Monday, December 2nd
2024 New Car Buying Site Reviews
CarGurus
- Prices from $14,165 to $373,850
- 32,000+ new vehicles for sale
- Includes KBB ratings and CarFax
- Cars from dealerships
- Payment calculator on listings
- Delivery to your home for some models
- "A+” rating from the BBB
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:
- Toyota Corolla: $22,282 to $28,054
- Nissan Rogue: $26,876 to $43,750
- Tesla Model 3: $26,000
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.
More New Car Buying Site Reviews
The 10 Best New Car Buying Sites
Where Can You Find the Best New Cars?
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.
New Car Buying Site FAQ
Continued from above...
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:
- Resources. Look for websites that provide detailed information about each vehicle. This includes videos of test drives, comparisons between models, and articles to help you set a budget and choose the right car for your needs.
- Transparency. Choose platforms that offer detailed information about the car's location, dealer, and pricing history. It's important to know exactly where the car is coming from and who is selling it. Being able to contact the dealer directly is a plus.
- Reputation. Check customer reviews and ratings to see what others have experienced with the car-buying site. Look for feedback on the legitimacy of vehicle listings, customer service, and the overall buying process. The Better Business Bureau's rating can also be a useful indicator of the company's reliability.
- Cost. At the end of the day, cost is a pretty big factor. Which site offers the car at the trim level you want at the most competitive cost? Does the cost include features like home delivery?
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!
Compare New Car Buying Sites
Select any 2 New Car Buying Sites to compare them head to head
Trending New Car Buying News
Related New Car Buying Site Reviews
Since you're interested in New Car Buying Sites, here are some other reviews you might find interesting.
Newest Reviews
