This post brought to you by CarMax. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Mile High Mamas.
Last year, my husband and I decided it was time to trade in my 2003 Honda Pilot for a newer vehicle. We visited a lot of dealerships, test-drove even more vehicles, and I became obsessed with all the bells and whistles of a new SUV…and a vehicle that didn’t have an imprint of my kids’ preschool years (read: a lot of Cheerios).
Then we sat on our decision to buy. And sat. And a year later, we’re still sitting because it’s tough to muster up the motivation to buy a new car—regardless of how awesome it is—when you have your previous one paid off (can anyone else relate?).
- A hassle-free experience
- Up front, low prices and no haggling
- A great selection of high-quality cars
- The option to sell us a car outright, without having to buy one from us
“That sounds pretty awesome!” I raved and he rolled his eyes. “They all say that,” he countered.
And he’s right. We’re all wary of the stereotypical used car salesmen but CarMax’s claims intrigued me so I scheduled an appointment to see what makes it America’s #1 used car retailer in Denver and why they’ve been named one of FORTUNE® magazine’s “Best Companies to Work For” ten years in a row.
We’re specifically looking for a medium-sized SUV with a third row, 4-wheel drive, leather seats and no more than three years old. We’ve narrowed our search down to:
Honda Pilot
Toyota Highlander
Nissan Pathfinder
Hyundai Veracruz
Volvo XC90
Mazda CX9
With so many options out there, it put my mind at easy to learn that CarMax’s cars are certified after undergoing 12 hours of “renewing” that includes a 125-point inspection.
One great thing about the Internet age is we have access to a lot of information. In fact, our CarMax sales consultant told me most people know the stats and reviews before they even step foot on the lot, which empowers us to make better choices. Another bonus about CarMax is that their staff is commission-based but it’s a flat commission, meaning they won’t make more money by selling you a more expensive car. That hopefully translates into helping you find the best fit within your family’s budget.
Stay tuned for my CarMax findings, what I definitely liked and what I would skip when buying a new car.