Top 25 Best Online Car Buying Sites

If you’re in the market for a new or used car, the process has never been easier. Forget about spending your entire weekend perusing countless vehicles and haggling with pushy salespeople. If you want to search for the exact vehicle of your choice and avoid the stress of a dealership, buying a car online might be right for you. Thanks to the ease of the internet, it is now possible to find your dream car. You are no longer limited to your local inventory and you have the ability to expand your search anywhere in the country. That makes it easy to find the right car at the right price. So, which car-buying sites should you turn to as you begin shopping for your new car? We’ve compiled a list of the top 25 best online car buying sites. 

1. Carvana

Carvana has become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to the convenience of a complete online car buying experience. There are no physical dealerships, meaning no haggling and better prices. They also offer certified cars that come with a 100-day/4,189 mile “Worry Free Guarantee.” You also have 7 days to test drive your car and return it if you are not satisfied. 

2. AutoTrader

AutoTrader is a great online source if you are looking for a new or used vehicle. It’s user friendly search engine allows you to search for an exact make and model within your budget. You also have the option for a cash offer or trade-in on eligible cars. 

3. Joydrive

Joydrive offers a complete hassle-free online car buying experience for both new and pre-owned vehicles. They provide you with a network of dealers along with a variety of vehicles to choose from. You get a 5-day trial along with an in-depth background check on every vehicle. 

4. CarsDirect

If you still want to do a little research to find the right vehicle for you, CarsDirect is a great resource. They offer buying guides, expert analysis on different cars, and they have an abundance of tools to help you make an informed decision. 

5. Edmunds

Edmunds is a trusted online car buying source that offers side-by-side comparisons of different vehicles as well as research tools and buying guides. They connect you with dealers around the country to find the perfect vehicle at the right price. 

6. Vroom

Vroom specializes in pre-owned vehicles with low mileage and each one has to pass a rigorous 126-point inspection. Each vehicle also comes equipped with a protection plan for additional peace of mind. What’s more? Vroom offers free nationwide shipping to your door along with a 7-day or 250 mile test drive so you can be sure this is the car for you. 

7. Cars.com

Cars.com has been around for nearly two decades and makes it easy for consumers to purchase new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles. It’s simple and easy navigation tool makes it a great choice for consumers new to online car shopping. 

8. Kelley Blue Book

Kelley Blue Book has been a reliable source for car pricing since 1926. You can use it’s car estimates to find a fair price for your trade-in as well as researching the price of a new or used car. Now, you can even use the site to search local dealers and private sellers to find your perfect car. 

9. Hemmings

Hemmings is the ideal choice for consumers looking to purchase a specific classic car or car part. This site is a classic car collector’s dream, offering a unique selection of antique and classic cars and parts ranging from the 1930’s to the 1980’s. 

10. Autolist

Autolist is a great resource for browsing on the go. It has a great user-friendly app that accompanies it’s website which allows you to quickly and easily scour the database for a specific make, model, and price. 

11. Craigslist

Most people are familiar with Craigslist but they may not be familiar with its variety of great car listings. It’s a great site for searching through a variety of used cars offered by dealers and private sellers. 

12. Facebook Marketplace

If you are familiar with Facebook you might enjoy car shopping through Facebook Marketplace. It is a great place for people to buy and sell used cars. Since you are dealing with private sellers, you can also save a great deal of money by cutting out the middleman. 

13. Car Gurus

Car Gurus is an online car buying site for new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles. Their goal is to provide a transparent automotive marketplace where shoppers get access to a variety of top-rated dealers. They have all the tools needed to guide you through the entire car buying process. 

14. Auto Tempest

This is your one stop shop for online car buying. Much like the popular travel websites Expedia and Travelocity, Auto Tempest searches multiple different websites at once for your desired criteria. You can view results from a variety of sites including Auto Trader, ebay Motors, Craigslist, Cars.com, and Cars Direct all in one place. 

15. eBay Motors

You are probably familiar with the traditional eBay, but this site is dedicated solely to online car shopping. It is similar to Craigslist in the sense that you are buying from private sellers, but unlike Craigslist you have access to seller reviews and buyer protection if you are unhappy with your vehicle. 

16. Tred

This online car buying site allows you to purchase a vehicle from a private seller at a reasonable price. You also get added assurances like quality inspections and secured payment. 

17. CarSoup

CarSoup has a convenient search tool that allows you to search by make, model, body style, budget and more. If you are looking to trade-in your current vehicle, they also provide a way for you to sell your vehicle through the site. In addition, they offer a variety of great buying and selling tools as well as financing help. 

18. TrueCar

If price comparison is important to you then TrueCar is a great site to check out. They make you feel comfortable about your car price by allowing you to compare the pricing with other similar vehicles. The pricing tool is a convenient way to give you peace of mind during your online car shopping experience. 

 19. Autobytel

Autobytel is among the leaders in online car shopping and has been serving customers since 1995. In addition to connecting you with thousands of quality dealers, they also include informative tips that further educate you about the vehicles you are searching.You can use their pricing tool to find fair market prices and access their list of reviews to find the vehicle that best suits your needs. 

20. NowCar

This site is intended for those who are in the market for a new vehicle but don’t want the hassle of going to a dealership. They aim to provide an easy and transparent car buying experience and offer a variety of features and incentives that can help you save money on a new car. 

21. Cars & Bids

Though it is new to the online car buying platform, Cars & Bids quickly became a popular online destination for enthusiasts looking to buy and sell a car through auction. They specialize in unique and luxury vehicles and take the stress out of buying a car from a dealer. 

22. Carmax

Most people are familiar with Carmax because they have hundreds of physical locations. However, it is also a great place to purchase a vehicle online. They have a huge inventory of vehicles available nationwide and their low upfront pricing takes the stress out of haggling. 

23. Bring a Trailer

If you are in the market for vintage or classic cars this is the perfect site for you. They connect with sellers looking to sell their classic vehicle in an auction format. Each seller provides a detailed description of the vehicle along with pictures. The buyer also provides shipping for the winner bidder.

24. NADAguides

The J.D. Powers Award is given to the most trusted companies in each industry, and NADAguides is run by J.D. Powers himself. That means you can rest assured that you will receive quality and trusted car related information. In addition to its comprehensive pricing information, it also provides several private listings of vehicles. 

25. RelayCars

Though you cannot purchase a vehicle directly through this site, RelayCars allows you to take a virtual tour of any car you are thinking about purchasing. You can explore the car inside and out prior to buying it so this is a great tool to check out before making a purchase.