anybody buy from Carvana?

[PYE46M3]

I see them selling a lot of M cars and newer BMWs. Anybody here purchase their BMW from them? If so, how accurate was the description/condition of the car, especially the 150 point inspection? Anybody have personal experience with the extended warranty they offer? Do they generally pay up like carmax does?

[Efthreeoh]

No personal experience with Carvana, but close. In September 2019 I bought my E46 Cabrio from a close work colleague. He was selling the E46 because he was buying a 2018 Mazda Miata thru Carvana, so I was closely paying attention to his process of the Carvana just out of pure interest. We're both car guys, so the discussion between him and me about the Carvana experience is void of any drama.

His Miata purchase went extremely well. Caravan delivered the Miata to his house on their flatbed truck. The delivery person got the Miata off the truck and let Paul take it for a test drive prior to purchase. Paul had arranged the financing through his credit union, so all the paper work was setup with Carvana ahead of time. Paul liked the Miata, it was in the condition as advertised by Carvana, one signature on the delivery persons iPad and the Miata was Paul's. He's been happy as a clam with it since. I was just in it with him a few weeks ago.

Can't speak to the extended warranty per Carvana. But I did buy my Z4 at CarMax and they tried to sell me the extended warranty. I just find it humorous that CarMax (and possibly Carvana) will offer you a chance to pay them more money via an extended warranty to cover any of their eff ups related to their review and assessment of the condition of the car you are buying from them.

Hope this helps.

[TwoTonic]

I bought my car from them and traded my old car to them. It was a smooth transaction and the car was as represented.

Seems like they follow through when needed.

[SickGTR]

Originally Posted by PYE46M3

I see them selling a lot of M cars and newer BMWs. Anybody here purchase their BMW from them? If so, how accurate was the description/condition of the car, especially the 150 point inspection? Anybody have personal experience with the extended warranty they offer? Do they generally pay up like carmax does?

Please keep using them. Their stock has been a blessing for me!! Cha ching

[G3min1]

Anybody here purchase their BMW from them?

I bought my 135i through Carvana.

If so, how accurate was the description/condition of the car, especially the 150 point inspection?

The 150pt inspection was pretty on point for me. They said the only thing wrong was when you hit boost the fuel guage moved. (Jb4 boost gauge hijack) Which they kept trying to fix for a month instead of listening to me.

Anybody have personal experience with the extended warranty they offer?

I have not had personal experience with the extended warranty. But I did get a 30FF code as soon as soon as i pushed the car for half a day within that first 7 day grace period. Funny thing is i got a PPI from a BMW specialist in my town within those first 7 days. But for me instead of panicking, I did a visual check of just following the intakes and found out that it was just the elbow that came off the charge pipe. Put it back on, tightened it down and have had no problems other than an adaptive headlight error in the 2 years I've owned it.

Do they generally pay up like CarMax does?

When I told them about the 30FF code, they did say that if i took it to a dealer and got it fixed they were gonna cover it.

[jkoral]

Buying a used BMW through CarMax or Carvana, don't you lose the benefit of CPO from a BMW dealer? I realize the new CPO is only 1 additional year/unlimited miles.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

No personal experience with Carvana, but close. In September 2019 I bought my E46 Cabrio from a close work colleague. He was selling the E46 because he was buying a 2018 Mazda Miata thru Carvana, so I was closely paying attention to his process of the Carvana just out of pure interest. We're both car guys, so the discussion between him and me about the Carvana experience is void of any drama.

His Miata purchase went extremely well. Caravan delivered the Miata to his house on their flatbed truck. The delivery person got the Miata off the truck and let Paul take it for a test drive prior to purchase. Paul had arranged the financing through his credit union, so all the paper work was setup with Carvana ahead of time. Paul liked the Miata, it was in the condition as advertised by Carvana, one signature on the delivery persons iPad and the Miata was Paul's. He's been happy as a clam with it since. I was just in it with him a few weeks ago.

Can't speak to the extended warranty per Carvana. But I did buy my Z4 at CarMax and they tried to sell me the extended warranty. I just find it humorous that CarMax (and possibly Carvana) will offer you a chance to pay them more money via an extended warranty to cover any of their eff ups related to their review and assessment of the condition of the car you are buying from them.

Hope this helps.

Doug DeMuro put up a series of videos talking about his CarMax extended warranty experience on a Range Rover he bought from them. He made out pretty good which resulted in CarMax making changes to their warranty program.

ETA:

Found this additional final update:

[OkieSnuffBox]

Cliffs? That guy annoys the hell out of me so I can't watch 20+ minutes of it.

[dgoldenz]

Carmax has the best warranty you can buy that isn't OEM. I just sold my Wrangler to Driveway.com which is similar to Carmax/Carvana and they only did a visual inspection through a Zoom call, so I don't think these cars are checked out too thoroughly unless they are doing it after pickup and then auctioning off the ones they don't resell themselves, which is a possibility. But yeah....not too thorough on the inspections.

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by dgoldenz

I just sold my Wrangler to Driveway.com which is similar to Carmax/Carvana and they only did a visual inspection through a Zoom call, so I don't think these cars are checked out too thoroughly unless they are doing it after pickup and then auctioning off the ones they don't resell themselves, which is a possibility. But yeah....not too thorough on the inspections.

Interesting. I didn't even know about Driveway. I'm trying to sell my 2019 CX-5 Signature, and Driveway offered the same as KBB Instant Cash (which a BMW dealer I'm talking to uses). So far Carmax has the highest offer (pending what I assume will be a closer inspection) with Vroom close behind and Carvana somewhere between Driveway and Vroom. Over $4K swing between Driveway and CarMax.

[dgoldenz]

Originally Posted by jkoral

Interesting. I didn't even know about Driveway. I'm trying to sell my 2019 CX-5 Signature, and Driveway offered the same as KBB Instant Cash (which a BMW dealer I'm talking to uses). So far Carmax has the highest offer (pending what I assume will be a closer inspection) with Vroom close behind and Carvana somewhere between Driveway and Vroom. Over $4K swing between Driveway and CarMax.

Driveway offered $2k more than Carmax/Carvana/Vroom on my Wrangler. I'm sure it varies by which cars each company needs inventory for, they all use dynamic pricing algorithms so the offers today could be totally different by next week.

[unluky]

I bought a Z4 that was the only one that checked all my boxes years ago when I was looking - and the transaction was startlingly smooth. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop as I hate, I mean HATE car dealers. I avoid them at all costs. CarMax was fantastic. Moved it over from another state for free for me to look at with no obligation. I went and drove it - decided it was what they said it was and bought it. They asked (but never pushed or pressured) about a warranty and I was on my way. Even collected the sales tax, went to the DMV for me, and mailed my plates to my house.

Now I paid at least 98% of what the car was worth, but it is what it is.

I also bought my X5 from them based solely on how smooth that Z4 was years ago and it was equally smooth. Never any pressure at all - not an ounce. Great way to buy if you don't mind not getting a smoking deal and don't enjoy the haggle like some people do.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by unluky

I bought a Z4 that was the only one that checked all my boxes years ago when I was looking - and the transaction was startlingly smooth. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop as I hate, I mean HATE car dealers. I avoid them at all costs. CarMax was fantastic. Moved it over from another state for free for me to look at with no obligation. I went and drove it - decided it was what they said it was and bought it. They asked (but never pushed or pressured) about a warranty and I was on my way. Even collected the sales tax, went to the DMV for me, and mailed my plates to my house.

Now I paid at least 98% of what the car was worth, but it is what it is.

I also bought my X5 from them based solely on how smooth that Z4 was years ago and it was equally smooth. Never any pressure at all - not an ounce. Great way to buy if you don't mind not getting a smoking deal and don't enjoy the haggle like some people do.

I had the complete opposite result with my E86 Coupe purchase from the Max. They missed coolant level, dented fender (they did fix it), throwout bearing (refused to fix it), big mouse nest in engine airfilter - it was half clogged, clogged cabin airfilter, and the oil filter they used, crushed when it was installed. Also, the light switch for the cubby hole was broken so the light remained on while the engine was running. I think CarMax's 100 point inspection is bullshit and they expect you to buy their extended warranty to cover their ass.

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I had the complete opposite result with my E86 Coupe purchase from the Max. They missed coolant level, dented fender (they did fix it), throwout bearing (refused to fix it), big mouse nest in engine airfilter - it was half clogged, clogged cabin airfilter, and the oil filter they used, crushed when it was installed. Also, the light switch for the cubby hole was broken so the light remained on while the engine was running. I think CarMax's 100 point inspection is bullshit and they expect you to buy their extended warranty to cover their ass.

CarMax seems to be very hit or miss across the board, depending on salespersons and/or location. I bought my E90 from CarMax in San Diego, they missed a bunch of stuff on the inspection, pressured hard on "their" warranty, etc. They also failed to inform me of the car's history and it actually had body work and repair from something undeclared on the CarFax. (I found considerable overspray from a repair years later while digging into the car for something.) Additionally, there was a tear in the rear seats along the stitching that even I failed to notice when purchasing the car. The salesperson informed me about 2 weeks afterwards that she forgot to inform me about it, and that they would repair it for me. Well I was very busy at work that month, and about 2 weeks after that call I called back to bring the car in to get it fixed and she said because it had been a month since I bought the car, that I would have to pay for it. Oh and when my starter died(coincidentally, within a mile from the CarMax I purchased the car at a year later), I had the car towed right to CarMax. Not only could they not "get me in" for weeks, but they said that I would not be eligible for a loaner car until they inspected it - weeks in the future. Walked out, called a tow truck, had it towed right out of their garage and over to BMW San Diego. Got in, brand new F30 330i M-Sport loaner right away, car was done in two days.

I would not recommend CarMax to anyone unless they had the absolute matched spec car one is looking for, but treat it like a private sale and don't expect anything more from them. Their bread and butter is quantity, not quality.

[PYE46M3]

Thanks for the input everyone!

I am still a little skeptical about carvana. They claim cars go through 150 point inspection and on average they spend 1-2 grand on fixing them up. But when you look at the inspection reports on 50-70k mile cars they all pass with flying cars. Not a single drop of oil leak, bad bushings etc etc. how is that possible on an 8 year old car? Every now and then you see a car that had a couple things fixed. But most seem to come as is..

and they claim their cars are accident free.... well you can tell from a mile away the bumper on this car is misaligned. is that because of an accident?? broken clips? how on earth are you not gonna fix that before posting pictures?

https://www.carvana.com/vehicle/1904786




I am looking to pick up a Z4 through them. and as for carmax, their prices seem steep!! more expensive than carvana and significantly higher than private party.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by PYE46M3

Thanks for the input everyone!

I am still a little skeptical about carvana. They claim cars go through 150 point inspection and on average they spend 1-2 grand on fixing them up. But when you look at the inspection reports on 50-70k mile cars they all pass with flying cars. Not a single drop of oil leak, bad bushings etc etc. how is that possible on an 8 year old car? Every now and then you see a car that had a couple things fixed. But most seem to come as is..

and they claim their cars are accident free.... well you can tell from a mile away the bumper on this car is misaligned. is that because of an accident?? broken clips? how on earth are you not gonna fix that before posting pictures?

https://www.carvana.com/vehicle/1904786




I am looking to pick up a Z4 through them. and as for carmax, their prices seem steep!! more expensive than carvana and significantly higher than private party.

I don't think Carvana offers any better protection from the risks and pitfalls of buying a used car. CarMax, Carvana, and their ilk are just well capitalized used car dealers that just obfuscate the reality, which in the end is you are still buying a used car. It's no more complicated than that.

unluky said he absolutely hates car dealers and I don't blame him, but I have the opposite reaction with new car dealers buying a new car, because buying new mostly mitigates the hidden BS that every used car has in it. I'd rather buy a new car and keep it until the depreciation levels off, which is over 10 years and over 200,000 miles these days, and for the most part, that is what I do. But if you want a car that is no longer in production like I was with my E86, I had no choice. I found what I thought was a decent used Z4. The car has turned out great, and is no different than any of the other used BMWs I've owned, used being I'm the original owner and used them.

Buying used is a crapshoot either way. Overpay for a 150-point inspected car, which from my research Carvana doesn't explicitly say what comprises their 150-point inspection. Do they pull the plugs to read cylinder burn and compression test the engine? Bet not. Do they open the diff and check for pinion gear wear, nope. Do oil analysis of of coolant, engine oil, transmission oil, I doubt it. Perform an exhaust gas analysis to check for catalytic converter health and oil content? Hardly. Neither do I, and no one checks to that level, but to really lower the risk of buying used, that is the level of inspection that I'd pay more for. Carvana and CarMax hint that is their level of 1XX-point inspection, but in reality, nope.

Does the car have all the window glass? Check! Paint? Check! Tires? Check! Can we clean it up real nice and make it look nearly new? Check!!! Hey, and we have a cool car vending machine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

LOL. Just being absurd to bring the reality that any car they have is just a used car. They treat you nice and make it seem like they really care, but in the end they are just selling you a used car. You are paying for all the fancy.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

Cliffs? That guy annoys the hell out of me so I can't watch 20+ minutes of it.

Guy bought a used Range Rover from CARMAX and paid extra for an extended warranty for around 4K. CARMAX ended up paying almost 30K in warranty repairs during the time he owned the Range Rover. Guy posts it on his channel, CARMAX makes changes to warranty policy.

Agree, he is painful to watch. I have no idea how he got so big.

[PYE46M3]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I don't think Carvana offers any better protection from the risks and pitfalls of buying a used car. CarMax, Carvana, and their ilk are just well capitalized used car dealers that just obfuscate the reality, which in the end is you are still buying a used car. It's no more complicated than that.

unluky said he absolutely hates car dealers and I don't blame him, but I have the opposite reaction with new car dealers buying a new car, because buying new mostly mitigates the hidden BS that every used car has in it. I'd rather buy a new car and keep it until the depreciation levels off, which is over 10 years and over 200,000 miles these days, and for the most part, that is what I do. But if you want a car that is no longer in production like I was with my E86, I had no choice. I found what I thought was a decent used Z4. The car has turned out great, and is no different than any of the other used BMWs I've owned, used being I'm the original owner and used them.

Buying used is a crapshoot either way. Overpay for a 150-point inspected car, which from my research Carvana doesn't explicitly say what comprises their 150-point inspection. Do they pull the plugs to read cylinder burn and compression test the engine? Bet not. Do they open the diff and check for pinion gear wear, nope. Do oil analysis of of coolant, engine oil, transmission oil, I doubt it. Perform an exhaust gas analysis to check for catalytic converter health and oil content? Hardly. Neither do I, and no one checks to that level, but to really lower the risk of buying used, that is the level of inspection that I'd pay more for. Carvana and CarMax hint that is their level of 1XX-point inspection, but in reality, nope.

Does the car have all the window glass? Check! Paint? Check! Tires? Check! Can we clean it up real nice and make it look nearly new? Check!!! Hey, and we have a cool car vending machine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

LOL. Just being absurd to bring the reality that any car they have is just a used car. They treat you nice and make it seem like they really care, but in the end they are just selling you a used car. You are paying for all the fancy.

I agree with everything you say. There are really two reasons why I want to buy from them.

1) hoping car has all the issues sorted (leaking valves, motor mounts etc). Yes I'll be paying a premium for it.

2) hoping to get the extended warranty that pays up. Not for minor things but for major problems that cost thousand and thousands of dollars to repair... like a blown engine or tranny... or even mechanical/hydraulic issues with the E89 Z4 roof mechanism.

[Darth One]

Anyone actually use their car vending machine and is it as cool as it looks??

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

Doug DeMuro put up a series of videos talking about his CarMax extended warranty experience on a Range Rover he bought from them. He made out pretty good which resulted in CarMax making changes to their warranty program.

ETA:

Found this additional final update:

IIRC the CarJax extended warranty for my Z4 (December 2014) was $2,400. After 90,000 miles and nearly 7 years of ownership my total non-maintenance repairs totals $485. $100 was my deductible for a deer collision repair. $140 was for a new battery. $110 for new HID bulbs (not sure that counts as a warranty item under CarJax), $64 for a new driver's side cup holder, and $20 (+ a six pack) for a muffler shop to tig weld the muffler hanger. Yeah I did all the repairs DIY so, those are just parts cost. But really, the exhaust repair and cup holder are the only warranty items. So maybe $250 total non-DIY.

So I would have helped offset CarMax's warranty costs for Doug's POS Range Rover, had I bought the CarMax warranty. CarMax makes a lot of their money off the warranty sales, just like all warranty companies. I didn't buy the warranty; I know BMWs better than CarMax does.

[heyyouduh]

Originally Posted by PYE46M3

I see them selling a lot of M cars and newer BMWs. Anybody here purchase their BMW from them?

Yes, bought my f80 several months ago from them.

Originally Posted by PYE46M3

If so, how accurate was the description/condition of the car, especially the 150 point inspection?

It was adequate. They give you a grace period in which you can return the car no questions asked. After buying mine I immediately paid for an inspection. The blemishes they described were true, no major additional issues minus 1. Car came w/ mismatched snows in front and all seasons in rear (although all new). This was annoying as I had no use for snows. I brought it up to carvana and they offered to punt it to a 3rd party insurer to see if they'd do something about it, I declined.

Couple of small issues, car missing some of the baby seat latch receptacle plastic covers... I don't really care much. another issue is the description said 2 keys and I received one. a 3rd party reached out to me and said they would order the key. several weeks later without any updates I called carvana and pressed the issue and they ended up paying for one at a local dealer. then a couple weeks after the 3rd party came through so now I have an extra key. kind of annoying to deal w/ phone calls etc but overall not too bad.

Originally Posted by PYE46M3

Anybody have personal experience with the extended warranty they offer? Do they generally pay up like carmax does?

No experience, thankfully.

Overall I think it you're willing to go through some of the hassles like I did it really opens the door up for some choices. My local dealers didn't have what I want, and some of the smaller dealers within driving distance would play the game and not give me a straight answer on what they actually have. I would use it again.

[Redacre]

Yep and it was an absolute disaster. Porsche Macan S with a clean carfax, low miles, optioned out (PASM) and we ended up returning the car. When it arrived it had mismatched tires and literally on the drive home it threw 2 or 3 major suspension codes. I thought maybe it's just some bad modules or something. Nope. Mechanic couldn't even pull all the codes it had so many electrical issues. On the flip side, Carvana picked it up from my mechanic, paid them, and they even mailed us back our keychain. I'm convinced they don't do a thing to get the cars marketable because even a cursory inspection would have revealed some of these issues.