Which is Better for Selling the Car?
If you’re looking to sell your car, CarMax turns out to be the better option than DriveTime. The company accepts cars in most conditions, with very few exceptions. You can also sell your vehicle to them even if you still owe money for it.
Also, selling to CarMax means you’re selling directly to them. You don’t need to deal with third-party dealerships, which might not offer consistent service.
In comparison, DriveTime will direct you to KBB, which will forward you to their partner dealerships. It leaves the selling process room for inconsistencies and inefficiencies.
Some CarMax customers praised the company for their high offers. Knowing this can save you time from checking other car-buying companies.
Finally, CarMax offers more varied ways to reach customer support. If you have any issues, you don’t need to drive to their store every time. Simply choose the channel that’s most convenient for you.
CarMax Summary
- Instant online offer in under 2 minutes
- Online offer is valid for up to 7 days
- 2 options for selling – online or in-store
- Get paid within 30 minutes on the spot
DriveTime Summary
- Instant cash offer within minutes
- Choose a dealership to claim the offer
- No charges to sell your car
- Quick turnaround time (48 hours)
CarMax vs. DriveTime Comparison
| Company | CarMax | DriveTime |
|---|---|---|
| Logo |
|
|
| Cars accepted | Cars in most conditions, with exceptions | Used and new cars |
| Fees | $0 | $0 |
| Requesting quotes | Online application | Online application |
| Offer validity | 7 days | 7 days |
| Payments offered | Bank draft | Check or trade-in credit |
| Payout | Same day | Same day |
| Car pick-up | Drop-off and free-up in selected locations | Drop-off |
| Physical locations | 240 CarMax locations | Locations nationwide |
| Turnaround time | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours |
| Customer service | Social media, online form, chat, or hotline | Phone, chat, or social media |
| Reviews | 1.6 | 4.2 |
Consider Best Alternatives
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Free, no-obligation cash offers
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Highly Rated by Customers
Excellent customer service ratings
Honors guaranteed offer for 7 days
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Gives a real offer in 2 minutes
100% hassle-free online process
Free car’s Value Tracker available
Cars Accepted
CarMax accepts cars in most conditions, except those with salvage history, frame damage, or flood damage. The company also usually accepts leased vehicles.
You also need to prepare some requirements before you can sell your car to CarMax. First of that is the payoff information or the title. You’ll also need to ensure that all titleholders are present when you sell your vehicle and that everyone has valid IDs.
You’ll also need to provide your vehicle’s valid and current registration, as well as all keys and remotes.
Meanwhile, DriveTime only accepts new and used cars. Also, some conditions might not qualify a vehicle for sale. These include:
- Modifications
- Low value due to condition or age
- Was used as a taxi or limousine
- Was in an auction within the last 45 days
Fees
CarMax doesn’t charge any fees when you request a quote or have your car inspected at one of their stores.
Similarly, DriveTime allows you to sell your car through KBB. There are also no fees to get an instant offer through their online process. Once you accept their offer, you can also schedule an appointment at one of their stores for free.
Requesting Quotes
CarMax claims you can get an instant offer in minutes through their online application. To get started on this, go to their Sell My Car webpage, and enter your car’s VIN.
If you don’t have it, you can also enter your license plate number, zip code, and state of registration. Then, click the Get Started button, and the website will direct you to the next steps of the application. Basically, you’ll need to provide information on the following:
- Mileage
- Condition
- Mechanical and odometer issues, if there are any
- Accident history
If you still owe money for your vehicle, you’ll also need to provide your leasing details. After completing the form, CarMax will generate an instant offer and allow you to schedule an appointment with one of their stores.
In some cases, CarMax doesn’t generate an offer and might need to inspect the car in person. For that, you’ll need to bring your vehicle to their store.
DriveTime, on the other hand, makes instant offers through Kelly Blue Book or KBB. On their website, click on the Get an Instant Offer button, and enter your Zip Code. Then, click Go, and the website will take you to KBB’s website to complete the online process.
Like CarMax, you need to provide either the Vehicle Identification Number or License Plate Number. You’ll also need to enter details on your car’s features, equipment, modifications, and mechanical condition.
The online form also allows you to upload photos of your vehicle, letting KBB define more accurate values for your car. In addition, its website has an interactive guide that allows you to specify details based on your car parts.
Once you provide your vehicle and contact details, the website will generate an offer. It will also show you the offer validity and dealerships where you can claim this offer.
Offer Validity
Offers you can get from CarMax and DriveTime are good for 7 days from the time you accept them.
Payments Offered
Before selling your vehicle to CarMax, know that the company only pays through bank drafts. Unlike checks that you can directly cash out, bank drafts can only be deposited into your account. Additionally, some banks have a holding period for bank drafts.
Meanwhile, DriveTime offers two payments: cash-in check or trade-in value. The dealership where you claim the instant offer will hand the check payment after finalizing the sale. You can also use the amount to purchase a new vehicle at the dealership.
Payout
What’s great about selling your car to CarMax or DriveTime is that you can get your money within the same day of finalizing the sale. If you’re looking to trade in your vehicle with DriveTime, you can also leave their partner dealership in your new ride.
Car Pick-up
Only CarMax offers a free pick-up option once you accept their offer. However, this option is available in selected locations only. You can see if the free pick-up is available in your location by completing their online form.
DriveTime, on the other hand, doesn’t offer free pick-up. You’ll need to bring your car to one of their stores or partner dealership to claim the instant offer.
Physical Locations
You can pick from any CarMax 240 stores nationwide to claim their instant offer. To sell your vehicle with DriveTime, you can choose from their partner dealerships, which are often recommended based on your location.
Turnaround Time
Selling to CarMax or DriveTime takes up to 48 hours. This timeframe includes sending an online application, accepting the instant offer, and taking your car to their store or dealership.
Customer Service
CarMax offers several ways for customers to contact their customer support team. If you prefer to do it by phone, their hotline is 1-913-384-6697. Note that this hotline is only available from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 10 PM, and Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM EST.
Another option to contact them is by chat. Just head to their website and click on the blue chat icon at the bottom right corner. Their chat support team is available Mondays to Sundays, from 10 AM to 8:45 PM EST.
If you’re on social media, like Facebook or Twitter, you can reach their customer service team by sending a quick DM.
To reach out to DriveTime support, you can try the following channels:
Reviews
| Company | CarMax | DriveTime |
|---|---|---|
| Logo |
|
|
| Trustpilot | 1.6 | 4.2 |
| Better Business Bureau | 1.15 | 4.13 |
| Consumer Affairs | 3.2 | 4.5 |
While most of the CarMax reviews came from buyers, some sellers mentioned wasting their time in one CarMax location. This is why it’s important to schedule an appointment first before bringing you to any of their stores.
At Consumer Affairs, sellers find that CarMax offers are preferably higher than their competitors. Some happy customers liked the quick process since they received online offers within minutes.
Most of the positive reviews for DriveTime praised the customer service and their overall great experiences at the store. Many even mentioned the name of the salesperson they worked with and that they were understanding and patient.
However, these reviews came mostly from car buyers. Since DriveTime directs sellers to KBB, it’s challenging to gauge whether the company also affects sellers’ experiences when dealing with KBB.