Buying a car is often a stressful and confusing process, with salespeople pressuring for the sale while you try to juggle sticker prices and discounts and upgrades in your head. Smartphones helped alleviate some of the stress of a visit to the car lot, as you can now quickly search and compare prices.
But what if you could skip the car lot altogether and buy a car online with the same ease as buying toilet paper or a new phone charger? It turns out the process is more similar than you may realize.
Online car-buying options
Skip the dealership and the used car lot and head to your web browser instead the next time you are interested in buying a car. Some of the biggest names in online retail have joined the space, including Amazon and eBay. If you’re a member, you may also find a good deal when car shopping at Costco.
Major car chains CarMax and AutoNation offer online storefronts and buying options. Many auto dealerships also have online sales desks where you can negotiate your deal by phone or email.
But the best of car buying today may not be from the big chains or dealerships, though they may be somewhat involved in the process at some point.
Dedicated car-buying websites
So far, we have looked at some traditional online retailers, auto dealerships and opportunities to save when buying through traditional channels. But there are even more online stores dedicated to car buying.
One noteworthy online car seller is Carvana, which makes it easy to buy a used car from anywhere in the U.S. You pay the price listed online and the car is delivered to your home. The service also offers financing if you need a loan.
Other competitors worth considering when shopping for a car online include Vroom and Shift.
AutoTempest is a unique tool when shopping for a car online. This site is an aggregator of used car listings from sites including eBay, TrueCar, Carvana, Hemmings, CarsDirect, and others. Think of it like Travelocity or Expedia for used cars.
Benefits of buying a car online
Buying a car online has many great benefits. The biggest benefit of online buying is access to reviews and better data on pricing. While the Kelly Blue Book is still useful for used cars, the internet gives us details down to the ZIP code for recent car sales.
If you buy online, you know you are getting the best price and have access to other’s opinions on the car. Just like the four and five-star ratings you look for when buying other products online, you can find similar ratings and reviews for cars.
This process can be completed in your pajamas from home without ever having to talk to a salesperson. That is a big benefit anyone can appreciate!
Drawbacks of buying a car online
While buying a car online has benefits in terms of pricing and reviews, the online purchase experience takes away one key aspect of buying a car that most of us hold dear: a test drive and the ability to touch, feel, and sit in a car before you buy.
Reading a list of details and specs is useful, but reading about a comfortable driver’s seat is different than sitting in it. Reading about how a sports car can hug tight turns is different from getting on the road and doing it yourself. Looking at pictures of the in-dash console is not the same as touching the buttons, knobs, and screen yourself.
This is the key downside to buying a car online. Of course, you can always go to a dealership and go for a test drive without buying the car from the dealership to get the best of both, but that means you have to get dressed and go talk to someone at the car lot. It’s not a purely online experience.
Is buying a car online right for you?
Buying a car is a personal experience with tens of thousands of dollars on the line. For such a big purchase, many buyers still shy away from making a purchase sight unseen. While you have great pictures, a warranty, and a name brand behind the purchase, cars still sometimes require that tangible, hands-on experience when buying.
However, if you already know which car you want, buying online is a great choice. If you know you want a specific make and model, you can hop on the web and find the best prices in a matter of minutes. You can easily save thousands of dollars buying online or using the internet for part of your buying experience. You could save enough to pay for years of fuel purchases.
With such a potential to save, it is foolish to buy a car without shopping around online. But ultimately, the choice of how to buy comes down to personal preference. So, do you want to buy online? The next time you are ready to buy a new car, you have several excellent car buying options.
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I’m not, and have never been, affiliated with any company selling cars. But I think using the term “sleazy used car salesman” is uncallled for. There are good and bad people in every profession. But there is no need to disrespect an entire class of employee, even if it makes your article more popular.