[rzc]

Originally I was going to get a 2019 RTL from Carvana, they offered me a great $$$ for my civic. Then I saw the 2019 BE at an Acura dealer for cheaper and less miles. When working through the financing, the dealer was low balling me with the civic. I told them and showed what Carvana was offering, so they matched it and plus sum. At the end of it all that's how I ended up with the 2019 BE for $31k with 11k miles. Carvana had the RTL for $36 and 20+k miles. So lesson learned, for the next car, go through Carvana get those numbers and have the dealership match it or even lower.

 

[scarface]

It's odd how many are buying from Carvana given their photos of their vehicles for sale are almost fake looking. Yet they are wealthy and over paying to acquire new inventory. I don't like the idea of purchasing sight unseen and then having to go thru a return process.

 

[SubVet]

The only reason I was able to obtain a Ridgeline is Carvana offered me $36,000 for my 2019 Ranger Lariat. I paid 39000 and have the truck for a year-and-a-half. It was a no-brainer. Then I turned around and leased the Ridgeline.

The best I was offered from CarMAx and local dealers was UNDER $30K So I was going to keep the Ranger. Then I looked at Carvana and the rest is history

 

[zroger73]

Not really. Carvana is bleeding money. It costs them a great deal to recondition vehicles.

What does Carvana do differently than any other used car dealer when it comes to reconditioning?

 

[SubVet]

What does Carvana do differently than any other used car dealer when it comes to reconditioning?

As far as I know they recondition just as much as CarMax or any dealer. CarMax doesn't do much reconditioning that I've seen some crap on their Lots. Carvana offered me way too much for the Ranger So I ended up selling the ranger to them. They sold the truck in two days and made a thousand bucks. I wouldn't hesitate to buy used car from them.

The deal was easier to do I just drove up to drive time which is a used car lot Carvana owns. They looked at the truck for about 10 minutes. I went home and they wired me all the money the next day. Very easy very fast.

 

[siggy]

What does Carvana do differently than any other used car dealer when it comes to reconditioning?

I think they do a fair bit more reconditioning than most. Take a look at their financials; they’re public. I don’t have time to analyze precisely why they’re not profitable.

 

[Sparkland]

Another source is Carmax. They have same online programs as Carvana in many markets.

Carmax will rarely compete with Carvana regarding trade-in values. Carvana is usually $1000's higher.

 

[Trackrider54]

I totally agree when it comes to certain makes, like Honda or Toyota. They hold their value so well that buying new as opposed to buying a year or two old used one generally makes more sense.

I think the exception to this thinking is with some Euro brands, like BMW and Mercedes. Their sedans do not hold their value well at all. Good deals, that make financial sense, can be had on used ones with plenty of warranty left...

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True, but with the expensive Euro brands, you may get a good deal on the car, but maintenance and repairs are going to eat you alive. For example, you can buy a really nice used Porsche 911. But woe be unto you when it breaks.

I love cars. I have owned some very nice ones over the years. But as much as I love them, I have come to the realization that they are a utility like water or electricity. I need a vehicle to get where I need to go. I have a motorcycle for entertainment and as soon as my nest is empty, a nice used Miata or other convertable will be in my future for weekend duty. My daily driver needs to be very basic, but still meet my wide variety of needs. I see my car payment as just another utility bill. Something I have to pay for so I can live the life I choose to live.

 

[Maxdriver]

True, but with the expensive Euro brands, you may get a good deal on the car, but maintenance and repairs are going to eat you alive. For example, you can buy a really nice used Porsche 911. But woe be unto you when it breaks.

I love cars. I have owned some very nice ones over the years. But as much as I love them, I have come to the realization that they are a utility like water or electricity. I need a vehicle to get where I need to go. I have a motorcycle for entertainment and as soon as my nest is empty, a nice used Miata or other convertable will be in my future for weekend duty. My daily driver needs to be very basic, but still meet my wide variety of needs. I see my car payment as just another utility bill. Something I have to pay for so I can live the life I choose to live.

I hear you. I was referring to buying a European with alot of warranty left. Maintenance is another game altogether when not covered by warranty. I have bought a couple and have moved on from them prior to, or soon after the warranty was expired. Although a huge factor each time was I just wanted to get into something else. I have a car problem

I was a long time owner of a NA Miata and have been considering another. Going to wait on the final details on the new Nissan Z and we'll see...🍻

 

[SoSlow]

I had a terrible experience with Carvana. The car they delivered was far from described. I went ahead and traded my car with them because they have a no questions asked return and cancel policy. They said they would hold my car locally until the grace period was up. It was 1 or 2 weeks. I found too many issues with the car they delivered and called to cancel. I think it may have been a flood car or maybe someone just left the sunroof open. That and there were just too many dings, scratches, hole in driver's seat leather.... None of which they reported. Anyway, I set up for them to return my car and pick up the one they delivered. Only problem, they sent my car to Texas and I am in Indiana. They says it was a mistake. Once they got the car back to Indiana, they had already started to prep for re-sale. So for some dumb ass reason, they removed my carbon fiber parts, lost one of the keys, took the locking lugs nuts off and didn't replace... It was a nightmare. In the end, they ended up paying me $1200 and we exchanged vehicles back. I spent the next couple days detailing out the damages and traded the car in at a dealer and got the same CPO car in like new condition for just a little more money. Probably not a common issue and I should have known better to buy a car that way since I am tedious about my vehicles and this was a $60k Lexus RC-F I was buying.

 

[blaze741]

I think it goes back to the fact that buying a car sight unseen is just a bad idea... Not faulting your desire to do so, but I just can't trust anyone to tell me the condition is as written without seeing it.

I sold my car to them, and the guy didn't even look in and out of car. He just showed up at my house, I signed the form, and he loaded it and left...

 

[Maxdriver]

I think it goes back to the fact that buying a car sight unseen is just a bad idea... Not faulting your desire to do so, but I just can't trust anyone to tell me the condition is as written without seeing it.

I sold my car to them, and the guy didn't even look in and out of car. He just showed up at my house, I signed the form, and he loaded it and left...

Well the horror story above was complicated by the fact that he sold them a car also....one that he wanted back.

I have bought several cars out of state without seeing them in person. All had low miles and alot of warranty left, so my risk has been minimal. They have all been positive buying experiences.

My Macan was shipped from Texas this summer and came with a 5+ year warranty because it was a CPO. I can give other examples, but for me it's another purchase option, that with certain variables in place, I am comfortable with.

Having said that I can understand that some would not even consider it....









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[jimbosr1]

Just for fun i just did a
Carvana cash offer for my 2018 RTL-T 2wd and it was $28358. not to bad at all!
Not looking to buy anything at this time.Like my truck too much.

 

[t321sg]

I have been looking for 6 months, and all used car prices have gone way up lately. Then I was offered a left over new 2019 Sport for $30,000. Now a used 2019 sport with 10,000 miles is $30,000.
As far as Carvana, I am skeptical but my sister in florida bought a used car from them, delivered to her house, she had an hour to put it back on the truck at no obligation, she drove it around and decided to keep it. I came with a 100 day 4000 mile warranty, and they called her at 90 days and asked if she was happy. She told them the clock wasn't working right. They told her to take it to any mechanic or dealer, she did, found out the battery was weak, Carvana paid the mechanic direct full price to install a new battery. I was pretty impressed. But Carvana charges top retail dollar for that level of service.

 

[zroger73]

I have begun the process of selling my 2019 MX-5 Miata to Carvana for 88% of what I paid for it in 2019.

I'm tempted to sell my 2020 CX-5 to them as well and buy a cheap, used car to drive until I decide what's next. My search for a pewter 2021 Ridgeline RTL-E has been fruitless and I still have reservations about coming back to Honda even with the goodwill they provided.

This will be my first experience with Carvana, but I've read good things.

 

[Sparkland]

I have begun the process of selling my 2019 MX-5 Miata to Carvana for 88% of what I paid for it in 2019.

I'm tempted to sell my 2020 CX-5 to them as well and buy a cheap, used car to drive until I decide what's next. My search for a pewter 2021 Ridgeline RTL-E has been fruitless and I still have reservations about coming back to Honda even with the goodwill they provided.

This will be my first experience with Carvana, but I've read good things.

The selling process is fairly straight forward, but the buying process takes a bit more discernment as some vehicles are not quite as immaculate as they might seem.

 

[zroger73]

I've heard that before. For that reason, I don't know if I'd be comfortable buying from them - especially not at the premium+ prices they want. And, I naturally distrust people or am at least overly cautious (for good reason).

 

[Trackrider54]

I've heard that before. For that reason, I don't know if I'd be comfortable buying from them - especially not at the premium+ prices they want. And, I naturally distrust people or am at least overly cautious (for good reason).

I specifically wanted a 2019 Ridgeline and before buying my RL in March 2020, I searched online for some slightly used ones. It was during the early days of lockdown so I thought someone may be looking to offload a vehicle fast.

I went to Carvana's site and laughed out loud at what they wanted for a 2019 Ridgeline Sport (I was only interested in the Sport). It was $5000 MORE than a new one cost me. How do they stay in business??

 

[stevem5215]

It's easy. Their business model is "If you hate dealerships and their BS buy from us with little to no hassle and we deliver it to your doorstep".

Now if you run out of gas you can just get them to bring you another vehicle and pick this "old" one up. Full tank included !

 

[Jelly donut]

They stay in business because they are funded by venture capital. They overpay for used cars which appears to be in an effort to establish themselves as the market leader in online car sales. This is a long game for them and might just be successful if they are able to continue to secure further funding as needed.

Traditional dealers are an endangered species. They have among the worst reputations of any business and few seem to be doing much to change it. The current franchise laws that protect their business won't be around forever. Those who can transition to a used car/service model will hold on but many will perish. Carvana may end up the Amazon of car sales. If they can go the distance.