Though we live in an enlightened age where women are empowered and given the same opportunities as men, I admittedly let my husband handle All Things Car.
When I showed up at CarMax, I realized it was the first time I had ever looked at cars solo. I was greeted by two women: Crystal (in sales) and Ashley (an appraiser) and was surprised to learn their staff is close to 50 percent female, a staggering statistic in the used-car business.
I handed the keys to my 2003 Honda Pilot over to Ashley to give my car the once-over while Crystal helped me look at cars. CarMax has two Denver-area locations and in Littleton, the store is known as a “Next Gen,” with sleek décor and cutting-edge technology. We started by narrowing down the choices on an interactive touchscreen. Mid-size SUV. Price point. Mileage. Third row. Leather seats. Color.
Crystal felt more like an educator than a salesperson, which I attributed to their no haggle way of doing business with non-negotiable upfront prices. I narrowed our list down to two models: the Ford Explorer and a Honda Pilot (I’ve really enjoyed our current car!) With 275-300 cars on the lot at any given time and 35,000 in their nationwide inventory, I certainly wasn’t lacking in choice. CarMax will transfer any used all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicle to Denver for free, with no commitment to buy.
All the cars on the lot were unlocked, which made for easy access for checking out interiors. I ultimately test-drove a 2013 Ford Explorer, which I admittedly loved more than I should have and was relieved it had a “Pending” sale sticker.
My husband does have his limits and buying a new car on a whim would have set me over said limit.
SUV heaven
She offered me $4,000 for my Pilot, which is about what I expect for any trade-in off and is a fine choice for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with the hassle of selling it. Plus, you don’t have to pay taxes on that portion of your trade-in.
This is great for those who do not want to go through the hassle of selling cars on Craigslist, unlike my husband.
However, I was impressed with my experience at CarMax and it set my mind at ease to know I could buy a used car that had undergone an in-depth inspection to ensure it reaches CarMax’s standards for safety and reliability. In fact, only 1 in 3 cars has the quality needed to become a CarMax car. That statistic alone is reason enough to check-out CarMax the next time you’re in the market for your family’s car.
Locations:
- 5850 South Broadway Littleton, CO 80121
- 2600 W. 104th Ave. Federal Heights, CO 80234
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of CarMax for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
