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The Top Websites for Buying a Used Car

A list of the top websites to use when looking to buy a used car.

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By Linkidex
8 min read

Buying a new car can be challenging. The overwhelming number of choices, the pressure to find a good deal, and the complexity of financing options can pile up. On top of that, buyers worry about getting the right features, negotiating with dealerships, and trying to maximize value in an industry known for deception and scams. The process can be time-consuming, stressful, and confusing, especially with high prices and potential hidden fees. Buyers want to make the right investment, but the sheer volume of information, decisions, and hoops to jump through can make it feel daunting.

The following is a list of the best, and /or most popular websites for buying a new car. We have included links to each websites ratings on TrustPilot, Yelp, ConsumerAffairs, and the Better Business Bureau, if they are available.

The List

1. Autotrader.com

Autotrader is one of the largest online marketplaces for buying and selling new, certified, and used cars. It offers a broad selection of vehicles and allows you to filter by a range of criteria like make, model, price, and location.

Autotrader Details & Reviews

  • Who Lists The Cars?: Private Parties and dealerships
  • Year Founded: 1997
  • Trustpilot Score: 1.4 out of 5
  • Yelp Score: Not Available
  • ConsumerAffairs Score: 1.3 out of 5
  • BBB Rating: Not Available

Autotrader Pros

  • Extensive Inventory: AutoTrader offers over 3 million listings from 40,000 dealers and 250,000 private sellers, providing a vast selection of new, certified, and used cars to suit various preferences and budgets.
  • Comprehensive Research Tools: Detailed listings include vehicle specs, photos, and contact info, alongside resources like history reports, pricing comparisons, and expert reviews to help buyers make informed choices.
  • User-Friendly Experience: AutoTrader’s website and app make searching easy with filters for price, mileage, and body type.

Autotrader Cons

  • Inaccurate Listings: Users often encounter outdated or inaccurate listings, leading to frustration when vehicles are unavailable or don’t match the descriptions, wasting time and effort.
  • High Listing Fees: AutoTrader’s listing fees range from $25 to $90, which can deter sellers, especially when other platforms, like Cars.com, offer free listings.
  • Customer Service Concerns: Many users report poor customer service, citing difficulties in getting support for issues like fraudulent inquiries or listing problems, making the process frustrating for buyers and sellers.

2. Cars.com

Cars.com is a popular marketplace for buying and selling used cars, offering a wide selection of vehicles and connecting buyers to local dealers and private sellers.

Cars.com Details & Reviews

Cars.com Pros

  • Extensive Vehicle Listings: Cars.com offers millions of new and used listings from both dealers and private sellers, providing a wide selection to meet users’ needs.
  • Comprehensive Research Tools: The platform features car reviews, comparisons, pricing info, and vehicle history reports, helping buyers make informed decisions.
  • User-Friendly Experience: Cars.com’s intuitive interface simplifies searches by make, model, price, and location, with payment calculators and financing options enhancing the shopping experience.

Cars.com Cons

  • Inconsistent Listing Quality: Some listings lack detail or contain inaccuracies, causing confusion when assessing a car’s condition.
  • Limited Private Seller Options: Cars.com focuses more on dealership listings, offering fewer private sale options compared to platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
  • Customer Service Challenges: Users report slow responses and unhelpful support, especially when dealing with listing or transaction issues, leading to frustration.

3. CarMax.com

CarMax is a well-known used car retailer offering a no-haggle pricing system. Buyers can purchase cars online or at physical locations, with options to have vehicles shipped to their local CarMax.

CarMax Details & Reviews

  • Who Lists The Cars?: CarMax is an Online Dealership
  • Year Founded: 1993
  • Trustpilot Score: 1.9 out of 5
  • Yelp Score: Varies by location
  • ConsumerAffairs Score: 1.6 out of 5
  • BBB Rating: 1.14 out of 5

CarMax Pros

  • No-Haggle Pricing: CarMax’s no-haggle policy means the price is final, offering a straightforward, stress-free buying experience.
  • Extensive Vehicle Selection: Thousands of used vehicles are available online and across CarMax locations, providing plenty of options for buyers.
  • Comprehensive Vehicle Inspection and Warranty: Every CarMax vehicle undergoes rigorous inspection and comes with a limited warranty, ensuring quality and buyer peace of mind.

CarMax Cons

  • Higher Prices: No-haggle pricing can lead to higher costs compared to other dealerships or private sales where negotiation is possible.
  • Limited Inventory of New Cars: CarMax primarily sells used vehicles, so those looking for new models will need to explore other platforms.
  • Less Personalization in Service: The streamlined buying process may feel less personalized than the tailored service offered at smaller dealerships.

4. Carvana.com

Carvana is an online-only used car retailer where users can browse, finance, and purchase cars entirely online, with options for home delivery or pick-up from a vending machine.

Carvana Details & Reviews

Carvana Pros

  • Convenient Online Shopping: Carvana offers a fully online buying experience with home delivery, eliminating the need for dealership visits.
  • Transparent Pricing: Upfront pricing with no hidden fees helps buyers avoid negotiation stress and boosts confidence in purchases.
  • Comprehensive Vehicle Information: Listings include detailed information, 360-degree views, and vehicle history reports to aid informed decision-making.

Carvana Cons

  • Limited Inspection and Test Drive Opportunities: No in-person inspections or test drives before purchase may be a drawback for some buyers.
  • Delivery Fees and Limited Availability: Delivery fees may apply depending on location, and not all areas are serviced equally.
  • Higher Prices Compared to Traditional Dealerships: Carvana’s convenience often comes with higher prices, and local dealerships or private sales may offer better deals.

5. TrueCar.com

TrueCar connects buyers with dealers through a transparent pricing platform, allowing users to compare prices on used and new vehicles and see what others have paid locally.

TrueCar Details & Reviews

TrueCar Pros

  • Transparent Pricing: TrueCar shows what others paid for similar vehicles, helping buyers understand market value and simplifying negotiations.
  • Time-Saving Tools: Filters for budget, preferences, and features make finding suitable vehicles quick and efficient.
  • Access to Certified Dealers: TrueCar connects buyers to certified dealers, ensuring quality transactions and reliable vehicles.

TrueCar Cons

  • Limited Negotiation Flexibility: Transparent pricing may limit negotiation opportunities, which can feel restrictive for some buyers.
  • Potential for Higher Prices: Some users report higher prices compared to private sales or local dealerships, potentially missing better deals.
  • Dependence on Dealer Inventory: Vehicle selection is limited to dealer inventory, which may restrict options for certain makes or models.

6. Edmunds.com

Edmunds is a trusted resource for car buyers, providing expert reviews, detailed vehicle listings, and pricing tools. It also offers comparison tools, consumer reviews, and financing calculators, along with a “Price Promise” for transparent pricing.

Edmunds Details & Reviews

  • Who Lists The Cars?: Private Parties and dealerships
  • Year Founded: 1966
  • Trustpilot Score: 2.2 out of 5
  • ConsumerAffairs Score: Not Available
  • Yelp Score: Not Available
  • BBB Rating: Not Available

Edmunds Pros

  • Comprehensive Vehicle Reviews: Edmunds provides in-depth reviews, rankings, and video test drives to help buyers make informed decisions.
  • Financing Tools: Users can prequalify for financing and explore payment options, making the process smoother and more transparent.
  • Instant Trade-In Appraisal: Edmunds offers a free tool for quick trade-in appraisals, helping sellers estimate their vehicle’s value before dealer negotiations.

Edmunds Cons

  • Potentially Overwhelming Information: Edmunds’ extensive reviews and comparisons can overwhelm first-time buyers.
  • Limited Inventory Listings: Edmunds’ inventory is smaller than platforms like Cars.com or AutoTrader, limiting vehicle options.
  • User Experience Issues: Some users find the interface less intuitive, making navigation and information retrieval more difficult.

How Linkidex Can Help

Information is your ally. The better informed you are, the more likely you are to get a good deal, where both you and whomever you purchase a car from walk away happy. Staying organized during this process is important, and Tools like Google Sheets or Linkidex can help.

Organize Car Listings

  • Users can save links to multiple car listings from different websites (like Autotrader, CarMax, CarGurus, etc.) in one place.
  • Create folders to categorize cars by type, price range, or features, making it easy to review options side by side.

Track Research & Reviews

  • Save and sort reviews, comparisons, and expert opinions about different car models and dealershipThis helps keep research organized and accessible.

Compare Financing & Warranty Options

  • Save links to financing calculators, loan prequalification tools, and warranty information to easily compare different offers.

Collaborate with Others

  • If users are consulting with friends, family, or a car expert, they can share their links, allowing others to add notes or share feedback on specific cars or dealerships.

Bookmark Vehicle History Reports

  • Easily save links to vehicle history reports (from services like Carfax) so that they’re readily available for quick reference during decision-making.
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