Cars Direct Review: Used Car Sites

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:

• Toyota Corolla: $5,889 (2011 with 215,752 miles) - $27,478 (2024 with 10,414 miles)
• Nissan Rogue: $4,400 (2010 with 94,782 miles) - $40,991 (2021 with 7,345 miles)
• Tesla Model 3: $19,000 (2022 with 82,635 miles) - $38,990 (2021 with 11,199 miles)
• Jaguar F-Type:  $23,500 (2015 with 87,298 miles) - $65,988 (2022 with 26,248 miles)

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.

On the Cars Direct website