10 Best Online Car Buying Sites of 2024

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If you’ve ever spent an entire weekend car shopping, you know what a hassle it can be. Few car buyers enjoy dealing with a pushy car salesperson or visiting five different dealerships before finding a car you like.

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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.

10 Best Online Car Buying Sites

The ten best car buying sites listed below will simplify the car buying process for you.

1. CarsDirect

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Want to drive away in your ideal vehicle at a price you’ll love? Look no further than CarsDirect. This online platform makes it easy for you to find unbeatable deals on new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles.

With just a few clicks, you can browse through a vast selection of cars, filtering your search by model, make, and budget.

Narrowing down your options to just a few vehicles? CarsDirect’s side-by-side comparison feature is helpful.

Compare all the important details and make an informed decision, ensuring you end up with the perfect car for you.

Say goodbye to the hassle of haggling at dealerships and hello to a stress-free car buying experience with CarsDirect!

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

2. Autotrader

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Autotrader stands out as a leading online platform for buying and selling new, certified, and used cars. With an intuitive interface and powerful search tools, it simplifies the process of finding the perfect car to match your needs and budget.

The platform offers a massive inventory from dealers and private sellers nationwide, making it easy to compare prices, features, and conditions of various vehicles.

Autotrader enhances the buying experience with detailed vehicle information, high-quality photos, and the ability to save searches and get alerts on new listings that match your criteria.

Additionally, Autotrader provides valuable resources such as car reviews, buying advice, and comparison tools to help buyers make informed decisions.

Financing options are also available through the site, along with tools to estimate your monthly payments and get pre-approved for a loan.

Pros

  • Large selection of new, certified, and used cars from both dealers and private sellers.
  • Advanced search filters to narrow down options based on specific criteria.
  • Free vehicle history reports available to ensure transparency and trust.
  • Helpful car buying resources, including reviews, advice, and financing tools.

Cons

  • The sheer volume of listings can be overwhelming for some users.
  • Private seller listings may vary in detail and quality compared to local dealer listings.

3. Vroom

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Vroom is an online platform that allows you to purchase or sell a vehicle with ease. With thousands of options at your fingertips, you can effortlessly browse and find your dream car.

Vroom provides detailed information on each vehicle, including photos, features, and even a comprehensive CARFAX vehicle history report. And, with a seven-day return window and a 90-day warranty, you can shop with confidence.

Plus, enjoy a year of free roadside assistance for added peace of mind. Experience a smarter, simpler way to buy or sell a car with Vroom.

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.

4. CarGurus

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CarGurus offers a wide selection of both new and pre-owned vehicles. Easily find the perfect car for you by searching by model, body style, and budget.

Prefer to stick close to home? No problem – CarGurus allows you to prioritize local listings.

Each vehicle listing comes with a comprehensive summary, including a helpful evaluation of the listing price, letting you know whether it’s a good deal or not.

CarGurus removes the hassle of checking multiple sources and provides a seamless car shopping experience.

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.

5. TrueCar

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Whether you’re in the market for a new or used vehicle, or looking to trade in your current ride, TrueCar has you covered.

With various search options, including model, price, and mileage, finding your ideal car has never been easier.

TrueCar takes the guesswork out of shopping for a car by giving you insight into what others have paid for the same car you’re interested in.

Plus, you’ll know if the price is above or below-market value, ensuring you get the best deal possible. Get a stress-free car shopping experience with TrueCar instead of endless negotiations.

Pros

  • Transparent pricing.
  • You can trade in your current vehicle.
  • Browse through both new and used cars online.

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.

6. Craigslist

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Craigslist is a well-known name in the world of peer-to-peer car buying websites. Boasting a vast community of private sellers, it presents a treasure trove of local vehicles for potential buyers to explore.

However, the level of detail provided on Craigslist may leave some car shoppers wanting more, when compared to other online car buying platforms.

Just remember that Craigslist doesn’t perform any background checks on the vehicles listed on their site. Thus, it falls on the buyer to thoroughly research the seller and the car, to ensure they’re not being taken for a ride.

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.

7. Bring A Trailer

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Are you on the hunt for a vintage car or motorcycle? Then, Bring A Trailer could be the ideal solution for you. This car buying site serves as a virtual auction house for rare and classic cars.

Sellers have the option to list their vehicles on the Bring A Trailer platform, where the company rigorously evaluates each one. Afterward, buyers can place bids and compete for the car of their dreams.

The auction process is open for seven exciting days, after which the bidding closes. The winner then concludes the transaction directly with the seller, without any involvement from Bring A Trailer.

Pros

  • A good place to find rare and classic 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.

8. Facebook Marketplace

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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.

With the surge of popularity, Facebook Marketplace has emerged as a convenient platform for buying and selling second-hand cars.

One of the biggest perks of utilizing Facebook Marketplace is the opportunity to purchase a vehicle from private sellers, offering a more customized experience compared to the generic feel of Craigslist.

However, make sure you are vigilant and thoroughly research the seller and the car before making any decisions.

Pros

  • You can see exactly who you’re buying a car from.
  • It can be easier to avoid scams than sites like Craigslist.
  • 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 on online car buying sites like Carvana.

9. Authority Auto

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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 multiple dealerships to find you the best deal on a new car.

Authority Auto allows 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

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Instead of browsing through 10 different car sites looking for the best deal, why not try AutoTempest? The site pulls listing from major car buying sites like Carvana, CarsDirect, AutoTrader, and more.

Whether you’re searching for local options, brand-new cars, or gently used vehicles, AutoTempest has it all. You can even select the type of seller you prefer, either a dealership or a private seller.

Pros

  • A one-stop shop for used 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 numerous car sites, so there’s no consistent standard for the information provided.

Tips for Buying a Car Online

If you’re looking to bypass the high-pressure sales tactics of a traditional car dealership and buy a car online, there are some things you should know. It’s important to understand these tips so you can find the best car deals when car shopping online.

1. Set a Budget

The first step is to determine how much you can afford to spend on a new car. Set your budget and stick to it. Don’t forget to include fuel, car insurance, down payment and other factors that contribute to the purchase price and monthly payment of a car loan.

Your budget should also consider the interest rate you’re given and the interest you will pay, since it has the biggest influence on your monthly payment and the overall cost. The higher your credit scores, the more competitive interest rates you’ll be offered.

2. Get Preapproved for a Loan

To get the best deal on a car loan, research your options and get preapproved by a lender before you start the online car shopping process. You don’t want to find the perfect car online, only to find out that you can’t get a loan for it. So, get preapproved. You can also use the preapproval as leverage when negotiating a deal.

3. Begin Your Research

Browse through some online car buying sites listed above and take the time to learn about the features they offer. Bookmark the sites you like the best.

Then, it’s time to start finding out as much as possible about the make, model, and options of the cars that you’re considering. From there, you can start to narrow down the cars that meet your goals and fit your price range.

To figure out what you should pay for a car, you can use the Kelley Blue Book values as a guide. Once you find the new or used car that you like, you can start comparing prices.

4. Consider a Test-Drive

After you’ve found the car you want to buy, if it’s possible, schedule a test-drive. Even if it’s not the exact car that you will be buying, visit a local dealership to test-drive one that is similar, so you’re certain that it’s the right car for you.

5. Get a Vehicle History Report

When it comes to vehicle history reports, CARFAX is the standard. A CARFAX report will tell you how many owners the used car has had and how many accidents the car has been in. Most dealerships offer these reports for free. However, if you’re dealing with a private seller, if they don’t have the CARFAX report, you may have to purchase the report for yourself.

6. Negotiate the Price

You’re ready to negotiate the price of the car. Always remember that you are in control, and if you don’t get the price you want, you can take your business elsewhere.

7. Sign and Drive

Once you’ve found the best deal, you’ll need to finalize the bill of sale, and sign any required financing paperwork. Then, you can pick up the keys and drive away in your new vehicle.

Remember to review the final contract carefully. Check all the numbers and ask for explanations of anything that looks questionable. You may also want to consider having a mechanic check the car over before you finalize the deal.

Jamie Johnson
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.