MadScientist, I'm sure you've already figured it out, but the reason people are ragging on you is because of your inflammatory thread title.
"Screwed" (with two exclamation points, no less) implies intent, and malice on their part... Neither of which is accurate at all.
You are absolutely, positively correct. This was my gut feeling when I first noticed that the vehicle had the 1.6L turbo engine. After speaking with Carmax I should have not used the word "Screwed" in the thread title. I have changed it.
This is my last post to this thread.
Carmax's corporate office called me today and offered me the same deal as their Knoxville store with a few free oil changes. They suggested I test drive an Escape with the 2.0L turbo engine, which we did today. The 2.0L turbo, 240HP, engine has more get up and go. My wife wants one.
I checked their inventory again and found a 2014 Escape in their Houston store, same model, color, and interior as our 2013 with a 2.0L turbo engine, 14K miles, rear view camera and sunroof (options ours does not have) for exactly $1K more than what we paid. They will pay the $499. transfer fee to Knoxville and other fees. They are going to handle it as a trade in and give me what I paid for the 2013. I will have to pay sales tax on the $1k difference, ~$70. We will sign over the title, no lien on it, of the 2013 to Carmax and a new title will be issued for the 2014. The plate and registration for the 2013, which I just renewed last week, can be transferred to the 2014. There are small fees for the new title and registration transfer.
We ordered it. It will take 2-3 weeks for delivery. Our 2013 has 11.7K miles on it now but we are going to FL next week, which should bring it up close to 14K. They don't have a problem with that.
And this time I will check the emission sticker before I sign anything.