At-a-Glance: The following guide compares the top online car sellers. Find out what these platforms do and how to pick the best place for you. Plus, figure out your options for getting a car to you once you buy it!
Car buying, like almost everything else, can now be done entirely online. That means a lot of new benefits for consumers. For one, your selection has never been better, and you can conveniently browse all the country has to offer from your living room.
No more walking through car lots. No more talking with salespeople. Just searching, finding, and buying.
At least, that’s the idea.
With all the options, many people are not entirely sure of the best place to look for a car. There are plenty of car-buying platforms to pick from, but how do they compare to each other? And what’s the best way to buy a car when you are doing it online?
We’ve created this comprehensive guide to answer all your questions on where to buy a car online.
Top 11 Places to Buy a Car Online
Below, we’ve created a comparison chart to decide where to look for cars online.
| Site | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| CarMax |
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| Cars.com |
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| CarGurus |
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| Autotrader |
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| Carvana |
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| Edmunds |
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| AutoTempest |
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| Vroom |
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| eBay Motors |
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| Facebook Marketplace |
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| Craigslist |
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Most Convenient Place to Buy a Car Online
Carvana is probably the best choice for buying a car online if you want convenience above everything else.
They’ve done a lot to make the platform serve as a one-stop-shop. You can get financing in the app, trade in your vehicle, and buy directly from them. They even offer to pick up your trade-in and deliver your newly purchased car.
In many cities, you can even pick up your vehicle from car vending machines—you’ve probably seen them, they look like something out of science fiction. These make getting your car that much quicker and more convenient.
On top of all that, they have a decent warranty and a generous seven-day return window. That adds up to a hassle-free car-buying experience.
Online Car Seller with the Best Selection
If you want the best selection while searching for a car, AutoTempest is probably what you’re looking for. They bring together results from all kinds of sources—everything from private sellers on Craigslist and eBay to dealers on Autotrader and Cars.com. This gives you the best vantage point to compare prices, warranties, and more.
When buying on AutoTempest, don’t expect the smooth app design of a service like Vroom. But for everything it lacks in style, it makes up for in selection.
For many buyers, that’s the single best feature a platform can have.
Tips and Tricks for Buying a Car Online
Buying a car, whether in-person or online, is a major purchase. And so we gathered up tips and tricks to help you navigate it.
- Get Your Financing in Order First
Having a pre-approved loan in hand makes the entire process that much smoother. This is especially true if you are using an online car-buying platform that doesn’t offer financing or gets you in contact with private sellers. - Multiple Sites
Even when a platform allows you to compare deals, you can’t always be sure it’s giving you a good sense of the market. It’s better to use at least two or three popular sites to find a car online. That way, you can feel confident that you are getting a good price, enjoying benefits like inspection and strong warranties, and have the best financing options. - Make Sure You Get Inspections
If the platform doesn’t offer guaranteed inspections and you can’t inspect the car yourself, it’s best to look elsewhere. This can sometimes mean letting go of a sale that seems like a good deal—but buying a car without an inspection opens you up to major problems. - Negotiate Price
If you are using an online car buying platform that puts you in direct contact with the seller, make sure to negotiate on price. Many users actually enjoy options like CarMax where there is no price negotiation at all—greatly simplifying the process. But if its available, you can almost always get a better price. - Know Return and Warranty Policies
With so many options comes many shifting details, so you don’t want to assume your car purchase will have a return or warranty policy. Instead, make sure you fully understand the terms of these before buying. The return period should give you at least a five-day window, allowing you to drive the car and feel confident it’s a good fit. Warranty coverage should cover major components and systems at least. - Get Insurance Coverage Before You Finalize
You’ll need to insure the car before you finalize the purchase. Your current insurance provider can help you extend coverage. If you don’t have an insurance provider, it is easy to quickly secure coverage using your phone or computer.
Protect Yourself From Scams
There is a risk of running into a scammer, particularly with websites that connect you to private sellers (like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace). In fact, the fear of scammers leads many car buyers to avoid online shopping altogether.
But with the right mindset and a few pointers, you can enjoy the convenience and ease of online car buying while avoiding scams.
How? There are a few things to keep in mind to protect yourself from this:
- If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- If the seller insists that a deal needs to be made fast, it could be a scam. Creating a sense of urgency is a tactic to get people to be less careful than they otherwise would be.
- You should not have to wire or use bank-to-bank transfers to buy a car.
- If you are shopping from a local private seller, make sure they can supply information like the vehicle identification number (VIN). If they can’t provide it and refuse to meet in person, the ad is likely a scam.
- Getting a report of a vehicle’s history from a third-party service makes sure that you know everything about the car’s past.
- Only buy from reputable sellers, car selling platforms, or private sellers that allow you to test drive and search the car’s history.
- Car sellers do NOT need your personal information (including your social security number).
If you keep these tips in mind, you can avoid scams while still getting the full benefit of online car shopping!
Shipping a Car You Bought Online
The world of online car buying opens up the possibility of getting a car from a long distance away. That means a lot more options, but it also means you might need help actually getting the car to you once you buy it.
Convoy Car Shipping makes shipping a car to another state easy. Convoy can pick up your car from the seller and deliver it to your door.
Car shipping with Convoy has many benefits, including:
- No upfront payment
- An extensive network of nationwide auto carriers
- Full insurance coverage
- Tailored shipping options
When you buy a car in another state, make it easy by having the car delivered right to you from Convoy.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know the best places to buy a car online, as well as some pointers to stay safe, you can shop with confidence. It’s a new era in car buying, and you’re about to join the millions of satisfied owners who found their perfect vehicle online.
Once you’ve purchased your new car, reach out to Convoy for a free quote to ship your car fast.
Where to Buy a Car Online FAQ
Should I buy a car online?
Many car buyers are curious if it’s a good idea to buy a car online. The short answer is yes. Many platforms are available now, fitting just about any preferences you might have.
Why do people buy cars online?
Online car buying gives people a convenient way to shop, and it opens them up to many more options than they might have locally.
Shopping for a car in person can often be time-consuming, difficult, and sometimes uncomfortable. Driving to dealerships, talking with salespeople, and organizing meet-ups with private sellers can all be avoided when you go online to buy a car.
There are also regional factors that might make someone want to buy a car from another state. For instance, if you live in a northern area where salt is frequently used to keep the roads ice-free, most used cars in the area will have significant rust damage. Online car-buying platforms allow you to buy from faraway places without having to travel far distances to search for a vehicle.
Is it cheaper to buy a car online?
Not necessarily. Online car buying gives you a greater selection, which can sometimes mean finding a better deal. But on the other hand, some cars are still not listed online.
Can I get financing to buy a car online?
When you buy online, you can definitely get auto financing. In some cases, you’ll end up buying from a traditional dealer or private seller, and financing will go through your bank. But some car buying platforms allow you to finance through them. But even if you choose to go this option, getting pre-approved for an auto loan with your bank or credit union is always a good place to start.
How do I get a car I buy online shipped to me?
Some online car-buying platforms (like Carvana and Vroom) include car shipping. For those that don’t, you can always arrange car shipping through Convoy Car Shipping. We offer door-to-door service and real-time tracking so you can have peace of mind as we deliver your new car to you.
What if I want to return a car I buy online?
When purchasing a car online, make sure that you have a warranty and a return window. Many platforms now offer a week-long try-out period, giving you a chance to see if you really like the car before you commit.
Are cars purchased online covered by lemon laws?
Lemon laws protect car buyers if they purchase a vehicle that fails to perform as the seller promised. These vary widely from state to state, and they usually only apply to new cars. If you want to make sure you are covered, check the lemon laws in the state you live in and the state the car seller is in.
