a bunch of doo-dads for it?

What a waste.


If was actually planning to sell it, I would obviously understand the consequences of the transaction. But I am not.

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
The Critic:

Question for you.

I notice from your other thread that you've now gone through three sets of tires on the Prius trying to gain optimum fuel economy, yet at the same time, you've installed lowering springs and other things.

So my question is, since you are obviously entertaining the idea of dealing the Prius, what are you planning on replacing it with if you do?

Your current trend with the Prius has me confused. Lowering springs would appear to hint to an owner who is interested in improved handling, but extreme low RR tires trying to irk every last MPG out of a chassis speaks otherwise. Obviously you can't have it both ways.


To an extent, it is possible to both improve fuel economy and improve handling. You are correct that you cannot have both extremes.

Stiffer springs and anti-roll bars will improve the vehicle's drivability, while the latest generation of low rolling resistance tires deliver better fuel economy yet still deliver a slight improvement in performance. Obviously, this car will never become a canyon carver nor is it the intent, but it is still fun and interesting to experiment with inexpensive modifications to improve the day-to-day drivability of this car.

Also, the first set of replacement tires were almost half price and this latest set was free.

Originally Posted By: gathermewool

One thing that SHOULD be considered is the transfer of grip, and how it affects under/over steer. LRR tires and an over-steer-prone vehicle (due to mods) is a recipe of disaster if the driver doesn't know what he or she is doing.

This is definitely an area that I have been paying close attention to, which is why I did not purchase the extremely oversized bars that are available from various Asian manufacturers. Any rear sway bar for this vehicle reduces understeer and may potentially be a recipe for disaster due to the low limits of this car. Staying with the Toyota PLUS package parts (now available as a port-installed option) eliminated warranty issues and reduce the potential dangers of unpredictable behavior.

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
But if that's the case, and it DOES appear to be the case, then again I ask, why is he considering dealing it?
21.gif


Although the thought has crossed my mind, but the Prius is not going anywhere. The appraisal was done to get a better idea of Carmax's practices and the overall demand for the Prius. It was a "just curious" exercise.


Originally Posted By: Chevys_n_Hawgs

I think he likes to talk just to get comments from other members. I've read a few of his posts, and they have [censored] written all over them!

I am sure all of us would like to get comments on our threads, or else, why would we post?
wink.gif


As far as the bovine-stuff goes, I'm sure any member has posted their share of questionable stuff at one point or another. Feel free to PM me to discuss what your issue with me is...
cool.gif


Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
When did he say he wanted a BMW ?

For the price of a new Prius he could of bought a used BMW.



Back when he was car shopping, before he bought the Prius, he was going to get a BMW. But I believe his parents (I could be wrong) bought him the Prius?

Something to that effect anyway.

Him considering a BMW 330i (this was just before he got the Prius):
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...994#Post2274994

And the thread mentioning his parents involvement (and him ultimately getting the Prius):
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...168#Post2284168

Originally Posted By: The Critic
and the Prius (or whatever it turns out to be) will be an addition. Dad wants something practical and reliable for me, so we'll see how this goes...

What can I say, the past is the past? I do want another a sportier car, but I can't say at this time when that will happen.

Originally Posted By: hypervish

Then he should look at the new GS.


I would not mind a GS hybrid as my next car...
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic

Originally Posted By: hypervish

Then he should look at the new GS.


I would not mind a GS hybrid as my next car...


er, you mean, daddy's next car, that he let's you drive.
 
Originally Posted By: Chevys_n_Hawgs
Originally Posted By: The Critic

Originally Posted By: hypervish

Then he should look at the new GS.


I would not mind a GS hybrid as my next car...


er, you mean, daddy's next car, that he let's you drive.

I'll buy my next car, but I am not sure why you (and others) have such a huge issue with my parents buying this car for me.
 
It's called jealousy/envy, pay no attention to it. You're lucky to have parents with an income that allows you choices.

I say Bravo. I was always taught to celebrate others success and imitate it.
 
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