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It's pretty much universally agreed that the "New Car” smell is one of the best feelings in the world. Getting into your dealership-clean car with brand-new features makes you feel like a little kid all over again. That's why buying a new car is one of the most exciting times in your life. But we're all also familiar with the dealership process. Haggling for prices and feeling pressured by overzealous salespeople can easily turn your excitement into frustration.
With online auto sales, gone are the days of heading blindly over to the nearest dealership, hoping to find something you'll like, and being largely at the mercy of the salesperson who greets you at the door. Now, you can do extensive research online before ever setting foot on the lot - and that's assuming you're not having the vehicle delivered directly to your home. Today's new car-buying experience is totally different from what it was even ten years ago.
Friday, February 14th
If you've ever planned a vacation using TripAdvisor and found it helpful, you should check out CarGurus: both sites were co-founded by the same person. Since starting in 2006, CarGurus has become one of the most visited online automotive marketplaces in the US. The site uses detailed analytics to provide insights into a car's value, ranking it from "overpriced" to "great deal" and everything in between. Plus, CarGurus is worth visiting just for the information it offers. Under the Research tab, you can find Test Drive Reviews, Price Trends, Tips & Advice, and General Information on topics like choosing between certified pre-owned and new vehicles or understanding new car warranties.
Only basic search tools at the start
Before you visit CarGurus, it's a good idea to know what you're looking for. The site initially lets you search only by make and model or by showing all the vehicles in your zip code area. You won't be able to filter by features or price ranges at the start. These options appear after you've selected a make or entered your zip code. Given that other sites offer a lot more methods for searching at the get-go, CarGurus might come across as a little bare-bones when you first get started. After you get to the main search window, you can narrow down the choices by color, features, dealer rating, or the NHTSA Overall Safety Rating, along with filters like price, distance from you, drivetrain, transmission, fuel economy, safety rating, and more.
32,000+ new vehicles in inventory
Despite its bare-bones appearance at the start, CarGurus has an impressive inventory of new vehicles. In our local area, there were over 32,000 different new vehicles listed on CarGurus. Across different models, we saw 4,949 sedan styles, 17,890 crossovers, 7,803 trucks, and 768 coupes (two doors).
Payment calculator on each listing
CarGurus is clear and straightforward in its listings. You'll see which dealership is selling the car, how long it's been listed, how many people have saved it, any price changes, and a price analysis comparing it to similar vehicles. You can also view many photos, look up the VIN, check out the features, and get a preview of available financing. Each listing also offers a payment calculator tool where you can enter your planned down payment amount and your current estimated credit score and see how much you'll likely spend per month on different payment terms.
Prices from $14,165
At CarGurus, we found new cars between $14,165 to $373,850. The cheapest car ended up being a Mitsubishi Mirage while the most expensive was a luxury Mercedes-Benz G AMD. To give you an idea of prices between sites we looked at the same three cars at every auto seller: the basic sedan (Toyota Corolla), a crossover (Nissan Rogue), and an electric vehicle (Tesla Model 3). Here's what we found at CarGurus:
Some cars can be delivered
Once you find the car you want on CarGurus, reaching out to the dealership is easy. There's a fill-in-the-blank form on the right side of the page, with options such as "I'd like to know your best price" or "I'd like to test drive this". You can also join an online chat with the dealer, and direct contact information is provided. CarGurus makes it simple to connect without forcing you to use their system. Some cars are available for delivery, but you have to check the listings to make sure. There will be a little truck icon on cars you can have delivered to your home. For refund policies, you'll have to contact the dealership directly.
Some mixed feelings about dealerships
CarGurus is accredited and has an "A+" rating from the BBB, with only a few complaints in the past year. Most issues seem to arise when owners sell their vehicles on the site, but buyers generally have positive experiences. According to reviewers on Trustpilot, the average rating for CarGurus is 3.9 stars. However, your buying experience will largely depend on the dealership. Many customers have bought 5+ cars from CarGurus and love the process from start to finish. On the other hand, some customers complained that dealers didn't honor the CarGurus price or provide enough accurate information.
Massive inventory makes it our top pick
CarGurus offers more listings than many other platforms, making it easy to see where cars are located and how to contact dealerships. The pricing insights help you understand how much room you have to negotiate. While there is a little mixed feedback, with at-home delivery it is a solid option, especially if you want lots of new cars to browse. For this reason, it earns a 5-star rating and our #1 spot among sites for researching and buying new cars.
Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book has been a well-known name in the auto industry. Today, the KBB website continues this tradition by offering trusted values and innovative resources to help you research, price, and shop for the car you want. It provides a Fair Purchase Price tool to show what others have paid for new or used cars, and a 5-Year Cost to Own tool to compare cars based on real costs like fuel, maintenance, and depreciation. It's kind of like the Better Business Bureau of the car world, serving as a way to see value and quality in new and used vehicles on the market. On top of offering car backgrounds and pricing out vehicles, KBB also sells new and used models.
Get started quick with helpful filters
To get started buying new cars on KBB, you just need to use the top navigation bar and click on the "Cars for Sale” tab. Then, you'll be taken to KBB's entire inventory where you can browse or start filtering down to the car you want. Some of the filters include mileage, body style, fuel economy, fuel type, color, transmission cylinders, features, and payment. You can limit your options to those that won't exceed your maximum ideal monthly payment too, so you don't have to worry about loving a car and then being blindsided by the loan costs later.
28,000+ new vehicles
KBB has an impressive selection with 28,000+ new vehicles in its current inventory. All of those models include long-distance delivery, which is an impressive feature. Most of KBB's competitors only offer local delivery. 4,496 of these cars were sedans, 15,950 were SUV/crossovers, 6,214 were trucks, and there were 613 coupes (2 doors).
Calculate your payment details on the listing page
KBB provides clear and straightforward listings, showing which dealership is selling the car, how long it's been listed, the important details about the car and its trim level, any price changes, and a price analysis comparing it to similar vehicles. You can view photos, look up the VIN, check out the features, and preview available financing. Each listing also includes a payment calculator tool where you can enter your planned down payment amount and estimated credit score to see likely monthly payments on different terms.
Prices from $14,195
The pricing at KBB is highly competitive, offering some of the lowest prices in the industry for similar cars. The prices range from $14,195 to $367,820. The cheapest car is the Mitsubishi Mirage and the most expensive is the Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG. You can also find some other high-end vehicles on the KBB market including a new Aston Martin DB-12 (James Bond, anyone?) and a couple of 2024 McLaren Arturas if you want to check out some supercar eye-candy. We also priced out the three cars we checked at each site to show the changes in price across competitors. We looked at the Toyota Corolla, the Nissan Rogue, and the Tesla Model 3. Here's what we found:
Long distance delivery
KBB stands out from the competition by offering long-distance delivery for the vehicles in its inventory. The shipping fees for this service will vary depending on what car you get, what dealership you go through, and how far away you are from the location, but this does open up your options significantly if you want to shop for cars outside your local zip code.
Returns are based on dealership policies
There are no return policies specifically facilitated by KBB. So, you'll want to check in with the dealership you end up ordering from to talk about test-drive periods and return policies for your chosen vehicle, especially if you're planning to have it shipped to you long distance.
Customers seem confused about KBB's function
At the moment, KBB has a "D-” rating from the Better Business Bureau due to a range of complaints in the past year. However, they are primarily put forward by sellers rather than those buying cars through the KBB platform. Complaints usually range around the KBB pricing system where you can look up the estimated price of your car or the "value” on KBB. But, as KBB is clear that this estimate does not count as an offer or promise of value, the customers' complaints about getting less than KBB's value during a trade-in or sale are more confusing than concerning. For the buying portion of KBB, we struggled to find any reviews related to that, indicating that selling cars is still a newer service for KBB to gauge as of yet.
Top option for long-distance delivery
At the end of the day, the high inventory and low prices make KBB a perfect place to shop for your new car. With long-distance shipping (that we didn't see offered anywhere else) KBB stands out from the pack. While it currently has a lower-than-average rating from the BBB, this is mostly due to customers complaining about the valuation of used cars. With all things considered, KBB is an excellent source to go to in your search for a new car.
Based in Chicago, Cars works hard to give you the information and listings you need, featuring millions of cars with thousands more added daily. Few platforms offer the same level of service. Founded in 1998, Cars offers support in a swiftly evolving market. You have direct access to dealerships and OEMs with inventive technical solutions for your new car. In 2018, Cars acquired Dealer Inspire, a forward-thinking technology company developing solutions aimed at an expedited car buying process and integrated digital platforms for selling and servicing more vehicles.
Find your car by name or search popular styles
If you know the make and model you're after, getting started on Cars is a breeze. Just use the search menu in the middle of the page when you land on Cars. You can also set preferences for distance, maximum price, and location. For more specific needs, the "advanced search" lets you filter by mileage, color, and other criteria. Once you get your results, you can sort them by price, mileage, or other features. You can also filter by specific features or tech specs you're interested in. Cars provides a wealth of research materials, including expert reviews on the latest models with categories like "popular EVs” and other ways to start your search.
24,000+ new vehicles available
There are plenty of new vehicles to choose from with Cars' inventory. At the time of our review (and within 50 miles of our location) Cars offered 24,000+ different models to choose from. Most of these cars are also available to be shipped directly to your home. When we checked out different models, we found 4,431 sedans, 16,157 crossovers, 6,000 trucks, and 602 coupes (two-doors).
Some details may depend on the dealership
Cars' listings are detailed, often including photos, VIN, feature lists, dealership reviews, payment calculators, and direct links to the dealer's website. However, the level of detail can vary depending on the dealer; some listings might lack a price or only have one photo. You can opt to only see cars that have full photos, which will keep you from seeing placeholder listings. Thankfully, Cars provides as much information as possible, including a "Deal Gauge" to show how competitively-priced a vehicle is, and easy links to contact the dealer or visit their website for more information.
Prices from $26,000
The range of new car prices runs from $26,000 to $77,531. This range is noticeably smaller than some competitors who have cars priced under $20K and well over $300K. If you're looking for major luxury (like a beautiful Bentley Continental, you lucky duck) you may need to shop for your new car elsewhere. The same goes for those of you looking for a super budget-friendly ride. There were no Mitsubishi Mirages at Cars. The cheapest car available was a Tesla Model 3, and the high end was held by a good old American muscle car: a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. Now, for our price comparison with popular cars: we looked at the same three cars at every auto seller (a Toyota Corolla for a basic sedan, the Nissan Rogue to cover families who need a good crossover, and a Tesla Model 3 for electric car enthusiasts). Here's what we found at Cars:
Delivery, returns, and test drives are decided by the dealer
Cars does offer delivery for many of its cars. You can filter only for cars that include delivery, making it easier to shop. Some dealerships also offer at-home test drives at your request, but you do need to contact the dealership directly to begin the negotiation process and get those details. Many dealerships also offer return policies if you can't test drive the car, but the parameters are determined by the dealerships rather than Cars itself.
Most customers are happy with their cars
Customers love Cars, with most giving it a 3.5-star average. The Better Business Bureau also rates Cars highly, giving it their highest "A+” rating and accreditation. User reviews frequently praise how much time and effort they save by using the tools on Cars to find vehicles that meet their needs. However, there are a handful of complaints about poor customer service at Cars. When things go wrong, it's hard to get help from the company directly. On the other hand, most new car shoppers seem pleased with their overall experience.
Great option for mid-priced cars
Whether you're just starting your research or ready to buy, Cars is an excellent resource. You'll appreciate how it covers most dealerships in your area and offers vehicles beyond your local zip code, making it easy to connect with the right vehicle quickly. However, there are some inventory limitations. While inventory can change out frequently, Cars is missing some of the options offered by other retailers like lower-cost vehicles or high-end luxury cars. For this reason, Cars slides down the rankings just a bit, but still earns a strong rating in our review.
Auto Tempest offers a comprehensive car search by aggregating listings from major used car sites like eBay, Cars.com, True Car, Carvana, Hemmings, and Cars & Bids. It combines millions of listings from dealers and private sellers into a single search. For sites without partnerships, it provides comparison links where all results are covered. Auto Tempest aims to save time and help find your ideal car with extensive search filters for attributes like fuel type and interior color. Since 2008, Auto Tempest has remained reliable, providing millions of listings from various sources, all in one place with extensive sorting options.
Build and price your dream car
To get started searching for cars, you just have to put in a make to start browsing. If you're familiar with True Car, which is one of the sites Auto Tempest pulls from, the new car listings are very similar. You'll be guided to a page where you can choose to see a "standard model” of your chosen make and model or choose to build and price your car like you would when shopping at a dealership. Unfortunately, unlike True Car, you can't freely browse the inventory on Auto Tempest; you can only build out the prices for specific vehicles, which can be limiting for customers who prefer to search through more options. There is a standard browsing page if you choose to buy used cars, though.
Only view the car you build
Since you can't browse long scrolling lists of new cars, you're a little limited on how much of the inventory you can see at one time. However, you can see a range of incentives in your area for particular vehicles. For one search, we found incentives like $1,000 off your purchase price if you work for the AMA in any capacity or a loyalty bonus of $3,500. The terms and conditions of the offers are included on the page when you're building out your car, which is super helpful. Once you're done building out your car, you'll see some basic inventory near you that matches the car you designed. If you want to see more options, you can make an account that just asks for an email and password.
Important details at a glance
On the listing pages, Auto Tempest provides research and comparison tools like photos, vehicle pricing with seller specials and dealer discounts, safety information, vehicle history reports, and help with finance, insurance, and warranty programs. Listings also display estimated car payments at the top, to avoid wasting time on cars outside your budget. You can also see important features of the car and details about the gas mileage and drivetrain.
Prices depend on what you build
The prices for new cars depend on how you build out your dream car. Since the Mitsubishi Mirage was regularly the most budget-friendly car, we looked that up on Auto Tempest and found prices for their inventory starting at $16,496 (with the Mirage as the lowest cost option). To show you how the pricing works, we'll take our three example cars and look at the base model price and the top trim price. Here's what we found for the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Rogue, and Tesla Model 3:
Delivery and returns managed by dealerships
In terms of things like delivery and returns, Auto Tempest leaves that up to the dealerships. Since you can't search for cars directly, not being able to narrow your results by those that can be shipped to your home doesn't impact your shopping much on Auto Tempest. And if you want extra answers about those policies, you'll be reaching out to the dealerships anyway if you want to buy a car that matches your build.
Too new to have much buzz
At the time of this review, neither Auto Tempest nor its parent company Tempest Systems Inc. has a page on the Better Business Bureau. The company is simply too new at this point to have much presence online. This is the same for reviews. The only reviews we could find were the 3.6-star average rating found on the mobile app version of Auto Tempest. Customers love the easy browsing in particular, but we wish there was more buzz about the buying process. Hopefully, Auto Tempest can continue to grow in the future.
See cars from every website
At the end of the day, what Auto Tempest is trying to do is incredibly impressive. It's collecting all of the databases of different car sales places and putting them all in one place at your fingertips. Using similar technology to True Car to allow you to build your ideal car and search for similar models in your area, you can find the perfect match for the car you've always wanted. While it doesn't have a great system for just free browsing for new cars yet, we hope Auto Tempest will add that feature in the future. For now, it earns a solid rating as a place where you can look through one of the largest collective databases of cars online today.
Edmunds has been a trusted name in the automotive industry for over fifty years. They provide an extensive range of resources to help you choose the right new car, including video test drives, detailed reviews, and comparisons. Their editorial team drives about half a million miles annually to deliver honest evaluations of various vehicles. However, Edmunds admits that it's designed to sell used cars more often than new, so you may find a slightly more limited inventory here than at other competitors.
Helpful filters and easy browsing
You can start your search by entering the make or model in the search bar at the top of their site, or by clicking on the New tab. You can also use the By Type or By Price options if you're flexible on makes/models within your budget or preferred body style. Enter your zip code to see the specifics for new cars in your area. Once you've started browsing, you can narrow the listings by price rating, body style, drivetrain, number of cylinders, and more.
12,448 new vehicles
Edmunds specializes in used inventory, so you'll see a lot more cars on that side of the site than the new cars. However, there is still a decent variety. Edmunds had 12,448 different new cars available at the time of our review. This was within a 50-mile radius of our zip code. 2,245 of these cars were sedans, 6,350 were SUVs/crossovers, 2,404 were trucks, and there were 257 coupes (2 doors). 6,224 of the listings were available for home delivery.
Let Edmunds help you negotiate
When you click on a nearby vehicle listing, Edmunds takes you to a page with all the basics in an at-a-glance style scroll. Edmunds advises using their quote request to get the dealer's best out-the-door price, as many dealers can't post their lowest prices online. Edmunds also offers tools to assist with negotiations, such as tracking how long a car has been listed and any price changes.
Prices from $14,165
The prices are highly competitive at Edmunds, including all the low-end prices you might want for budget-friendly car buying. The prices range from $14,165 to $373,850. The lowest-priced car is a Mitsubishi Mirage, and the highest-priced car is a Mercedes-Benz G-Class. We also looked at our example cars - the Toyota Corolla, the Nissan Rogue, and the Tesla Model 3 - to see how prices at Edmunds compare to other sites. Here's what we found:
Delivery and returns based on individual dealerships
Edmunds doesn't have its own delivery or return policies. These are determined by the dealerships directly. If you're interested in these policies, you'll have to reach out to the dealership for the car you want to buy. We do wish that Edmunds had some kind of policy, but this is standard at many companies in our review.
Solid reputation with the BBB
Edmunds has a strong reputation, evidenced by their "A+" rating and accreditation from the BBB. You can trust their service, but you may want to check out the individual dealerships too since that's where most of the customer service-related items like returns or test drives will be based.
A good place to browse low-cost cars
The good news is that Edmunds has done some work to make its UI more streamlined than the last time we reviewed its services. However, with a lower-than-average inventory, it doesn't quite sit on par with higher-ranked competitors. While Edmunds is excellent for research and price quotes, and it has competitive prices, it falls behind just a bit in inventory. For this reason, it earns a higher-than-average score of 3.5, but not a higher spot on our roster of new car websites.
In 2005, True Car launched as an online automotive marketplace. People use this site to buy new and used cars, and it supports many well-known buying services offered by companies like American Express, Navy Federal Credit Union, and Sam's Club. One of the best ways to use True Car is for research. The platform offers a variety of tools, from reviews and rankings to loan and lease calculators, to help you figure out what you want when buying new cars. It's an excellent resource to get all the information you need.
Pick your ideal car or let True Car help
True Car offers a quiz for buyers who just aren't sure where to start. You can click on the "Let Us Help” button to answer a few key questions that will narrow down your vehicle options quickly. The quiz will ask about your must-haves, how you plan to use your car, your favorite car brands, and your favorite body styles. If you'd rather browse the traditional way, you can select a make or model and start looking through True Car's inventory. In most cases, you'll end up on a page that displays the average dealer offer for the car. Here's where True Car can be a bit tricky. To "see offers on local inventory," you'll need to create a free account and confirm it via email. If you want to check out the normal listings page, you'll have to do so from the top navigation bar.
Competitive inventory
There are 18,000+ listings for new cars available at True Car within 50 miles of our test area. Across different models, we found 2,451 sedans, 10,584 crossovers, 4,074 trucks, and 224 coupes. It was, however, unclear whether any of these were available for home delivery.
Prices from $19,460
The prices on True Car range from $19,460 to $263,665. The cheapest car is a Mitsubishi Mirage while the most expensive is a Mercedes-Benz S-Class Maybach. We also priced out the cars we've been researching at each site: the Toyota Corolla, the Nissan Rogue, and the Tesla Model 3. Here's what we found:
Delivery and refunds determined by dealership
Based on the blogs and posts we found on True Car's website, things like return policies and at-home delivery are left up to each dealership. True Car just facilitates the purchase. To get full details about these policies and whether or not you'll have a period to test drive your car, you'll need to contact the dealership directly.
Dealerships don't always honor True Car prices
True Car used to be our top choice for buying cars, both new and used. The company still holds an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, with fewer than a dozen complaints in the past year. However, recent feedback from customers has been more negative. About 25% of reviewers rate True Car as average, poor, or bad. Common complaints include dealers not honoring True Car pricing and cars becoming unavailable between setting an appointment and arriving at the dealership. Some buyers describe their experience with True Car as a waste of time or even a scam.
Great research tool, but not reliable for final prices
Using True Car to start your new car-buying process is risk-free. The research tools are useful and can help you decide what to buy. Basically, it's like shopping on a dealership website, but all the makes and models are in one place, so it's easy to compare. And if you're willing to create an account, you can learn more about the cars available near you. However, you can't always rely on this platform to show you a guaranteed price for a car that will still be on the lot when you go to see it.
Driveway is one of the newest platforms offering a buy-from-home option for getting a new car. While it focuses more on selling used cars, there are still plenty of new cars to choose from. When you buy a new car from Driveway, it comes with all the manufacturer warranties you'd get elsewhere (drivetrain, bumper-to-bumper). Driveway also offers a 7-day or 400-mile return policy, so you aren't stuck with a car that doesn't meet your expectations after buying it online.
Easy filters and clean browsing UI
To start your search for a new car, enter the make, model, and year in the provided boxes on the right-hand side of the page. This will lead you to a screen with a wealth of information, from pricing to safety details, as well as basic stats like MPG and MSRP. To get a price quote, click on the red "Get a Dealer Quote" button and enter your ZIP code. You can narrow down the options by body style and color too if you're going for a specific look.
Over 41,000 cars in new inventory
Despite being a newer site in the realm of buying cars online, Driveway has an impressive number of new cars in its inventory. There are over 41,000 new cars to choose from within 50 miles of our target location. In terms of specific cars, there's plenty to pick from. We found 7,078 sedans, 24,096 crossovers, 7,729 trucks, and 533 coupes (two doors).
Everything you need right on the listing page
Driveway makes it simple to access detailed information about each vehicle. From dozens of photos and the VIN to features and financing calculators, you'll find everything you need to make an informed decision. The listings will show you the asking price and compare it to current MSRPs as well as an at-a-glance style overview of car details (like colors and drivetrain) along with features from different trim levels. Driveway also goes the extra mile to include opportunities for additional warranty or protection coverage.
Prices from $17,986
The prices at Driveway are competitive and include both budget-friendly cars and luxury vehicles. The prices range from $17,986 to $329,950. The cheapest car is a Nissan Versa and the most expensive a Mercedes-Benz S Class. On top of that, we researched our three example cars, the Toyota Corolla, the Nissan Rogue, and the Tesla Model 3, to see how prices at Driveway compare to other sites. Here's what we found:
Shockingly, despite the high inventory, two of our three example cars weren't available. In fact, there were zero Toyotas or Teslas of any kind on Driveway. We're not sure why!
Impressive convenience features
Driveway offers several convenient features. Want to trade in your old car when buying a new one? You can easily add a trade-in to your new car purchase, and Driveway will even arrange for it to be picked up from your home. If you want to take advantage of rebates and incentives, many of these are included automatically in the pricing, and other options may appear during the checkout process, like military and first responder discounts.
Return within 7 days or 400 miles
With cars selling quickly these days, if you find a Driveway car you want, it's wise to act fast. Any vehicle they sell requires a $500 refundable deposit to hold it for you. This deposit is charged to your credit card and credited towards your purchase if you buy the car. If you cancel the order or get approved for a loan with $0 down, the deposit is refunded. However, putting down a deposit doesn't guarantee availability, and another buyer could buy the car before you finalize your purchase. Thankfully, if you do decide to buy a car, you have 7 days or 400 miles (whichever happens first) to test drive the car and return with no hassle if you don't like it.
Some issues for buyers
It all sounds pretty great so far, right? We thought so too, until we looked at buyer feedback. Driveway is relatively new, but its parent company Lithia Motors Inc. has been around for a bit. The BBB gives Lithia a "D-" rating for having 175 complaints in the past year. On the other hand, customers have a more middle-ground opinion of Driveway. On Trustpilot, the company shows a 3.8-star average rating. Customers who sell on Driveway are very happy with the service. However, those who bought complained about issues with license tags and undisclosed issues or damage to the car.
Doesn't quite hit the mark
Yes, Driveway can bring a new car right to your doorstep, but so can most local dealerships these days. What Driveway offers in convenience is overshadowed by its shortcomings and poor reviews. Who wants a new car with damage they weren't expecting? Plus, with some major makes and models missing from their 40,000+ car lineup, customers may struggle to find what they need despite the large inventory.
Autotrader is one of the most frequently visited automotive websites. You can expect to find vehicles from dealers and private sellers, plus buying and selling tips for picking a car that suits your lifestyle. Autotrader has over 3 million vehicle listings from 40,000 dealers and 250,000 private owners. However, if you are searching for a new car, most of the listings will be from well-known dealers in your vicinity.
Helpful payment-based search
When you first get started on Autotrader, the company helps you research and compare cars by body type, mileage, price, and other criteria, and offers Lifestyle Centers to find and compare vehicles that suit your needs. You can search by a specific make/model/year right off the bat or you can start browsing by body type and see what cars speak to your taste. You can also start your search by how much you're willing to spend on a car payment per month. This calculator tool includes a place to add how much your current car may trade in for and how much you want to put down, so that you can see the recommended cars in that payment range.
29,000+ new vehicles for sale
Within 50 miles of our sample area, Autotrader had 29,000+ new vehicles in its inventory. To break it down further, there were 4,317 sedan style, 16,486 crossovers, 6,234 trucks, and 622 coupes (two-doors). More than 19,000 of the vehicles on Autotrader offered at-home test drives, and around 25,000 of the vehicles offered local home delivery.
Impressive details for each listing
Once you get into the browsing area of the site, you can filter cars by local radius, minimum and maximum year, make, model, and trim level, drivetrain, body style, fuel economy, color, transmission, and more. On the listing's pages, Autotrader offers detailed research and comparison tools like reviews, photos, and videos, vehicle pricing with seller specials and dealer discounts, safety information and vehicle history reports, and assistance with finance, insurance, and warranty programs. The listings will also show you your estimated car payment right at the top, so you don't waste time on a car you can't afford.
Prices as low as $14,165
The prices will fluctuate when you're car shopping for sure, but we found new cars between $14,165 to $367,820. So, whether you're looking for a cute little Mitsubishi Mirage or a luxury Mercedes-Benz G AMD, there's something on Autotrader for you. To give you an idea of prices between sites, we picked three cars to check pricing at every auto seller: a basic sedan (the Toyota Corolla), a crossover (the Nissan Rogue), and an electric vehicle (the Tesla Model 3). Here's the pricing at Autotrader:
Home test drives and home delivery
When buying a car online, having peace of mind is crucial since you can't see it in person before purchasing. Autotrader offers in-home delivery (from local dealerships) and at-home test drives for certain models, but the actual terms will be determined by the dealership you purchase from. For example, the test-drive option is usually a short period of time (a few days in most cases) where you get to drive the car before you fully commit to buying. Other dealerships offer warranties or return windows to help you feel like you have an "out” if you don't like the car you bought sight unseen. Delivery fees can be a flat rate or a per-mile rate; however, you will have to contact the dealer for more details about shipping costs.
Customers have a lot of frustrations
Despite improving things like its inventory and features lately, Autotrader's reputation has taken a dive. Currently, Autotrader holds an "NR" rating from the Better Business Bureau. On top of that, its ratings with third-party review sites are pretty bad. For example, at Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs, Autotrader has a 1.6- and a 1-star average, respectively. Most of the negative reviews were from customers who were trying to sell cars on Autotrader. There are a few reviews for buying, but these cite frustrations with extra fees and things like plates and registration never being shipped after the car was bought.
Great for browsing, but a bad reputation
Autotrader simplifies the car-buying process by cutting out unnecessary steps. You can search for what you want and see where it's available near you. However, with its recent decline in reputation, we're a little leery about recommending Autotrader over new car sites that have a much better reputation. We still recommend Autotrader as a place to begin researching and seeing what you might expect to pay monthly for a new car, but overall it earns a lower rating in our review.
When you see the name Web2Carz, you probably have a mental picture of the style of site you're about to jump to. Well, you're probably right. This site comes across as an artifact of the early internet. However, even though the Web2Carz site might seem outdated at first glance, it is surprisingly rich in up-to-date details on nearly every new car you could think of. This site is a great resource for becoming well-informed in the car-buying process. However, if you're hoping for a dazzling new website, you're going to be disappointed.
Need your personal info to see cars
If you want to jump right into buying, you can select your make and model from a dropdown menu, add your zip code, and head on over to the form on the Web2Carz website. However, if you're looking for a bit more detail, you can wander through Web2Carz's helpful car reviews and blog posts to learn more about the cars you're interested in and the process of buying cars online. In general, though, we were disappointed that Web2Carz doesn't offer listings unless you're a site member, which requires putting in a lot of personal information including name, email, and phone number. Many customers won't be comfortable with that process.
Request for personal info feels unsafe
Since you have to sign up with a lot of personal details to see the cars on this site, there's no way to gauge the inventory unless you feel comfortable signing up with your name, email, and phone. However, with the age of the site and the vibes in general, this doesn't feel particularly safe.
No pricing transparency
There is also a total lack of pricing transparency if you don't sign up. Basically, the site isn't usable unless you feel comfortable creating a login with them. This extends to things like delivery policies and return policies which are determined by the dealerships and not handled by Web2Carz. In general, it feels like it's less hassle to go directly to the dealer rather than worry about the signup and personal information issues at Web2Carz.
The BBB stands behind Web2Carz
Generally, we don't prefer the "fill out a form and be contacted" approach because it often leads to numerous phone calls and emails. In this case, you might have the opposite problem: several recent Web2Carz customers reported that they never heard back after filling out the form. While this is better than getting bombarded with spam calls, it still doesn't help you in buying a new car. Web2Carz still deserves credit for being thorough with their car reviews. This thoroughness is likely why the Better Business Bureau gives them an "A+" rating and accreditation. However, there are no reviews on the BBB to back up this assumption. The only thing we are sure of is it's not a total scam, but it is a frustrating setup that puts it behind many competitors who are more transparent.
Not particularly useful for shopping
At the end of the day, Web2Carz just isn't useful as a new car-buying site. While Web2Carz can provide the information needed to choose a make and model as you go through the process of selecting your next new car, you'll likely need to use another site for the actual purchase, especially if you don't want to hand over your phone and email to a company before you can even see the inventory. Plus, customers say that it's hard to get a hold of Web2Carz, so even if you do sign up you may never hear back.
Cars Direct, established in 1998, is one of the original websites for shopping both new and used vehicles. Many people use this platform to research different makes and models to make informed decisions before purchasing. It takes pride in having pioneered online car shopping, and over the past twenty years, it has assisted millions of car shoppers. Cars Direct has garnered several industry accolades, including recognition as one of the "50 Best" websites globally by Time Magazine, a "Top 100 Classic Website" by PC Magazine, and a "Top Site for Buying or Selling Anything" by PC World.
A limited filtering system
When you start using the Cars Direct site, you'll notice the detailed information available. Enter the make and model you have in mind, and you'll be taken to the car's current-year overview. You can also start your browsing session by looking at style, price, or how much you're looking to pay monthly. The only drawback? You do have to narrow down somewhere to start browsing. You won't be able to see any cars unless you pick a body style or price range. Once you get to the browsing window, you can start adding filters like body style or fuel type to see more results. However, the filters are much more limited at Cars Direct than with some of the other new car sites we researched.
366 new cars
The inventory for Cars Direct is extremely small compared to the thousands found on other websites. For new cars, there were only 366 results available within 50 miles of our test location. But, we did see some unique finds like a Rolls Royce Cullinan. At Cars Direct we found 75 sedans, 54 crossovers, 33 trucks, and 40 coupes (two-doors). Bottom line? You may struggle to find competitive options at Cars Direct with so few cars to choose from.
Difficult browsing and some scam concerns
Considering that Cars Direct's parent companies (Internet Brands and iMatrix) are internet marketing specialists, it's not surprising that this platform struggles to connect customers with current vehicle listings. Unfortunately, they do excel at selling contact information. Many people have complained about being bombarded with spam phone calls and emails from car-related businesses and unrelated companies like security system firms and warehouse clubs. No, thank you. On top of that, the actual listings feel more like an article about the car rather than an at-a-glance buying guide, which can make it more time-consuming to try and browse on Cars Direct.
Prices starting at $17,015
The prices at Cars Direct are somewhat competitive despite missing many options in its inventory. The prices range from $17,015 to $608,348. At the low end, you'll find the Mitsubishi Mirage. But at the high-end, you'll find some pretty exciting cars. The most expensive is a Lamborghini Revuelto followed by a Rolls Royce and a Ferrari SF90. For our regular car pricing comparison we still looked at our average vehicles though: a Toyota Corolla, a Nissan Rogue, and a Tesla Model 3. Here's what we found:
Policies lack transparency
The policies for delivery and returns are impossible to find from Cars Direct. Most sites leave these policies up to the individual dealerships, but it's hard to even see which dealership is involved at Cars Direct. So, at the time of this review, there were no clear policies through Cars Direct that talked about returns or delivery.
Reputation for poor quality cars
It may not come as a surprise with the low inventory and shopping difficulties at Cars Direct that the company comes in with an abysmal "F” rating from the Better Business Bureau. On top of that, the average customer rating for Cars Direct is 1.2 stars out of 5 according to Trustpilot. Customers complain that the cars they bought were of poor quality and there's no recourse for returning them. One customer noted that the Check Engine light has been on the car bought from Cars Direct since day one and there's been no assistance. Customers also complain about scam emails and constant badgering from Cars Direct rather than helpful emails about cars related to customers' tastes.
Not worth the stress
Buying new cars should be straightforward and convenient, but Cars Direct is neither. While you can find decent information to help refine your car choices, you should use a higher-rated service when you're ready to purchase. Considering the issues reviewers have with their purchases as well as scam emails, we recommend against entering your personal information on the Cars Direct site.
Buying a new car is an exciting experience, and getting one through online services can make it even more enjoyable. Instead of spending hours at a dealership, you can browse through numerous makes and models from the comfort of your home. Online platforms provide detailed information about each car, including safety ratings, features, detailed photos of the interior and exterior, and prices (including monthly payment or lease calculator tools). This helps you make a well-informed decision without the pressure of a salesperson hovering over you. You can take your time, compare different options, and find your dream car.
One of the biggest advantages of buying a new car online is access to a wide range of options that may not be available at your local dealership. Online car-buying platforms often have a larger inventory from multiple local dealerships (or those in completely different states if you don't mind making the drive to pick it up or paying for transport), allowing you to find the exact model and color you want. Plus, many online services offer home delivery, so you can have your new car brought right to your doorstep. This convenience saves you time and effort, making the new car-buying process smooth and hassle-free.
Plus, purchasing a new car online can help you pick out the newest models (even those that are just released and harder to find on dealership lots). When it comes to safety and mechanical features, you can find details and trim levels that offer advanced driver assistance systems, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane assist. Since you're browsing the collective inventory of many dealerships and sellers, it's much easier to find that top-level model than it would be just shopping locally.
So, if you're ready to start the process of getting a new car, there are plenty of places to begin your journey. But if you don't know which site is best for you, don't worry. When looking for a new car online, here are several factors to consider to help you get the best deal and experience:
To help you in the search for your new set of wheels, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best options for online car shopping out there today. Whether you're looking for a new family vehicle, something to haul your trailer, a first-time car for a new college student, or that dream sports car you've been saving up for, we're sure that this information will save you time and get you connected with a vehicle you'll love to drive!
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