Carmax -- which I consider to be one of those unnofficial barometers of the economy -- raised its advertised price for a 2000 S2000 by over $1,000 this week in the Mid Atlantic region. Two weeks ago, the price dropped to $27,800 and has remained there. Today, the price (the lowest of 11 cars available) was raised again to $28,998. This is the first rise in the advertised price in well over a year.

Of course, this could be a stocking anamoly. But it could also be one more indicator of a recovering economy.