Superstores are the latest trend. Circuit City, the huge electronic retailer, started its first CarMax used-car store in 1993. AutoNation USA began late in 1995. Driver's Mart began a bit later. Instead of dozens of used cars, such superstores might hold 500 or 1000 vehicles for sale.
Many shoppers appear to like the concept.
In a survey by Advertising Age and Automotive Marketing magazines, almost three-fourths of respondents who bought from a superstore said they were more pleased with the experience. No less interesting, more than half said they haggled over price. Independent used-car dealers have long ranked high on the list of mistrusted business people. Many of their cars go to high-risk customers, who wouldn't otherwise be able to buy at all. Always be wary.