With rising vehicle prices, U.S. consumers are purchasing used cars to meet their household's transportation needs. New vehicles at a dealership average $42,000, and the cost of used vehicles is $26,000.
Whether buying new or used, consumers can now access various online buying and shopping tools to help them make purchases. Continue reading to discover additional information about our top 10 recommended online car buying and shopping tools:
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TrueCar
Truecar is an online automotive marketplace where consumers can shop for new and used vehicles at nearby dealerships. TrueCar offers a way to ensure you are not overpaying for your automobile and a way to compare car prices. TrueCar is free to use when searching to purchase a new or used vehicle by logging into the website or using the mobile app.
Though TrueCar doesn't own any of the vehicles it showcases, it helps connect consumers to local dealerships while equipping them with all the information needed to make an informed purchase. Once you have found the vehicle you are interested in, you are given the contact information for the dealership or the person selling the vehicle so you can set up a test drive or purchase the vehicle.
CarGurus
CarGurus, like many other platforms dedicated to online car selling, provides an efficient way to connect with a broad audience of potential buyers and facilitate the sale of your car from the comfort of your home. CarGurus offers a method for consumers to search for and explore vehicle ratings and to check to ensure the car is priced right based on mileage and accident history. This app is free to search for new and used cars, offering access to browse more than five million vehicles.
Carvana
Search for and learn more about your next vehicle online using Carvana, where you can access detailed reviews and 360-degree images. The best thing about Carvana is that it is free to shop for used cars, and your purchased vehicle will be delivered to your door.
Carvana offers a range of service options, encompassing online car purchasing, selling, trade-ins, warranties, and financing. We have discovered that Carvana is a well-rounded online tool for purchasing a used vehicle while offering good value.
Vroom
Vroom provides a platform for you to explore thousands of low-mileage, pre-owned vehicles available for purchase in the continental United States. The company maintains a physical inventory of used vehicles that customers can browse on their website and have delivered to their doorstep. Additionally, Vroom facilitates the purchase of used cars, offering free vehicle pickups.
If you are looking to purchase a vehicle, you must put down a $249 deposit, and if you are not picking up the car at Vroom's Houston dealership, you must pay for delivery, which can cost as much as $1,399. Then, if you choose to buy a car through Vroom, you can explore financing options, place a deposit, and have the vehicle delivered. Vroom emphasizes a customer-friendly approach, providing a whole week or 250 miles for you to return the purchased car for any reason.
Kelley Blue Book
When individuals purchase or sell pre-owned vehicles, many turn to the long-standing Kelley Blue Book (KBB) for guidance, a reputable source in the automotive industry since 1926. Kelley Blue Book has been a powerful tool for buying or selling a used car. This website offers a way to look up the actual value of your next car based on make, model, color, mileage, and condition to ensure you are paying a fair price.
The Kelley Blue Book and its extensively used online platform stand as a highly trusted reference for automobile pricing, catering to buyers and sellers. Kelley evaluates diverse values for used and new vehicles, encompassing trade-in value, typical listing price, fair purchasing price for certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles, and private party transactions. Determining Blue Book values involves an analysis of real-world used car prices, industry dynamics, economic factors, and geographic influences.
Edmund's
For decades, Edmunds has played a pivotal role in facilitating car transactions aiding individuals in buying and selling vehicles. Edmund's offers consumers free access to expert car reviews and helps them discover the actual cost of the used vehicle they want to purchase. The website also enables you to search for used vehicles near you that match your requirements and preferences.
Edmunds offers a streamlined approach to car buying and selling, leveraging support from its parent company, CarMax. You will appreciate the extensive selection of vehicles available for purchase.
CarFax
Sometimes, purchasing a pre-owned vehicle comes with the worry of whether the car is in good condition or has been in an auto accident. Carfax specializes in providing vehicle history reports and collaborates with external dealerships to buy and sell used vehicles. CarFax offers a way to help you discover all the inner details about your next car purchased before signing on the dotted line. CarFax costs $39.99 per report, but the cost is worth the expense to ensure you buy a vehicle with a clean accident history.
CarMax
CarMax stands out as a leading choice for car selling, boasting a streamlined process and swift service. When looking for your next pre-owned vehicle, shop online at CarMax, where you can search and compare thousands of cars, sign up for price alerts, and explore customer reviews.
Overall, CarMax provides a positive buying experience and reasonable pricing compared to its major competitors. Customers are delighted with their experiences using CarMax to purchase their vehicles and rate CarMax's customer service as one of the best in the industry.
AutoTrader
Check out new and used cars, see detailed free vehicle reports, and read reviews on the vehicle you want to purchase online at AutoTrader. Autotrader is a comprehensive online platform designed to facilitate buying and selling new, certified, and used cars. Autotrader does not maintain a physical inventory nor owns the vehicles listed on its website. Instead, it functions as a virtual marketplace, enabling users to compare available vehicles within their geographic area efficiently.
When you identify a car you're interested in purchasing, Autotrader facilitates connecting you with the seller to set up arrangements such as test drives or purchases. The platform supports the exploration of new and used cars, and users can leverage its resources to assess a vehicle's value before making a transaction.
Cars.com
Cars.com is the largest nationwide database of new and used vehicles, offering consumers a place to check dealer profiles, compare prices, and shop for their next car online. With more than two million car listings from dealers nationwide, Cars.com is an excellent platform for buying a new vehicle.
Though Cars.com has millions of vehicles listed, it does not carry any physical inventory, so when you see a car you want to purchase, you will be connected to the dealership or seller to set up a time to look at the car, take it for a test drive and to finalize the purchase. Cars.com does not offer financing options, so before shopping for a vehicle, ensure you can pay in full or have secured financing from a third party.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the different online car-buying tools work?
The online car-buying tools work in various ways depending on the website, app, and company. Several digital platforms share insights into different vehicle histories, offering price comparisons and providing a tool to ensure you pay the right price for the make and model you are looking for. Additionally, some of the above platforms offer a way to check your current vehicle's trade-in value, read reviews, check financing options, and complete the purchase of your next car.
Can you research and compare vehicles online?
Several of the above-listed platforms offer a way to research more about pre-owned vehicles and provide a way to compare two cars side-by-side. Vehicle comparisons may include the following information:
- Vehicle specifications
- Reviews
- Ratings
- Price comparisons
- Incentives
- Rebates
What are the advantages of buying a car online?
Buying a vehicle online removes the stress of going to a dealership and interacting with a salesperson. It also takes away the fear of not being able to get comprehensive information about your vehicle and being able to compare it closely with other makes and models. Ultimately, buying a car online uses an unbiased and analytical approach by providing in-depth information to make you feel confident about your purchase.
What are some tips to help me purchase a car online?
Though shopping for a vehicle online may be more accessible, it can initially feel overwhelming, especially if you are trying to navigate a new website. Here are some tips to help ease the stress associated with the purchase of a new or used vehicle online:
- Use all the tools and resources available
- Learn more about the vehicle you want to purchase
- Learn more about the dealership where you plan to buy your car
- Read owner reviews
- Compare specifications, features, and prices
- Secure financing options before finalizing the sale
If you are in the market for a new or used vehicle, start your search using one of our top ten recommended platforms for buying a car. These sites offer various tools and services to help get you in the vehicle of your choice and provide peace of mind, knowing you paid the right price. Do not let the stress of buying a new car get to you. Let these websites help you with your search and give you valuable information before you purchase your new or used vehicle.
The responses below are not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any financial entity or advertiser. It is not the advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
