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Buying a car can be one of the most exciting moments in your life. Whether you're picking up your first set of wheels with Mom and Dad, or replacing your old reliable with something new-to-you, buying a car is exciting. But it's also expensive. That's why many people decide to start by looking at used cars rather than something fresh off the lot.
The options open up significantly when you start looking at used cars (and some of them are even better than new ones). Looking for something low-cost but with modern safety features? Finding a low-mileage used car is a perfect way to score a deal. Looking for a classic car that isn't manufactured anymore? The used car market is where you want to start. No matter what you're looking for, you can find millions of used cars out there that fit the bill, and they'll come out much cheaper than buying something new from the dealership.
Thursday, February 13th
If you have ever planned a vacation using TripAdvisor and found it useful, consider trying CarGurus to get your next car. Founded by the same person as TripAdvisor in 2006, CarGurus has grown into one of the most visited online car marketplaces in the US. The site uses detailed analytics to provide insights into a car's value, rating it from "overpriced" to "great deal" and everything in between. CarGurus is also a valuable resource for information. The Research tab offers Test Drive Reviews, Price Trends, Tips & Advice, and General Information on topics like choosing between certified pre-owned and used vehicles or understanding used car warranties.
Jump right into browsing
Getting started on CarGurus allows you to search by make and model or show all vehicles in your zip code area; however, you can't filter by features or price ranges right away. These options become available after selecting a make/model or entering your zip code. Compared to other sites, CarGurus might seem basic at first. On the other hand, once you reach the main search window, you can refine your search by color, features, dealer rating, NHTSA Overall Safety Rating, price, distance, drivetrain, transmission, fuel economy, safety rating, and more. There is also a payment estimator tool to help you search only for cars in your price range.
22,619 used vehicles in inventory
CarGurus has a solid inventory of used vehicles. In our local area (and within 50 miles), there were 22,619 different used vehicles listed. To break that down among different body styles, there were 5,927 sedan styles, 10,547 crossovers, 3,621 trucks, and 1,077 coupes (two doors). Most of the vehicles were sold by dealerships with only 181 private sellers for used cars in our area.
Detailed and transparent listings
CarGurus provides clear and detailed listings. Each one shows which dealership is selling the car, how long it has been listed, how many people have saved it, any price changes, and a price analysis comparing it to similar vehicles. You can also view numerous photos, look up the VIN, review the features, and get an idea of available financing options. Each listing also includes a helpful payment calculator tool where you can enter your planned down payment amount and your current estimated credit score to see how much you'll likely spend per month on different payment terms. This transparency helps you make informed decisions about your potential purchase.
Prices from $500
At CarGurus, we found used cars between $500 to $3,250,000. The cheapest car ended up being a Kia Amati from 2004, while the most expensive was a 2022 Lamborghini Aventador. To give you an idea of how prices compare across sites, we looked at the same four cars at every auto seller: the basic sedan (Toyota Corolla), a crossover (Nissan Rogue), an electric vehicle (Tesla Model 3), and a luxury/sport vehicle (Jaguar F-Type). Here's what we found at CarGurus:
Contact with dealers is simple
Once you locate the car you want on CarGurus, contacting the dealership is straightforward. There's a form on the right side of the listing page where you can tell the dealership how you want to proceed, with options like "I'd like to know your best price" or "I'd like to test drive this". You can also engage in an online chat with the dealer if you want a more direct connection. Some cars are eligible for delivery, indicated by a small truck icon on their listings. For information on refund policies, you'll need to reach out to the dealership directly.
Different reviews for different dealerships
CarGurus holds an "A+" accreditation from the BBB, with almost no complaints in the last year. The few concerned reviews left for this provider relate more to listing vehicles than buying cars. Reviewers who were shopping typically reported positively on CarGurus. Trustpilot reviewers give CarGurus an average rating of 3.9 stars. However, your purchasing experience largely hinges on the dealership. Many buyers have purchased five or more cars through CarGurus and appreciate the entire process. Conversely, some have voiced dissatisfaction, citing dealerships' failure to honor CarGurus' pricing or provide accurate details.
Massive inventory wins the day
CarGurus provides an extensive range of listings, simplifying the process of locating cars and contacting dealerships. The pricing insights provide clarity on negotiation potential. Despite some mixed feedback, its option for at-home delivery makes it a reliable choice, especially if you prefer a wide selection of used cars to explore. Because of these factors, CarGurus receives a top-notch 5-star rating and holds our #1 spot among websites for researching and purchasing used cars.
Edmunds has earned trust in the automotive world for over fifty years, offering a wide array of resources to help you pick the right used car. You can access video test drives, detailed reviews, and vehicle comparisons. Their editorial team drives around half a million miles each year to provide honest evaluations of many vehicles on their site. Plus, Edmunds focuses more on selling used cars than new ones, so you can be sure that the company specializes in what you're shopping for and they have a massive inventory to back it up.
Start browsing right away
Begin your search on the site by entering the make or model in the search bar at the top, or by selecting the Used tab. If you have flexibility regarding the make and model, use the By Type or By Price options to stay within your budget or preferred body style. You can also just browse Edmunds' entire inventory if you just enter your zip code. Once you start browsing, you can further narrow down the listings by factors like price rating, body style, drivetrain, number of cylinders, and more. And trust us, with this many cars on sale, you're going to want to find some ways to narrow the field.
Over 100,000 used cars listed
Edmunds focuses mainly on used car inventory, offering a larger selection of pre-owned vehicles compared to anyone else in our review. Edmunds had 114,273 used cars available within a 50-mile radius of our location. This included 28,047 sedans, 57,652 SUVs and crossovers, 11,618 trucks, and 3,509 coupes. You can also find home delivery available for 93,187 of these listings.
Edmunds helps you get the best price
When you select a vehicle listing near you on Edmunds, the site directs you to a page that has all essential details in an easy-to-navigate scroll format. Edmunds recommends requesting a quote to obtain the dealer's best out-the-door price, since many dealers can't advertise their lowest prices online. To aid you in negotiations, Edmunds provides helpful tools like tracking how long a car has been listed and noting any price adjustments. This gives you the necessary information to make a well-informed decision. The listings also show information like crash reports, maintenance history, and how many previous owners the car has had.
Prices from $1,999
The prices are highly competitive at Edmunds, with some very low-price options. You can expect the costs to range from $1,999 to $638,788. The lowest-priced car is a 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and the highest-priced car is a 2024 Rolls-Royce Cullinan. We also looked at our example cars - the Toyota Corolla, the Nissan Rogue, the Tesla Model 3, and the Jaguar F-Type - to see how prices at Edmunds compare to other sites.
Policies are dictated by the dealerships
Edmunds lacks its own delivery or return policies, as these are set by the individual dealerships. If you want to know about these policies, you'll need to contact the dealership of the car you're interested in. It would be nice if Edmunds had standardized policies, but this approach is common among many companies we've reviewed. You'll need to directly engage with dealerships to get specific details about returns and deliveries.
Solid reputation with the BBB
Edmunds has an excellent reputation, with an "A+" rating and accreditation from the BBB. While you can trust their service, it's important to review the individual dealerships as well. Since most of the policies at Edmunds are determined by the dealerships at the time of sale, you'll want to do a little reputation research on the dealership you're buying from, especially for customer service aspects such as returns and test drives that are managed by the dealerships.
The most cars available on one site
Edmunds has improved its user interface since the last review which has definitely brought up its score significantly. That plus, the mind-boggling amount of cars for sale on Edmunds makes it a highly competitive service. While it doesn't have as many in-house delivery or test drive features as our top option, you can get those things from the dealership, Edmunds just isn't as much of a middleman. For this reason, it earns a high rating, and if you want the largest selection out there, check out Edmunds.
Headquartered in Chicago, Cars is a service that works to provide essential information and listings to simplify the car-buying process. The site has a nationwide inventory of over a million cars and adds thousands daily. Few platforms match its level of service. Established in 1998, Cars supports you in a rapidly changing market. You gain direct access to dealerships and OEMs with innovative technical solutions for used cars. In 2018, Cars acquired Dealer Inspire, a technology company dedicated to streamlining and integrating digital platforms to improve the online buying process.
Start searching your way
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 the site. 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. If you're not sure what kind of car you're looking for, don't sweat. You can also just search your general area to see what results you get on Cars. 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.
19,219 used vehicles available
Cars has a competitive selection of used vehicles to explore. During our review, within a 50-mile radius, the site showed 19,219 models available. Many of these cars can be shipped directly to your home. The inventory included 4,471 sedans, 9,389 crossovers, 2,837 trucks, and 6756 coupes (two-doors). With such a wide range of options, finding a car that meets your needs is straightforward.
Great transparency on listings
Cars' listings are very transparent, often showcasing photos, VINs, feature lists, dealership reviews, payment calculators, and direct links to the dealer's site. However, the amount of detail can vary by dealer; some listings might be missing a price or only have one photo. You can filter results to only show cars with full photo sets, avoiding placeholder listings. Cars also offers you a helpful "Deal Gauge" that indicates how competitively priced a vehicle is for the current market. Plus, you can easily find links to contact the dealer or visit their website for further details on each vehicle listing.
Prices from $4,998
The range of used car prices runs from $4,998 to $419,999. This range is noticeably smaller than some competitors who have cars priced under $1K and well over $3M. The cheapest car was a Toyota Yaris from 2004 and the most expensive was a Lamborghini Huracan STO from 2023. However, finding the more expensive cars requires you to actually search for the make and model. Plus, there are some annoying ads for cars at the top of results that may not fit your exact search parameters. These will be marked with a green border or say "sponsored” on them, and you have to scroll past them to get to the real results. Just using the pricing filters may leave out many of the high-end makes and models.
Price comparison
Now, for our price comparison with popular cars: we looked at the same four cars at every auto seller (a Toyota Corolla for a basic sedan, the Nissan Rogue to cover a good crossover, a Tesla Model 3 for electric cars, and a Jaguar F-Type for luxury/sport enthusiasts). Here's what we found at Cars:
Delivery, returns, and test drives offered
Cars provides delivery for many vehicles, and you can filter your search to include only those cars that will be shipped directly to your home. Some dealerships also offer at-home test drives upon request, though you must contact the dealership directly to start negotiations and get specific details. Many dealerships have return policies if test driving the car isn't possible, but these policies are set by the dealerships themselves, not by Cars.
Most customers like their experience
Customers appreciate Cars, giving it an average rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 across most review sites. The Better Business Bureau also gives Cars its highest "A+” rating and accreditation. Customers often praise the time and effort-saving tools that Cars offers on its site to help them find suitable vehicles. However, there are occasional complaints about customer service being inadequate at Cars. Resolving issues directly with the company can be challenging, and most customers need to deal with the dealership directly if problems with a purchase arise. Nonetheless, the majority of used car shoppers appear satisfied with their overall experience.
A great source for average-priced cars
Whether you're beginning your research or prepared to make a purchase, Cars proves to be a valuable resource. You can find vehicles from dealerships in your vicinity and in other states. However, there are certain inventory constraints and a slightly lower selection than competitors. Despite frequent updates to its inventory, Cars doesn't always feature all the options available from other sites, such as more affordable vehicles or top-tier luxury cars. As a result, Cars lands slightly lower in the rankings, but still achieves a solid rating overall in our evaluation.
True Car began as an online automotive marketplace in 2005. Many people use it to purchase both new and used cars, and the site also supports various purchasing services from major companies such as American Express, Navy Federal Credit Union, and Sam's Club. One of the top benefits of True Car is its usefulness for research. The site provides numerous tools, including reviews, rankings, and loan/lease calculators, to help you determine your preferences when buying a used car. It is a fantastic resource for gathering all the necessary information.
A quiz to help you shop
True Car provides a helpful quiz for buyers who are unsure where to begin. By clicking the "Let Us Help" button, you can answer several key questions that quickly narrow down your vehicle options. The quiz asks about your must-haves, how you plan to use the car, your favorite brands, and preferred body styles. If you prefer a more traditional browsing method, you can select a make or model and explore True Car's inventory. If you end up wanting to browse everything, you still need to start by choosing a make and model, and then you can deselect those filters once you see the inventory.
Over 12,000 vehicles available
There are 12,000+ listings for used cars available at True Car within 50 miles of our location. This is a slightly lower local inventory than other competitors, though you can look at vehicles further away or even in different states to widen your options. Across different models, we found True Car had 3,169 sedans, 6,202 crossovers, 1,642 trucks, and 441 coupes. However, it was unclear whether any of these were available for home delivery.
Prices from $2,500
The prices on True Car range from $2,500 to $84,785. This price range is noticeably smaller than those offered by other sites. The cheapest car is a 2007 Honda Odyssey and the most expensive is a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. We also checked the True Car pieces on the vehicles we've been researching at each site: the Toyota Corolla, the Nissan Rogue, the Tesla Model 3, and the Jaguar F-Type. Here's what we found:
When you're browsing the listings, make sure you don't get surprised by the sponsored vehicles, which appear at the top of the list. This doesn't happen with every search, but the Nissan Rogue, for example, had multiple sponsored vehicle listings during our research.
Delivery details and returns are dealership policies
According to the blogs and posts on True Car's website, return policies and at-home delivery are managed by the individual dealerships. True Car only helps with the purchase process. To find out all the details about these policies and whether you'll have a test drive period, you'll need to reach out to the dealership directly.
Some problems with purchases going through
True Car was once our #1 recommendation for purchasing new and used cars. The company still maintains an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, with fewer than twelve complaints in the past year. However, recent customer feedback has been less favorable. Approximately 25% of reviewers rate True Car as average, poor, or bad. Frequent issues include dealers not honoring True Car prices and cars becoming unavailable between making an appointment and arriving at the dealership. Some buyers have called their experience with True Car a waste of time or even a scam.
Great to use as a research tool
Starting your used car search with True Car is a risk-free way to gather information. The site's research tools can help you make decisions. Think of it as browsing a dealership website, but with all makes and models in one spot for easy comparison. However, you might not always get a guaranteed price, and the car you want might not be available when you visit the dealership.
Driveway is a fresh platform providing a convenient buy-from-home experience for purchasing a used car. Although its primary focus is on selling used cars, the site also offers new vehicles for those who want them. When buying from Driveway, you receive the same manufacturer warranties that you would get from other sellers, covering aspects like the drivetrain and bumper-to-bumper. One of Driveway's prime selling points is that it offers a 7-day or 400-mile return policy so that you won't be stuck with a car that fails to meet your expectations after your online purchase.
Quick browsing and clean UI
Begin your search for a used car by entering the make, model, and year in the designated boxes on the right side of the landing page. This will take you to the relevant listings filled with valuable information, including pricing, safety details, and essential stats like MPG and MSRP. To obtain a price quote, simply click the red "Get a Dealer Quote" button and enter your ZIP code. If you have specific preferences, you can also narrow down your choices by body style and color. This allows you to find a car that matches your desired appearance.
Over 23,000 cars in used inventory
Despite being a newer site for online car shopping, Driveway has an impressive number of used cars in its inventory. There were over 23,606 used cars to choose from within 50 miles of our target location at the time of our review. In terms of specific cars, there's plenty to pick from. We found 5,713 sedans, 12,861 crossovers, 3,228 trucks, and 622 coupes (two-doors).
Fully transparent listings
Driveway provides easy access to comprehensive information about each vehicle. On the listings, you can browse through photos, check the VIN, explore features, and use financing calculators to make well-informed decisions. Listings display the asking price, compare it to current MSRPs, and offer a quick overview of car details like colors and drivetrain. Driveway also includes features from various trim levels. You can also select options for extra warranty or protection coverage if you want to add extra security to your purchase.
Prices from $5,712
The prices at Driveway are competitive but start a little higher than some truly budget options. The prices range from $5,712 to $610,888. The cheapest car is a Mazda 3 and the most expensive is a McLaren 765 LT from 2022. On top of that, we researched our four example cars, the Toyota Corolla, the Nissan Rogue, the Tesla Model 3, and the Jaguar F-Type, to see how prices compare to other sites. Here's what we found:
Convenience and additional savings
Driveway provides a range of convenient features for car buyers. If you need to trade in your old car, you can add the trade-in to your purchase effortlessly, and Driveway will arrange for home pick-up. Driveway also offers rebates and incentives that are automatically included in the pricing. During the checkout process, you may find additional options like military and first responder discounts that you can add on for further savings.
Return within 7 days or 400 miles
When you see a car you like on Driveway, you'll want to act fast to keep the vehicle from selling to someone else. Thankfully, Driveway offers you some secure ways to do that. To hold the vehicle, you can pay a $500 refundable deposit. This deposit is charged to your credit card and applied towards your purchase if you go through with buying the car. If you cancel the order or secure a loan with no down payment, the deposit is refunded. On top of that, once you buy a car, you have 7 days or 400 miles (whichever comes first) to test drive it and return it hassle-free if it doesn't meet your expectations.
Mixed feedback from reviewers
It all seems impressive at first glance, right? It did to us too, until we checked the Better Business Bureau. Driveway might be a newer platform, but its parent company, Lithia Motors Inc., has been around for a while. The BBB gives Lithia a "D-" rating due to 175 complaints in the last year. However, customer opinions on Driveway are more balanced, with a 3.8-star average rating on Trustpilot. Sellers on Driveway are quite satisfied with the service, while buyers have reported problems with license tags and undisclosed car issues or damages.
Mid-tier service overall
While Driveway offers convenience, its drawbacks and negative reviews are concerning. No one wants to receive a used car with unexpected damage. However, with an impressive inventory and security measures for returns, customers might still find their dream car from Driveway. But considering the mixed reviews, Driveway earns a rating only slightly above average.
Carmax is a well-known used car retailer in the United States. The company operates in two main areas: Carmax Sales Operations and Carmax Auto Finance. Originally a side business of Circuit City, Carmax opened its first location in Richmond, Virginia, in September 1993. Known for introducing "no-haggle" prices, which made car buying and selling a straightforward and stress-free experience, the company is a favorite among many online shoppers. The company offers several key features, including 24-hour test drives, home delivery, and express pickup to make your online car buying experience even simpler.
Impressive shopping options and filters
To get started shopping for cars, you've got a couple of different options. If you know what you're looking for, you can start by using the search bar on the landing page to look up your ideal car. If you want a more general starting point, you can begin by selecting a body style, a brand, a price, or your lifestyle needs. And, if you still can't decide, you can click "Shop all cars” to see Carmax's entire inventory. From here, you can narrow your search using filters like body style, price, year, mileage, fuel type, car size, colors, and more.
Only 1,388 vehicles nearby
When we searched, the number of cars in inventory was pretty disappointing. In a 50-mile radius of our local area, Carmax showed only 1,388 cars in total. This is thousands of cars fewer than other sites in our review. We tried setting our Carmax store to different locations and got similar results. However, as Carmax operates as its own type of "dealership”, you are missing out on inventory sold by regular dealerships around your area. This is completely different from most competitors we reviewed who offer inventory from multiple dealerships rather than just one company.
Carmax rates the cars for you
Carmax makes up for its low inventory with its extremely detailed product pages. You get an overview as well as a full suite of photos including 360-degree views of the exterior and interior of each car. You then get a lowdown on the car's specs. Carmax offers a scoring system for how "well equipped” a car is. For example, a Mazda Miata we looked at had a "5” score, which was a middle-ground score out of 10. This Miata was labeled "well equipped” and noted to have a few extra features compared to a base model.
Prices from $10,000+
At Carmax, you can find used cars priced between $10,998 to $74,998. The least expensive option is a 2014 Ford Focus, while the most expensive is a 2024 BMW X5. To understand how Carmax's prices compare to other sites, we examined the pricing of four specific cars: a standard sedan (Toyota Corolla), a crossover SUV (Nissan Rogue), an electric vehicle (Tesla Model 3), and a luxury sports car (Jaguar F-Type). Here's how Carmax's prices stack up against those at Carmax.
Free home delivery
Carmax stands out from the pack by offering free test drive reservations, free pickup, and free home delivery options for their vehicles. Some Carmax locations prefer that you test drive at the sale location, while others allow for 24-hour test drives at home to really get to know the car. In general, the free delivery is the most exciting feature, and it will help keep costs down if you can find a car at Carmax.
Not a favorite with customers
Currently, Carmax holds an "A+” from the Better Business Bureau, but that's where the good news ends. According to Carmax's page on the BBB, it has received well over 2,000 complaints in the last three years. On top of that, the company's reputation isn't great off the BBB either. Customers on Trustpilot rated Carmax an average of 1.8 stars out of 5 and Consumer Affairs showed a similar average of 1.7 stars. Customers left a range of complaints including issues with cars after purchase, undisclosed accidents on vehicles, customers finding the company "invasive” and hard to work with, and difficulties reaching customer service across the board.
Room for improvement
Carmax has some impressive features, such as free delivery and easy in-person access to their cars. However, they also struggle with a number of issues: they don't have a high enough inventory, and customers report a less-than-satisfying experience. Overall we give Carmax a less-than-average rating in our review.
Autotrader is a popular automotive website with vehicles from dealers and private sellers. It offers buying and selling tips to help you find a car that fits your lifestyle. Autotrader features over 3 million vehicle listings from 40,000 dealers and 250,000 private owners. If you are looking for a used car, you can expect a range of listings from small pre-owned car lots, your neighbor down the street, and dealerships across your area.
Search by model or by cost
When starting on Autotrader, you can decide whether you want to browse all of the inventory in your area or get started by searching for a particular make and model. You'll find listings that compare cars by body type, mileage, price, and other criteria. You can also start your search based on your monthly budget. This way, Autotrader will only show you cars that will cost you a payment of $250 per month, for example, rather than more expensive options. The site also has a calculator tool so you can figure out the trade-in value of your current car and your desired down payment. This will also change the cars shown in your search, as your intended down payment would affect your monthly price.
20,000+ used vehicles for sale
Within 50 miles of our sample area, Autotrader had 20,000+ used vehicles in its inventory. Here's how this shakes out for different body styles: there were 4,711 sedan styles, 9,689 crossovers, 3,435 trucks, and 825 coupes (two doors). More than 13,000 of the vehicles on Autotrader offered at-home test drives and all of the 20,000+ models we saw offered local home delivery.
Incredibly detailed and transparent
When you start browsing, you can filter cars by local radius, year range, make, model, trim level, drivetrain, body style, fuel economy, color, transmission, and more. On each listing page, Autotrader provides detailed research and comparison tools such as reviews, photos, and walk-around videos. You can find vehicle pricing with seller specials and dealer discounts, safety information, and vehicle history reports. The site also offers assistance with finance, insurance, and warranty programs if you need those services. Each listing displays the estimated car payment at the top, so you don't waste time on cars outside your budget.
Prices as low as $500
The prices will fluctuate when you're car shopping for sure, but we found used cars between $500 to $3,250,000. So, whether you're looking for a used Kia Amati from 2004 or a 2022 Lamborghini Aventador, there's something on Autotrader for you. To give you an idea of prices across different auto sites, we picked four cars to check pricing (and relative mileage) at every auto seller: a basic sedan (the Toyota Corolla), a crossover (the Nissan Rogue), an electric vehicle (the Tesla Model 3), and a luxury/sport vehicle (the Jaguar F-Type). Here are the price ranges at Autotrader:
Test drive and home-delivery
When purchasing a car online, having peace of mind is crucial because you can't physically inspect it beforehand. Autotrader provides in-home delivery (from local dealerships) and at-home test drives for specific models, though the exact terms are set by the dealership. For instance, the test-drive opportunity typically spans a brief period (usually a few days), allowing you to drive the car before committing fully. Some dealerships offer warranties or return periods to give you an out if you're not satisfied with the purchase. Delivery fees may vary, either as a flat rate or per mile, so it's best to reach out to the dealer directly for precise shipping costs.
Customers are frustrated with buying process
Despite recent improvements to its inventory and features, Autotrader's reputation has declined. It currently holds an "NR" rating from the Better Business Bureau and receives poor ratings on third-party review sites. For instance, at Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs, Autotrader averages only 1.6 stars and 1 star, respectively. While negative reviews predominantly come from customers attempting to sell cars on Autotrader, there are some reviews from buyers, and they often express frustrations at additional fees and issues like delayed delivery of plates and registration after purchasing a car.
Fun browsing, but a bad reputation
Autotrader makes the car-buying process easier by eliminating unnecessary steps, allowing you to search for desired vehicles and see their availability nearby. However, due to its recent decline in reputation, we still hesitate to recommend Autotrader over other used car sites with better reputations. It is still a useful resource for starting your research and estimating monthly payments for a used car, but overall they could do a better job with used car shopping.
Carvana is a well-known name in the online car-buying world, standing out with its 100% digital approach. You can shop for used cars online without dealing with salespeople, commissions, or pressure. After purchasing, you have the option to pick up your car at a Carvana "vending machine" or have it delivered directly to your home. Every car listed on Carvana undergoes a 150-point inspection. The inspection results are transparent, showing what was repaired or replaced and noting any cosmetic issues. Each vehicle also comes with a CarFax history report, providing a detailed look at the car's past.
Great filters and impressive features
The Carvana website is user-friendly. You can start by searching for your desired make and model or using keywords. There are also filters to narrow your choices by payment options, price range, body style, and more. After narrowing your search, you can sort the results by price, mileage, vehicle age, or alphabetically by make and model. As an added feature, once you pick out a car you love, Carvana allows you to place a $100 pre-order hold on a vehicle undergoing inspection before it's listed for sale. This hold is refundable if you change your mind. This feature can be useful if you want to reserve a car that isn't yet available.
23,000+ vehicles in stock
In our area, there were 23,906 different vehicles available at the time of our review. This included options in a 50-mile radius of our location. When we break that down by body style, here are some of the numbers for different types of cars: 6,182 sedans, 11,665 crossovers, 2,586 trucks, and 1,015 coupes. Notably, Carvana has the second highest number of vehicles in inventory of any company in our review.
Tons of valuable information on each listing
When you dive into the listings, it's clear that Carvana was a site designed to offer a totally online and simplified experience. You'll be able to see a full array of photos on each listing, and extra notices like "recently listed” or alerts for open recalls on the vehicles. Carvana will also show specific photos and marks for "imperfections” on the vehicle, so when you receive it nothing is a surprise. The key information for vehicles is listed with cute icons that make it simple and easy to see at a glance, including MPG, drivetrain, color options, engine, transmission type, fuel, and how the vehicle was previously used. You'll also have access to CarFax reports and access reviews from previous owners to see what others thought of the specific car you're looking at.
Prices from $14,195
The prices at Carvana are higher than most at the starting point. They range from $9,990 to $99,990. On the lower end, you can find a 2010 MINI Hardtop, while on the higher end, you'll find the Lexus LC from 2024. Noticeably, Carvana is missing some of the high-end makes and models available on other sites. So, despite Carvana's huge inventory, if you're looking for a Lamborghini or a Ferrari, you'll need to browse elsewhere.
Price comparison
To compare regular car pricing, we examined four vehicles to see how their prices and mileage stacked up between Carvana and other platforms. The cars we checked included a Toyota Corolla, a Nissan Rogue, a Tesla Model 3, and a Jaguar F-Type. Here are the results of our comparison:
1-2 day delivery on some vehicles
One feature we appreciate is the clear delivery timeline for each vehicle. For example, a car we liked was available for delivery within one to two business days if we completed the purchase within a few hours. Carvana can be a good option if you need a car quickly, unlike some competitors that might take up to 14 days or more. In some areas, delivery is free, but even within those zones, delivery costs can reach up to $590, depending on the distance and the car you choose.
Returns within 7 days
After purchasing, you have a 7-day "test own" period. If the car doesn't meet your expectations, you can return it for a refund or exchange it up to three times for another vehicle. Every Carvana car comes with a 100-day/4,189-mile limited warranty, and you can add extra protection or warranties during the checkout process to further protect your vehicle and your purchase.
Multiple class-action lawsuits for Carvana
Feedback on Carvana is divided. On sites like Trustpilot, the average rating is 4.3 stars out of 5. Positive comments highlight the seamless process, timely delivery, and vehicle condition. Many customers who have both bought and sold cars through Carvana are very satisfied. The Better Business Bureau, however, tells a completely different story. The company used to hold an "A-” rating and has slid down to an "F” rating in the past few years. Currently, class-action lawsuits are pending with Carvana in at least three different US states for "business and marketplace misconduct”. Yikes! Considering the concerns that it raises, Carvana falls pretty low on our list of recommended sites for buying used cars.
Too many concerns to be competitive
While Carvana's site and sales would make it stand out in any other circumstance, the concerning information from the BBB keeps it from doing so. For this reason, Carvana is a below-average site for buying your used car. Despite its high inventory, Carvana is also missing out on the supercar market and many customers might feel the prices are too high compared to other sites.
When you see the name Web2Carz, you might picture a website with an old-school internet design. And you'd be right. This site feels like a relic from the early days of the web. But don't let that fool you - Web2Carz is packed with up-to-date information on almost every used car you can think of. It's an excellent resource for getting well-informed before buying a car, but if you're looking for a sleek, modern design (usually the hallmarks of a trustworthy website), this one might not meet your expectations.
Used cars are visible to everyone
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' helpful car reviews and blog posts to learn more about the cars you're interested in and the process of buying cars online. We were pleasantly surprised to find that whileWeb2Carz doesn't offer listings for new cars unless you're a site member, which requires putting in a lot of personal information including name, email, and phone number, you can easily browse to your heart's content if you're looking at used cars.
Limited browsing ability
Since the site is outdated, the functionality is a bit behind the times. Web2Carz doesn't allow you to search its entire inventory. Instead, you have to search only by car, so there's no way to know how many used vehicles are available in your area at any given time. Every search has to include a car's make and model, which limits your browsing ability by a certain amount.
Prices from $8,900
Since prices on Web2Carz can only be viewed after you select a particular make and model, we couldn't find a total price range across True Car's inventory. So, instead, we based our price range on the specific models that we've looked at across different sites including the Toyota Corolla, the Nissan Rogue, the Tesla Model 3, and the Jaguar F-Type. Here's what the data showed:
Solid score from the BBB
While there are a range of complaints from customers looking to buy new cars due to the "fill out the form” approach at Web2Carz for seeing inventory, the news isn't all bad. On the positive side, Web2Carz excels in providing detailed car reviews. This thoroughness likely contributes to its "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. However, there are no customer reviews on the BBB to confirm this. While Web2Carz is not a scam, its frustrating setup and old-school browsing put it behind more user-friendly competitors.
Doesn't stack up against competition
In the end, Web2Carz falls short as a reliable used car-buying site. Based on what we saw in the price comparison, the site has a pretty small inventory of used cars. It does offer valuable information for selecting a make and model, but you may need another site to complete your purchase. Since many customers report difficulty in reaching Web2Carz, the site earns a lower rating in our review.
Established in 1998, Cars Direct is among the first websites dedicated to shopping for both new and used vehicles. It's a great place to conduct research on various makes and models to make well-informed purchasing decisions. Cars Direct claims to have assisted millions of car shoppers over the past two decades. The company has received industry awards, including being named one of the "50 Best'' websites globally by Time Magazine, recognized as a "Top 100 Classic Website" by PC Magazine, and identified as a "Top Site for Buying or Selling Anything" by PC World. However, some serious drawbacks are at odds with these awards.
Some limitations when browsing
When you begin using the Cars Direct website, you'll find extensive information available. Enter the make and model you're interested in, and you'll immediately see the car's current-year overview. Alternatively, you can start your search by browsing styles and prices, or determining your desired monthly payment. The only downside is that you must select a starting point to begin browsing. Without choosing a body style or price range, you won't be able to view any cars. Once you reach the browsing window, you can add filters like fuel type or engine type to expand your search. However, the filtering options at Cars Direct are more limited compared to other used car sites we examined.
13,676 used cars
The inventory for Cars Direct is competitive with the selection found on other websites. For used cars, there were 13,676 results available within 50 miles of our location, and many of these are the same options found at competitors. At Cars Direct, we found 3,464 sedans, 6,085 crossovers, 1,848 trucks, and 529 coupes (two-doors).
Customers report scam calls after using
Given that Cars Direct is operated by Internet Brands and iMatrix, both known for internet marketing expertise, it's a little concerning that the site isn't easier to browse. The listings themselves often resemble articles about cars rather than quick-reference buying guides, which can make browsing on Cars Direct more time-consuming. Instead of focusing on its user-friendliness, Cars Direct shows a lack of concern for customers. Numerous customers have reported receiving excessive spam calls and emails from automotive businesses and unrelated companies such as security system providers and warehouse clubs after using the Cars Direct site.
Prices start at $500
The prices at Cars Direct are competitive overall. The prices range from $500 to $699,895. At the low end, you'll find a Kia Amati from 2004. But at the high-end, you'll find some pretty exciting cars. The most expensive is a 2023 Ferrari SF90 Stradale. However, Cars Direct is missing some of the top-end makes and models on the used market that we saw from other sites.
Price comparison
For our regular car pricing comparison, we looked at four vehicles to see how the pricing (with relevant mileage) compared between Cars Direct and other sites. We looked at a Toyota Corolla, a Nissan Rogue, a Tesla Model 3, and a Jaguar F-Type. Here's what we found:
Return and refund policies are unclear
Finding information about delivery and return policies on Cars Direct is challenging. Unlike most sites where these policies are determined by individual dealerships, Cars Direct doesn't clearly indicate if each dealership is handling these matters or if there is no protection for buyers at all. As of this review, there were no readily available policies through Cars Direct regarding returns or delivery, which knocked them down in the ratings significantly.
Poor quality vehicles and reports of scams
Given the challenges faced when shopping at Cars Direct, it's not surprising that the company has received an unfortunate "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau. In addition, according to Trustpilot, Cars Direct averages only 1.2 stars out of 5 in reviews. Customers have expressed frustration over purchasing poor-quality cars with no options for returns. One customer reported that a car bought through Cars Direct had the Check Engine light on since day one, with no support provided. There are also complaints about receiving scam emails and frequent, bothersome communications from Cars Direct, rather than helpful information about cars that match customers' preferences.
Choose a seller with a better reputation
When purchasing used cars, simplicity and convenience are key, but Cars Direct falls short on both fronts. Although you can discover useful details to narrow down your car options, when it comes time to buy, choosing a service with a better reputation is advisable. Given the concerns raised by reviewers about their purchases and the presence of scam emails, it would be wise to avoid sharing your personal information on the Cars Direct website.
Used car shopping can be as frustrating as new car shopping if you have to go in person. Haggling for prices and trying to talk with dealership salespeople can easily turn your excitement into frustration. But with online auto sales, you can dodge all the unpleasantness of dealership sales tactics and shop for used cars from the comfort of your own home. Plus, you won't lose out on opportunities to try out the vehicle, as most places allow a test drive period when you select something. You can fully research your vehicle online, and most retailers allow you to have the car delivered directly to your home. Today's used car buying process is completely different from what it was even ten years ago.
Getting your next used car through online services is a breeze. You can browse through different makes, models, colors, and years. Like the look of the Ford Mustang before the 2020 update? Check out used vehicles online. Online auto sale platforms give detailed information about each car, such as safety ratings, features, detailed photos of the interior and exterior, and prices (with monthly payment or lease calculator tools). For safety and mechanical features, you can see details and trim levels with advanced driver assistance systems, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane assist. By browsing the inventory of many dealerships and sellers, finding a top-level model is much easier than shopping locally.
One of the biggest advantages of buying a used car online is access to a wider array of options than shopping in person. Most online auto trading sites have a larger inventory from dealerships across the country, allowing you to find the exact model and color you want, depending on how far you want to go to get your dream car.
With so many places to buy used cars, it might be hard to know where to start. Don't worry - we've put together this list of factors to consider when looking for a used car online, to make sure you get the best deal and experience:
To help you find your next used car, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best online car shopping options available today. Whether you need a new family car, a vehicle for towing, a first-time car for a college student, or the dream classic car you've been saving for, we hope our research will help you save time in the car-buying process and connect you with a vehicle you'll love to drive.
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