Best Online Car-Buying Tools for Car Buyers
When you use online car-buying tools to find, price, and compare cars before your next purchase, you will eliminate the stress and frustration associated with buying a new car, truck, or SUV from a dealership.
I’ve scoured the web for the best car buying tools and sorted through the good, bad, and ugly online services. Below are the tools I like, use, and share with friends/family.
Why I Created This List
I created this list from the most reliable sources based in the United States. My goal is to aid consumers throughout the car-buying process, so they can make informed choices while also saving money when buying a new or used car.
Car Price Quote Services
Comparing new and used car price quotes in your local area is the quickest way to save money.
RydeShopper
Whether you’re looking for a new car or a used car that’s new to you, a car-buying website can be a great help.
- Benefits: Save money, reduce time, and improve the experience.
- Advantages: Hidden deals, dealer competition, and dealer relationships.
- Features: Vehicle search, easy & fast interface, and local targeting.
Edmunds
Edmunds is one of the internet’s oldest and most trusted vehicle research and review sites.
- Benefits: Trusted name – finding a vehicle is easy.
- Advantages: Search by criteria that are important to you.
- Features: New & used price quotes, reviews, comparison shopping.
Motortrend
MotorTrend is one of the best-kept secrets on the Internet, with a broad dealer network dedicated to offering the lowest prices.
- Benefits: The service is 100% free & there’s no obligation.
- Advantages: You receive volume-discounted internet pricing.
- Features: They search their network of dealers.
CarsDirect
Cars Direct has been in business since 1998 and has all the right tools to help you find your next new car.
- Benefits: Many quotes are under the factory invoice.
- Advantages: Easy to use new & used car search tools.
- Features: Detailed reviews and expert opinions.
Best Online Car-Selling Sites
Selling your car to an online car-buying service is quick and straightforward.
Peddle
Peddle will offer to buy your car online, and once you accept the offer, they will come to you and exchange a check for your vehicle.
- Benefits: Get an offer to buy your vehicle instantly.
- Advantages: They buy everything, running or not, all over the nation.
- Features: Offers guaranteed if the vehicle’s condition persists.
Vroom
Vroom will tell you what your vehicle’s worth, get an instant appraisal, and they’ll even pick it up from your location.
- Benefits: Quick and easy process. Get an offer to buy instantly.
- Advantages: No obligation to sell. The offer is good for 7 days / 250 miles.
- Features: Free car pick-up anywhere in the lower 48 states.
Online Auto Financing Sites
A pre-approved car loan is the best way to leverage yourself when dealing with a dealership’s finance department.
myAutoloan
If the vehicle you wish to purchase is under ten years old and has less than 120,000 miles, myAutoLoan is an excellent option for you.
- Loans: Good credit and bad credit loans are available.
- Benefits: Up to four loan offers for you to comparison shop.
- Advantages: Fast, free, and easy. No obligation; you can walk away.
- Features: See current rates, calculators, and interest rate estimators.
Auto Credit Express
Dealing with a lender for those with negative credit can be challenging and unpleasant. Auto Credit Express can save you time and money.
- Loans: Good credit and bad credit loans are available.
- Benefits: Low payments, and affordable down payments.
- Advantages: Financing for bad credit, limited or no credit.
- Features: Dealer network with loans available from $5,000 to $48,000.
Instant Car Loan
Get a pre-approved bad credit car loan before contacting a dealership. This ensures you get a great deal on your next new or used car.
- Loans: Bad credit and no credit car loans available.
- Benefits: No Fees. Online. Secure. Instant!
- Advantages: Online, instant, and secure. $0 down payment loans OAC.
- Features: No hidden fees. Instant approval. No obligation.
1800FreshStart
Applying for a car loan through 1800FreshStart can help you get a car and help you rebuild your credit score.
- Loans: Bad credit and no credit car loans available.
- Benefits: Good credit, bankruptcy, bad credit, and no credit loan options.
- Advantages: Pre-qualify securely online—90-second approval.
- Features: Auto loans available from $3,000 to $45,000.
Best Auto Warranty Sites
Shopping for an extended auto warranty can be confusing and costly. These online warranty companies will help you make an informed decision.
Complete Car Warranty
Get complete protection for up to 60% off what a dealership charges for the same coverage.
- Benefits: Absorbs unexpected repair costs. Tailored to your driving needs.
- Advantages: Instant quotes. Unlimited claims. Choose your mechanic.
- Features: Instant quotes. Use to negotiate dealer warranty costs.
Endurance Vehicle Protection
Dealing with your car breaking down is bad enough without having to give half of your paycheck away.
- Benefits: 30-day money-back guarantee, accepted by dealers and certified mechanics everywhere.
- Advantages: No obligation to purchase; compare costs with a dealership.
- Features: Tire replacement. Roadside assistance. Multi-feature plans.
Olive Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
Dealing with your car breaking down is bad enough without having to give half of your paycheck away.
- Benefits: Easy-to-use process. Immediate coverage. Cancel anytime.
- Advantages: No obligation to purchase; compare costs with a dealership.
- Features: Multi-feature plans. Choose your repair shop. Manage online.
Online Car Insurance Sites
Car insurance tends to be an afterthought when people shop for a new car, but comparing options beforehand is wise.
Liberty Mutual
With Liberty Mutual, you have more control over the process. Choose the coverage that fits your needs without paying for what you don’t need.
- Benefits: Respected insurance provider, online & bundling discounts.
- Advantages: Free no-obligation quotes, superior service, solid reputation.
- Features: Learning center, mobile app, roadside assistance, discounts.
Other Online Car Buying Tools for Car Buyers
These additional online car buying tools have been vetted and will save you money.
AutoCheck Vehicle History Reports
AutoCheck can’t stop you from buying a problematic car, but at least you will be aware of issues the car may have before your purchase.
- Benefits: Quick way to find out if a car has any hidden issues.
- Advantages: Instant vehicle search report. BuyBack Program.
- Features: Easily get one or more reports, adds to your negotiation power.
MyFreeScoreNow
My Free Score Now provides you the data, details, and information you need to protect your valued credit information and identity.
- Benefits: Constant credit score and credit monitoring.
- Advantages: Uses the 3 biggest credit reporting bureaus.
- Features: Unlimited daily reports. Cancel at any time.
