10 Best Sites to Buy and Sell Your Car Online
If you've ever spent an entire weekend car shopping, you know what a hassle it can be. Very few car buyers enjoy dealing with a pushy car salesperson or visiting five different dealerships before finding a car you like.
Fortunately, it's now possible to buy a new or used car entirely online. You can find your dream car, negotiate pricing, and work out the financing from the comfort of your own home. The 10 best car buying sites listed below will simplify the car buying process for you.
1. Carvana
Overview
Carvana is an online-only used car dealership that lets you purchase a new car from the comfort of your own home. You can browse through the company's online inventory, apply for financing, and even have the car delivered to your home.
To buy a car through Carvana, you need to have a minimum annual income of $10,000. The APR range is between 3.90% and 27.90%, depending on your creditworthiness. However, there is no minimum credit requirement and Carvana is willing to lend to borrowers with less-than-ideal credit.
Pros
- No minimum credit score to apply.
- All vehicles come with a seven-day "test own" period.
- Every car comes with a 100-day warranty.
- If you live in a local market, your vehicle will be delivered for free.
Cons
- Pricing is non-negotiable, though this could be an advantage if you hate negotiating.
- You can't test drive the car before buying it.
- If you're trading in your car, you'll have to deliver it to one of Carvana's local markets.
Check out our full review of Carvana
2. Vroom
Overview
Vroom is another platform that lets you buy or sell a car completely online. You can browse through thousands of different vehicles on Vroom's website. Once you find something you like, you can look through photos, see a list of features, and even read through the CarFax vehicle history report.
Once you buy a car on Vroom, you have a seven-day return window. And the company provides a 90-day warranty as well as a year of free roadside assistance.
Pros
- Vroom makes sure that every car it sells passes multiple inspections.
- You can finance the sale on the company's website.
- Once you purchase the car, you can try it out for seven days.
- The car comes with a 90-day warranty and 24/7 roadside assistance.
Cons
- Vroom charges a $499 delivery fee.
- The company doesn't have the same robust selection as other online car buying sites.
3. CarGurus
Overview
CarGurus offers both new and used vehicles on their website. You can search for cars by model, body style, and price. And you can even specify whether you want to see local options first.
Every vehicle comes with a summary, and the website even tells you whether the listing price is a good deal or not. This information can be helpful if you're not interested in checking the Kelley Blue Book value on every car you look at.
Pros
- If a car you like is priced high, you can sign up for email alerts and the company will let you know if the price drops.
- The website enables you to see if you're getting a good deal on price or not.
- You can find both new and used cars on the website.
Cons
- You'll have to pay to see the full report for the vehicle.
- The site will post sponsored vehicles at the top of every search.
4. Facebook Marketplace
Overview
Is there anything you can't do on Facebook? In addition to selling old baby clothes and household items, Facebook Marketplace sellers can also list a car. In recent years, Facebook has become a more popular option for buying and selling used cars online.
The biggest advantage of Facebook Marketplace is buying a car from private sellers. You'll have to do your due diligence, but it's a more personalized experience than using Craigslist.
Pros
- You can see exactly who you're buying a car from.
- It can be easier to avoid scams than sites like Craiglist.
- You can negotiate the price with the seller.
Cons
- You'll have to do your homework and make sure it's a good deal.
- Your options will be more limited than sites like Carvana.
5. CarsDirect
Overview
CarsDirect helps you find the best deal on new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles. Like other online car buying sites, you can quickly browse through the available cars by model, make, and price.
Once you find several cars you like, you can set up a side-by-side comparison. This information can help you determine which car is right for you.
Pros
- The website provides detailed information about each car.
- On the company's home page, they feature some of the best auto deals of the month.
- CarsDirect provides a wealth of information about the car buying process.
Cons
- The website won't necessarily show results from local dealers.
Check out our full review of CarsDirect
6. TrueCar
Overview
TrueCar allows you to shop both new and used vehicles. You can also trade-in your current vehicle for a new car if you prefer. You can search by the model, price, or mileage.
TrueCar also shows you what other people have paid for the car you're considering, and whether the price is above or below market value. This information helps you know whether you're getting a good deal.
Pros
- Transparent pricing.
- You can trade-in your current vehicle.
- Browse through both new and used cars.
Cons
- You'll have to pay to view the Carfax report.
- The car buying process is not entirely online — once you're matched with a car, you'll have to finish the process with the dealer.
7. Craigslist
Overview
If you're looking for a peer-to-peer car buying site, Craigslist is probably the best-known option available. Sellers can post their vehicles on the site, and you can browse through thousands of local options.
However, you may find some of the information lacking in comparison to what other websites provide. And Craigslist doesn't vet any of the cars listed on their site, so you'll have to do your homework and make sure you're not getting scammed.
Pros
- A peer-to-peer auto buying option.
- You can browse through thousands of used cars for sale.
- If you're knowledgeable about cars, you could find a good deal.
Cons
- Craigslist doesn't vet any of the vehicles.
- Unlike Facebook Messenger, you have no idea who you're buying from.
- If you aren't knowledgeable about cars, you could get taken advantage of.
8. Bring A Trailer
Overview
Are you looking to purchase a vintage car or motorcycle? Then Bring A Trailer might be a good option for you. The website operates as an online auction space for rare and classic cars.
Sellers submit their vehicles to be posted on the company's website. Bring a Trailer vets every single car that is posted online. And then buyers can bid on the car they are hoping to purchase.
The auction lasts for seven days before closing. Once it's over, you'll finalize the sale of the car with the seller, not Bring A Trailer.
Pros
- A good place to find rare and vintage cars.
- Every car is vetted thoroughly.
- Not all cars are accepted for auction, so you know that you only see the best options.
Cons
- There are no buy now pricing options.
- Car prices are often high, so it's not ideal for bargain shoppers.
9. Authority Auto
Overview
Are you looking to buy a car from a dealership, but hate negotiating on price? Then Authority Auto could be a great option for you. You simply let the company know what you want, and they consult with multiple dealerships to find you the best deal on a new car.
Authority Auto will allow you to be as hands-off as you would like. The company will review the final contract and even deliver the car to your home once the deal is finalized.
Pros
- A simple, hands-off way to buy a car online.
- The company doesn't take commissions from car dealers, so the process is unbiased.
- Authority Auto will find the right car for you, which will save you a lot of time.
Cons
- Any money you save on the vehicle purchase will likely be paid to Authority Auto in commissions.
10. AutoTempest
Overview
Instead of browsing through 10 different auto websites looking for the best deal, why not try AutoTempest? The site pulls listing from major auto sites, including Carvana, CarsDirect, AutoTrader, and more.
AutoTempest provides tons of different options when it comes to car buying. You can find local options, new cars, used cars, and choose whether you want to buy from a dealership or an individual.
Pros
- A one-stop shop for car listings.
- Each search result provides detailed information about the vehicle.
- You'll receive a free guide on negotiating the price.
Cons
- The site pulls from a bunch of different sites, so there's no consistent standard for the information provided.
Meet the author
Jamie Johnson is a freelance writer who has been featured in publications like InvestorPlace and GOBankingRates. She writes about various personal finance topics including student loans, credit cards, investing, building credit, and more.
10 Best Sites to Buy and Sell Your Car Online
Source: https://www.crediful.com/car-buying-sites/