Buy a Car the Web Way
When buying or leasing a car, impulse is your enemy. Given the financial commitment required to buy a car, a purchase not shown proper consideration could leave you regretting your decision for a long time. Luckily, the Web's resources are perfect for getting you the information you need and moving that perfect car from the showroom floor to behind your garage door. For a Spanish-language version of the Guide, click here.
Expand All Guide SectionsAdvice and Overviews on Car Buying
Online or off, your success when buying a car depends greatly on your preparation. Good research ... read more »
Buy a New Car
Whether it's luxury, performance, economy, or reliability you crave, new cars bring you the latest advancements in automotive technology. As a new owner you're bringing home a machine that's untouched and distinctly yours. In this section we'll show you the best places to read car reviews, compare makes and models, check prices, and buy the latest models on the market.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Unlike real-world dealerships, very few sites on the Web specialize in only new or used cars. Because of this overlap, you can expect to find used car listings in many of the sites listed below. Those sites with quality information resources for new cars and extensive used car listings will be repeated in this section and the "How do I buy a used car?" section of this guide.
- Car buying sites generally offer extensive research resources in addition to their car listings.
- When buying a new car, you'll have to do it through a dealer. And although this means you'll most likely need to make a trip on your own, you can take the first step online by using the following sites to do your homework. Not only do these sites have complete reviews of all new models, including technical specifications, expert opinions, and safety information, you can also use them to get a free price quote from your local dealer. If you're serious about buying, use these sites to put yourself into a position to negotiate a price that works for you.
- Manufacturers' sites generally have interesting features and information and, although it's all promotional in nature, it's worth visiting before making any purchases. Use Automotive-Links.com (the last of our Picks in this section) to find the official Web pages of the carmakers you're interested in.
- When you encounter "buyer's guides" online, scrutinize them for author biases. It's not unlikely that a dealership or car company with a buyer's guide has tweaked it to sway readers toward certain products.
Dulcinea's Picks
For new car research ...
MSN Autos
is an automotive research portal with overviews and reviews of the latest car models from the world's top manufacturers. Each model is rated and broken down by price, features and specs, photos, reviews, safety, and reliability. You can also access local dealer quotes, consumer report snapshots, and more.
CarWorks
is a complete car buyer's guide. In addition to providing reviews on all models currently on the market, the site has a nine-step "Buying Tips" section that walks you through the car buying process with advice on working the showroom floor, dealing with dealer tricks, and more.
Yahoo Autos
is similar in design and function to MSN Autos but differs in that it offers user reviews. On the homepage, select the make and model of a new car, and Yahoo will direct you to a page with a summary and user reviews.
Autobytel
's best buyer features are its car reviews, comparison feature, and the "Research Center," which has pricing, specs, and more. All of these are accessible from the homepage.
CarSmart
has new-car price quotes, reviews, and a "Car Research" section that takes users from early-stage research like checking invoice pricing reports and rebate/incentive programs to more advanced features like payment calculators and loan quotes.
To buy a new car ...
Cars.com
is a user-friendly site with an intuitive structure that makes getting a price quote from a long list of local dealerships easy and quick. When looking for new cars, you'll have the option of searching local inventory or customizing.
CarsDirect
is a sales and research site with more than half a million listings for new and used cars, and a variety of articles on issues related to the purchasing process. Check out the useful "Buying Guides" that break down the industry by body type, explaining which cars excel over their competition and why.
Edmunds
is a car buying information site that walks buyers through the entire purchasing process. In addition to the "Tips and Advice" section we recommended earlier in this guide, Edmunds has appraisal tools like its "true market value" price quotes for new and used vehicles and reviews of new and used automobiles.
Invoice Dealers
is an easy way for you to get a price quote from a local dealer on a car of your choice. Simply enter the make, model and year, and your zip code, along with your contact information, and you'll be contacted with a price. Also check out the "Research" section for vehicle summaries and specs, along with links to information on competing cars.
For a directory of Web sites broken down by car make ...
Automotive-Links.com
is a directory of links to Web sites related to a long list of car makes and models. Through this directory you'll find official manufacturer Web sites, enthusiast pages, and links to sites with parts.
Buy a Used Car
If thoughts of buying a used car conjure up the stereotype of a cheap suit-clad salesman equipped ... read more »
Lease a Car
Leasing a car is similar in nature to renting an apartment: you inhabit it for a set period of ... read more »
How to Finance a Car
Unless you're sitting on a hefty savings account, buying a new or used car means taking out a loan. ... read more »
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