Here is the "Deal"....

1. Carmax will appraise ANY CAR "fairly".

2. The price difference between a "trade-in" and "Straight sell it to them" is the same, minus a $99 paperwork fee (at least it used to be $99).

3. To get the best appraisal, the car should be BONE STOCK. That is what they want to see. Preferably NO ACCIDENTS, and Decent Mileage.

4. If the vehicle has "OVER" XX,XXX miles (I think 80k, but maybe 60k) they give you wholesale price....they don't intend on keeping it.

5. If the vehicle has damage or is questionable, they will probably give you wholesale....once again, they don't intend on keeping it.

6. If the car is "RARE".....DON"T EVEN GO TO CARMAX.....you will be SCREWED. They don't care.

I have bought 1 car from Carmax and sold 2 to them. They usually offer you a little bit more than you would get in a trade-in, but also consider the savings you would get on taxes if you just traded it in.

Charles