Best Car-Buying Sites Online for Free New Car Quotes
Avoid car salespeople by using the best online car-shopping sites.
Before online car-buying sites existed, the only way to get car dealers to compete was to drive to several different dealerships, find a new car, and then waste hours haggling over price. These are the best online car-buying sites I recommend.
You can use specific online car-buying platforms to get car dealers to compete for your business by starting a new car price bidding war. The key to getting the best deal is to gather new car price bids from as many local dealers as possible. Then you can shop them against each other until no one can match your best price.
Table of Contents
- What is an online car-buying site?
- Benefits of using an online car buying site
- How to start an online bidding war between dealers
- The best online car-buying websites
- Once you receive your free quotes – now what?
- Common questions about free new car price quotes
- Additional tips about online car buying sites
- Best online car-buying sites FAQs
What is an Online Car-Buying Site?
Online car shopping sites use sophisticated search engines to enable you to compare various cars or trucks within your budget. Many of these online car-buying services have extensive research and review areas that allow you to learn more about a vehicle you may be interested in purchasing.
The best online car-buying sites allow you to request free new car price quotes from multiple dealers in your local area.
Also, other aspects of the online buying process are firmly in your favor when you negotiate.
Here are some of the critical advantages of using an online car-buying platform:
- No time wasted
- No sales pressure
- No face-to-face salesperson interaction
- Opportunity to shop and compare prices from several dealerships at the same time
Benefits of the Best Online Car-Buying Sites
One of the most common new car-buying mistakes is focusing all your shopping on one dealership. The main benefit of using an online car-buying site is that you can visit several dealerships anywhere in the world using your computer, smartphone, tablet, or iPad.
The entire car shopping process can be completed in just a few minutes and will save you time, money, and back-and-forth haggling over the price of the car.
One of the most significant benefits of shopping for a car online is that you don’t have to go to a dealership physically. This allows you to avoid haggling for hours with a salesperson and the dealership staff.
When Car Dealers Compete for Your Business, YOU WIN!
Dealers know that if they don’t aggressively discount the vehicle’s price, the buyer will not contact them and will move on to the next dealership with a lower price.
The dealer aims to send you a low enough price to entice you to contact them, not the competition.
Savvy new car shoppers have used online car-buying sites for over a decade to obtain FREE new car price quotes. You will find the information you need to get local, new car dealerships to compete in a bidding war.
This car-buying strategy guarantees you the lowest price on your next new car, truck, minivan, or SUV.
There is no need to worry about your personal information; it is private, safe, and secure. The companies I recommend are well-established, have excellent ratings, and have been in business for a long time. For more detailed information on how these online car-buying sites make money and can provide free quotes, visit my article on how new car price quote services work.
I’ve listed the most popular, well-established free quote services here. These services have given my readers the most significant discounts and reliable offers for years.
These online companies have thousands of dealer members in their networks. Requesting a quote through these companies forces the dealers in their network to bid against each other to competitively bring you the lowest possible price.
Some of these automotive services may have the same network of dealer members. A Ford dealer may be a member of the Ryde Shopper network and the Cars Direct network. This can work to your advantage, offering an even higher discounted price.
When a dealer’s Internet department receives your quote request from more than one company, they know you are using the Internet to comparison shop and collect as many free price quotes as possible.
This also lets them know you’re a serious car buyer, so they contact several dealerships in the area. Knowing this information, dealers understand they need to be aggressive in their pricing if they want to sell you a vehicle.
This is how to drive up competition between dealerships and lower new car asking prices without ever leaving the comfort of your home.
Start an Online Bidding War Between New Car Dealers
Smart car buyers have used the “online bidding war technique” for over a decade. Using the Internet will get you a cheaper new car than walking into a dealership and playing “hardball” with a professional salesman. Not only will it get you a lower price, but it will also save you many hours of aggravation.
Car dealers across the United States sell thousands of cars at deeply discounted prices daily to savvy online car shoppers.
They can do this because there is no shortage of uneducated customers walking into dealerships and overpaying for new cars. That’s okay because, without those inexperienced buyers, you wouldn’t be able to take advantage of high-volume internet discounts.
Simple math: More dealers competing = More money you’ll save!
This process aims to acquire as many new car quotes as possible to get the most car dealers to participate in your bidding war. The more dealers you have competing with each other, the better chance you will receive an even lower price for your new car.
Start by visiting each one of the trusted online companies provided below. I advise requesting quotes from at least 6 – 8 different dealerships through the services below to get a good idea of the current market for the car you want.
It only takes a few seconds to complete the required information to request a quote from several dealers. Online car-buying sites receive thousands of free quote requests daily. Please provide your information correctly and include your complete email address.
Start a New Car Price Bidding War
Make Dealers Compete Online
Recommended New Car Shopping Sites
Ryde Shopper has one of the largest dealer networks in the nation. Just choose the make and model you want, and they'll quickly find the best local clearance prices for you. To get the most discounts and savings, make sure to select several dealers to compare.
Edmunds is one of the internet's most seasoned and premier destinations for new car research and reviews. With their extensive network of dealers, you can browse, research, and juxtapose millions of new vehicles, ensuring you discover the precise car you aim to purchase.
MotorTrend remains an underrated gem online. While it's primarily recognized for its car magazine, its recommendation service comes at no cost and with no buying commitment. Simply choose your desired vehicle, opt for local dealers, and get access to discounted rates.
Cars Direct has been a leader in online vehicle research since 1998 and is equipped with the perfect tools to help you identify your next car, truck, or SUV. They ensure a smooth journey from customizing your preferred vehicle to finalizing the purchase, allowing you to find your next ride quickly and effortlessly.
*Your goal is to gather six to eight new car price quotes (the more, the merrier).
Once You Receive Your Quotes
Keep your quotes organized as you receive them. Some will arrive immediately, and others may trickle in for up to 72 hours or more, depending on how busy the dealership is. Other factors affecting your quotes include the time and day of the week you requested them.
The quotes you receive will have the price, vehicle information, and the contact person at the car dealership. This allows you to bypass all the front-line salespeople at the dealership.
Quotes may vary between dealerships; some may have several vehicles listed, different finance offers, or unique gimmicks to get you to come in and buy. At this time, you’re focused on getting the best price. Weed through the quotes and select the ones that provide you with the best deal for your situation.
At this point, you can do one of two things: contact the dealer that provided you with the lowest price quote and set up a time to test drive and buy the car. Or, for the best deal, play dealers off each other by negotiating with dealerships by email. You may get an even more significant discount just by taking the time to ask for one.
Additional tips:
- Get a minimum of 7 new car price quotes.
- The more quotes, the better. Expand your mileage search radius further away if needed.
- Depending on when you send your request, some dealers may take 24-72 hours to respond.
- The quotes you receive should give you a good idea of what vehicle you want in your local area.
- There is no need to worry about your private information. The companies I recommend post their privacy policies, use industry-standard encryption, and will not sell your personal information or never send unsolicited emails.
- Hard to find, high-demand, limited edition or popular vehicles may have very few discounts or may not be discounted. If that’s the case, you may want to choose a different car or wait a few months until the “NEW” wears off of that particular model.
- As a vehicle’s model year enters a change cycle or the car starts to lose popularity with the public, dealers will become more flexible on pricing to sell the cars and get them off the lot.
- As your online quotes start rolling in, compare them against your fair profit new car offer to see if you’re getting a good deal or need to negotiate more. I’ve had readers tell me they’ve received quotes well under their calculated fair profit offer.
Common Questions About Free New Car Price Quotes
Many dealerships have found ways around being direct about providing you with a free new car price quote.
Below are some of the most common replies or situations you may experience when requesting price quotes from a dealer and how to handle each situation.
1) One Quote is Much Lower Than the Others
This is a great question to ask yourself. You’ve been driving a car for a while now. What do you like about it? What made you buy the vehicle in the first place? The way it drove, the safety features, the gas mileage, the way you look, etc.
Write them down and keep them for when shopping for your new car.
2) Why is the Dealer Contacting By Phone?
It rarely happens, although if, by chance, you’re contacted by someone from the dealership by phone, and you’re uncomfortable talking with them. Let it go to voicemail, and listen to the messages at your convenience. Take note of the caller’s professionalism and courtesy in the voicemail. This will be an indicator of how they may treat you in person.
To make them stop calling, answer the call and politely tell them you prefer to do business by email and will only entertain offers from dealers who respect your wishes and request they send you their offer by email.
3) What if There’s Only One Dealership in Town
Having just one dealer in town can limit your bargaining power, but you still have options.
First, research the fair market price for the car you’re interested in using online tools and price quotes from dealers in nearby areas. If possible, present this information to your local dealer so they have a chance to beat the offers you have in hand.
They may be more willing to negotiate if they know you’re informed. Consider expanding your search to neighboring towns; a slightly longer drive could lead to better deals.
- How to Buy a New Car Below Factory Invoice Price – True dealer cost and the factory invoice price are not the same… dealer cost can be much lower.
- Figure a Fair Profit New Car Offer – How to calculate a fair profit new car offer.
- How to Buy a New Car Online – Not sure where to start? Use my step-by-step guide on how to buy a new car online.
4) Why is the Dealer Asking a Bunch of Questions
You may be asked further questions via email before receiving a quote. Tell them you’re only interested in the lowest price they will sell the car for, with any dealer fees included, also known as the drive-out price.
This does not happen very often. The dealer is attempting to get some information from you (engagement) before giving you a price. They believe if they can get a conversation going, they have a better chance of you coming into the dealership before giving you a price.
If a dealer contacts you for any reason, tell them you’re working with several dealerships and waiting for the one that respects you by providing the information you’ve requested. This will pressure them to discount the car even more for your business.
5) What if I’m Presented With Other Offers?
Suppose the dealer tries to control the conversation by bringing up subjects like trading in a car, warranty, how much cash down, financing, or anything other than the price quote you’re requesting. Let him know you’re not interested in discussing anything besides the free price quote.
Again, the only thing you want from them now is their drive-out price on the requested car.
Car-Buying Tip: If a dealer contacts you for any reason, tell them you’re working with several dealerships in the area and waiting for the one that gives you the best price. This will pressure them to discount the car even more for your business.
If you’re happy with the lowest price, you’ve been quoted. Your next step should be to arrange auto financing before contacting the dealership. A pre-approved car loan will prevent you from being taken advantage of and help you negotiate a better deal with the dealership’s finance department.
Additional Tips About the Best Online Car-Buying Sites
Below are a few additional tips about the best online car-buying sites and how they work:
- Car dealers know online customers compare shopping for the “lowest price.”
- Dealers can offer special new car discount pricing to their online customers, which is not always available to walk-in customers.
- When a dealer receives more than one contact from you through several companies, they know you’re a serious buyer and will be more aggressive when providing you with a price.
- The online car-buying sites suggested on this website are well-established, thoroughly vetted, and have been in operation for more than ten years.
- New car price services have thousands of dealer members in their network. Requesting a quote through one of these companies forces the dealers to compete to bring you the lowest possible price.
- Some of these automotive services may have the same dealer network. For example, the same Ford dealer may be in the Edmunds and Ryde Shopper networks. Often, this works to your advantage, offering an even higher discounted price.
Best Online Car-Buying Sites FAQs
What car-buying site has the best new car prices?
The best strategy to get the best new car price is to request free price quotes on the exact vehicle from several dealerships in your local area. You can then use the quotations you receive to negotiate a better price between dealerships.
What is a new car price quote?
A new car price quote is a document that is typically sent without charge during a sales transaction and describes the goods or services at the proposed price. Consequently, requesting a free new car price quote means asking the dealer to send one that includes the price for which they are willing to sell a vehicle.
Can you negotiate with dealerships online?
Yes – Not only is it feasible, but it might also be the best way to buy a new car.
What is the worst part about car shopping online?
The worst part about car shopping online is that you cannot physically touch, smell or test drive the vehicle. You should always visually inspect and test drive the exact vehicle before signing on the dotted line.
About the author
My name is Carlton Wolf, and I’ve been in the car business since 1994, both retail and wholesale. I created the Auto Cheat Sheet to better educate buyers about the deceptive sales practices many dealerships use nationwide. Please understand that not all car dealers are dishonest. However, you never know who you’ll be dealing with, though. I’m willing to share my knowledge and experience with anyone who listens. Keep in mind that I’m a car guy, not a writer.
Car Price Quotes
Car prices are HIGH! You can still get a great deal by comparing prices using an online shopping service.
Rydeshopper
Edmunds
MotorTrend
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