Where Can You Find the Best Used Cars? 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.
Good
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.
Continued from above...
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.
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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